Transcendent Man Coming Soon!‏

I just received this email yesterday from the transcendent man website

Dear Transcendent Man fans!

Thank you for your continued support of and interest in Transcendent Man.

We are excited to announce that Transcendent Man is scheduled to launch early in 2011. The film will be available online and in select theaters in the U.S. and Canada. Details about the film’s release including how and where you’ll be able to see it will be forthcoming.

We encourage you to visit the Transcendent Man fanpage on Facebook (even if you’re not a facebook user) and “like” the fanpage. This will give you access to updates about venues, dates, special screening events and other important information about the film’s release as they happen.

Click the link below to become a fan of Transcendent Man.
http://www.facebook.com/TranscendentMan

Thanks again for your interest and enthusiasm!

Best regards,
The Transcendent Man Team

Awsome Interactive Anatomy Software

I just found this really amazing site that allows you to see and interact with the human anatomy in 3D. Its called visible body.
If you want to check out the free trial go to Interactive Anatomy

If you are looking for the delux version of this software then the  Real Anatomy Software
was my hands-down favorite.

There is even a free download at humananatomycourse.com which has the Ultimate Home study course for human anatomy and physiology
.

Nanowire Biocompatibility In The Brain: So Far So Good

The biological safety of nanotechnology, in other words, how the body reacts to nanoparticles, is a hot topic. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have managed for the first time to carry out successful experiments involving the injection of so-called 'nanowires.'

In the future it is expected that it will be possible to insert nanoscale electrodes to study learning and memory functions and to treat patients suffering from chronic pain, depression, and diseases such as Parkinson's. But it is not known what would happen if the nanoelectrodes would break away from their contact points.

Scientists at Lund University have investigated this 'worst case by injecting nanowires in rat brains. The nanowires resemble in size and shape the registration nodes of electrodes of the future. The results show that the brain 'clean-up cells' (microglia), take care of the wires. After twelve weeks only minor differences were observed between the brains of the test group and the control group. The findings are published in Nano Letters.
"The results indicate that this is a feasible avenue to pursue in the future. Now we have a better base on which to develop more advanced and more useful electrodes than those we have today," explains Christelle Prinz, a scientist in Solid State Physics at the Faculty of Engineering (LTH), who, together with Cecilia Eriksson Linsmeier at the Faculty of Medicine, is the lead author of the new article.
Electrodes are already used today to counteract symptoms of Parkinson's disease, for instance. Future nanotechnology may enable refined and enhanced treatment and pave the way for entirely new applications.
One advantage of nanoscale electrodes is that they can register and stimulate the tiniest components of the brain. To study the biological safety -- the biocompatibility -- of these electrodes, the scientists first produced nanowires that were then mixed into a fluid that was injected into the rat brains. An equal number of rats were given the solution without the nanowires. After 1, 6, and 12 weeks, respectively, the researchers looked at how the rat brains were reacting to the nanowires.
The research project is run by the university's interdisciplinary Neuronano Research Center (NRC), coordinated by Jens Schouenborg at the Faculty of Medicine and funded by a Linnaeus grant and the Wallenberg Foundation, among others. The work has involved scientists from the Faculty of Medicine and from the Nanometer Consortium, directed by Lars Samuelson, LTH.
"We studied two of the brain tissue's support cells: on the one hand, microglia cells, whose job is to 'tidy up' junk and infectious compounds in the brain and, on the other hand, astrocytes, who contribute to the brain's healing process. The microglia 'ate' most of the nanowires. In weeks 6 and 12 we could see remains of them in the microglia cells," says Nils Danielsen, a researcher with the NRC.
The number of nerve cells remained constant for test and control groups, which is a positive sign. The greatest difference between the test and control groups was that the former had a greater astrocyte reaction at one week, but this level eventually declined. At weeks 6 and 12 the scientists were not able to detect any difference at all.
"Together with other findings and given that the number of microglial cells decreased over time, the results indicate that the brain was not damaged or chronically injured by the nanowires," Christelle Prinz concludes.
Authors: Cecilia Linsmeier Eriksson, Christelle N. Prinz, Lina ME Pettersson, Philippe Caroff, Lars Samuelson, Jens Schouenborg, Lars Montelius, Nils Danielsen.

---

Journal reference:

1. Eriksson Linsmeier et al. Nanowire Biocompatibility in the Brain - Looking for a Needle in a 3D Stack. Nano Letters, 2009; 091021155700017 DOI: 10.1021/nl902413x

Adapted from materials provided by Swedish Research Council, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Original article posted in Science daily

5 toxic foods certified to block brain function and destroy your memory

5 toxic foods certified to block brain function and destroy your memory

Free report coming soon

About the editors of Emerging Tech Trends or Tranhumanism

Emerging Tech Trends for Transhumanism was start back in 2009 by senior editor J5un who resides in Toronto Canada. Other contributors include Wade Procknow and Sheila Wright and David Drinkwalter. Other bloggers with like minded intentions contribute from time to time.

J5un is working on his degree in biochemistry. In his part time he loves to geek-out with robotics  and various art projects and work towards his real estate empire. howhich lead to my fascination with science. 

The goal Emerging Tech Trends for Transhumanism (besides searching for a shorter name) is to become a one-stop shop for everything transhuman. To entertain, engage, provoke thought, educate and inform people and create a community about transhumanist technologies and culture.

Whats new for 2013

1) Guest blogging will be coming to the Transhuman Movement(If you want to contribute an article let us know at the contact button below)

2 )A weekly newsletter

3)A better developed area for enthusiasts who want to get involved to make transhumanism a reality

4)Possibly an Ebook and documentary that is still in the initial stages.

5)Moving the site off blogger to a real URL

6)Daily updates

Army of smartphone chips could emulate the human brain

IF YOU have a smartphone, you probably have a slice of Steve Furber's brain in your pocket. By the time you read this, his 1-billion-neuron silicon brain will be in production at a microchip plant in Taiwan.

Computer engineers have long wanted to copy the compact power of biological brains. But the best mimics so far have been impractical, being simulations running on supercomputers.

Furber, a computer scientist at the University of Manchester, UK, says that if we want to use computers with even a fraction of a brain's flexibility, we need to start with affordable, practical, low-power components.

"We're using bog-standard, off-the-shelf processors of fairly modest performance," he says.

Furber won't come close to copying every property of real neurons, says Henry Markram, head of Blue Brain. This is IBM's attempt to simulate a brain with unsurpassed accuracy on a Blue Gene supercomputer at the Swiss Institute for Technology, Lausanne. "It's a worthy aim, but brain-inspired chips can only produce brain-like functions," he says.

That's good enough for Furber, who wants to start teaching his brain-like computer about the world as soon as possible. His first goal is to teach it how to control a robotic arm, before working towards a design to control a humanoid. A robot controller with even a dash of brain-like properties should be much better at tasks like image recognition, navigation and decision-making, says Furber.

"Robots offer a natural, sensory environment for testing brain-like computers," says Furber. "You can instantly tell if it is being useful."

Called Spinnaker - for Spiking Neural Network Architecture - the brain is based on a processor created in 1987 by Furber and colleagues at Acorn Computers in Cambridge, UK, makers of the seminal BBC Microcomputer.

Although the chip was made for a follow-up computer that flopped, the ARM design at its heart lived on, becoming the most common "embedded" processor in devices like e-book readers and smartphones.

But coaxing any computer into behaving like a brain is tough. Both real neurons and computer circuits communicate using electrical signals, but in biology the "wires" carrying them do not have fixed roles as in electronics. The importance of a particular neural connection, or synapse, varies as the network learns by balancing the influence of the different signals being received. This synaptic "weighting" must be dynamic in a silicon brain, too.

To coordinate its 'neurons' the chip mimics the way real neurons communicate using 'spikes' in voltage

The chips under construction in Taiwan contain 20 ARM processor cores, each modelling 1000 neurons. With 20,000 neurons per chip, 50,000 chips will be needed to reach the target of 1 billion neurons.

A memory chip next to each processor stores the changing synaptic weights as simple numbers that represent the importance of a given connection at any moment. Initially, those will be loaded from a PC, but as the system gets bigger and smarter, says Furber, "the only computer able to compute them will be the machine itself".

Another brain-like behaviour his chips need to master is to communicate coordinated "spikes" of voltage. A computer has no trouble matching the speed at which individual neurons spike - about 10 times per second - but neurons work in very much larger, parallel groups than silicon logic gates.

In a brain there is no top-down control to coordinate their actions because the basic nature of individual neurons means that they work together in an emergent, bottom-up way.

Spinnaker cannot mimic that property, so it relies on a miniature controller to direct spike traffic, similar to one of the routers in the internet's backbone. "We can route to more than 4 billion neurons," says Furber, "many more than we need."

While the Manchester team await the arrival of their chips, they have built a cut-down version with just 50 neurons and have put the prototype through its paces in the lab. They have created a virtual environment in which the silicon brain controls a Pac-Man-like program that learns to hunt for a virtual doughnut.

"It shows that our four years designing the system haven't been wasted," says Furber. He hopes to have a 10,000-processor version working later this year.

As they attempt to coax brain-like behaviour from phone chips, others are working with hardware which may have greater potential.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Pentagon's research arm, is funding a project called Synapse. Wei Lu of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, is working on a way of providing synaptic weights with memristors, first made in 2008 (New Scientist, 3 May 2008, p 26).

Handily, their most basic nature is brain-like: at any one moment a memristor's resistance depends on the last voltage placed across it. This rudimentary "memory" means that simple networks of memristors form weighted connections like those of neurons. This memory remains without drawing power, unlike the memory chips needed in Spinnaker. "Memristors are pretty neat," says Lu.

Their downside is that they are untested, though. "Synapse is an extremely ambitious project," says Furber. "But ambition is what drives this field. No one knows the right way to go."

Original article posted on

• 04 May 2010 by Paul Marks for New Scientist Magazine

 

Big robot kits

Sometimes the smaller robotic kits like the LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit just aren't enough. The Lego kit by far gives the best bang for your buck. But being a robot enthusiast and buying several kits now they have gotten bigger and more complex

If you are looking for big robot kits you can check the Robovie-M V3 (Big-Max) Humanoid Robot Kit. It retails for around 2700$.It is currently the hottest Humanoid Robot in the market for research institutes and the battlebot world. It is designed with a strong and well-balanced body kit. Robovie-M V3 has a total of 22 joint angular sensors, it is capable of doing basic moments, throwing objects, punching, somersaulting, doing handstands, side stepping, and playing soccer with other Robovie-M V3s. When it falls, it automatically pushes itself back up to a standing position. It comes in 2 stylish colors and a full metal body outfit. It includes 70 predefined programs.

If the price tag is a little outside of your budget like mine was when i first started you can try building one on your own. If you are a noobie to electronics there are a few really great books that i have bought myself that provide step-by-step instructions on how to construct a small robot that is programmable from scratch and spare junk electronics around your home. "Robot Builder's Bonanza, 4th Edition" and "Robot Building for Beginners" books are excellent.

If you are not interested in learning about the electronics and just want to focus on the programming aspects then there are a bunch of moderately proceed products out there in the 200-500$ range as well. By far though the LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit is by far the best. It provides great flexibility due to how the lego bricks are constructed and is designed for a noobie programmer. There is tons of online support and even a community of lego programmers. They will be issuing an updated kit soon likely in 2011. You can construct a fairly large robot from the lego materials and purchase more for a very low cost to add to the kit.

If you are looking for a great place to buy beginners, intermediate or advanced robotics kits then you can get great deals at Amazon
 

Proteus Advanced Light Sound Stimulation System

'Light and Sound' systems use completely natural forms of stimulation to gently lead to into a variety of beneficial states of mind.

WHAT IS A LIGHT AND SOUND MACHINE? Utilizing light and sound pulses at a specified frequency, these machines stimulate the brain wave activity of the user, leading the user's mind from normal waking consciousness to a variety of altered states of consciousness.
 
WHAT ARE THESE STATES AND HOW DO THEY DIFFER FROM NORMAL?
The specific frequency ranges and their associated mental states are as follows:

BETA 13-30 Hz: Normal waking state; attention directed to surroundings. Includes agitated, restless/"monkey mind" states which are especially amenable to treatment with light and sound stimulation.
ALPHA 8-13 Hz: Relaxed, tranquil, daydreaming, "inward awareness" state.
THETA 4-8 Hz: Borderline sleep; meditation state with access to the
unconscious; creativity, learning, inspiration.
DELTA 1-4 Hz: Deep, dreamless sleep; trance state.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS TECHNOLOGY?
Light and sound can enhance the work of physicians, psychologists, therapists, body workers, any harried professional, as well as the individual experimenter who wishes to explore altered states of consciousness, awareness expansion and sensory stimulation.
 
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I HAVE A SESSION?
With special GanzFrames over your closed eyes and headphones over your ears, you are immersed in colorful geometric jewel like patterns and entrancing sounds. The light and sound pulse rate shifts from state to state as the session progresses; brain wave activity will follow the pulse rate of the machine and fall into synch with the changes.
 
WHAT IS ACHIEVED BY BEING IN THESE STATES OF MIND?
The following are some of the areas being explored by users of these machines: psychological stress relief, deep relaxation, assistance in falling asleep, memory improvement, increased learning, stabilizing emotions, increased intellectual focus, lucid dreaming, sensory stimulation, increased physical energy. While some of these benefits have been substantiated by research studies, these machines are experimental and results will vary from person to person.
 
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE SOUND?
The entrainment mechanism is both visual and aural. Sound and music have been used for centuries in may cultures o manipulate consciousness. Drums, chants, and environmental sounds like wind and rain all provide strong mental pictures and associations. Pleasant sounds are much more enjoyable and relaxing than one-note beeps or tones, such as those used by other machines. Synetic Systems incorporates the most sophisticated sound generation circuitry of any light/sound device, employing digital synthesizers to generate complex wave forms, rich two- -and three- note harmonies, and moving audio sculptures. Use of special "audiostrobe" CD's can fully synchronize the lights with the audio program.
 
WHAT ARE "BINAURAL BEATS"?
Binaural beat generation is a sound feature on most Synetic Systems products. Using two sound synthesizers in the audio circuit, and by specifying slightly different sound frequencies for the left and right channels, it is possible to induce a third frequency which is the difference between the left and right in the mind of the user. This is known as a binaural beat frequency generation
 
I started using Proteus advanced light sound stimulation system 3 months ago and was a little scepticle of it as i've only tried using it one time before. I was very impressed though with how quickly it works. It does exactly as it says it is going to do. Within minutes i was in a relaxed state. One caveat I have is that it uses pulsing lights(strobes) which can cause seizures in some people. So if you are planning on using these be careful and take proper precautions.

If you buy now through amazon there is a 60% discount it though this link
Proteus Light & Sound Mind Machine System-Open Box

The Ray Kurzweil Diet Solution

Ray Kurzweil has published a couple of  books on his keys to health.

The first is Ray Kurzweil's diet to reduce/eliminate/control diabetes. The key is in reducing the level of fat in your diet to 10% can save your life, and this book gives you all the tools you need to do just that. Everything you need to know about is in this book: recipes, conversion charts, pantry staples, dining-out tips, progress tables, an exercise program, and detailed appendixes.

This book stands out from a field of "fad" diet books(The Zone;Sugar Busters;Atkins,etc.) like a pearl in a sea of mud,The 10% Solution is a lucid, intelligently written,well-documented eating plan that really works.

Get The 10% Solution for a Healthy Life: How to Reduce Fat in Your Diet and Eliminate Virtually All Risk of Heart Disease and Cancer.

Ray has also published 2 other  books. One is called called Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever. Co-authored by Terry Grossman M.D, in it they discuss their program so that readers can live long enough (and remain healthy long enough) to take full advantage of the biotech and nanotech advances that have already begun and will be occurring at an accelerating pace during the years ahead.

The other is the Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever where Ray shows us startling discoveries in the areas of genomics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology occur practically every day.  The rewards of this research, some of it as spectacular as science fiction, are practically in our grasp. Fantastic Voyage shows us how we can use these new technologies to live longer than previously imaginable.

The authors take the reader on a journey to undreamed-of vitality with a comprehensive investigation into the cutting-edge science regarding diet, supplementation, genetics, detoxification, and the hormones involved with aging and youth.  By following their program, which includes such simple recommendations as eating a balanced, low-glycemic-index diet, and taking powerful anti-aging nutritional supplements, anyone will be able to add years of healthy, active life.
"This visionary book provides a state-of-the-art synthesis of the latest evidence on aging." (Dean Ornish, M.D., developer of the Opening Your Heart program)
"A concise yet comprehensive journey that accurately recounts the past and present state of our collective knowledge." (Dean Kamen, physicist and inventor of the IBOT Mobility System and Segway Human Transporter, and recipient of the National Medal of Technology)
"Fantastic Voyage boldly challenges conventional wisdom about aging and illness and offers groundbreaking solutions to remain young and healthy indefinitely. (John Gray, Ph.D., author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus)
"Anyone can find it easy to implement action that will enhance their health. (George King, M.D., professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School)

If you are looking for really great alternative to losing weight quickly I always recommend "The 3 Week Diet"
Its track record is amazing! One of the best parts about this is you will actually save money. 

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