3 Questions. 3 Hints. 3 Answers. Every Tuesday.
1. What recent approval by a federal agency has one technology realizing that the sky really is the limit”?
Hint:
Answer: the FAA has increased the authorized geographical movement of unmanned aircraft systems or “drones”. BP and AeroVironment Puma AE were recently given the go-ahead to conduct aerial surveys of BP pipelines, roads and equipment located at the largest oilfield in Alaska at Prudhoe Bay. This is the first time that the FAA has given a thumbs up to drone operation over land. The FAA has yet to establish actual laws regulating drone use. However, under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Congress directed the FAA to develop guidelines for safely accelerating the integration of drones into the national airspace system by September 2015. Interestingly, a recent national survey conducted by Pew Research Center found 63% of Americans have a negative view of drones. For additional details, click here.
2. What creation has folks around the globe saying and hearing “Jawohl!”?
Hint:
Answer: the Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany has resurrected post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh’s ear and brought it back to life (it actually processes sound!). Along with a group of scientists, artist Diemut Strebe grew a life-size replica of van Gogh’s ear, which is protected and kept alive within a nutrient-rich substance. With the help of a van Gogh family member, the sugar-based replica (dubbed “Sugababe”) was created using van Gogh’s own DNA and then cloned. The bigger wonder, however, may be the question: how did van Gogh really lose his ear? Read more here.
3. We have portable kitchens, chairs, tables, mattresses, sound systems, phones, TVs and…more recently?
Hint:
Answer: diffuse optical technology (DOT) is improving the way researchers are looking at the brain to monitor functions, injuries and disease. DOT is being considered as a safer and portable alternative to fMRI scans. DOT uses light instead of magnets (used in MRI technology) to avoid interference with other medical instruments. The downside is that, at this time, DOT only highlights the outermost layer of brain tissue. Read the story here.