Microsoft launches blockchain cloud-based platform with startup ConsensYs to make blockchain experimenting easy November 12, 2015 Looks like Microsoft is getting serious about blockchain. The tech giant is teaming up with startup ConsensYs to launch a cloud-based blockchain platform that will enable financial institutions to experiment with the lauded technology that underlies cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. “Working with our customers that wanted to start playing around with blockchain technology, the major pain [...]
You can now buy land in space – as long as you live in the US November 12, 2015 It's now possible for businesses and individual people to own parts of space – and it's likely to be asteroids they put their money on. This week, Congress passed the final version of the Commercial Space Bill, which will give limited property rights for resources extracted from asteroids. Called the US Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act, the [...]
Blockchain is the single biggest fintech innovation of the decade November 12, 2015 Despite the enormous attention being lavished on digital currencies such as bitcoin, the reality of the situation is we won’t see one hit the mainstream for many years. Before central banks commit to issuing a digital pound or dollar they will need to be assured about several factors, including proof that there are no vulnerabilities [...]
This is when most British people get grey hair, dodgy knees and back problems November 12, 2015 Some people embrace their grey hair as a sign of wisdom, others do everything they can to cover it up. But whichever category you fall into, you can expect to see the first silver strands when you're 39. This is according to a survey carried out by the South West News Service, which worked out the [...]
Astronaut Chris Hadfield says Moon settlement is 15 years away and Mars colonisation is possible November 11, 2015 Moon settlement will be a reality in 15 years, according to astronaut Chris Hadfield, who also said colonisation of Mars is possible. “We are on the cusp of rewriting space travel all by visualising perfection and deciding what the next thing is we need to do to make it happen,” he said in a speech [...]
Banks to use bitcoin technology blockchain as soon as 2016 November 11, 2015 Banks could integrate the technology underpinning cryptocurrency bitcoin into some parts of their business as early as next year, according to a new report. Bitcoin utilises blockchain technology which enables the transfer of financial assets using cryptographically secured networks, and consequently removed the need for a third-party intermediary. Read more: UBS plays down potential of bitcoin The report [...]
Copper could soon become crucial for global disease prevention November 11, 2015 “Antimicrobial copper” could soon become a common term in the medical world – researchers from the University of Southampton have discovered that the metal can rapidly inactivate certain viruses, stopping them from spreading and causing disease. When they placed coronavirus 229E on a surface containing copper, they found that the virus was destroyed within minutes, [...]
These UK companies are creating technologies to make ageing more pleasant November 11, 2015 A handful of companies in London and the South East have been awarded backing to turn their healthcare inventions into reality. As part of the first ever MedTechSouthEast competition, 10 firms have been selected for their innovative designs to help elderly people stay independent for longer – a crucial development in an ageing society. The [...]
Fintech revolution: Visa and Bank of America file the most fintech patents November 11, 2015 There’s a fintech revolution going on – but who’s at the forefront of it? New patent figures reveal that Visa has filed by far the most fintech patents, soaring 20 per cent ahead of its nearest rival, Bank of America. Data from Aistemos and Relecura shows which companies hold the most patents, providing an overview of [...]
Think you’re not being tracked online? Our browsing habits are captured and leaked by nine out of 10 major websites November 11, 2015 Chances are, your internet browsing habits are well known among many companies – some of which you probably haven't even heard of. New research published today in the International Journal of Communication shows 88 per cent of mainstream websites track your data and pass it on to third parties. While the information they leak is [...]