When the Machines Take Over – The Speculist

I wanted to bring your attention to an interesting post from Phil Bowermaster, a fellow blogger at The Speculist – His recent post (below) brings an interesting perspective on the future of AI. As with all of Phil’s posts, this is an enjoyable read and might help expand your overall perception of Artificial Intelligence.

It’s Too Early to Be Joyful

U.S. scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston say they have partially reversed age-related degeneration in mice through a controllable telomerase gene – this led to new brain and testes growth, improved fertility and the return of lost thinking skills.

I have discussed the telomerase gene and aging in previous posts and how research has indicated how low levels of telomerase leads to deterioration and shortening of the telomeres, resulting in physical and mental decline. Well the team at Dana-Farber developed mice with a controllable telomerase gene.  Creating mice with a controllable telomerase gene allowed these scientists to create prematurely aged mice. This control also enabled the team to determine that reactivating telomerase in the mice could restore telomeres and reduce the signs and symptoms of aging.