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Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower:
I get this, but I still think people wouldn't take a rational view of the situation.
I certainly wouldn't be "rational." If I'm just a computer model, then what's the point? Do I have "free will?"
Society is schizophrenic enough as it is. It wouldn't surprise me if such a revelation would cause more massacres like Newtown and Columbine from jacked up people.
What would change for you if you found out you were living in a computer simulation? Would you stop loving your family? Would the experiences you've had with your family suddenly lose their meaning?
Most people can't even really define what "Life" is, or why we're here. This article is simply saying "What if it's this?" If we can't even make a guess with any assurance right now, saying "What if it's this?" isn't any worse than any other theory. If we don't currently know, we can't really feel bad if the truth is slightly different than what we imagined.
And I have no idea how you could say this would cause massacres. I just can't see that at all. Nothing is being taken away from anyone. Emotions are still just as real. Pain still hurts, and loved ones are still missed. Why would knowing something about the structure of reality make experiencing that reality any less valuable? [Reply]
Researchers at the UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have put the squeeze — literally — on malignant mammary cells to guide them back into a normal growth pattern.
The findings, presented Monday, Dec. 17 at the annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in San Francisco, show for the first time that mechanical forces alone can revert and stop the out-of-control growth of cancer cells. This change happens even though the genetic mutations responsible for malignancy remain, setting up a nature-versus-nurture battle in determining a cell’s fate.
“We are showing that tissue organization is sensitive to mechanical inputs from the environment at the beginning stages of growth and development,” said principal investigator Daniel Fletcher, professor of bioengineering at Berkeley and faculty scientist at the Berkeley Lab. “An early signal, in the form of compression, appears to get these malignant cells back on the right track.”
Throughout a woman’s life, breast tissue grows, shrinks and shifts in a highly organized way in response to changes in her reproductive cycle. For instance, when forming acini, the berry-shaped structures that secrete milk during lactation, healthy breast cells will rotate as they form an organized structure. And, importantly, the cells stop growing when they are supposed to.
One of the early hallmarks of breast cancer is the breakdown of this normal growth pattern. Not only do cancer cells continue to grow irregularly when they shouldn’t, recent studies have shown that they do not rotate coherently when forming acini.
While the traditional view of cancer development focuses on the genetic mutations within the cell, Mina Bissell, Distinguished Scientist at the Berkeley Lab, conducted pioneering experiments that showed that a malignant cell is not doomed to become a tumor, but that its fate is dependent on its interaction with the surrounding microenvironment. Her experiments showed that manipulation of this environment, through the introduction of biochemical inhibitors, could tame mutated mammary cells into behaving normally.
The latest work from Fletcher’s lab, in collaboration with Bissell’s lab, takes a major step forward by introducing the concept of mechanical rather than chemical influences on cancer cell growth. Gautham Venugopalan, a member of Fletcher’s lab, conducted the new experiments as part of his recently completed Ph.D. dissertation at UC Berkeley.
“People have known for centuries that physical force can influence our bodies,” said Venugopalan. “When we lift weights, our muscles get bigger. The force of gravity is essential to keeping our bones strong. Here we show that physical force can play a role in the growth — and reversion — of cancer cells.”
Venugopalan and collaborators grew malignant breast epithelial cells in a gelatin-like substance that had been injected into flexible silicone chambers. The flexible chambers allowed the researchers to apply a compressive force in the first stages of cell development.
Over time, the compressed malignant cells grew into more organized, healthy-looking acini that resembled normal structures, compared with malignant cells that were not compressed. The researchers used time-lapse microscopy over several days to show that early compression also induced coherent rotation in the malignant cells, a characteristic feature of normal development.
Notably, those cells stopped growing once the breast tissue structure was formed, even though the compressive force had been removed.
“Malignant cells have not completely forgotten how to be healthy; they just need the right cues to guide them back into a healthy growth pattern,” said Venugopalan.
Researchers further added a drug that blocked E-cadherin, a protein that helps cells adhere to their neighbors. When they did this, the malignant cells returned to their disorganized, cancerous appearance, negating the effects of compression and demonstrating the importance of cell-to-cell communication in organized structure formation.
It should be noted that the researchers are not proposing the development of compression bras as a treatment for breast cancer. “Compression, in and of itself, is not likely to be a therapy,” said Fletcher. “But this does give us new clues to track down the molecules and structures that could eventually be targeted for therapies.”
The National Institutes of Health helped fund this research through its Physical Science-Oncology program. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Fish:
What would change for you if you found out you were living in a computer simulation? Would you stop loving your family? Would the experiences you've had with your family suddenly lose their meaning?
Most people can't even really define what "Life" is, or why we're here. This article is simply saying "What if it's this?" If we can't even make a guess with any assurance right now, saying "What if it's this?" isn't any worse than any other theory. If we don't currently know, we can't really feel bad if the truth is slightly different than what we imagined.
And I have no idea how you could say this would cause massacres. I just can't see that at all. Nothing is being taken away from anyone. Emotions are still just as real. Pain still hurts, and loved ones are still missed. Why would knowing something about the structure of reality make experiencing that reality any less valuable?
Think that for every Klebold or Lanza, there are 3 or 4 other people who have left the reservation yet still have enough sanity to not shoot up a school because they still have a life of sorts with people to care about.
Tell those guys that life is not "real" and is, at its simplest, is a simulation in another existence and thus their existence is akin to to a character in a videogame.
And I'm not trying to sensationalize or over dramatize things. There are people who are pretty broken and definitely do not think like people who are "normal" but still hold on to their life as having value, and if logic, reason, and science say that this value is in fact completely empty and without value.. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower:
I get this, but I still think people wouldn't take a rational view of the situation.
I certainly wouldn't be "rational." If I'm just a computer model, then what's the point? Do I have "free will?"
Society is schizophrenic enough as it is. It wouldn't surprise me if such a revelation would cause more massacres like Newtown and Columbine from jacked up people.
Even if you weren't a computer model, do you have free will?
Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower:
Think that for every Klebold or Lanza, there are 3 or 4 other people who have left the reservation yet still have enough sanity to not shoot up a school because they still have a life of sorts with people to care about.
Tell those guys that life is not "real" and is, at its simplest, is a simulation in another existence and thus their existence is akin to to a character in a videogame.
And I'm not trying to sensationalize or over dramatize things. There are people who are pretty broken and definitely do not think like people who are "normal" but still hold on to their life as having value, and if logic, reason, and science say that this value is in fact completely empty and without value..
If people found out, they'd still have the same life of sorts with people to care about. That life and loved ones wouldn't just go away at that point.
Logic, reason, and science don't say that a discovery like this would make life empty and without value. YOU are saying that. And you still haven't really said WHY something like that would remove the value from existence.
Life is still life, whether it's hosted in a big empty physical universe or in a complex universe computer sitting on some alien's workbench. Why should either be any less valid from the experience of those in it? We can't even define what "Real" is, so how could we be disappointed if "Real" turns out to be in an alien's computer?
When people proved that the world was round and not flat, did they start rioting because they were wrong about the nature of their world? How would this be different?
Originally Posted by Fish:
If people found out, they'd still have the same life of sorts with people to care about. That life and loved ones wouldn't just go away at that point.
Logic, reason, and science don't say that a discovery like this would make life empty and without value. YOU are saying that. And you still haven't really said WHY something like that would remove the value from existence.
Life is still life, whether it's hosted in a big empty physical universe or in a complex universe computer sitting on some alien's workbench. Why should either be any less valid from the experience of those in it? We can't even define what "Real" is, so how could we be disappointed if "Real" turns out to be in an alien's computer?
When people proved that the world was round and not flat, did they start rioting because they were wrong about the nature of their world? How would this be different?
Like the last :30 of this:
Personally if I found out I was a simulation... I'd do much of nothing. No aspirations, no drive, nothing. Just enough "to survive" and stay out of the way of psychos. Unless there's a way to manipulate the simulation to my benefit .
But I easily understand the mindset of those who would disregard morals and start harming people who aren't "real." [Reply]
Imagine living without a heart. It is possible — if you have a new artificial heart pumping blood through your body. You can even go to the supermarket, watch your kid's soccer game or go on a hike.
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has performed its first procedure to remove a patient's diseased heart and replace it with a SynCardia Temporary Total Artificial Heart.
Chad Washington, 35, underwent the seven-hour transplant surgery at UCLA on Oct. 29, led by Dr. Murray Kwon, an assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery.
The temporary pump will act as a "bridge" until Washington receives a new donor heart.
"Historically, patients with a total artificial heart had to remain hospitalized while they waited for a transplant because they were tethered to a large machine to power the device," Kwon said. "Today, however, this device can be powered by advanced technology small enough to fit in a backpack."
"It sounds like a loud grandfather clock going 'tick-tock' in my chest, but it doesn't feel foreign. It's there to help," Washington said of the artificial heart. "I'm so glad to be living in an age where technology is moving so fast."
Washington, an aspiring chef is who is married and has a 4-year-old son, has suffered from heart disease since he was born. From the time he was 10 days old through adulthood, he underwent a series of heart-repair surgeries and had pacemakers and a defibrillator implanted.
Then his heart deteriorated. He received a heart transplant in February of this year, and for the first time in his life, he knew what it was like to live with a healthy heart. It gave him energy, and he was amazed that he could run 25 minutes on a treadmill.
Unfortunately, after six months of functioning perfectly well, the donor heart started showing signs of a serious form of rejection that did not respond to therapy. Washington's condition worsened. An immediate re-transplantation with a new donor heart was not an option because his body had built up antibodies that would likely attack a new heart.
Thankfully, the artificial heart offered hope.
"By removing the patient's diseased donor heart, we removed the source of his end-stage heart failure," said Dr. Ali Nsair, an assistant professor of cardiology at UCLA. "The total artificial heart — and being off immunosuppressant medications — allows his body to recover and get ready for a heart transplant in a few months."
Dr. Mario Deng, a professor of cardiology and medical director of the UCLA Advanced Heart Failure/Mechanical Support/Heart Transplant Program added that since the pump's energy source is portable, Washington can go home and resume normal activities with his family while he waits for a new heart.
"This ability to be at home with family is an important element in helping the patient to maintain a positive outlook during the waiting period," Deng said.
Approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 2004, the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart replaces both failing heart ventricles and the four heart valves. It works by providing a high volume of blood-flow through both ventricles, which helps to speed the recovery of vital organs and make the patient a better candidate for transplant surgery.
Once the total artificial heart is implanted, it is connected by two small air tubes known as "drivelines" to a large external driver that powers the heart while the patient remains hospitalized. When the patient's condition stabilizes post-operatively, he or she can be switched over to the smaller 13.5-pound Freedom portable driver, which can be carried in a backpack, thus giving the patient the freedom to leave the hospital.
"This technology offers a lifeline for patients who are in severe heart failure and dying," said Dr. Richard J. Shemin, professor and chair of cardiothoracic surgery at UCLA and surgical director of the UCLA Mechanical Circulatory Support Program. "These patients have run out of medical options and require a heart transplant. The total artificial heart offers advantages over other devices used for mechanical support of patients awaiting a heart transplant. With the new Freedom driver for powering the device, the patients can leave the hospital, live at home and undergo rehabilitation, improving their clinical condition and quality of life as they await their transplant." [Reply]
These rare photos capture the Flight Deck (cockpit) of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, fully powered for one of the final times. Just a few weeks later, at 9:58am EDT on May 11, Endeavour was powered down for the final time in history. It was the last of the three space shuttles to have power. Below, other views show the mid-deck, gutted of its lockers and storage areas, and three final photos show the white room entrance in the Orbiter Processing Facility, signed by thousands over the years. [Reply]
These rare photos capture the Flight Deck (cockpit) of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, fully powered for one of the final times. Just a few weeks later, at 9:58am EDT on May 11, Endeavour was powered down for the final time in history. It was the last of the three space shuttles to have power. Below, other views show the mid-deck, gutted of its lockers and storage areas, and three final photos show the white room entrance in the Orbiter Processing Facility, signed by thousands over the years.
These rare photos capture the Flight Deck (cockpit) of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, fully powered for one of the final times. Just a few weeks later, at 9:58am EDT on May 11, Endeavour was powered down for the final time in history. It was the last of the three space shuttles to have power. Below, other views show the mid-deck, gutted of its lockers and storage areas, and three final photos show the white room entrance in the Orbiter Processing Facility, signed by thousands over the years.
