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- Tuskless | Moon Bike | Pig Organs - The Convo Kit #19
Tuskless | Moon Bike | Pig Organs - The Convo Kit #19
Circles are vastly underrated. They give us pies, Pi, time, donuts, hula hoops, cogs, and a break at the end of this sentence. Innovation is also circular, remember Fisher Price rotary phones? They’re back!
-Steve
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Evolution by War
Female elephants in Mozambique have ditched their tusks in just a few decades. During a civil war, ~90% of the elephant population was killed for ivory to fund each side.
~14% tuskless population increase over 27 years
Tusklessness is usually a disadvantage, unless you’re avoiding poachers
Elephants can live without tusks, but it drastically changes their ecosystem
Researchers believe a mutated AMELX gene on the X chromosome determines tusklessness due to its relation to enamel production. Males with this mutation usually die as it’s tied to other integral genes on their sole X chromosome.
More info at The Atlantic.
Moon Bike
Tardigrade is a motorcycle for driving on the moon. Designed by Hookie, the two-wheeled moon buggy can explore the lunar surface at a fraction of the shipping cost compared to its four-wheeled friends.
Airless tires with 3D-printed treads
Kevlar coated frame protects against debris and radiation
Named after the animal resistant to UV radiation
Hookie does not have a formal contract with NASA, yet, though the space agency is aware of Tardigrade. Lunar wheelies may not be a priority for the hopeful moon landing in 2025, but efficient exploration will be necessary once a moon base is constructed.
Video and pics of the sleek space bike here.
Sus Kidney
Surgeons successfully transplanted a kidney from pig to human. It’s the first time a human has not rejected a kidney from a different organism.
Xenotransplantation = animal-to-human transplant
Donor-pig was gene edited to remove a hostile sugar compound
Over 90,000 people on U.S. kidney transplant waitlist
The recipient was a deceased organ donor whose family agreed to the experiment. For two days, the pig kidney performed normal functions while attached to blood vessels outside the body. More research, medical and ethical, is needed before transplanting to live patients.
More details over at The Guardian.
The Jetsons IRL
Drone + go-kart = Jetson One, the solo eVTOL coming in 2022. The aluminum/carbon fiber pod stays afloat with four drone-like propellers that can land in autopilot if the controls are accidentally released.
Top Speed: 63 mph
Power: 88kW
Price: $92,000
Small enough to fit in a garage, Jetson One is a tempting commute alternative. Though the 15 minute flight time may still restrict you to WFH. Still, it’d make a morning coffee run fly by.
Video of the Jetson One in action.
Starlab
Commercial spaceflight will include at least one space station by 2027 thanks to Lockheed Martin’s Starlab. The joint project will play host to a range of activities from science to tourism.
12k cubic ft. of internal volume (ISS = 32.3k cubic ft., same as a 747 jet)
Crew size: 4 astronauts + guests
Single launch instead of multiple modules assembled in space
NASA hopes Starlab will be one of many independent space stations as part of the Commercial LEO Destinations (CLD) project. CLD aims to supplement the loss of the International Space Station, expected to be decommissioned by 2030. Orbital tourism is heating up, keep an eye on this...space.
Images of Starlab available here.
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