And I'm ok with that. As we should all know, you can't kill cockroaches. They're no water bear, but you can step on them, burn them, freeze them, you can drop a nuclear bomb DIRECTLY ON THEM and they just. won't. die.
So what's a good thing to do? Make them even *more* invulnerable! A team of international scientists has successfully implanted nanobots made from strands of DNA into the systems (remember those?) of cockroaches, and they have been folded in such a way that they can actually carry out logical operations; specifically, upon meeting a specific type of chemical compound, mainly protein, they can unfold and release medicine contained in their folds.
The articles I've read compare this to computing power but never explain it, and that bugs me. Get it? Bugs me?
Anyway, what it means is that these nanobots essentially carry out a single binary decision, for lack of a better word. If there are many of these nanobots carrying out these binary decisions, it's a bunch of binary events taking place in conceptually the same way they happen in a digital device. If you get enough of them in an organism, you could compare it to an actual digital device's computing power, and these scientists have done just that; they say soon they will be able to have the equivalent processing power in these nanobots to give the cockroach the equivalent of an 8-bit computer. That would include machines like the Commodore 64, Atari 800, and Nintendo NES.
Live video by Animal Planet L!ve
I couldn't find a video, so here's Animal Planet's cockroach cam.
The process is remarkable, an incredible advancement in nanotechnology and medicine, and if it could be deployed in humans or other mammals, it could theoretically provide cell-specific methods of fighting diseases like cancer, which as of now are only targeted very broadly.
This isn't the first time we've seen cockroaches used in some amazing examples of biotechnology; earlier this year, scientists in Japan managed to equip cockroaches with a sensor that allowed them to be remotely controlled, and they could then be used - as the article states - to look for trapped survivors in places humans couldn't go. They are also rugged and require no power or fuel, making them even more appealing in this regard.
Now *that's* a detailed diagram.
Back to the nanobots, one thing to keep in mind is that mammals risk rejecting the foreign invaders though through our built-in autoimmune response, but surprisingly the scientists are very common that human tests could start in 2015. Exciting stuff!
That is the first time I’ve ever heard of the water bear. They are pretty cool and just about darn indestructible. As for the cockroaches that could have the capability of processing power of an 8-bit computer is kind of freaky. The rugged sensor equipped remote controlled cockroaches would be great for not only for looking for trapped survivors, but military applications as well. I do find it quite interesting that the DNA origami nano robots could potentially one day help locate cancer cells and deliver cancer-killing toxins which is advancement in medicine and would save a lot of lives.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting the things technology is coming up with these days. The cockroaches are a little on the strange side. But the DNA origami nano robots are something that could be beneficial for so many people with cancer. Huge steps forward for the edical community.
ReplyDeleteI have herd that the only thing that would survive a nuclear explosion would be these little critters but I thought it was just a myth. To think that these creatures that so many people hate have such a great ability. Who would have thought that these little guys can power up a 8-bit computer. This is another great example that there is no limits to science. I am sure we will find more and more uses from these little critters as we experiment more.
ReplyDeleteI have herd that the only thing that would survive a nuclear explosion would be these little critters but I thought it was just a myth. To think that these creatures that so many people hate have such a great ability. Who would have thought that these little guys can power up a 8-bit computer. This is another great example that there is no limits to science. I am sure we will find more and more uses from these little critters as we experiment more.
ReplyDeleteI find roachs to be extremely nasty, just gross but I guess there is a reason for them to be here on earth. But this is a giant step in science and medical technology crazy how they will soon be able to process things like a 8bit computer. As well as being equiped with sensor that actually controls the roach I bet once this is mastered it will used for military benefit. ( You know the military almost takes all technology and uses it to their benefit). As the scienctist continue to develop the technology I am sure these roaches will become useful in many other ways.
ReplyDeleteThis is just bizarre to me! I do not understand why on earth these critters are the ones who are unable to be destroyed! Why couldn't it be cute puppies or something!?!?!? I did find that this was a very interesting aspect to future developments, but a creepy one mainly because of my issue with roaches. Thank you for sharing, can't wait until 2015!
ReplyDeleteWell, I suppose the benefits of using cockroaches outweigh the pest control issue. Now, we have a productive use for them. I'm definitely not a fan of these things. Perhaps we can insert a self-destruct switch so when they are finished with them in the lab, we can just flip the switch.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else stated, I think roaches are creepy and gross. But as long as they are being of use, I guess that is great for technology. I guess people will find a science in anything.
ReplyDeleteMya Taylor