Qatar Integrated Railway Project by UNStudio » Yanko Design

 

Urban Connectivity in Qatar Appointed as the principal architect for the Qatar Integrated Railway Project (QIRP) which will extend to 60 stations, the design forms a bridge between past and future, drawing inspiration from the vast regional architecture lexicon while representing an effective vision of modernism and preservation. With its strong identity, this new network creates instant recognition at busy intersections, serving as a permanent reminder of the alternative to private transportation. The full network is planned to comprise four lines connecting the GDA as well as Al Khor, and Al Wakrah-Mesaieed communities located north and south of Doha respectively. SCALES OF IDENTITY: A key concept within the design is one of creating varying scales of identity for the user: network identity, line identity and station identity. Network identity reflects the overall Qatar Rail brand using recurring design elements that will shape the architecture of the stations consistently throughout the network and will offer brand recognition with Doha’s urban fabric. Line identity is achieved by creating different atmospheres within the stations for the theme of each of the metro lines (Historic line, Coastal line, City line and Education line) through distinct wall and floor treatments, as well as through material applications that orient and guide the travellers through their journey. Individual station identity is achieved by displaying features positioned at strategic points in different areas of each station. The content of these features is specific to each station and is related to the local context and/or to the line theme. By integrating curated content throughout the stations, the Metro Network will serve as a cultural vehicle for Doha. VAULTED SPACES: Building upon existing elements found in the architecture of the region, in the architectural branding vision, the ‘Vault’ represents a new referential bridge between Qatar’s historic architecture and culture and its future as a beacon of innovation and prosperity. Drawing inspiration from the arch, expressions of traditional architecture, the lightness of the dhow sail, and the tensile profiles of nomadic tents, the ‘Vaulted Spaces’ design proposes a contemporary approach to the interpretation and morphological implementation of these elements. Through a system of interconnected triangular base forms, the massing of the geometry adapts and transforms to incorporate programmatic functions and to connect interior spaces with exterior urban infrastructure. ADAPTABILITY: The scale of the Metro intervention in Doha requires careful planning in order to comply with a strict time schedule and achieve minimum disruption in the urban environment. Flexibility becomes a design and planning objective at all levels of intervention. Using a large catalogue of architectural ‘branding’ elements, the design proposal represents a flexible new architectural system which can adapt itself to the scalar challenges set within the Metro Network. Drawing on innovative construction methodologies and materials, the Qatar Rail architectural identity is designed for an efficient organisation of the production and assembly of elements, resulting in an effective construction site and a high level of quality control. OYSTER: The materialisation principles are experienced through a duality of a pure, modest exterior versus a rich, illuminated mother of pearl effect interior. The exteriors reference the monolithic strength of old Qatari architecture, while the interior spaces create a radiant effect of movement and fluidity. The use of this uniquely Qatari ornamentation and material palette assists in dividing the large interior spaces and guiding pedestrians towards the transient spaces. The integrated light lines amplify the experience, function as natural wayfinding elements and contribute to a unique ambience for the Metro Network. CARAVANSERAI: Referencing the notion of Caravanserais – which were inns with enclosed courts that served as gathering and resting places on ancient trade routes – and following in the lineage of historic train palaces, the design generates social interaction and propagates place creation over space creation. Drawing on this tradition of key reference nodes along a travelling route, a sequence of wall attractors within the transient space of pedestrian flows create moments of diversity, opportunities for calmness and gathering and showcases for local culture and identity. Designer: UNStudio

Rural roadways paintings by Grant Haffner

 

source : www.fubiz.com

 

Grant Haffner est un artiste peintre californien. Il s’inspire principalement des routes de campagne et paysages à perte de vue pour créer des peintures, reflets de son amour pour sa région. Son coup de pinceau et sa palette de couleurs vives lui permettent de représenter habilement la vitesse et le rythme des routes rurales.

Morses Creek–Australia

 

Scenes from Brazil–republishing

 

Brazil, a growing, multicultural nation of more than 200 million people.  Brazilians face numerous challenges, building many new structures and the infrastructure to support them, while attending to existing challenges and "cleaning up" before the world comes to visit. Brazil is also huge (the largest country in the southern hemisphere), and its ecological diversity ranges from dense urban spaces to forested mountains, vast plains to sparkling beaches. It's impossible to sum up a country in a single photo essay, so take this as just a sample of recent scenes from around Brazil.

Sugarloaf mountain and Guanabara Bay, at dawn in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Yawalapiti children climb a tree to jump into the Xingu River in the Xingu National Park, Mato Grosso State. (Reuters/Ueslei Marcelino) #

A night view of the city of Belem, northeastern Brazil. . The city of Belem, located at the mouth of the Amazon River, has a population of more than 2.3 million in the greater metropolitan area and its 39 islands, according to the latest census.

A bird perches on a tree in front of the full moon in the Yawalapiti village at the Xingu National Park, Mato Grosso State.

John John Florence of Hawaii competes in the final of the Association of Surfing Professionals' men's 2012 ASP World Championship Tour at Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. . Florence won the competition.

Participants arrive at the camping area of the VI edition of the Campus Party event in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Campus Party is an annual week-long, 24-hour technology festival that gather around 7,000 hackers, developers, gamers and computer geeks.

View of the Pantanal from the Cidade de Pedra viewpoint in the Chapada dos Guimaraes national park, Mato Grosso state, western Brazil.. The Pantanal area, a sanctuary of biodiversity, is presently at risk because of the intensive culture of soybean and the deforestation, scientists said.

Hundreds of swimmers take part in the "Travessia dos Fortes" (Forts Crossing) men's category in Copacabana beach, in Rio de Janeiro.. Hundreds of swimmers took part in the 3,6km crossing from the Copacaban Fort to the Duque de Caxias Fort in Leme.
Vasco's Alecsandro Felisbino (right) vies with Corinthians's Marcio Passos during their Libertadores quarterfinal 1st leg in Rio de Janeiro..

Botafogo's fans cheers their team before the Carioca Championship final first leg soccer match against Fluminense, at Joao Havelange stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

View of Iguazu Falls, one of the Natural Seven Wonders of the World, from the Brazilian side, in Foz de Iguazu, Brazil. The waterfall system, 2.7 km long, consists of 275 falls, and has an annual peak flow of some 6,500 cubic meters a second. An acute drought has hit the famed falls, cutting back the tumbling waters to reveal the rocky sides. Only a third of the usual volume of water is now flowing over the top.

A Yawalapiti boy dips his head into the Xingu River in the Xingu National Park, Mato Grosso State.

Brazilian pianist Ricardo de Castro Monteiro plays in the air on a piano hanging from wires during the annual "Virada Cultural" event, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.. The Virada Cultural is a cultural party which offers 24 hours of uninterrupted attractions in stages around the city, such as music, dance, cooking, theatre, exhibitions of art and history and other forms of expression.

Roman Catholic faithful participate in the procession of candles in the streets around the Our Lady of Fatima shrine in Belem.. Brazilians have been honoring the Virgin Mary with this annual procession since 1966.

A sculpture cast from the body of British artist Antony Gormley, atop a building in downtown Sao Paulo.. The public exhibition titled "Event Horizon' uses 31 rooftops as a part of Gormley's exhibition at Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil. According to the organizers, when the exhibition began, many people confused the sculptures with potential suicides and reported them to authorities.

A worker walks through a soybean field on a farm in the city of Tangara da Serra in Cuiaba.

A physical therapist supports Luiza Ezaledo, 2, during a hydrotherapy session at the Association for the Aid of Disabled Children (AACD) in Sao Paulo.  The AACD, a non-profit organization that began in 1950 with just 14 patients, now works with some 8,000 young victims of disabling conditions and diseases such as cerebral palsy to give them better physical skills and improve their lives. Most of the patients are from impoverished or broken homes.

A man fishes on the rocks of Arpoador beach in Rio de Janeiro..

An egret stands on a ship mooring rope in Rio de Janeiro.

Hawaian Coco Ho competes during the final of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Billabong Rio Pro women's surfing competition at Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro..

           The interior of Biblioteca Nacional do Brasil, Brazil's National Library, in Rio de Janeiro.

                   A Brazilian military jet performs a fly-over at IndyCar's Sao Paulo 300 auto race..

 

Riders try to thread a wooden needle through a ring during a horse riding competition as part of the festivities known as the "Marujada" in celebration of St. Benedict, who is also known in Brazil as the "black saint", in Braganca in the northeastern state of Para.. The Marujada began in the 18th century when a group of black slaves were allowed by their owners to form the Fraternity of St. Benedict, and decided to dance through the streets as an expression of their gratitude.

Firefighters carry the body of a victim among the debris of a collapsed building, behind the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro.. Two buildings collapsed in downtown Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, in the latest incident highlighting the failure of authorities to improve the city's infrastructure amid preparations to host soccer's World Cup and the Olympics.

Kypato Kayapo, chief of Kayapo tribe from the Aukre community, receives post-cataract surgery ophthalmologic attention on the seventh day of the "Expedicionarios da Saude" (Brazilian Health Expeditions) medical expedition in the Kikretum community in Sao Felix.  Twice a year, volunteer doctors build a mobile hospital to provide clinical and surgical treatments for indigenous tribes and residents from different parts of the Amazonian Rainforest.

 

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Retired Brazilian police officer Andre Luiz Pinheiro, 50, dressed as the super-hero Batman, runs at Santa Terezinha Square, in Taubate city, Sao Paulo state. . Pinheiro has been called to help police patrol the crime-ridden streets of Taubate, in Brazil. He was officially presented on March 17 in the districts with the highest crime rates in Sao Paulo state. Police captain Warley Takeo, one of the policemen who decided to bring in the character to help them fight drug traffickers, said the measure would bring long-term benefits. Takeo said making a connection between the police and Batman would help children have a clearer idea of good and bad.

Brazil's Talita Antunes prepares to serve during a beach volleyball training match on Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Tourists take in the view above Rio de Janeiro, from the Sugar Loaf cable car station.

A policeman patrols the Rocinha Slum during an operation to find a man who killed a policeman during a shootout in one of the slum's alleys in Rio de Janeiro.  According to local media, nine people were killed in Rocinha in the last two months during a dispute on the control of the drug traffic. Three thousand troops, backed by helicopters and armored vehicles, occupied Rio de Janeiro's largest slum without firing a shot on November 13, the biggest step in the Brazilian city's bid to improve security and end the reign of drug gangs. 

A worker climbs scaffolding around a century-old port warehouse undergoing renovation in Rio de Janeiro, on.  A multi-billion dollar project remaking Rio's port region into a tourism and business hub called "Porto Maravilha" ("Port of the 2016 Olympics, has also unearthed Valongo port, once the single busiest slave-trading port in the world where up to a million men and women forced into bondage arrived from Africa.

 

 

X-47B makes first touch-and-go landings on carrier–republishing

 

X-47B leaving the flight deck after a touch-and-go landing (Image: US Navy by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony D. Curtis)

On Friday May 17, the US Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator took another historic step as it conducted its first touch-and-go landings on the nuclear aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush off the coast of Virginia. This maneuver is a critical achievement in the Navy’s program to develop an autonomous, unmanned, jet-powered combat aircraft capable for operating from a carrier.

A touch-and-go landing (also known as “circuits and bumps”) is where an aircraft touches its wheels to a runway or flight deck, but does not come to a full stop. Instead, it throttles up and takes off again. It’s a common training maneuver and it allows the X-47B to repeatedly demonstrate its ship-relative navigation and ability to make precision touchdowns on the deck of a carrier at sea.

"When we operate in a very dynamic and harsh carrier environment, we need networks and communication links that have high integrity and reliability to ensure mission success and provide precise navigation and placement of an unmanned vehicle," said Captain Jaime Engdahl, program manager for Unmanned Combat Air Systems program office. "Today, we have demonstrated this with the X-47B, and we will continue to demonstrate consistent, reliable, repeatable touchdown locations on a moving carrier flight deck."

The X-47B used was one of two built by Northrop Grumman to demonstrate autonomous carrier operations, including launch, recovery and operations within 50 nautical miles (57.5 miles/92.6 km) of a carrier. One of the two test drones is designed to carry out in-flight refueling tests as well. The intention is that the technology developed for the X-47B will one day lead to autonomous unmanned carrier-based aircraft for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat duty.

The May 17 operation follows closely on the X-47B’s successful catapult launch from the USS George H.W. Bush on May 14. After completing the current round of carrier tests, the X-47B will return to Naval Air Station Patuxent River to conduct shore-based capture landings before trying its first true carrier landing later this year.

 

10 Reasons Why Brazil Will Become A World Super Power

 

I have lived in Brazil for close to 7 years. I have married a Brazilian woman, and I have two children, one which was born in Rio de Janeiro. So I am very embedded in Brazil, but I believe that I can state in an unbiased manner why I believe that Brazil is set to become an economic super power. When I look at the facts, it is a stark and scary difference to compare the fundamentals of the US economy with that of Brazil. 1. No wars or enemies Only 25 years ago, Brazil was a military dictatorship. But since that time, Brazil has avoided military conflict. This of course is in stark contrast to the United States, where we manufacture reasons to go to war (weapons of mass destruction). 2. Made in Brazil By and large, Brazil’s trade policy has been protectionist. Still today, many conveniences of American modern life are either non existent or very expensive. One area where they could improve greatly is in technology such as computers. Computers are still very expensive in Brazil and hence internet adoption and basic computing skills lag behind other developed nations. That said, the upshot of this policy is that Brazil produces almost everything it consumes. A great example are cars. Cars are affordable in Brazil, and I would say that 90% of the automobiles in Brazil are made in Brazil. Contrast this with the United States. If you want to buy a vase or a cutting board, they are all made in China. All of the basic commodities of life in Brazil are manufactured and consumed internally. 3. High interest rates As I have stated, I am truly afraid of the American economic system that now has interest rates pegged at zero. I believe that the countries that have the highest interest rates will fare the best during the economic melt down. High interest rates also encourage savings rather spending. Furthermore, high interest rates can be lowered to provide an economic stimulus for the economy. I have been very fortunate and have been moving down large percentages of my savings into the equivalent of Brazilian T-bills. When I first purchased my apartment in 2003, interest rates were sitting at 20%. Since that time, it has dropped to 13% in 2008 and 9% in 2009. That said, I am much happier making 9% on my money here in Brazil than 0% in the United States. 4. Natural resources galore I am astounded with the naturals resources in Brazil. Brazil is a huge land mass that is actually larger than the 48 continguous states of America. On this land is incredible wealth. Brazil is the largest exporter in the world of wood and one of the largest exporters of copper. But it does not end there. The number of fruits and vegetables in Brazil are astounding. Just going to the super market for an American is confusing because they have everything that American’s are accustomed plus so much more. I have just finished doing a bunch of Googling, but could not find anything. I would bet however if there was an index to measure the natural abundance of a country, Brazil would be the winner. 5. No natural disasters In the United States, we all pay more for insurance because of natural disasters. In Myrtle Beach, it is for hurricanes, in the mid-west for tornadoes, and on the west coast, for earthquakes. Brazil has no natural disasters. There is some small amount of flooding in some areas but that is it. 6. Lots of water In addition to all of the natural resources, Brazil has an abundance of water. It rains in Brazil a lot. In some parts of the United States such as California and Nevada, water will always be an infrastructure concern. In Brazil, none. 7. Oil aplenty Off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, one of the largest oil finds was discovered. It will take years to drill, remove and distribute this oil, but Rio de Janeiro is beginning to feel like a boom town. All the major oil companies in the world are establishing operations here in Brazil. The Brazilian Petrobras is positioned to catapult into a top tier energy provider during the next decade. 8. Leading producer of alcohol Brazil is also the world’s largest exporter of ethanol. As long as I have lived here, Brazil has always been energy independent. More importantly, all of Brazil’s cars are manufactured to burn both ethanol and gasoline. Furthermore, the country’s infrastructure is already set up so that all “gas” stations handle both alcohol and gasoline. Note: ethanol is always about 30% cheaper than gasoline. 9. Government runs a surplus The United States is so upside down, it is painful to watch. The trade deficit plus the federal deficit will be enough to sink the United States. On the other hand, Brazil is running a surplus on federal spending and also on trade. 10. Infrastructure I am not very traveled throughout Brazil, but I recently visited Goiânia and Anápolis, both north of Rio de Janeiro. Goiânia has a metropolitan population of around 2.2M which makes it roughly the size of Pittsburgh. I visited the city and it is full of life, shopping malls, and it is a world class city. I also visited my wife’s home town of Anápolis, which has a population of 320,000. Much smaller in size, but again a city that is well developed. Brazil has a lot of the infrastructure to grow substantially in the decade to come. Conclusion Brazil is not without its problems. Government corruption is documented in the paper almost daily. The gap between the rich and the poor is the largest of any developed country. This results in higher violence levels in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. However, I believe that Brazil will grow and prosper despite these inherent problems

7 Ovulation Signs to Detect Your Most Fertile Time

 

Increased sexual desire is a sign of impending ovulation.  Jamie Grill / The Image Bank / Getty Images Updated May 03, 2015. Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com'sMedical Review Board. Signs of ovulation aren't difficult to notice, once you know what to look for. Some ovulation symptoms warn you that ovulation is approaching, allowing you to time sex for pregnancy. Others let you know that ovulation has passed. While there are many methods below, don't try to use them all. That would drive you crazy! If you don't notice any signs of ovulation, or your periods are irregular, you should definitely let your doctor know. Quiz: Do You Have Infertility Symptoms? Sign of Ovulation #1: Cervical Mucus Changes As ovulation approaches, your cervical mucus changes in amount and consistency. By paying careful attention to the change, you can predict your most fertile days. When you're not ovulating, cervical mucus may appear sticky, creamy, or may be entirely absent. As ovulation approaches, cervical mucus becomes more abundant, takes on a watery to raw-egg-white-like consistency, and stretches up to an inch or more between your fingers. Pros of using this method to detect ovulation: 100% free. Considered to be one of the most accurate indicators for timing sex for pregnancy. Get to know your body better. Cons: Some people are grossed out by the idea. Not a definite sign. You can have fertile cervical mucus, and not ovulate. (Common in women with PCOS.) Clomid or antihistamines may dry up your cervical mucus, which may make detection difficult. How to Check Your Cervical Mucus Sign of Ovulation #2: Increased Sexual Desire Turns out nature does know what it's doing (sometimes, anyway.) Research has shown what many of us already notice: Women experience an increase in sexual desire when they are most fertile. This libido boost comes a couple days before you ovulate, which is the right time to have sex if you want to get pregnant. Pros of using this method to detect ovulation: Doesn't require any know-how. Just being in tune with your feelings. Worse comes to worse, if you have sex and you weren't about to ovulate, you still (hopefully) had a nice time with your partner. Cons: The stress of trying to conceive can squash sexual feelings. Also, depression or anxiety, common in couples coping with infertility, can lower sexual desire. It's not a definite sign of ovulation. You may notice an increase in sexual desire at any time in your cycle, including right before your period, or even after watching a great Johnny Depp or Pierce Brosnan movie. (Or maybe that's just me.) A Complete Guide to Baby Making Sex Sign of Ovulation #3: Body Basal Temperature Changes Body basal temperature charting is perhaps the most popular method of tracking ovulation among women trying to get pregnant. Your body basal temperature is your body's temperature at rest. It will rise by a few tenths of a degree, and stay elevated, after ovulation. To detect this rise in temperature, you need to take your temperature every morning, at the same time every morning, before you get out of bed. Then, enter this information into a fertility chart. Pros of using this method to detect ovulation: If your temperature rises, you can be almost positive that you ovulated. It's low cost, and almost free (except for the purchase of a thermometer, which you probably already have). May help your doctor make a diagnosis of anovulation, if the charts don't detect ovulation. Cons: Won't warn you that ovulation is coming, but only confirm that it has passed. If your sleep patterns are unusually erratic, or you work the nightshift, body basal temperature charting will probably not work for you. Some women feel overwhelmed by taking their temperature every morning. Also, worrying about every little fluctuation in temperature can make some women more anxious than they already are. It can easily become a bit of an obsession. Become a Body Basal Temperature Charting Wizard Sign of Ovulation #4: Changes in Cervical Position Just as your cervical mucus changes as ovulation approaches, your cervical position also goes through changes. When you're most fertile, your cervix will be higher, softer, and more open. Think cervical checks are just for nurses and doctors? Actually, once you know what to feel for, anyone -- including you! -- can learn to check cervical position. Pros of using this method to detect ovulation: It's free. Get to know your body better. May help you figure out if you're ovulating, even when your cervical mucus is drier from antihistamines. Cons: Takes practice to get a feel (no pun intended) for the differences. Some people are grossed out by the idea. Not a definite sign of ovulation. Like with cervical mucus, you can have fertile cervical signs but not actually ovulate. How to Check Your Cervical Position What Does a Fertile Cervix Look and Feel Like? Sign of Ovulation #5: Breast Tenderness Some women experience tenderness in their breasts just before or after ovulation. This is related to the hormones rushing in your body, getting ready for the potential of pregnancy. For me personally, the last confirmation I have that ovulation has occurred is breast tenderness. Pros of using this method to detect ovulation: It's free. Helps you get to know your body better. Cons: It's by no means an accurate indicator of ovulation. Breast tenderness may come before or after ovulation, as well as right before menstruation and as a side effect of some fertility drugs. Getting too obsessed about how tender your breasts feel can lead to obsessing over imaginary pregnancy symptoms. Feeling Pregnant When You're Not? All About Imaginary Pregnancy Symptoms Sign of Ovulation #6: Positive Result on an Ovulation Predictor Test Another common way of detecting ovulation is with an ovulation predictor test kit. Ovulation predictor kits, sometimes referred to as OPK tests, require you to either pee on a test stick, or dip a special paper into a cup of collected urine, once a day for a week before you expect to ovulate. There are two lines on the test strip. Whenever the test line is darker than the control line, the test has detected an LH surge. (This is the exact same hormone that causes fertile cervical mucus.) Pros of using this method to detect ovulation: If body basal temperature (BBT) charting isn't your cup of tea, an ovulation predictor kit can be used. If cervical mucus is dried up from medications, you may still get a positive on an ovulation test. You only need to bother with the tests for a week or two before you expect to ovulate. If fertility charting gives unusual or confusing results, an ovulation predictor kit may clarify things. Cons: Expensive compared to other methods of ovulation detection. An ovulation predictor test kit for one cycle costs anywhere from $10 – 20 dollars. Over a year, that can add up. Determining when the test line is darker than the control line isn’t always easy. You can miss the LH surge and never see a darker line. For example, if you test Monday morning, and your LH surged Monday afternoon, by Tuesday morning, when you test again, it may be over already. (Some women test more than once a day for this reason – raising the cost.) If you ovulate irregularly, you may need more than one kit per cycle. Not a definite sign. You can have positive OPK results, and not ovulate. You can also have more than one LH surge detected per cycle, but only the last of those surges correlates to possible ovulation. Using Ovulation Predictor Kits Sign of Ovulation #7: Saliva Ferning A unique and uncommon way to detect ovulation, a ferning pattern of your saliva is another possible sign of ovulation. A ferning pattern looks like frost on a window pane. The ferning pattern appears during the body’s LH surge, which occurs 24-48 hours before ovulation. There are special microscopes sold for this purpose, but you could technically use any toy store microscope. Pros of using this method to detect ovulation: Cheaper than ovulation predictor kits. Unique! (Impress people at parties. “I was checking my saliva’s ferning pattern this morning, and...”) Cons: Uncommon. Won’t be easy to find people to ask advice from. Many women find it difficult to detect the ferning pattern. (I tried it, and it seemed like I saw the pattern for almost two weeks. Not very helpful for detecting the most fertile DAYS.) Just as with tracking cervical mucus and using ovulation tests, noticing a ferning pattern does not guarantee that ovulation will occur. More on ovulation and getting pregnant: Would you like to receive trying to conceive tips and fertility information every week? Sign up for a free fertility newsletter here, or sign up for a free online health course, 6 Days to Better Baby Making Sex.

A central mechanism of aging identified – and it might be reversible

 

Scientists at the Salk Institute and the Chinese Academy of Science have identified what may be the underlying cause of premature-aging disorder Werner syndrome, and with it a possible key to reversing the aging process (Image: Salk Institute for Biological Studies) Research into the underlying causes of a genetic disorder that causes premature aging and death has revealed a key driver of aging in all people. Better yet, this mechanism is reversible – and with it, perhaps, scientists may be able to slow or reverse the aging process. People with Werner syndrome age faster than normal because of a genetic mutation that disrupts normal DNA cell processes. It affects around one in every 200,000 people in the United States, with sufferers plagued by early-onset age-related diseases, such as cancer, cataracts, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, skin ulcers, and more. It was previously known Werner syndrome is caused by a mutation to the Werner syndrome RecQ helicase-like gene (WRN for short), and that the normal form of the protein is responsible for maintaining the structure and integrity of a person's DNA. However, it was unclear how this happened. Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, who worked in collaboration with researchers at the Chinese Academy of Science, now have a possible answer. They found a link between the WRN gene and heterochromatin, which is a small, tightly-packed bundle of DNA found in irregular patches inside a cell's nucleus. This bundling serves as a kind of cell switchboard, regulating the complex molecular machinery. The image on the left shows normal human cells, while the image on the right depicts cells that show signs of aging and that have fallen victim to heterochromatin disorganization (Image: Salk Institute for Biological Studies) Mutations or deletions of the WRN gene lead to heterochromatin disorganization, which essentially means that anarchy reigns. When connected to the symptoms of Werner syndrome – accelerated aging – this suggests that an accumulation of heterochromatin defects may be an underlying cause of cellular aging. Indeed, the researchers compared heterochromatin levels in six young people, with ages ranging from 7 to 26, and six old people, aged 58-72, and found that the older people showed similar levels of heterochromatin defects to Werner syndrome sufferers. "This begs the question of whether we can reverse these alterations – like remodelling an old house or car," says study senior author Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte. In other words, it may be possible, by reversing the heterochromatin disorganization, to slow or reverse the aging process in humans. First, however, scientists must explore further how heterochromatin disorganization relates to other cellular factors in aging, such as the shortening of telomeres, which are responsible for protecting chromosomes from damage. A paper describing the research was published in the journal Science.   Source: Salk Institute

Microsoft Surface 3

 

Microsoft has really picked up its Surface game in the last year. First the Surface Pro 3 took a big step forward, and now the Surface 3 brings many of the same principles to a smaller and cheaper device. Read on for Gizmag's Surface 3 early impressions. The Surface 3 is, in most ways, a shrunken-down and lower-powered Surface Pro 3 (SP3). Considering the SP3 was oversized for a tablet, many buyers could see this as a step forward. It's sized a bit more like an iPad, a bit less like someone yanked the screen off of a laptop. So far we're fans of the Surface 3's size. It makes much more sense to pick up and use casually, without its keyboard, than the Surface Pro 3 ever did. It's noticeably thicker and heavier than the iPad Air 2 (to be exact, it's 43 percent thicker and 42 percent heavier), but it's still very manageable as a tablet. ... and with its boxier 3:2 aspect ratio, it's much better in portrait mode than any of the first- or second-generation Surfaces ever were (those of the pre-Surface Pro 3 days ... which happened to coincide with the end of the Steve Ballmer era at Microsoft). This is also the first non-"Pro" Surface that runs desktop apps and supports pen input. It uses the same Surface Pen that works with the Surface Pro 3, and everything works exactly the same here. The only annoyances are that the Pen is sold separately here and that you can't magnetically snap it onto the side of the tablet. You'll be leaning more on that Pen Loop that attaches to the keyboard. Speaking of the keyboard, the Surface 3's Type Cover is, like the device itself, a shrunken-down version of the keyboard that goes with the SP3. We haven't had any problems so far with typing on the smaller keyboard, and the fixed-position kickstand doesn't as of yet feel like a noticeable downgrade from the dynamically-shifting kickstand on the Pro 3. We'll have much more on the Surface 3 in our full review (including battery life impressions), so stay tuned. Right now this looks like Microsoft's best-balanced Surface yet. If you can live with some solid consumer-level performance (vs. pro-level performance) along with that smaller screen, then this could hit a sweet spot for lots of 2-in-1 shoppers. The Surface 3 is available now, starting at US$500 for the 64 GB version of the tablet. You'll want to add an extra $130, however, for the keyboard and (optionally) another $50 for the Surface Pen. Product page: Microsoft

Smartphone microscope scans blood for parasitic worms in minutes

 

Sliding a smartphone into the base and loading it with a single drop of blood, users can conduct an analysis of the sample in around two minutes   In Africa, the spread of parasitic worms known as Loa loa is seriously hindering the efforts of health care workers to cure particular, rampant diseases. Though there are drugs available to treat both river blindness and lymphatic filariasis, if they are administered to a patient who also happens to also be infected with Loa loa the consequences can be lethal. This is complicated further by the inherent difficulties in screening for the worms, but a newly developed mobile phone microscope needing only a drop of blood to automatically detect the parasite promises to make things a whole lot simpler. For years, a team of researchers at the University of California Berkeley has been refining the CellScope, a mobile phone attachment that repurposes the device as a clinical-grade microscope. The team even recently branched out and launched a commercial product called Oto Home, a cell phone attachment that enables parents to perform ear exams on their children at home. The group's latest offering is dubbed CellScope Loa. It comprises a 3D-printed plastic base fitted out with LED lights, microcontrollers, gears and a USB port. Sliding a smartphone into the base and loading it with a single drop of blood, users can conduct an analysis of the sample in around two minutes. Over Bluetooth, the purpose-built app communicates with the base, running the sample in front of the phone's camera and creating a video. An algorithm then processes the footage, searching for the wriggling worms in action and displaying the total count on screen. "We previously showed that mobile phones can be used for microscopy, but this is the first device that combines the imaging technology with hardware and software automation to create a complete diagnostic solution," says Daniel Fletcher, professor of bioengineering at UC Berkeley who pioneered the CellScope. "The video CellScope provides accurate, fast results that enable health workers to make potentially life-saving treatment decisions in the field." The difference could come in an improved ability of health care workers to determine appropriate courses of action when dealing with patients. River blindness spreads throughout populations through the bites of blackflies, and according to the World Health Organization caused blindness in around 50 percent of males in West African communities. Lymphatic filariasis is spread by mosquitos and causes massive swelling in different parts of the body and a disease known as elephantiasis. Both are highly endemic in parts of Africa. An antiparasitic drug called ivermectin is effective in treating these conditions, though not if patients happen to be infected with Loa loa worms. If levels of Loa loa are high in the patient, the ivermectin can cause severe or even fatal brain damage. What makes CellScope Loa promising is the ability for those on the ground to scan for these worms without needing to lug samples back to the lab. Current detection methods involve a blood smear and lab technicians manually counting the worms under a typical microscope. The team has carried out a pilot study with CellScope Loa in Cameroon, where workers are trying to tackle river blindness and lymphatic filariasis. It was found that it was able to detect the parasitic worms with accuracy equal to conventional methods. These findings are reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine.   Source: UC Berkeley