IdeaConnection Innovation
BLOG

Crowdsourced DNA Project to Speed Up Research

Oct-27-14 By IdeaConnection
A new crowdsourced citizen science project could speed up some microbial research by nearly 40,000 years. Uncovering Genome Mysteries is a new project being hosted on IBM's World Community Grid. Researchers are hoping to unlock the biological secrets of marine microbes from all over the world, whether they are in Botany Bay in Australia or the Amazon River in Brazil.

Understanding the genetic similarities between microbes could lead to new medicines, new crop technologies and new eco-friendly materials.  And that's just for starters!

UAE aims to be a Global Innovation Powerhouse

Oct-20-14 By IdeaConnection
The UAE (United Arab Emirates) has set its sights on being one of the most innovative nations in the world within the next seven years.  Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE has launched an ambitious innovation strategy that focuses on seven sectors - education, health, renewable energy, space, technology, transport and water. He also wants to create a national culture that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.

And who would bet against him achieving these ambitions?  After all, it was Sheikh Mohammed’s drive and vision that turned a tiny patch of desert into the global city of Dubai.

Open Innovation Challenge Offers $1 Million for Ebola Protection

Oct-13-14 By IdeaConnection
The Ebola outbreak that has now spread outside of Africa, could become "the next AIDS" unless there is a fast global response. That’s according to Thomas Frieden, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Africa alone, the rate of spread is faster than the efforts to care for those infected.

The fight against the deadly hemorrhagic fever is happening on several fronts, and to boost protection for health workers, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has turned to the crowd for help.

Scientific Research to Benefit from More Open Innovation

Oct-06-14 By IdeaConnection
Open innovation is giving science a big boost with the announcement of a challenge fund to advance bioelectronic medicines research and the launch of an open innovation stem cell technology center.