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Here are five indicators, observations or articles that caught the eye of FA futurists today.
- UK artist Agatha Haines’ latest project explores the idea of using human-animal hybrid organs to prevent disease in humans. For example, her Electrostabilis Cardiumposits fusing genes from an electric eel with cardiac tissue that could deliver a shock to stabilize a cardiac arrhythmia. Another example is Cerebrothrombal Dilutus, which would use cells from the salivary gland of a leech to create a natural anti-coagulant to stave off blood clots.
- Robotic cars could remake many aspects of cities, Nick Bilton writes in the New York Times.
- Researchers at the University of Maryland have hit upon the idea of using a thin layer of wood coated in conductive carbon nanotubes as a way to address problems with sodium-ion batteries. Sodium-ion batteries are seen as more environmentally friendly than current lithium-ion batteries and cheaper too. The problem is that they fall apart after only 20 charges, and the anode swells up. Early tests show the wood fiber wrap holds the battery together and also allows for up to 400 charges.
- Belgian researchers have developed a new technique for In-vitro fertilization that drops the cost of IVF to $250. [Note: Years ago I came across an observation/forecast that in 1900 both conception and birth were performed at home, in 2000 most births now occur in a hospital while conception happens at home, and by 2100 both conception and birth will occur with medical assistance. This forecast seems to be tracking along nicely.]
- A fresh post from Advertising Age, responding to recent revelations of NSA spying, warns of the potential for public backlash against marketers’ use of consumer data for commercial purposes. “But what happens if consumers figure out how regularly, deeply and expertly we marketers track their behaviors, and in doing so blur the line between between convenience and manipulation? Our snooping puts the National Security Agency to shame.”