1. One thing that helpsLong-Lasting OrgansAre you a registered organ donor? I am. When the day comes that I’m on the way out I hope that something of mine can give someone else a second chance. The current challenge with organ donation is how to keep organs viable for longer after death. Once our cells lose their supply of oxygen, they self-destruct and start to decay. Needless to say, every minute is critical to ensure that recipients get what they hoped for.A team from Yale university has developed an artificial circulatory system called OrganEx. This machine pumps a synthetic compound that promotes cellular health and suppresses inflammation, “tricking” the body into thinking it’s still functioning. When tested on pigs this fluid was able to partially revive organs like the heart, kidney and liver.OrganEx was able to revive the organs even if it was administered one hour after death. But are we messing with death and creating a zombie pig? The answer is no. While the brain showed some electrical activity, it did not indicate any consciousness.This technique, once perfected, could save many lives by making more organs available for transplant. We don’t need to wait though – register to donate if you haven’t already at https://www.donatelife.gov.au/2. One to be wary ofAmazon OverreachWhile people get upset about government surveillance, Amazon is slipping under the radar quietly amassing more personal data capable of surveillance than anybody else. Now they are adding the capability to know everything about your home.Amazon is acquiring iRobot, maker of Roomba, for $1.7 billion. Roomba’s robotic vacuum cleaners, especially the recent designs, create accurate maps of the room they are to clean. If the sale pushes through, Amazon will add these home floor plans to their growing resource of data. Amazon has also acquired doorbell video company Ring and Wi-Fi maker Eero. These are devices that we all use in our homes and that collect large amounts of data about where and how we live. And Amazon isn’t stopping at iRobot as it seeks to also acquire One Medical along with all their customers health data.These deals could mean that Amazon’s surveillance capabilities will rival, or even outmatch, that of government authorities. While trust in government is at an all time low, I’d still rather have my data with government than in the hands of Mr Bezos.3. One to amazeGreen Space Capsule
Want to travel up into space but conscious of your carbon footprint? Of course you do! Of course you are
! Space Perspective’s Neptune space capsule takes you on a suborbital trip, in a luxury room for 6 hours and its all zero-emission! All at the bargain price of USD$125,000 (with free Wi-Fi)!Neptune is essentially a space capsule powered by a hydrogen balloon. The room inside the capsule allows passengers to sit or stand comfortably. The interior is modular: you can customize the furniture, the lights and the sounds depending on the occasion. You can enjoy a dinner way beyond the clouds, or bring scientific instruments to satisfy your nerdy side.In contrast to other offerings, Space Perspective doesn’t compete on speed. You gently rise to beyond 99% of the earth’s atmosphere at a safe and comfortable speed of 12 miles per hour for 2 hours. Once you’re at the apogee of the trip, you have 2 hours to enjoy space. The descent consists of a controlled 2 hour voyage then splashing into the sea just like any other space mission.It looks like you have a space-travel choice to make now. A speedy travel through the sky with the chance to experience weightlessness, or a cruise beyond the clouds with the benefit of avoiding polluting the environment. Which ticket are you saving for?