NSF Brings Together Leading Brains To Explore Artificial Intelligence

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September 10, 2013

Michael Harper for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online

Scientists and robotics engineers have long looked to the human brain for inspiration when building out artificial intelligence. Theyve yet to build a machine that comes anywhere close to replicating the sophistication of the human brain, but theyve made great strides.

Now the National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to push this field of study further by giving the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) $25 million to establish the Center for Brains, Minds and Machines. Members from Harvard and other Ivy League schools as well as industrial partners such as Google and Microsoft will be a part of this group effort to deliver smarter machines in the near future. By crossing over disciplinary lines, the NSF hopes not only to move technology forward, but to provide a facility to train the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Understanding the brain is one of the grand scientific challenges at the intersection of the physical, life, behavioral and engineering sciences, said John Wingfield, assistant director of NSFs Biological Sciences Directorate in a press statement.

Despite major research and technological advances achieved in recent decades, a comprehensive understanding of the brain how thoughts, memories and intelligent behavior emerge from dynamic brain activity remains unexplained.

The Center for Brains, Minds and Machines will be staffed by ten MIT faculty members and five from Harvard. They will also be joined by faculty members from Cornell, Rockefeller University, UCLA, Stanford and the Allen Institute. IBM, Boston Dynamics, Rethihnk Robotics and Willow Garage will also provide their expertise as industrial partners in this venture.

Each of the partners involved has already been working to build intelligent machines machines which think in the same way the human mind has been doing for hundreds of thousands of years. Most notably, Google has been making headlines lately as they push forward with their driverless car program. Though Nissan has recently thrown down the gauntlet and hopes to beat them to the punch, Google plans to have the first commercially available autonomous vehicle on the road, capable of making the hundreds of snap decisions that human drivers normally make inside their natural brains.

IBM, in partnership with DARPA, recently announced theyve developed a programming language to facilitate brain-inspired machines. With a new architecture and new hardware, IBM says theyll be able to power devices which operate in a way weve never before seen.

Researchers from Stanford have been actively pursuing a computer which is built with genetic material, the same kind of stuff found floating around in essentially every human cell. In March they announced that they had developed transistors made completely out of bio material, and said they could one day soon put a computer in any living cell, further blurring the distinction between the brain and a machine.

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NSF Brings Together Leading Brains To Explore Artificial Intelligence

Scientists engineer strain of MERS coronavirus for use in a vaccine

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Public release date: 10-Sep-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Jim Sliwa jsliwa@asmusa.org 202-942-9297 American Society for Microbiology

Scientists have developed a strain of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that could be used as a vaccine against the disease, according to a study to be published in mBio, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology. The mutant MERS virus, rMERS-CoV-ΔE, has a mutation in its envelope protein that makes it capable of infecting a cell and replicating its genetic material, but deprives it of the ability to spread to other tissues and cause disease. The authors say once additional safe guards are engineered into the virus, it could be used as the basis of a safe and effective live-attenuated vaccine against MERS.

"Our achievement was a combination of synthetic biology and genetic engineering," says co-author Luis Enjuanes of The Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autnoma de Madrid).

"The injected vaccine will only replicate in a reduced number of cells and produce enough antigen to immunize the host," he says, and it cannot infect other people, even those in close contact with a vaccinated person.

Since MERS was first identified in June 2012, the World Health Organization has been notified of 108 cases of infection, including 50 deaths. Although the total number of cases is still relatively small, the case fatality rate and the spread of the virus to countries beyond the Middle East is alarming to public health officials. If the virus evolves the ability to transmit easily from person to person, a much more widespread epidemic is possible. Diagnostic assays and antiviral therapies for MERS have been described, but reliable vaccines have not yet been developed.

Enjuanes and his team applied what they had learned from 30 years of research on the molecular biology of coronaviruses to synthesize an infectious cDNA clone of the MERS-CoV genome based on a published sequence. They inserted the viral cDNA chromosome into a bacterial artificial chromosome, and mutated several of its genes, one by one, to study the effects on the virus' ability to infect, replicate, and re-infect cultured human cells.

Mutations that disabled accessory genes 3, 4a, 4b and 5 did not seem to hinder the virus: mutant viruses had similar growth rates as the wild-type virus, indicating that the mutations do not disable the virus enough to deploy the mutants in a vaccine. Mutations in the envelope protein (E protein), on the other hand, enabled the virus to replicate its genetic material, but prevented the virus from propagating, or infecting nearby cells.

A large amount of the rMERS-CoV-ΔE virus would be needed for a live attenuated MERS vaccine. A virus that can't propagate itself would be unable to grow the volume needed without help. Enjuanes says they provided the virus with a supplemental form E protein.

"To grow the virus, we create what are called 'packaging cells' that express the E protein missing in the virus. The gene to encode this protein is integrated in the cell chromosomes and will not mix with the viral genes. Therefore, in these cells, and only within them, the virus will grow by borrowing the E protein produced by the cell," says Enjuanes. "When the virus in administered to a person for vaccination, this person will not be able to provide the E protein to the defective virus," so the virus will die off after producing antigens to train the human immune system to fight a MERS-CoV infection.

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Scientists engineer strain of MERS coronavirus for use in a vaccine

The Best Berries For Your Health

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By Angela Haupt for U.S. News

Indeed, they're "the ultimate anti-aging superfood," says registered dietitian Lauri Boone in her new book, "Powerful Plant-Based Super Foods." "They top the charts with their high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals to keep your brain young, skin glowing, and reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer." Consider the health benefits of these nine berries, from acai to goji:

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Acai Berries These, Boone says, are the anti-aging super berries. They're small, dark purple, and grow on the tall palm trees of South America. Acai berries are packed with 19 amino acids, an array of fatty acids, and an impressive number of cell-protecting antioxidants. In addition to boosting immunity and protecting against chronic diseases, acai berries are good for the heart and lower the risk of neurological diseases.

Blueberries Just call them the "blue dynamos." Blueberries are packed with manganese, which is an energy-boosting mineral; about 4 grams of fiber per cup; and vitamin K, which helps build bones. Research suggests that a blueberry-rich diet improves motor skills and helps fight diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Try tossing fresh blueberries into salads, smoothies, quinoa or baked goods.

Camu Camu Berries These small, red berries grow on tropical bushes in the Amazon rain forest. They offer a tangy taste and are packed with vitamin C, which explains why they're traditionally used to fight colds and the flu. They also help maintain healthy eyes, gums and skin, and play a role in strengthening the tendons and ligaments, Boone says. If you can't find them fresh, add a teaspoon of camu camu berry powder to juices, smoothies, and salad dressings.

Cranberries Turns out they're not just for Thanksgiving. Cranberries are infection-fighting super berries that ought to be enjoyed year round, Boone says. They're packed with a group of flavonoids called proanthocyanidins, which help lower the risk of urinary tract infections. Research also suggests they help keep the heart healthy and fight cancer. Try mixing fresh cranberries into smoothies, sprinkling the dried variety into oatmeal or baking them into muffins or breads.

Goji Berries If vitality is your aim, this is your berry. Chinese medicine practitioners commonly use bright red-orange goji berries to treat diabetes and high blood pressure, maintain eye health, and nourish the liver and kidneys. They're packed with vitamins C and E, along with carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene. Some research suggests goji berries help increase metabolism and boost energy levels. Try snacking on dry goji berries, or dropping a handful into trail mix, cereal, or salads.

Goldenberries These yellow-orange berries are a superfood for both energy and managing weight, Boone says. They're rich in vitamin B, protein and fiber, and research suggests they help regulate metabolism and keep you feeling fuller for longer. They also provide strong doses of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Fresh goldenberries aren't common outside South America, but the dried variety is available at most supermarkets.

Maqui Berries Photo: Flickr:Dick Culbert These small, purple berries, which grow in southern Chile, have been used to treat conditions from ulcers to fever. Maqui berries are high in heart-healthy flavonoids, and research suggests they might help prevent hardening of the arteries, while reducing inflammation in the blood vessels. There's also evidence they help regulate blood sugar levels. Sprinkle a teaspoon of maqui berry powder into oatmeal or quinoa, or add it to juice, smoothies, or sparkling water.

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Sammy Hagar (with Dave Meniketti) Space Station No 5, Rock the Nation – Lincoln, CA – 9-5-2013 – Video

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Sammy Hagar (with Dave Meniketti) Space Station No 5, Rock the Nation - Lincoln, CA - 9-5-2013
Who: Sammy Hagar (with Dave Meniketti) What Space Station No. 5, Rock The Nation Venue: Thunder Valley Casino and Resort Where: Lincoln, California When: Sep...

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Sammy Hagar (with Dave Meniketti) Space Station No 5, Rock the Nation - Lincoln, CA - 9-5-2013 - Video

GoldFish Subscriber Space Station Part 6 – Communications Network – KSP #116 – Video

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GoldFish Subscriber Space Station Part 6 - Communications Network - KSP #116
Today I send up a communication module up the the GSSS, and have to do a tricky night docking! If you liked this video, a thumbs up would really be appreciated! Enjoy! My Social Networks:...

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GoldFish Subscriber Space Station Part 6 - Communications Network - KSP #116 - Video