Did you know that scientists have found a way to grow human body parts, print medicine and turn toxic chemicals into gold? Read about the science behind Hurricane Sandy’s devastating tidal surge, learn how a man broke the sound barrier and how physics may actually prove there is a God. Designed to filter through the social media conversation, FLTR focuses on one topic during one moment in time. This month we look at science, specifically how it helps us discover, advance, dream and understand.

1. SCIENCE

2. “The most beautiful experience we can have is
the mysterious – the fundamental emotion which
stands at the cradle of true art and true science.”
– Albert Einstein
PHOTO CREDIT: ESO/S. Brunier

3. FLTR SCIENCE
FLTR is designed to make sense DISCOVER
Science feeds our natural curiosity – it confirms our suspicions about
of all the information created and where we came from and unearths the mysteries of how things work.
circulated through social media
during one moment in time, with
a focus on one particular topic. ADVANCE
Science has allowed us to push the human body and experience
This month, we look at science, reality differently than we ever thought possible.
specifically, how it helps us:
DREAM
With every new advancement, discovery and limit pushed, we inch
closer to realizing our dreams and creating a new realm of possibilities.
UNDERSTAND
The point is that science exists outside theories. It manifests in
everyday events of both microscopic and galactic scale. It lives at the
very intersection of humanity and the universe, helping us appreciate
our collective best moments and make sense of our worst.

4. DISCOVER
Science is helping us discover what is out there, be it new species or planets.
At the same time, it is showing us how much there is still left to find.
NOBEL WORK SCARED THIN HELLO, GOODBYE PHYSICISTS TESTIFY
John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka Horror flicks are good for you? It’s all Researchers from Australian National And in an ironic twist for many
were awarded Nobel prizes in science relative. Watching a scary movie can University have discovered a tiny new atheists, science may ultimately
for their discoveries in cloning animals burn up to 200 calories, or almost lizard species in Western Australia. prove the existence of God. Quantum
and generating stem cells. Dr. Gurdon the whole bar of chocolate you have The six-centimeter-long coastal plains physicists are finding that we may be
was the first to clone an animal, a to eat to get through the two hours of skink (Ctenotus ora) has been found more than just matter in motion after
frog, and Dr. Yamanaka discovered the suspense and nail-biting.2 just in time: Its only known habitat all. And if they prove that the mind
proteins with which an adult cell can is currently being developed for new exists beyond the body, then what if
be converted to an egg-like state.1 residential housing.3 the mind can exist without the body?
Whoa, that’s deep.4
FLTR SCIENCE | DISCOVER

5. ADVANCE
Research and technology have allowed us to advance the human experience
and change what we expect from reality.
SOLDIERING ON ... FOREVER AN ARM FOR AN EAR TEETH MADE TO ORDER? MICRO MIDAS
Researchers from the Wyss Institute Doctors at John Hopkins University New technology has made a visit to Researchers at Michigan State
for Biologically Inspired Engineering have leaped forward in reconstructive the dentist’s office a little less painful. University are planning early
at Harvard University have been surgery. Using cartilage pulled from CAD/CAM — computer-aided design retirements. They’ve discovered a way
awarded a contract worth $2.6 million other parts of the patient’s body, they and computer-aided manufacturing to use bacteria to transform a toxic
to create a “wearable system that constructed an ear and surgically — enable doctors to create a crown chemical compound found in nature
would potentially delay the onset implanted it on her arm to allow skin while the patient waits. The result is into 24-karat gold.8
of fatigue, enabling soldiers to walk growth before re-attaching it to her a ceramic crown that can be glued in
longer distances, and also potentially head. Can you hear me now? 6 place on the spot.7
improve the body’s resistance to
injuries while carrying loads.” 5
FLTR SCIENCE | ADVANCE

6. DREAM
With every step forward, we are compelled to think of how much more we can
achieve. If recent accomplishments are any indicator, the future is very bright.
MY GOD, IT’S FULL OF STARS JOURNEY TO THE CENTER A STONE’S THROW AWAY PRINTIN’ PILLS
Thousands of separate pictures of the Japan is planning a $1 billion mission NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover came Goodbye long lines at the pharmacy.
Milky Way were combined to create to drill 3.7 miles beneath the seafloor across rounded rocks, leading to Combining advances in 3-D printing
one giant photo. If printed, it would to reach the Earth’s mantle. The goal revived hope that there was once life with biosynthesis and molecular
easily cover the side of a three-story is to bring back the first-ever fresh on Mars. With two more years left in construction may lead to medicine
building. The image contains 10 times samples, which will enable scientists the Rover’s mission, who knows what via printout, with printers that can
more stars than previously captured to clarify many of the assumptions we else it will find … 11 create vaccines and other drugs.12
and will allow scientists to perform have about how our planet works.10
statistical analyses of the color,
temperature, mass and age of the
different stars in the galaxy.9
FLTR SCIENCE | DREAM

7. UNDERSTAND
In just one month, we witnessed two historical events that illustrate the vast role that science plays in
our lives. We saw the peak of human achievement and the devastation of Mother Nature. One man fell
and the tides rose, and we watched, listened and shared it all together. Our insatiable curiosity pushes
us forward, and yet we still sit in awe of life’s mysteries in our never-ending quest to discover, advance,
dream and understand.

8. THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH
On October 14, 2012, a record-breaking 8 million people tuned in to watch a live-stream broadcast of
the Red Bull Stratos mission. Felix Baumgartner completed a 24-mile skydive from the edge of space,
shattering several world records and captivating audiences around the world.13
DISCOVER ADVANCE DREAM
A team of the world’s leading minds in aerospace, The space jump shattered several records: Beyond an all-encompassing brand experience and
medicine, engineering, pressure-suit development, • First person to achieve the speed of sound in scientific feat, the space jump could mean one very
capsule creation and balloon fabrication freefall without mechanical assistance important thing: individual atmosphere re-entry.
collaborated on the mission, conducting extensive • Freefall from the highest altitude: 128,100 feet With the help of a new generation of pressurized
research and test missions to ensure a successful • Longest freefall time: 4 minutes and 22 seconds space suits, protocols for exposure to high altitude/
jump. The full-pressure suit was designed to • Highest manned balloon flight: float altitude of high acceleration and a new understanding of the
provide protection from temperatures of +100°F to approximately 128,100 feet 14 effects supersonic acceleration and deceleration
-90°F and to maintain pressure around Felix’s body have on the human body, it’s possible. One
to prevent the liquid in his tissues from turning to day, a pressurized suit like Felix’s could help
gas and expanding. 14 save astronauts who are forced to bail out of a
malfunctioning rocket post-launch. 15
FLTR SCIENCE | UNDERSTAND

9. ALL EYES ON THE STORM
Hurricane Sandy left a wake of devastation and destruction throughout the Northeast. From the time
#Frankenstorm first hit Twitter streams to the height of the storm, when 10 images were uploaded on
Instagram per second, the world watched and communities came together through social media.16
DISCOVER ADVANCE DREAM
How could a Category 1 hurricane cause so much Due to its complex nature, Sandy was difficult to As quickly as the tide rose during Sandy, so did
damage? Here’s the science: track. However, a new predictive model has already the human imagination rise to the challenge of
• Most storms approach from the south: Sandy been released. Developed by researchers at North envisioning designs that could protect buildings
made a direct hit from the east Carolina State University, the new model has the and people. What will the future hold? A network
• The full moon created a tidal tug that fueled ability to forecast a season’s hurricane activity 15 of parks, wetlands and tidal salt marshes designed
a surge of as much as 12 feet percent more accurately than existing methods. to absorb incoming water around Manhattan, a
• A vast high-pressure system over Canada By entering historical data into this new algorithm, system of artificial reefs full of oysters to act as an
blocked Sandy from continuing north researchers have confirmed they can predict “ecological glue” in Brooklyn, or perhaps a storm
• The jet stream created a vacuum above hurricane activity with 80 percent accuracy.18 barrier drawbridge, moonlighting as a generator,
the storm, which allowed it to strengthen17 suspended from New Jersey to Staten Island.19
FLTR SCIENCE | UNDERSTAND

10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & SOURCES
EXECUTIVE EDITOR DISCOVER UNDERSTAND
Mario Natarelli 1. Wade, Nicholas. “Cloning and stem cell work earns nobel.” The New York 13. Plunkett, John. “Felix Baumgartner jump: record 8m watch live on YouTube” The
Times, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/health/ Guardian, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/oct/15/
research/cloning-and-stem-cell-discoveries-earn-nobel-prize-in-medicine. felix-baumgartner-skydive-youtube
html?pagewanted=all
EDITORIAL AND DESIGN TEAM 14. Red Bull Stratos. 15 Nov. 2012. http://www.redbullstratos.com
2. “Watching horror films burns nearly 200 calories at a time.” The Telegraph, Web:
Daryl Drabinsky 15 Nov. 2012.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9638876/Watching- 15. Levs, Josh. “After space jump, what’s the next big stunt?” CNN World, Web: 15
horror-films-burns-nearly-200-calories-a-time.html Nov. 2012. http://articles.cnn.com/2012-10-15/world/world_next-big-stunt_1_
Scott McLean mars-rover-curiosity-felix-baumgartner-explorers/
3. Platt, John R. “New lizard discovered in Australia and threatened by incoming
Tara Mastrelli housing development.” Scientific American, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http:/ /blogs. 16. Coscarelli, Joe. “Hurricane Sandy: A perfect social media storm.” New York
scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2012/10/30/new-lizard-discov- Magazine, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http:/ /nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/10/hurri-
ered-australia-threatened-development/ cane-sandy-perfect-social-media-storm.html
Special thanks to the entire team 4. Barr, Stephen M. “Does quantum physics make it easier to believe in God?” Big 17. Drye, Willie. “Why full moon makes ‘Frankenstorm’ more monstrous.”
Questions Online, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. https://www.bigquestionsonline.com/ National Geographic, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://news.nationalgeographic.
at MBLM for their contributions, content/does-quantum-physics-make-it-easier-believe-god com/news/2012/10/121029-hurricane-sandy-path-storm-surge-full-
moon-nation-weather-science/
observations, insights and input —
­­
18. Howell, Whitney L.J. “N.C. State researchers develop model for better prediction
their FLTR work on science made ADVANCE of hurricanes.” Charlotte Observer, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://www.charlot-
teobserver.com/2012/11/04/3643033/nc-state-researchers-develop-model.
this report possible. 5. Guerra, Carib. “Intel IQ: Researchers to smart suit that stop soldiers from get- html#storylink=cpy
ting tired.” PSFK, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://www.psfk.com/2012/10/suit-stops-
soldiers-getting-tired.html 19. Feuer, Alan. “Protecting the city, before next time.” The New York Times, Web: 15
Nov, 2012. http:/ /www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/nyregion/protecting-new-
Check out other issues of FLTR: 6. Murray, Peter. “Woman’s ear regrown in her forearm.” Singularity Hub, Web: 15 york-city-before-next-time.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Nov. 2012. http://singularityhub.com/2012/10/05/womans-ear-regrown-in-
FLTR Olympics her-forearm/
FLTR Travel 7. Kolata, Gina. “A new tooth, made to order in under an hour.” The New York PHOTO CREDIT: ESO/S. Brunier
Times, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/08/a-new-
FLTR Education tooth-made-to-order-in-under-an-hour/
8. Hutchings, Emma. “Scientists produce gold using bacteria.” PSFK, Web: 15 Nov.
2012.http://www.psfk.com/2012/10/make-gold-with-bacteria.html
9. Mann, Adam. “9-billion-pixel photo of Milky Way’s center is full of stars.” Wired
Science, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/10/9-
gigapixel-milky-way/
DREAM
10. Levitt, Tom. “The $1 billion mission to reach the Earth’s mantle.” CNN Tech,
Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http:/ /www.cnn.com/2012/10/01/tech/mantle-earth-drill-
mission/index.html
11. Grotzinger, John. “Mars and the science of skipping stones.” The New York
Times, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/27/opinion/
grotzinger-mars-and-the-science-of-skipping-stones.html
12. Ackerman, Evan. “Molecular 3D bioprinting could mean getting drugs through
email.” DVICE, Web: 15 Nov. 2012. http://dvice.com/archives/2012/10/molecu-
lar-3d-bi.php