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- Modelling Digital Twin Hearts, Global Life Expectancy, And Interstellar Thrusters.
Modelling Digital Twin Hearts, Global Life Expectancy, And Interstellar Thrusters.
Jae Lee
May 31, 2024
Have you ever heard of the Black Swan Theory?
It refers to statistically unlikely future events that suddenly appear and widely impact the population with a large magnitude.
COVID, September 11th, and the financial crisis of ‘08 were all black swan events that had huge unknown yet colossal consequences.
In other words, you don’t know what’s coming until it hits you in the face.
In a world of increasing complexity, larger connectivity, and faster ingenuity, black swan events will happen more often.
But not all black swan events are to be feared.
The rise of the computer (and subsequently the Internet and smartphones), penicillin, and artificial intelligence are examples of black swan events in technology.
Nobody could have predicted their impact on the world.
So while we could try to predict what our health span will be like in 25 years, there’s a good chance that a black swan event hits the medical industry and completely skews the prediction, for better or for worse.
Perhaps another virus hits the global population—decimating the human life expectancy—or perhaps we figure out how to slow down our aging cells through the use of digital simulation.
What’s On The Menu?
Digital twin hearts modelled for better monitoring.
Drawings of gladiators by children found in Pompeii.
Earliest and most distant galaxy ever discovered.
Global life expectancy to increase by 5 years.
New thruster potential key to interstellar travel.
Digital Twin Heart Model Monitors Patients Virtually.
TL;DR:
Researchers at Imperial College London are developing "digital twin" heart models to better monitor and care for NHS patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
These virtual replicas, created from health data and updated in real-time, aim to track disease progression and treatment responses more accurately.
The project involves interdisciplinary collaboration to build and test this technology.
So what…?
This innovative approach could revolutionize patient care by enabling more precise and individualized treatment, potentially improving outcomes for those with severe cardiovascular conditions. If successful, it could lead to more personalized and responsive healthcare.
Archaeologists Discover ‘Extremely Violent’ Drawings by Children in Pompeii.
TL;DR:
Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered charcoal sketches by children, depicting violent scenes they likely witnessed, including gladiator fights and hunts.
Found on the wall of the "Colonnaded Cenacle," these drawings were probably made by children as young as six or seven.
Experts believe these sketches reflect the harsh realities the children observed in ancient Pompeii and offer new insights into the everyday lives and traumatic experiences of Pompeii's youngest inhabitants.
Big whoop, and…?
Understanding these drawings helps us gain a deeper appreciation of the impact of ancient societal violence on children and offers a unique glimpse into the lived experiences of the past.
Earliest And Most Distant Galaxy Ever Observed.
TL;DR:
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered the most distant known galaxy, named JADES-GS-z14-0, which existed just 290 million years after the Big Bang.
This galaxy is over 1,600 light-years across and its brightness is due to young stars rather than a supermassive black hole.
The presence of oxygen in JADES-GS-z14-0 indicates it has undergone multiple generations of star formation.
Who cares…?
Understanding these ancient galaxies helps us learn about the early universe's formation and the evolution of stars and galaxies, shedding light on the origins of our own cosmic neighbourhood.
Global Life Expectancy Projected to Increase by Nearly 5 Years by 2050 Despite Various Threats.
TL;DR:
The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 predicts global life expectancy will rise by 4.9 years for men and 4.2 years for women by 2050.
This increase is largely due to improvements in public health measures, reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases, COVID-19, and other communicable diseases. Health inequalities are expected to lessen, with significant gains in sub-Saharan Africa.
Why does this matter…?
These findings highlight the importance of continuing to improve global health measures and addressing non-communicable diseases, which can improve both the length and quality of life worldwide.
New Thruster Could Achieve Escape Velocity—and Interplanetary Travel.
TL;DR:
NASA has developed the Hall-effect thruster, a next-generation ion engine capable of high-velocity maneuvers required for interplanetary travel.
This technology, miniaturized from high-power solar electric systems designed for the lunar Gateway station, allows smaller spacecraft to achieve escape velocity and perform orbital capture.
It operates on low power and uses a higher proportion of propellant mass than current ion thrusters, extending mission capabilities and reducing costs for lunar and Mars missions.
SpaceLogistics, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, will be the first to use this thruster for satellite repair missions.
And that means…?
This breakthrough in propulsion technology makes ambitious space missions more feasible, potentially leading to more frequent and cost-effective exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
That’s it for this week!
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Cheers,
Jae
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