Excited by possibilities of electrical medicine
The role of cellular electrical signalling in depression, stress and anxiety has been a topic of research, but it was fascinating to understand how cellular voltage patterns can facilitate cancer cell propagation and how ion channel blockers can potentially mitigate against this. Mapping out a person’s electrome can potentially unlock personalised treatment for health conditions(25 February, p 38).
Imagine real-time electrical mapping during a surgical or endoscopic procedure that can assist with identification of a cancerous lesion and confirm its clearance, or bespoke medication with specific electrical charges. The possibilities are exciting.
On the divide between science and religion (1)
In his book Magisteria, reviewed by Joshua Howgego, Nicolas Spencer identifies two “crunch points” where science and religion conflict. I would cite a third: the existence or otherwise of a supreme being(4 March, p 34).
At present, the scientific method leads me to conclude there is no god, but, logically, if evidence for a deity that satisfies the demands of the method were to arise, then I would clearly have to follow that evidence.
On the divide between science and religion (2)
The picture accompanying Howgego’s review nudges us towards the creation versus evolution debate. Creationists believe that God created the universe and everything in it in six days, whereas evolutionists point to the measurably greater age of fossils and other geological evidence as counter to this.
Nevertheless, if God is smart enough to have created everything in six days and put His feet up on the seventh, maybe He could also have imbued the geological record with the illusion of antiquity.
Let us all grow old and wrinkly equally (1)
While Julia Oh was scrupulous in noting the limitations of the sample group used in her research into how the skin microbiome might cause wrinkles 鈥� the narrow range of ages, ethnicities and even facial areas swabbed 鈥� neither she nor your reporting fully addressed the most glaring bias: the only people in the sample group were women. This is research that perpetuates the social expectation that, while women may be permitted to grow old, they are never allowed to look old(25 February, p 8).
Let us all grow old and wrinkly equally (2)
I fear that antibacterial face creams for “anti-ageing” may worsen antimicrobial resistance from antibiotic overuse.
Future thinking is well and truly here already
Ray Nayler suggests that legislators and policy-makers should learn from speculative fiction writers in considering impacts of emerging technology. In fact, speculative approaches are already informing such areas(25 February, p 27).
At our design-led research centre, Imagination Lancaster, for example, we have a number of projects that include speculative design and design fiction: the process of considering multiple possible futures through scenarios or even prototypes of imaginary objects, systems and policies. By provoking policy-makers to consider best and worst-case scenarios, such research can inform a more responsible technological future.
Don't fret about energy impact of indoor drying
When it comes to energy-saving efforts, Richard Oliver raised concerns about the cooling effect of drying clothes by hanging them indoors in colder months. I have begun indoor drying on racks and had that worry at first. However, it appears to me that the effect would be minuscule compared with the energy lost when indoor air that has been heated is drawn through an electric dryer and then, in most set-ups, vented outside(Letters, 25 February).
Stripy wind farms may create other problems
The painting of wind turbines in black and white stripes to make them more visible to birds is a step in the right direction. However, any solution must pay attention to the life of the turbines(4 March, p 9).
Some blades can have a surprisingly short life. Black paint absorbs a lot of heat in bright sunlight and, in a sunny location, high temperatures may compromise the strength of the blade. Thermal expansion can also unbalance the turbine, which would further shorten its life. It is vital to develop paint schemes that retain mechanical integrity.
Child's carbon footprint becoming less of a worry
In your look at the impacts of having children, the alarming carbon footprint, per year or per lifetime, of a new person added to the world’s population is based on a statistical model. This model, as you said, factors in the generations that can follow. However, it seems to assume continued strong population growth, whereas trends are towards lower or negative growth in many countries(4 March, p 42).
It would seem more fair to assume that a child born to a typical couple that reads 快猫短视频 will have a carbon footprint the same or probably less than one parent’s.
Earlier 'geoengineering' didn't go so well, did it
You report an idea to shade Earth by blasting moon dust to Lagrange points in space. What could possibly go wrong?
Mining, oil and power firms have long been “geoengineering” our environment. Some unintended consequences now require serious discussion of technological fixes that may cost the Earth. Global corporations seek to levy charges in order to ameliorate problems they created. Without question, technological advances can improve lives, but the moon dust idea is lunacy(18 February, p 18).
For the record
In our look at chronic conditions linked to viral infections (4 March, Leader and p 14), we should have referred to myalgic encephalomyelitis.