What it is: In new research published just last week, a novel gene therapy involving regulated delivery of the protein chondroitinase has restored limb movement to rats paralyzed by spinal cord injury. In just a couple weeks, the gene therapy was able to break down scar tissue responsible for blocking spinal nerve cells from communicating with each other and the muscles they control. Paralyzed rats receiving the treatment were subsequently able to walk, climb ladders and relearn complex hand movements. While there is no guarantee that the gene therapy would work on humans, its ability to restore movement after total paralysis in a matter of weeks is a remarkable leap worth following.
Why it's important: Currently, there is no way to reverse the damage wrought by spinal cord injuries -- a major priority for medical researchers. If such a gene therapy could restore nerve cell growth and motor functions in humans, the implications would be staggering. By reversing nerve damage itself, a therapy of this kind -- geared with an antibiotic on/off switch for regulated delivery -- would grant individuals a remarkable measure of newfound independence and increased quality of life, particularly in the area of complex hand movements.
Spotted by Marissa Brassfield / Written by Claire Adair
What it is: Dr. David Smadja, an ophthalmologist at A Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jeruselum has developed a technique and nanodrops that could eliminate the need for prescription glasses entirely. The process uses a smartphone to scan a patient's cornea and laser etching an optical pattern onto the cornea, to be filled by the nanodrops. So far it has been successful in correcting mild near and far-sightedness in pigs, with human trials expected later this year. While the process may need to be completed every two months, the procedure itself could be performed at home, and is less invasive than LASIK.
Why it's important: We're seeing an explosion in options to treat vision impairment. Is it time to begin thinking about augmenting visual performance and a disruption in traditional eyewear?
Spotted by Morgan McDermott / Written by Jason Goodwin
What it is: Partnering with nonprofit foundation Grassroots Economics, cryptocurrency platform Bancor announced that it will be launching a new blockchain platform in Kenya to enable 'community currencies.' With the goal of alleviating poverty, community currencies are an alternative financial system used to stimulate the creation and purchase of goods and services within local and regional economies. By enabling Kenyan communities to create and manage their own digital tokens, Bancor aims to boost local commerce and peer-to-peer collaboration. As new tokens will be tradable using fiat or crypto on Bancor’s platform, Bancor will additionally allow outsiders to purchase tokens in order to support community development from afar, helping generate value locally.
Why it's important: According to the World Bank’s 2017 Global Findex Database, about 1.7 billion adults globally remain unbanked -- lacking an account with either a financial institution or mobile money provider. This reality leaves many economically disempowered, without savings, credit or financial resilience. Blockchain-enabled community token platforms have the potential to fortify a more equitable trade environment, enabling basic income, food security and improved regional trade. With Bancor’s Kenyan government-backed community currency platform, not only will local markets be permitted to thrive, but they will also become increasingly connected to global trade.
Spotted by Marissa Brassfield / Written by Claire Adair
What it is: Ford recently announced its plans to open a hub for self-driving car innovation in the heart of Detroit, starting with the reinvention of a long-abandoned train station. Ford is investing heavily in the Detroit area, and hopes that this centerpiece campus will attract top talent and reinvigorate the local economy.
Why it's important: As exponential technologies are reaching their inflection points, new hubs -- akin to Silicon Valley for each of these technologies -- are starting to pop up. We're seeing aerospace thrive in Seattle and Los Angeles, and a massive software migration to Austin. Does this move by Ford signal the beginning of an ‘Autonomous Valley’ for self-driving car development in Detroit? As Peter discussed in a recent blog with Phillip Rosedale, the ecosystem, community, and open forum for collaboration are as important as the technology itself. Ecosystem building is frequently overlooked. If someone gave you $250 million to transform your city into an ecosystem for a certain exponential technology, how would you deploy that capital, and which tech would you target?
Spotted by Claire Adair / Written by Max Goldberg
What it is: Google's DeepMind computer vision artificial intelligence showed that it can generate an accurate three-dimensional map or graphic from a set of two-dimensional images. DeepMind is the same Google subsidiary that developed AlphaGo Zero last year. To achieve this milestone in AI, the DeepMind team trained a Generation Query Neural Network with millions of standalone images. After training, the generative network could predict what the environment would look like from views that it hadn't previously seen.
Why it's important: One massive application set that jumps to mind for this technology is the ability for autonomous vehicles and drones to map and function in previously unexplored environments. However, this computer vision AI demonstration took place in a relatively simple, virtual environment -- scaling to real-world application is infinitely more difficult. Still, this development is extremely exciting, as it moves the AI from merely learning about the space around it, to understanding the space in which it exists. Share on Facebook
Spotted by Marissa Brassfield / Written by Max Goldberg
What it is: Building on a successful pilot partnership with the International Rescue Committee in 2017, WeWork has committed to hiring and investing in the success of 1,500 refugees over the next five years. To date, the company has hired 150 refugees from over 25 countries in 10 cities in the U.K. and the U.S., with plans to expand to Brazil and Colombia to meet the needs of workers fleeing Venezuela. Retention rates are over 80 percent, and while initial roles start out on the "community" team in office spaces, WeWork is also investing in employees' growth potential with mentors and training in areas like programming and English.
Why it's important: Politics aside, this is a great example of how businesses can step up to address sociopolitical issues and create impact at a multigenerational level. As linear systems clash with exponential technologies and business models, how else can private enterprise preserve global stability and pursue competitive advantages?
Spotted by Marissa Brassfield / Written by Jason Goodwin
