Strawberries That Taste Like Chocolate

Food improvements?  Work on changing the base flavors and nutrient value of foods.  Given the concerns over the loss of natural nutrients over the last century, this may be a necessity until we can figure out a healthy and effective method for cycling nutrients back into the soil from which our fruits and vegetables are grown.

Snorting a Brain Chemical Could Replace Sleep

Development of a nasal spray containing a natural hormone orexin A, as an effort to offset a variety of situations through which individuals suffer from sleep deprivation.  According to the article, the first application would be for individuals suffering from sleep apnea, but would be tested for soldiers/pilots to allow longer time on duty and could become a popular drug for individuals who work/study for loonger hours.  I can only imagine there would be an immediate consideration for ER doctors and support specialists working after natural disasters, though there is no comment on how this might effect fatigue.

They mention coffee users, who self-medicate as an effort to overcome the effects of poor sleep habits, and this reminds me of the introduction of caffeinated water and reports of how people began to make coffee using this extra source of caffeine.  As such, how soon might orexin A begin to appear in coffee chains, sports drinks and as a “shot” in our smoothie?  But, the combination of orexin A and caffeine may benefit those who require mental and physical lifts, as there is much concern over the use of caffeine in professional/collegiate sports to gain an edge. 

A Human Anti-Aging Pill in Ten Years

Sterling makes some interesting comments leading to this article.  I do believe science will crack the aging process and it will be done ASAP.  In a conversation with friends on the subject, where they claimed it would be wonderful for people and horrible for the planet, I had my own argument on how this will impact humanity.  While it would be wonderful for people to control their lifespans, this will be a controlled substance by government limit if not highly taxed/expensive for the same reason.  We can only support so many people on this planet.  I believe this will lead to a horrible question along the lines of “We can always use 100 year old doctors, but why would we want 100 year old janitors?” As populations increase, there will be a horrible moment where humanity must make a choice between the equal value of everyone and assigning value based on expertise and affluence.

This is one medication which will lead to many instances of social bottlenecks.