Printing in the Third Dimension

Most people have probably heard of 3-D printers, but most people don't know how they work or what their full potential is.  For those of you that have not heard of these inventions, they are machines that can essentially print out a 3-Dimensional item using a file created from Auto Cad software.  Although the idea has been around since the 70's, it is just now beginning to reach its full potential.

The traditional way to craft an item is to use a subtractive process.  This is where you start with a block of your material, let's say aluminum, and carves it down into your desired shape.  Unlike this traditional manner, 3-D printing uses an additive process.  The printer lays down the desired material in layers, creating your product.  Several different materials can be used that are similar to metal, rubber, plastic, lumber, and pretty much anything else you would want to create something out of.  Below is a video of a vase being 3-D printed.  It is not in real time; the actual printing probably would take a couple hours.

Since people have become more accustomed to 3-D printing, great things have been made.  The more useful items have been working human organs and bones, gun parts (as well as guns), robots, and even a car!  But we all know that they can also be used for items that are much more fun: statues, figurines of anyone, wearable clothing, and clocks are just a few items that people have developed.  In the near future some are even planning to create buildings.

Most of us have probably seen this piracy ad.  It's actually kind of funny because, now you can with 3-D printing.  The problem with 3-D printing would be copyright issues.  Say you don't like the color of your new shoes.  Those shoes you bought could be used in a 3-D scanner, and printed in a different color.

The use of 3-D printers has grown exponentially in the past year.  How long will it be until they are used in daily life?

The Cure is Near

For the first time, researchers have cured a baby born with HIV.  Don't get too excited though, a complete cure has not yet been discovered, this is what they call a 'functional cure'.   This is because the virus does not completely disappear, but it is reduced to a low enough level to where the body can control it.  

The treatment was nothing invasive or complex, it was as safe as a commonly available antiviral drug.  The difference however, was the dosage and timing; which began less than thirty hours after her birth.  "Prompt antiviral therapy in newborns that begins within days of exposure may help infants clear the virus and achieve long-term remission without lifelong treatment by preventing such viral hideouts from forming in the first place," said lead researcher Deborah Persaud, of Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, Maryland.  She also said it was the first time this feat was achieved in a baby.  

Although a cure for this deadly disease is almost here, this virus may be the next step for curing another one-cancer.  A genetically modified form of the HIV virus was implanted in cancer patients to re-program their immune systems to fight cancer cells.  This has proved successful, curing 2 of three patients as well as weakening the cancer in the third.  

Discovery News

Is it really the "Devils Lettuce"?

Most people have a strong stance on the use of marijuana.  Most people that aren't users are strongly against the use of it.  Most people that are users are totally for it.  I am a special occasion- having never used it (I know it's hard to believe, people tell me I look stoned all the time), but being totally for the legalization of marijuana as well as hemp.  

"Marijuana! Heavens, oh yeah. It’s just the stupidest law possible, given history. You don’t stop people from doing what they want to do, so forget about making it unlawful. You’re just making criminals out of people who aren’t engaged in criminal activity. And we’re spending zillions of dollars trying to fight a war we can’t win! We could make zillions, just legalize it and tax it like we do liquor. It’s stupid."  Now who do you think would say something like that? Some washed-up hippie? Wrong, this quote was spoken by the famous Morgan Freeman. (Huffington Post)  This quote pretty much sums up my ideas of the marijuana legalization.  Marijuana is just as (or less) addictive than alcohol and tobacco.  Also, no deaths have been attributed to pot.  While thousands die each year from tobacco and alcohol overdose as well as relateable incidents (car crashes, etc.).    Johnny Depp makes a perfect case: "I'm not a great pothead or anything like that… but weed is much, much less dangerous than alcohol."

The most beneficial part of legalizing the plant, would be for hemp.  Hemp is a larger, courser plant with less THC content (active drug in marijuana).  Uses of hemp include: clothing, nutrition, body care (lotions etc.), paper, fuel, plastic alternatives, and a variety of other items.  Using hemp would be a good way for people to become less fossil-fuel dependent.  Instead of cutting down the forests for paper, hemp could be used since it only takes months for a field to grow.   

I'm not saying that you should think the same way I do, but if you are against the use of weed, it wouldn't be "required" for you to use.  If recreational use was taxed and limited like alcohol (21 age limit, no public use),  I don't think it would be too harmful to people against it's use.  Even if recreational use wouldn't be allowed, I definitely think hemp should be legalized.  Canada has allowed it (hemp), and several countries have followed.   In the words of Thomas Jefferson, ""Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country."