DNA-based artificial neural network is a primitive brain in a test tube (video)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman','Bitstream Charter',Times,serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding: 0.6em;"> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5;"> <img alt="Neuron and DNA" class="aligncenter" height="255" mce_src="http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/7538/20110729neuralnetwork.jpg" mce_style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" src="http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/7538/20110729neuralnetwork.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 4px auto; max-width: 640px;" width="360" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Many simpler forms of life on this planet, including some of our earliest ancestors, don't have proper brains. Instead they have networks of neurons that fire in response to stimuli, triggering reactions. Scientists from Caltech have actually figured out how to create such a primitive pre-brain using strands of DNA. Researchers, led by Lulu Qian, strung together DNA molecules to create bio-mechanical circuits. By sequencing the four bases of our genetic code in a particular way, they were able to program it to respond differently to various inputs. To prove their success the team quizzed the organic circuit, essentially playing 20 questions, feeding it clues to the identity of a particular scientist using more DNA strands. The artificial neural network nailed answer every time. Check out the PR and pair of videos that dig a little deeper into the experiment after the break.</div> </div> </span></div>

DNA-based artificial neural network is a primitive brain in a test tube (video)

Many simpler forms of life on this planet, including some of our earliest ancestors, don't have proper brains. Instead they have ne...

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Sony boss: Holographic 3D World Cup in 2022 'not science fiction'

<P>Japan is making an impressive 3D-tech pitch for the 2022 World Cup tournament this week, with Sony boss Howard Stringer saying the plans are not 'science fiction' and just as realistic as the plans for the Sony Walkman, home video and the PlayStation were back in their day.</P><br /><P>Japan's proposal to FIFA is to pave 400 stadiums around the world with 3D flat screens to enable fans to see life size matches in 3D from thousands of miles away from the live action.</P><br /><P><img alt="Sky is pushing 3d football in 2011, but might we be watching 3d holographic matches by 2022?" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/tv/images/Sky_3D/Sky3d_football-420-90.jpg" title="Sky is pushing 3d football in 2011, but might we be watching 3d holographic matches by 2022?" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>Sony's plan is to project real-time 3D holographic images of the game in real time to crowds around the world.</P><br /><P>"I have to admit that the idea of this blows my mind away," said Japan 2022 bid committee chief executive Kohzo Tashima.</P><br /><P>"Three hundred and sixty million people could have a full stadium experience of matches; that's over 100 times the number of spectators at the 1994 World Cup in the United States," Tashima told FIFA's executive committee as he pitched for the tournament.</P><br /><P>The Japanese World Cup proposal also includes real-time translation machines and constant connection to handheld 3D video devices.</P><br /><P>Paving some of the world's greatest football stadiums such as Wembley or the famous Maracana stadium with hundreds of 3D screens all sounds very <EM>Blade Runner</EM>, yet Sony Chairman Howard Stringer is adamant that the plans are more than realistic and achievable.</P><br /><P>Stringer said that the plan was as realistic as launching the Walkman portable music player, home video cameras, or the Sony PlayStation back in the day.</P><br /><P>"The truth is the world is changing faster than any of us can understand," said the Sony chief.</P><br /><P>"I can tell you that this is not science fiction, in 2022 this will be science fact," Stringer insisted, dressed in a Japan football jersey.</P><br /><P>Junji Ogura, chairman of the Japanese bid for the 2022 World Cup added: "Our nation's bid is not about one nation hosting the games or two nations, but 208 regions and FIFA nations hosting the game together," said </P><br /><P>Ogura added: "The challenge for FIFA, for football, is to identify the next big idea."</P><br /><P>Japan is up against slightly less 'sci-fi' sounding bids from Australia, the United States, Qatar, and South Korea to host the 2022 tournament.</P>

Sony boss: Holographic 3D World Cup in 2022 'not science fiction'

Japan is making an impressive 3D-tech pitch for the 2022 World Cup tournament this week, with Sony boss Howard Stringer saying the plans are...

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