First, lets discuss the difference between biological aging and true age. Biological age is measured by changes in DNA that accumulate as humans get older. These markers are the ones which showed signs of reversal, not any outward appearances.

Volunteers took a combination of growth hormone, diabetes medication, and hormones for a year. On average, participants took 2.5 years off their biological age, proving it was possible to reverse the clock on predicted age.

The problem with the study is the inability to determine the true causes of the reversal. Was it just one drug in particular? Did the volunteers live healthier lives because of the study, meaning the drugs themselves were actually irrevelant?

This could be an interesting feature of a dystopian future, one where the rich and elite are able to minimize the affects of time on their DNA and therefore live fuller lives as they age, leaving the less wealthy to age according to their biological clocks. After a few generations of this there would be a stark difference in the amount of wealth collected by certain families, which could give rise to independent fiefdoms, similar to the show “Into the Badlands.”

Another way this could be used would be for space travel. Taking this idea of a drug cocktail further, it could be possible to extend lifetimes during deep-space missions, giving rise to all sorts of societal conflicts which could pop up in transit or as the spacecraft approaches its destination.

Mosquitoes are a problem in Brazil because of their ability to carry diseases in the tropcial environment. In an effort to limit the spread of both zika and malaria, scientists genetically edited a cohort of the insects to be have offspring that immediately died. Their plan was to introduce these in the wild where they would breed with wild mosquitoes and limit the population.

When scientists introduced the modified mosquitoes, their plan seemed to work. The mosquito population dropped but less than two years later it has rebounded to previous levels.

Now, the hybrids are showing increased robustness, meaning they will be harder to kill in the future.

This would be a fascinating way to spread an infectious disease, maybe one that produces zombies. It could be the last ditch of humanity to save themselves from annhilation, and could also be a reason why colder climates are the last hopes for humanity, a common trope in zombie novels. 

Another way this could be used would be an evil corporation introduces the mosquitoes, knowing full well they can’t be killed. These mosquitoes could be pre-loaded with a disease and then the corporation could charge a premium for the antidote. 

The new prosthetics have sensors in the feet which send signals to the remaining limb. These signals give feedback about when the foot strikes the ground, allowing users to walk faster and with more confidence.

The signals from the feet are fed into the user’s knee.

The new technology has been tested on two people. While this is a ridiculously small sample size, results have been promising. In addition to increased performance the two users also reported less phantom limb pain.

This is a breakthrough technology that could lead to some interesting scenarios around uploaded consciousness. How much of a body is required to receive the signals? Instead of connecting to the knee, what if it connected to the hip? Then, what if a whole body connected into a brain? If consciousness could be duplcicted, could this lead to androids? 

Also, what about mech suits that could increase human’s capabilities?

There is a lot of runway here. 

Russia sent the humanoid robot to space in August 2019, filled with sensors to determine what a human might feel during the trip on their newest rocket. The spacecraft was unmanned. 

The robot spent about two weeks on board the Internatial Space Station (ISS) before successfully returning back to Earth in early September.

While onboard, the robot served as a social companion for Russian astronauts.

This sounds like it’s straight out of science fiction. Once robots become sufficiently advanced, they could perform all tasks normally assigned to humans. Throw in some artificial intelligence and a government conspiracy and you have all the makings for a sci-fi thriller!

Any elk or deer hit by motorists can now be gathered for food; all someone has to do is apply for a free permit with the state. The animal can weigh up to 300 pounds.

The animal will be classified as free-range game meat.

The legislation says that purposefully hitting an animal for meat is unlawful, but the ability to enforce such a stipulation is questionable. 

If the animal is injured, not killed, salvagers are required to kill the animal. 

The permit requires the head to be handed over to the state.

My question is: why would anyone actually apply for the permit before clearing the carcass? And, in the event they were caught red-handed (blood on their hands anyone?), they could always claim they were going to apply for the permit later. 

In a dystopian setting it seems there might not be a need for the permits, but the attempt at control by Oregon could be an interesting example of how those in power attempt to limit the amount of meat available to the rest of the population. Especially if meat is scarce due to lack of weapons, the ability to hit animals could lead to massive amounts of roads and dwindling natural habitat. It would be interesting to come up with a short story around this concept…

One teenager found this out the hard way.

Since beginning high school, the teenager’s diet consisted of fries, potato chips, white bread, and processed pork.

He appeared to be a healthy weight (according to BMI) and had no visible signs of malnutrition. After being first examined for continual tiredness, his condition grew steadily worse until his hearing and vision were affected. By 17 he was blind. 

Many of his biomarkers were low, including vitamin B12, copper, selenium, vitamin D, and he had low bone mineral density.

Researchers say the condition could beomce more common with the rise of veganism, if followers of the diet strategy don’t supplement with B12.

Unfortunately, the damage has already been done and a nutritional interventiuon won’t bring this patient’s sight back.

This has interesting implications on science fiction/dystopian fiction writing. With limited food sources in space and in a “fallen” society, there is a larger chance of these types of ailments, typically associated with malnutrition. Something to keep in mind when writing stories that take place outside mainstream society and with little food diversity.

A cheetah subspecies, the Asiatic cheetah, once lived throughout southwest Asia but now only lives in desolate parts of Iran. It’s thought roughly 50 individuals are still alive.

The largest difference between the Asiatic cheetah and their African counterparts is the length of their fur; the Asiatic subspecies has a shorter coat and mane.

Iranian conservationists have been in the news for their efforts to study these endangered cheetahs. Not because of their succes, but because they are facing execution for spying.

They set camera traps throughout the wilderness, looking for cheetahs. They worked with the government to ensure they got the right permits but their efforts drew the attention of a branch of Iran’s armed forces. They were arrested for espionage and accused of collecting military information.

One of the nine researchers has already died. His death was claimed to be a suicide but this isn’t believed by his family.

The detention of the scientists, in custody for almost two years, has received the attention of scientist around the world. Authorities have ignored the outpouring of support.

With any luck, the researchers will be released so they can continue their work trying to save this last Asiatic cheetah puddle before it dries up.

May have been committed, because right now it’s only an allegation.

For science fiction fans, the concept of breaking laws in space isn’t a new one. Give a space-faring society enough time and someone will break the rules.

If NASA’s Anne McClain is found guilty, she would go down as the first person to break the law in space. 

The incident didn’t occur in space, however. Just while she was in space, aboard the International Space Station. 

The charge is that McClain accessed her estranged wife’s account wihtout permission. McClains maintains that she had the right to monitor spending because of their shared finances.

Access to the account was made from a computer registered with NASA while McClain was on a six month mission. Her wife became suspicious when purchases were brought up in an argument. The couple have a child together, further complicating the situation.

If sci-fi outlaws exist in the future, this just might turn out to be their origin story.