Biophysics

cross-posted from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/7625705

According to the linked article, 72 studies suggest that wi-fi radiation harms/kills #bees -- and by some claims is a threat to their continued existence. I suppose if extinction were really a likely risk there would be widespread outrage and bee conservationists taking actions. It seems there is a lack of chatter about this. This thread also somewhat implies disinterest in even having wi-fi alternatives.

In any case, does anyone think this is a battle worth fighting? Some possible off-the-cuff actions that come to mind:

• ban the sale of wi-fi devices bigger than a phone in Europe¹ if they do not also comply with these conditions:
  • include an ethernet port as well. So e.g. macbooks would either have to bring back the ethernet port or nix wi-fi (and obviously Apple wouldn’t nix Wi-Fi).
  • have a physical wi-fi toggle switch on the chassis (like Thinkpads have)
• force public libraries with Wi-Fi to give an ethernet port option so library users at least have the option of turning off their own wi-fi emissions.
• ban the sale of Wi-Fi APs that do not have:
  • a configurable variable power setting that is easily tunable by the user; maybe even require a knob or slider on the chassis.
  • bluetooth that is internet-capable
• force phones that include wi-fi to also include bluetooth as well as the programming to use bluetooth for internet. Bluetooth routers have existed for over a decade but they are quite rare.. cannot be found in a common electronics shop.

Regarding bluetooth, it is much slower than wi-fi, lower range, and probably harder to secure. But nonetheless people should have this option for situations where they don’t need wi-fi capability. E.g. when a phone is just sitting idle it could turn off wi-fi and listen over bluetooth for notifications.

I suspect the 1st part of this quote from the article explains the lack of concern:

“The subject is uncomfortable for many of us because it interferes with our daily habits and there are powerful economic interests behind mobile communication technology.”

1. I say /Europe/ because it’s perhaps the only place where enough people would be concerned and where you also have the greatest chance of passing pro-humanity legislation (no “Citizens United” that human needs have to compete with).

Hey, so I just fu***g quit my new job rn. I got offered something better last minute but didn’t wanna be a dick and cancel on them at the last minute, so I went through with it anyways and then QUIT RIGHT AFTER THEY HIRED ME LMFAO. It felt so good man, total payback for all those times i wasted my time interviewing only to never get the gig.

This article describes using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) containing silencing RNA (siRNA) to slow or prevent the spread of cancerous multiple myeloma cells through the body.

What I found interesting about this approach is that these LNPs do not target the cancerous cells themselves, but rather targets healthy endothelial cells lining blood vessels in the body. The mechanism of action is to reduce the expression of a protein (CyPA) that cancer cells use to aid their spread through the body. So, these LNPs are simply used to help contain and localize the cancerous growth while traditional cancer treatments are used to treat the malignant cells.

A significant challenge for this approach going forward is tuning the targeting and biodistribution of the LNPs. Most LNP treatments end up in either the liver or spleen where they transfect cells in those organs and express protiens. I don't have direct experience with siRNA molecules, but transfecting epithelial cells in a lasting way could prove difficult as it scales up from mouse models.

doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2215711120

Getting therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier is one of the biggest hurdles to many investigational neuroscience macromolecules. This approach of using a proven mechanism of action (ultrasound) in a device that is easily implantable and does not need to later be removed looks promising.

doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg6075

Some recent evidence points to the Earth's magnetic field playing a part in preferentially selecting right-handed chirality in RNA precursors. This work is not complete though as not every nucleotide can be made from this process yet, but it is so far, the best explanation available as to why genetic material and amino acids are exclusively R and L (respectively) oriented.