Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Daniel Bier
Long Cycle‐Life Ca Batteries with Poly(anthraquinonylsulfide) Cathodes and Ca−Sn Alloy Anodes
Introduction Since the early 1990s, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become the most common choice for powering portable electrical devices, and soon penetrated into other fields of application.
An interview with ChatGPT about itself
On November 30, 2022, OpenAI — an AI research lab co-founded by Elon Musk and then-Y Combinator president Sam Altman — introduced ChatGPT, an AI chatbot capable of generating conversational text, computer code, poetry, and more in response to prompts. OpenAI made ChatGPT available for free online, using a dialogue format that allows the bot to ask clarifying questions, answer follow ups, and more. It’s been covered extensively in tech news and on social media.
Should we legalize gangs?
In 2007, Mexico was catching up to its northern neighbor — at least when it came to safety. Two decades of rapidly declining violence had brought the country's murder rate to within throwing distance of the United States. Credit: INEGI and SNSP, compiled by Mexico Crime Report (https://elcri.men/en) Then, quite suddenly, a war broke out. Murders more than tripled, from fewer than 9,000 in 2007 to over 27,000 in 2011. In 2018, murder hit another all-time high, with over 34,000 homicides.
TSA Fails 95% of the Time
ABC News reports that TSA failed 67 out of 70 experiments designed to test how well agents could actually detect security threats: An internal investigation of the Transportation Security Administration revealed security failures at dozens of the nation’s busiest airports, where undercover investigators were able to smuggle mock explosives or banned weapons through checkpoints in 95 percent of trials, ABC News has learned.
Bernie Sanders' Anti-Immigration Crankery | Daniel Bier
Ezra Klein has a revealing interview with Senator Bernie Sanders today at Vox. Sanders’ views on immigration jumped out as a particularly baffling eruption of economic illiteracy, political tribalism, xenophobic nationalism, and general silliness: Ezra Klein You said being a democratic socialist means a more international view. I think if you take global poverty that seriously, it leads you to conclusions that in the US are considered out of political bounds.
FDA Approves First Artificial Pancreas for Young Children
Managing diabetes is hard enough for adults, but it can be even more of a burden for children, who might not understand their disease or why their parents are constantly subjecting them to ouchies (i.e., blood sugar tests and insulin injections). Now, the FDA has approved a device that could improve the quality of life for diabetic children as young as 2 years old: an artificial pancreas that does the insulin monitoring and delivery for them. What Is an Artificial Pancreas?
Mini Nuclear Reactors Take Big Step Forward in the U.S.
Nuclear energy is cleaner than fossil fuels, and a single plant can output a tremendous amount of power — two characteristics that could make it a game changer in the fight against climate change. But building a new nuclear power plant requires a lot of time and money (upwards of $10 billion and 7 years), and nuclear accidents have soured many people on nuclear power.
The Scammer who Sold a $242 Million Imaginary Airport to a Bank
One of the biggest scams of the '90s Image of Emmanuel Nwude courtesy of Wikipedia One of the most fascinating scams that occurred between 1995 and 1998 involved Emmanuel Nwude, a Nigerian scammer who managed to sell a fake airport to a Brazilian bank. Such a scam is unlikely to be successful in today’s world as people are more aware of scams as a result of the surge in internet scams worldwide. Nowadays, hardly anyone falls for those emails promising us fortunes that seemingly fall from the sky.
Good News, Bad News, and Reasons to Be Optimistic about COVID-19
Here’s a general update to what we know about the coronavirus, compared to where we stood in March and April. There’s lots of reasons to be increasingly optimistic, as we’ve learned more about the virus and developed new treatments, tests, and vaccines to fight it. This is not a prediction about the future or how bad the winter will be — and the news is not all good. The world is considerably worse than it was before January, and the pandemic remains a serious threat.
Small Protein, Big Breakthrough for CRISPR Gene Editing
Move over CRISPR Cas9, here comes CasΦ, a small but mighty new gene editing protein. The discovery of CRISPR Cas9, the most widely used CRISPR gene editing system, made huge waves in medicine and biotech over the last decade. It's hard to imagine anything surpassing it, but CasΦ (pronounced "Cas-phi") could be another game-changer. The CRISPR gene editing proteins, or Cas proteins, are DNA "scissors" naturally found in bacteria and archaea.
Is Police Reform Even Possible?
America has long had a policing issue, but recent instances of brutality caught on camera have brought heightened public awareness to the topic of police reform. The country stands at somewhat of an existential crossroads as it grapples with an ongoing history of racism and the ever-present episodes of police violence against Black citizens. Research shows that in 2019, there were 1,004 fatal police shootings.
Switched Reluctance Motor Slashes Emissions
Motors are vital to our way of life, but they come with a harsh environmental impact. Now, a smart, electric alternative known as a switched reluctance motor could help us power a more sustainable future. Motors power everything from air conditioners and refrigerators to cars, and much more. They're responsible for approximately 47% of global energy consumption in commercial and residential buildings.
Remote Therapy May Be As Effective as Face-to-Face
Honestly, the whole concept — remote therapy — seemed less sci-fi future than stopgap; not ineffectual, but maybe less useful? However, wresting control of my borderline personality disorder took years, thousands of dollars, and an altering of my very brain chemistry; the idea of taking a step back towards cruelty and emotional instability was simply unacceptable, SARS-CoV-2 be damned.
How to Explain Falling COVID-19 Mortality Rates
Researchers in the U.K. recently reviewed two dozen studies involving more than 10,000 coronavirus patients admitted to ICUs in North America, Europe, and Asia. From this data, they determined that COVID-19 mortality rates in ICUs at the end of March were nearly 60%. By the end of May, they had dropped to less than 42% — a decrease of about a third. "There were no significant effects of geographical location, but reported ICU mortality fell over time," researcher Tim Cook said in a news release.
Scientists 3D Print a Heart Pump That Can Beat on Its Own
After years of failed attempts, University of Minnesota researchers have finally managed to 3D print a human heart pump capable of beating on its own.
For the First Time, Researchers Edit Mitochondrial DNA
Researchers can now edit a part of the human genome that the famed CRISPR — try, try as it might — has never been able to. This opens up new possibilities for research and cures for devastating rare genetic diseases. By cracking open the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), for the first time, scientists may have found a way to treat a raft of genetic diseases that, surprisingly, aren't caused by genes on any of your 23 chromosomes.
Bats May Provide Clues for Treating COVID-19
With shades of Mary Shelley’s caged imagination, a handful of researchers in Singapore, trapped in lockdown by the pandemic, have turned their thoughts to an animal whose peculiar relationships with viruses may provide a clue for treating COVID-19: the bat. Bats, while not our enemy, do happen to carry a number of diseases we consider particularly nasty — rabies, the fearsome Marburg and Ebola, and Hendra virus.
FDA: Smokeless Cigarettes Produce Less Harmful Chemicals
Cigarettes are bad for your health — they cause multiple forms of cancer and are the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Bearing that in mind, the FDA has determined that Philip Morris's new smokeless cigarettes — in which tobacco is heated up, but not set on fire — may be less harmful, at least in some ways, than smoking. The agency found that users were exposed to fewer harmful chemicals, although it did not say that this meant a lower risk of health problems.
Police Budget Meetings Are Public-If You Know Where to Look
In the wake of the George Floyd protests, activists across the country are calling for police budgets to be reexamined, reduced, or moved into other programs. Some just want police priorities changed, while others argue that policing is actually under-supplied in poor communities. Others, quite simply, want to defund the police entirely. But what if activists want to take their voice from the streets into the meeting rooms where elected officials actually make critical police budget decisions?
Loon Is Beaming Balloon-Based Internet to Kenya
What felt like a Silicon Valley fever dream — an armada of balloons, halfway to heaven, beyond the reaches of commercial flight, solar-powered and bestowing internet where there is none — has winked into existence, as Alphabet's Loon balloon-based internet service began beaming internet in Kenya on July 7. The initial service region, spanning over 50,000 square km, has already connected over 35,000 unique users, Loon CEO Alastair Westgarth wrote in a Medium post.
Closing the Digital Divide
The digital divide in America has never been more apparent than it has in the face of COVID-19. Disparities which already existed due to economic and geographic factors have only become further exacerbated in recent months. As more individuals work remotely and families navigate distance learning for their children, the need for access to broadband internet in all areas of the U.S. is abundantly clear. The question now begs to be answered: should internet access be a basic human right?
Gene Writing: A New Type of Genetic Engineering
After years of hype as a potentially transformative technology, CRISPR is finally starting to make good on its promise for treating genetic disorders — even curing a handful of patients of sickle cell disease. But even at its best, CRISPR has problems. It’s far better at deleting broken genes than inserting replacements, which limits the kinds of diseases it can treat.
Volunteers Build First Nationwide Database of Police Records
For every police officer in the U.S., there's a trail of paperwork detailing every arrest they've made and every citation they've issued. Collectively, these public police records can reveal trends that span departments, states, or even the country, which makes them a valuable resource for criminal justice reform in the U.S. The only problem? Accessing and analyzing the records can be a logistical nightmare.
Microdosing Marijuana Can Relieve Chronic Pain
|
Americans are plagued by pain: more than 20% report they suffer from chronic pain, and many turn to medical marijuana for relief. But the inability of doctors to prescribe precise doses of the drug, combined with its psychoactive side effects, are two major limiting factors in its usage. Now, a new study may have identified a single solution to both problems: microdosing marijuana. If you've heard of microdosing before, it was probably in the context of psychedelic drugs, such as LSD or psilocybin.
By Kristin Houser Verified, B. David Zarley Verified, Daniel Bier, Tien Nguyen Verified, Tien Le Nguyen
|
Freethink
Can AI Predict Which Depression Treatment is Most Effective?
For people with depression, finding a medication that alleviates their symptoms is largely a process of trial and error — the majority will need to try several antidepressants before they find one that works. That might not be the case for long, though, as researchers are hopeful that artificial intelligence might be able to take some of the guesswork out of identifying an effective depression treatment on the first try.
Researchers Discover How to Improve Eyesight Naturally
A small study by researchers at University College London (UCL) may have discovered how to improve eyesight in a cost effective and easy way: through looking at deep red light. Staring into the light for three minutes a day for at least two weeks can dramatically recover eyesight deficits, the study — published and peer reviewed in The Journal of Gerontology — found. For an Aging World, an Urgent Question: How to Improve Eyesight A gray wave is washing across the world.
Robotic Surgery Unlocks a New Era of Medicine
Healthcare is in the midst of technological disruption as the advancement of robotic surgery is helping surgeons perform less invasive procedures, with the goal of improving recovery for patients. A leader in surgical innovation, Intuitive specializes in developing and manufacturing surgical technology such as the da Vinci surgical system.
Battling a Locust Swarm From Space
A desert locust swarm (about 40 million bugs) can eat as much food as 35,000 people in a single day — and right now, billions of locusts are devouring crops across East Africa and the Middle East as part of an outbreak the size of which the region hasn't seen in decades. Upwards of 25 million people in the region are already food insecure, and if something isn't done to contain the outbreak, millions could starve — but NASA hopes to prevent that from happening.
Qualified Immunity Might Not Protect Police for Much Longer
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has signed into state law a police reform bill that ends qualified immunity, a decades-old legal doctrine that protects police from civil lawsuits. Under this new bill, Colorado police officers can be held personally liable for up to $25,000 in damages if a state court finds they violated a person's civil rights.
I Went to the Hottest Online Club in Quarantine
While going clubbing may seem a distant memory, four extroverted friends looking to dance, drink, and be merry during quarantine created an online club where people from around the globe can come together to regain some normalcy. COVID-19 has disrupted our world. As many businesses remain shut down and people continue to work from home, forms of entertainment have been limited to streaming TV shows, posting TikTok dances, and attempting trick ping pong shots.
Nanotech Endometriosis Treatment Could Ease Women’s Pain
A more effective treatment for endometriosis — a painful and incurable gynecological condition that affects more than 170 million women worldwide — may be on the horizon. Scientists at Oregon State University College say nanotechnology can be used to both identify and kill the diseased tissue that causes the condition, potentially offering a safer and more effective alternative to the multiple surgeries that are currently required.
How Police Spend Their Time
Using publicly available data, the New York Times has broken down how police spend their time during a typical shift. Following the death of George Floyd and subsequent police brutality protests, many citizens have begun to rethink the role of law enforcement and what police should be doing. This information could help cities decide where "unbundling the police" might make sense.
Personalized Blood Test for Cancer Hunts Down Tumor DNA
A University of Cambridge-led research team has unveiled a personalized blood test for cancer monitoring that can find one molecule of tumor DNA in a sample containing more than a million DNA molecules — a sensitivity up to 10 times greater than existing methods. This technique could one day speed up the detection of a cancer relapse or let doctors know more quickly if a treatment wasn't effective.
Building a Factory for Human Organs
A century ago, the Amoskeag Millyard pumped out hundreds of miles of fabric a day. A decade from now, it could be mass-producing a very different kind of product: human organs. Dean Kamen, the inventor of the Segway, is currently spearheading a project to convert part of the old New Hampshire textile plant into a factory for lab-grown lungs, livers, and other organs for transplantation — and he doesn't think it'll take long to do it.
Do Police De-Escalation Techniques Work?
In the wake of George Floyd's death and other controversial police use-of-force incidents, national scrutiny over police tactics is increasing, as is pressure on law enforcement officials to find alternatives, like de-escalation techniques. But do these techniques actually work? "Even when people have firearms, they're (the public) looking at us and telling us that we shouldn't use force," Spencer Fomby, a Berkley Police Department instructor said.
Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls May Be in Animal DNA
Discovered in the desiccated Judean Desert, today in Israel and the West Bank, the 2,000 year old Dead Sea Scrolls contain some of the oldest known manuscripts of the books of the Hebrew Bible, as well as non-canonical Jewish texts. Foundational texts for billions of people, they are crucial — and extremely fragile. Unfortunately, the Dead Sea Scrolls were not found all neatly rolled up, ready to be unfurled and devoured by scholars like a Fruit Rollup.
This Online Eye Exam Could Change Optometry Forever
Across the globe, shelter-in-place orders have made it impossible for many to receive eye care. While the optometry industry has been reluctant to explore new technologies in the past, many doctors are beginning to recognize the benefits of digital services, such as an online eye exam. Estimates show that worldwide, nearly 2.5 billion people require eyeglasses but lack access to them.
Converting Prisons Into Farms, Community Centers, and Shelters
Across the U.S., some prisons, jails, and detention centers are being converted from facilities that confine people into ones that support them. U.S. inmates are currently being housed in more than 5,000 prisons and jails across the country, but even as new correctional facilities are being built, others are closing due to budget constraints, crumbling infrastructure, and a slowly declining inmate population.
Why Juneteenth (June 19) Could Soon Be a National Holiday
Virginia will join Texas in observing June 19th — "Juneteenth" — as a state holiday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced this week. This date is widely recognized as the day that marked the end of slavery in America. "Some might say change in a state holiday is merely a symbolic action. But symbols do matter," Northam said at a news conference. "Symbols show what we value," he continued.
Starlink Internet to Begin Beta Testing
After their June 13 launch – fresh on the heels of being the first private entity to carry astronauts into space – SpaceX has now put 540 Starlink satellites into low orbit around the earth, enough to begin what Elon Musk calls "minor" coverage of Starlink internet – an ambitious project that promises to provide more comprehensive internet coverage than the traditional broadband providers.
Gene Therapy Hailed as Cure for Sickle Cell Disease
Last year researchers in the U.S. began testing the ability of CRISPR, a technology that can edit the DNA of living cells, to potentially treat or even cure genetic diseases in humans. This week, one group announced promising results from an on-going clinical trial that suggests CRISPR may deliver a much-needed cure for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia — two of the most common genetic disorders in the world.
Rethinking Public Safety: Are Police Always Needed?
The killing of George Floyd and subsequent police brutality protests have prompted officials across the U.S. to question the role law enforcement should play in society. But Eugene, Oregon, asked itself that same question more than 30 years ago — and decided to make a major change in its approach to public safety. Rethinking Public Safety In most U.S. cities, law enforcement officers respond to 911 calls, but not every emergency is best served by a person with a badge and a gun.
Street Medics Tend to Protesters in the Midst of a Pandemic
In the wake of George Floyd's killing, tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest police brutality — and while many of the protests have been peaceful, some have turned violent. Mixed within the crowds of protestors, rioters, and police are street medics — volunteers with some medical training who provide care to people during protests and demonstrations.
The Startup Making Energy Efficient Homes Mainstream
With both homelessness rates and the cost of housing continuing to climb in the U.S., one startup described as the "IKEA of houses" is determined to make beautifully-designed, energy efficient homes more affordable for everyone. The founders of NODE believe that access to affordable housing should be a fundamental right. They're working toward a sustainable solution to the current housing crisis, and it's one that goes above and beyond the status quo.
How Organoids Are Helping Scientists Fight the Coronavirus
In just six months, the novel coronavirus has infected upwards of seven million people and killed at least 400,000 — yet scientists still don't know exactly what happens when the virus enters the human body. To unravel that mystery, some researchers are turning to organoids — lab-grown clumps of cells that mimic the function of full-size human organs. Infecting Organoids Organoids typically start out as just a few stem cells in a petri dish.
New 3D Bioprinting Method Uses Light to Grow Ears in Mice
Using a new 3D bioprinting technique, scientists have grown the shape of a human ear under the skin of mice without performing any surgery on the animals. In the future, this noninvasive approach to 3D bioprinting could make it possible to repair or replace damaged body parts in humans without subjecting them to the risks of surgery — a limitation of current bioprinting methods. What Is 3D Bioprinting?
Genetic “Off Switch” May Lead to New Breast Cancer Treatment
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is relatively rare, accounting for just 15% of all breast cancer diagnoses — but it's also incredibly aggressive, rapidly spreading throughout the body. This kind of cancer is missing three common targets for breast cancer drugs, making it more difficult to treat. Now, Tulane University researchers have discovered a gene that can serve as an "off switch" for TNBC, potentially leading to a new breast cancer treatment.
Gene Editing Corrects Deafness-Causing Mutation in Mice
The inner ear houses at least 100 hearing-related genes — and a single mutation in just one of them can lead to hearing loss. Now, using a cutting-edge technique for gene editing, researchers have corrected a deafness-causing genetic mutation in mice — partially restoring the animals' ability to hear. Gene Editing to Alleviate Deafness In humans, every gene is composed of a specific sequence of paired off DNA bases (A, G, T, or C).
Scientists Reveal First 3D Heart Model That Shows Heart’s Neurons
Scientists have created a new virtual 3D heart model in striking detail — mapping the network of neurons surrounding the heart for the first time. Everyone knows that the heart’s critical role is circulating oxygen and blood throughout the body — a role that is maintained in the brain through a network of nerves between the brain and the heart. Damage to those nerves could cause a heart attack, heart disease, or even death. But what isn’t thoroughly understood is the heart’s own neurons.
Is It Safe to Go to the Dentist Now?
In March, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued a recommendation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, urging dentists to treat only patients in need of emergency services. That recommendation expired on April 30, and there are now dentists reopening their offices all across the country. But the COVID-19 pandemic still isn't over — in fact, the number of daily new infections in the U.S. is currently higher than it was when the ADA first issued its recommendation.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Daniel
Contact Daniel, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack