Molecular Farming Means the Next Vaccine Could Be Edible and Grown in a Plant

North American researchers believe that molecular agriculture is the next step in producing pharmaceuticals. A Canadian lab used the technique to produce a Covid-19 vaccine, but the article outlines broader potential uses with medicines grown inside plants, which could be stored as seeds or dried leaves and treatments that could be taken by simply eating a vegetable. It also suggests production would be easier to roll out than setting up a lab.

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Can artificially altered clouds save the Great Barrier Reef?

Australian scientists are developing technological solutions to save the Great Barrier Reef located just off the country's coast. One such solution involves using "cloud-brightening" machines, which release seawater mist into the air, to enhance cloud cover and cool the area by blocking sunlight. Forty-two other ideas are also being tested. A few other notable ideas from among the 160 original suggestions include cryopreserving coral or growing new varieties of coral in a lab to make them more resistant to rising temperatures.

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I went to Amazon's high-tech hair salon and virtually dyed my hair pink — then got the best haircut I've ever had

In the spring of 2021, Amazon opened a hair salon in a trendy London neighborhood. The Amazon Salon is equipped with several screens that provide information about different shampoos and other hair products on display at the site. But they also (more importantly) allow customers to use an augmented reality app to test different hair colors and styles in real time. The Business Insider journalist chose to keep her natural color. She was pleased with her cut, performed by a regular hairdresser.

Note from the archivist: "So very Flat Eye," says an anonymous developer on the Monkey Moon forum.

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In Iceland, CO2 sucked from the air is turned to rock

One of the methods being tested to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere is Direct Air Capture (DAC). A company called Orca has built a plant in southeast Iceland that captures atmospheric carbon. Climeworks, a Swiss competitor has also opened a plant in Iceland. Once captured, the carbon is stored underground, where it takes to years to petrify. The CO2 will remain there unless it's disturbed by a volcanic eruption.

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Crypto Investors Buy 40 Acres of Land in Wyoming to Build Blockchain City

CityDAO (for Decentralized Autonomous Organization, a blockchain-based voting system and entity) wants to build a "crypto city" managed by a DAO. The group has acquired 40 acres of land in Wyoming, which recognizes DAOs as companies. Members can purchase NFTs to obtain voting rights and the ability to settle land.

Note from the archivist: Not much has changed a year on.

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Electric cars with sound by composer Hans Zimmer

How can we make electric vehicles as loud as cars with combustion engines? BMW has entrusted award-winning composer Hams Zimmer with creating sounds for its electric cars. Zimmer has designed "sound worlds" for the inside of the car depending on the selected "driving mode" as well as an engine sound projected outside the car.

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Farmer Puts VR Headsets on Cows to Simulate Green Pastures

To motivate his cows, a Turkish farmer bought a virtual reality headset and fitted it to one of them, so it would feel like it's in a beautiful field, he says. He claims the cow then produced more milk. The article underscores the fact that this is a very expensive way to manage a symptom without resolving the real problem: his cows aren't happy.

Note from the archivist: The Mootrix (sorry, not sorry).

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They Hacked McDonald’s Ice Cream Machines—and Started a Cold War

Given the recurring malfunctions of McDonald's ice cream machines, start-up Kytch decided to try to figure out how to fix them. The machines are sold by food service equipment company Taylor, which refuses to give McDonald's access to the maintenance panel, where the machine can be restarted or repaired. Which means the restaurants have to call and pay for a repair visit every time. So Kytch developed a device sold to restaurants that gives them full access to the maintenance panel. In so doing, Kytch has started a war with Taylor and the McDonald's Corporation. The article tells the tale of industrial espionage and machinations.

Note from the archivist: Kytch has since filed a lawsuit against Taylor and confidential documents were leaked. The ice cream machines are still out of order far too often.

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