Science and technology are closely interlinked with one another. A better understanding of the universe and everything in it can pave the way for newer technologies to come into play.

Here are three mind blowing scientific advancements done this year.

Memory Transfers in Snails

In May of 2018, neurobiologist David Glanzman was successful in transferring memories in certain sea snails.

His hypothesis was that memories were hardcoded into an organism’s RNA and not in the brain cells. In order to test this, he turned to sea snails called sea hares.

The first thing he did was take a couple of sea hares and electrocute them. Sounds inhumane? Well, there was a reason. In electrocuting them, he had instilled the response of contracting their gills whenever it happened.

Afterwards, he extracted some RNA and placed it in a fresh group of snails that have not been electrocuted. In doing so, the snails were also contracting their gills whenever they were just prodded in the siphon.

While the implications for this discovery are not quite known yet, discoveries of this kind are always a step forward. Who knows? We might be able to accurately see and feel someone’s memories like Snape did for Harry Potter.

Reversing Aging in Mice

Led by Dr. David Sinclair, his team at Boston were able to reverse the aging process in mice.

The aging process in mammals is controlled and related to the NAD molecule. This is a molecule that is necessary for survival.

However, over time, the level of NAD molecules drops. This is what leads to age-related diseases.

With his team, Sinclair had the brilliant idea of boosting the NAD levels in old mice through a dietary supplement. The result?  These mice became younger and their health started to improve.

This advancement is just the beginning for Sinclair and his team. They hope to continue their research on humans now.

This practice could be a total game changer as it would slow down people’s rate of again, making them live longer.

McDonald’s Hair Growing Molecule

For years and years, men have looked for the solution for baldness. Who knew that the solution was right under their noses whenever they ordered fries at McDonalds?

Japanese researchers from Yokohama National University were able to discover that the chemical called dimethylpolysiloxane was able to produce numerous hair follicles.

This same chemical is being added to the oil that McDonalds uses to cook their French fries.

Testing it on mice, scientists transported these new hair follicles onto mice. Afterwards, new hairs began to sprout in no time at all.

This scientific discovery could lead to better treatment for hair loss in all people. Eating more McDonalds though won’t do the same. We’ll just have to wait and see how this develops.

There are always more scientific advancements being discovered. These advancements could help create the next big piece of technology that would make an impact in people’s lives. In turn, these new pieces of technologies could help in the discovery of new scientific advancements.

It is a great cyclical relationship that will go on for many years to come.

All inventors of the world have their fair share of ideas that have been shot down and laid in the graveyard. Of all these ideas, how many of them do you think would have been good for us if they were developed?

While we can’t comment on if they would’ve been good or bad for society, here are three life-changing technologies that were never developed.

Henry Ford’s Flivver

Most people know who Henry Ford is. He is the founder of the Ford Motor company and manufactured the Ford Model T Car. This manufacturing process gave birth to the assembly line way of producing and putting things together. This revolutionized the industry.

Henry Ford had another idea for a vehicle. He called it the Flivver and described it as the Model T but a plane.

To Ford, the Flivver was to be the personal aircraft of the common man. It was approximately 15 feet long and had a wingspan of 23 feet. Its engine had 3 cylinders and 35 horsepower.

Ford was confident that this new “flying car” was the next big thing. In order to bring his idea into the forefront of society, he enlisted the help of test pilot Harry J. Brooks.

Sadly, Brooks met his end inside one Flivver. Along with his death was the death of the Flivver ever becoming a mainstream idea.

What would the world be like if we all had our own personal planes? Would society have developed faster with the radical speed of travel these planes gave? Would there be as much as traffic in the air as there is now on the ground? We’ll never know now.

A Sustainable Dance Floor

All it takes for a good idea to come into fruition is a good understanding of some scientific concepts. For bar owner Andrew Charalambous, it was the understanding of mechanical energy.

In the bar he owned, Charalambous thought it pretty great to capture and store the mechanical energy that dancers were expending out on the dance floor.

To do so, he installed some piezoelectric cells that did just that. With the energy stored, these cells also converted it into electricity and stored it into batteries.

Eventually, he found success as the energy he was taking in powered as much as 60% of the needs of his club.

The sad part of it was that it never grew farther than his own club. Wonder why no one else picked it up?

Tesla’s Alternating Current

If you’ve seen Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige”, then you know who Tesla is. For those who aren’t familiar with the movie, let me illustrate a scene.

In one scene, Tesla’s assistant was making his rounds to do some experiments. In one such experiment, the assistant was able to power a light bulb just by touching it. The trick was that the electricity was coursing safely through his body.

Tesla you see was a scientist and rival of Thomas Edison. One of his primary works was the alternating current, a direct rival to Edison’s direct current.

The difference between the two was the cost. Edison was preoccupied with the cost of his inventions, while Tesla was merely concerned with how effective it could have been.

Alternating current would have cost less and could travel farther over thinner lines.

At GCC Melt, we advise all readers to look up these inventors and their lost works. Who knows? These ideas could spark the next big thing to make an impact on society.

At GCC Melt, we’ve always said that there are two sides to every story, much like a coin. These two sides were the technologies that you should fear and technologies that you should be excited about.

However, we are not above admitting that we are wrong, because there is in fact a third side of the proverbial technology coin. This is the weird side.

Here are four technologies that will make you scratch and turn your head in curiosity.

Spartan Underwear

Radiation is a big problem. Left unchecked, it could affect a person’s wellbeing and create diseases or deformities. What more if this radiation is directed towards a person’s sex parts?!

Enter the Spartan Underwear. This pair of underwear is not about making you look as badass as Leonidas. Instead, it protects your private parts from cellphone radiation.

The product claims to block as much as 99% of wireless radiation. It is also antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and designed in Paris. At least your private parts can be clean, comfortable, stylish, and protected at the same time right?

The Singing Machine Studio

Do you love to sing? Do you also feel that singing has no love for you because you can’t find the right pitch even if it is staring you right in your face?

Don’t worry, the Singing Machine Studio is for you.

This modified karaoke machine has all the features of a standard karaoke. However, one improvement is that it has a built in autotune system that will automatically correct your pitch with that funky autotune.

It also has the ability to play HD karaoke videos as well as record your private concerts. It is currently priced at $199 USD.

SKIIN

Brace yourself for more underwear technology incoming.

SKIIN is a line of smart underwear. Wearing SKIIN underwear will allow you to monitor your heart rate, breathing, temperature, and more statistics.

These are done via the sensors and conductive yarn that are built into each pair.

Wearing these pieces of underwear is not enough though. You are also required to attach a low-power battery module to your clothes. Once you do, the hardware will start working and your statistics and readings will be collected. This batter will last for 24 hours.

A pack of eight SKIIN smart underwear will cost you about $499 USD.

Short Story Dispenser

There are lots of dispensers out in the world. For drink, food, and even sanitary items. However, have you ever heard of a dispenser that dispenses literary works?

If that tickles your fancy, the Short Story Dispenser – created by Short Edition – is for you.

This device will allow you to customize what you want to read. You can select a short story that is either one, three, or five minutes long.

Depending on what you choose, it will automatically churn out a piece of fiction for you to read.

If you enjoyed this read, then don’t worry. There are a ton of weird technologies out there for you to discover. If you didn’t though, then we don’t blame you. These technologies aren’t for everybody!

Our previous article spoke about the three technologies that people should fear and beware of. However, there is always another side of the coin. In this article, let us delve into technologies that people should be excited about.

By “excited” we mean that they have the capability to affect people’s lives for the better. Without further ado, here are three technologies that you should watch out for and be excited about.

DNA Fortune Telling

As an expecting parent, what if you could know what lay in the future of your child to be? Not everything in the future as if you were Nostradamus. Just what their traits would be like and what diseases they would susceptible.

Now, scientists and doctors are able to look at certain genetics and make out what diseases they would more likely be susceptible to. This is made possible by the thousands upon thousands of DNA genetic studies that have been done.

All these pieces of information allow for scientists to make predictions on these genetics and advise parents at an early stage. When people know what lay in their genetics, they will be able to adjust their lifestyles according to them.

This is a huge step forward in the health sector.

Accurate Molecule Designs

Did you know that after all these years, we still don’t exactly know what a molecule looks like? Of course, we have a rough idea, and for what we use this understanding for, it seems to be enough.

However, there is a need to understand the design of a molecule better.

Let’s start with the problem. Why haven’t we been able to understand, visualize, and design precise molecules? The problem lay in the computers that we use. Currently our computers are storing and processing data with 1’s and 0’s if you will. This is just not enough to map out a molecule.

Enter quantum computers. Instead of binary, quantum computers use qubits. These qubits will be enough to precisely model a molecule.

So why is this important? Well, the precise designing of a molecule can allow chemists to create drugs that will be far more effective than what we have now.

Perfect Online Privacy

Right now, privacy is a big concern.

First of all, social media already takes away the idea of privacy. Then, we also have these companies that squander people’s own privacy for personal gain.

Don’t worry though, scientists are on the case. Currently, scientists are creating a cryptographic tool that allows for people to prove something online without revealing any sensitive pieces of information.

It is called Perfect Online Privacy. This is particularly useful for when you need to disclose something online, but don’t want to expose your identity totally.

You can stay tuned to GCC Melt for more updates on better technologies coming out.

At GCC Melt, we firmly believe that each conceived and developed piece of technology is neither inherently good nor evil. This wholly depends on whoever uses these technologies.

However, there are some technologies that allow for us to see whether it can be used for good or evil.

Here are three technologies you should fear and watch out for.

Audio Spotlight

Have you ever seen a movie or read a book where the character hears voices? In some fictional works, this could be the work of mental telepathy. In other cases, it could be a mental illness.

What if there were a piece of technology that allowed for people to do this manually?

Introducing the Audio Spotlight System. This piece of technology allows for people to focus sound into a very narrow field. After it has been narrowed, this can then be sent to various locations, like say in someone’s ear for example.

With this technology, people could be hearing voices in their head and implanting subliminal messages.

This technology could be used in retail or advertising. With the Audio Spotlight, messages could be directed into a consumer’s ear that could influence what to purchase or what to do.

Worse, what if it is used by other people who don’t have any connection to any business? What if they just use it to manipulate people? It is a scary thought.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has come a long way. With self-learning computers on the horizon, it is only a matter of time before these help AI become better.

What is there to fear with AI? They are tireless workers who could bolster our workforces. Their minds are vastly faster than human being’s minds, and their efforts could really help out whatever we are doing.

However, AI has a certain sense of autonomy. This means that they are able to think for themselves.

If history has taught us anything, it is that things that think can come to a lot of different sets of conclusions. There is key concern for if the AI see something or someone as a hindrance. With their inhuman capabilities, they could do anything in a flash.

Worse still is the idea of machines that learn and teach other machines. All it takes is one bad apple to ruin the basket as they say.

The question on everybody’s mind is: “Is Skynet upon us?”

Only time will tell.

Swarms of Autonomous Drones

Drones have already been introduced into society. They have been used to scout an area and even deliver food.

There is growing concern though that a swarm of autonomous drones could have a negative impact to society.

With drones, they are easily maneuvered and can get anywhere. If an autonomous system were to pilot drones, they could totally wreak havoc to places they want to at whim.

While these are technologies we should fear, there is no telling whether these will happen or not. However, knowing the possibilities of each piece of technology goes a long way for our own protection.

There are still a number of other technologies that you should fear. Keep an open mind and judge them for yourself.

With technology progressing at an alarming rate, the industry is growing just as fast. This has led to the opening of a number of jobs and positions in the tech industry.

One way to advance in your industry is to gleam valuable information from those that are experienced. One of the best ways is to read good books.

GCC Melt presents you three books that you should read in order to succeed in the tech industry.

Hooked by Nir Eyal

If you’ll notice, a key to successful technology is how it hooks us and imposes itself into our daily lives. A well-used piece of technology will often lead to success.

The question then is, how do pieces of technology capture the attention of the masses and stay there? How does technology hook people? How does it alter people’s habits and make them addicted?

These are questions that Nir Eyal targets to answer in his book “Hooked.”

Eyal goes on to explain that there are four steps to what he calls the “Hook Model.” When this process is followed, it allows for your piece of technology to will be embedded into customer’s behaviors.

Reuse of this cycle then allows for users to keep coming back for more. Thus, a cycle is formed, with your piece of technology at the center of it.

Zero to One by Peter Thiel

The premise of this book is simple: progress is there for those who know where to look and how to make it. The book starts by battling the notion that there is nothing new to be discovered.

Successful entrepreneur Peter Thiel begs to differ. He says that there are an unlimited of frontiers out there waiting to be discovered.

If that is the case though, how come they haven’t been discovered yet? Apart from being distracted by the newest trend in front of us, Thiel says that the unfound frontiers are only limited by the population.

He says that as a leader, it is so easy to find something new to improve at an amazing scale. This isn’t only for technology, but for any industry. He goes on to say that if a leader wants to champion the unknown – and actually find an unknown to champion first – then they all must be able to think for themselves.

This book is all about thinking for yourself.

How Google Works by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg

Everyone has heard of Google. In fact, in today’s day and age, it is impossible for you to not know what Google is unless you live under a rock.

This book is written by two veteran Google executives in Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg. In the book, they detail the history and different strategies that Google did to get to where it is today.

They also dwell upon how they established a new business and workplace philosophy that centered around creativity and innovation.

This book is an inspiring tale for anyone who wants to succeed in the tech industry. The book says that there are no rules to success.

These books stand out among the rest, but many other books on technology have been written. Keep reading and find what works for you.

GCC Melt is fully committed to finding the latest technologies, understanding how technologies have and will affect us, and looking to the future.

Once in a while though, it is important to look back and see the important technological advancements that allowed us to get where we are. It is like a homage to the advancements that have come before us.

Here are three of the most important technological advancements that humankind has had.

Fire

When people think technology, they think something hi-tech that is usually made of computers and wires and whatnot. However, something as primal as harnessing the element of fire is also considered a technological advancement.

When fire was discovered and used, it revolutionized so many aspects of our lives. First off, it was the temperature of the human body. We found early on that we weren’t meant to strive in total cold. With nature going against us most of the time, we needed something to warm us up.

Apart from that, it also allowed us to cook our food, change up our hygiene, and later on play a part in other technologies such as engines.

Without fire, I doubt we’d be where we are right now.

Electricity

Most people know that Thomas Edison was the one who harnessed and allowed for our use of electricity. The truth is, the concept of using electricity has been contributed to by a number of great minds.

It began with Thales of Miletus conducted early research on it.

Benjamin Franklin studied it in earnest early in the 18^th century. His study allowed us to understand the nature of electricity more. Finally, Edison was able to harness it with the invention of light bulb.

Now though, it is unimaginable for a household to not have electricity. Electricity powers every aspect of our human lives.

Computers

Computers are hands down one of the most important pieces of technology ever created. With its inception, it allowed for these machines to process information and do certain tasks that would require several people to do. Oh, and at a quicker pace.

Now, computers are everywhere. As a device, it just allows for so much utility. It allows us to view the internet, create things, play video games, and so much more. It is also a part of our cell phones, our cars, our planes, and who knows what else.

These pieces of technology are indeed pillars in our society. Without them, our life would be radically different. However, it must be noted that these are just a part of the greatest inventions of all time. There are some that we have not mentioned such as the printing press and gunpowder.

Infographic by: visualcapitalist.com