106 research outputs found
SETI and Intelligent Design
No full textZwolennicy teorii inteligentnego projektu często twierdzą, że ich teoria jest analogiczna do programu poszukiwania inteligencji pozaziemskiej (SETI), a co za tym idzie, ma charakter naukowy. Autor wykazuje jednak istotne różnice pomiędzy tymi dwoma przedsięwzięciami.Proponents of intelligent design theory frequently claim that their theory is analogical to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) program and, as a consequence, it has scientific character. However, author shows essential differences between these two undertakings
Callus Regeneration of Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. In Vitro
No full textGynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. is one of the species of Asteraceae which is potential as medicinal. Propagation of the species could be conducted by vegetative, so the plant genetic variability is narrow. Genetic variability could be increased by somaclonal variation through callus culture. There is no report on in vitro regeneration from callus culture, although this method could assist further genetic improvement of plants. In this experiment, different concentrations of 2,4- D (0.1 ; 0.3 ; 0.5 mg L -1 ) singly or combination with BA (0.1 ; 0.3 and 0.5 mg L -1 ) were evaluated for callus induction and several concentrations of BA (0 ; 0.1; 0.5 and 1.0 mg -1 ) combination with kinetin (0.1 and 0.3 mg-1) were observed for ability of callus formed shoots. The results showed that the best media for callus induction was 0.5 mg L -1 2,4-D + 0.5 mg L -1 BA. This treatment produced friable callus structure, no roots and yellowish white. Callus regeneration was obtained on the combination of 0.1 mg L -1 BA. + 0.1 mg L -1 kinetin and 0.1 mg L -1 BA + 0.5 mg L -1 kinetin but the percentage was still low.
Keywords: G procumbens {Lour.} Merr, induction, regeneration, calli, in vitr
Extraterrestrial intelligence and human imagination: SETI at the intersection of science, religion, and culture
No full textThe search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) represents one of the most significant crossroads at which the assumptions and methods of scientific inquiry come into direct contact with—and in many cases conflict with—those of religion. Indeed, at the core of SETI is the same question that motivates many interested in religion: What is the place of humanity in the universe? Both scientists involved with SETI (and in other areas) and those interested in and dedicated to some religious traditions are engaged in contemplating these types of questions, even if their respective approaches and answers differ significantly. This book explores this intersection with a focus on three core points: 1) the relationship between science and religion as it is expressed within the framework of SETI research, 2) the underlying assumptions, many of which are tacitly based upon cultural values common in American society, that have shaped the ways in which SETI researchers have conceptualized the nature of their endeavor and represented ideas about the potential influence contact might have on human civilization, and 3) what sort of empirical evidence we might be able to access as a way of thinking about the social impact that contact with alien intelligence might have for humanity, from both religious and cultural perspectives. The book developed as a result of a course the author teaches at the University of Texas at Austin: Religion, Science, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
A first contribution to the history of Italian SETI
No full textThe first seminal paper about SETI, Searching for Interstellar Communications, published in Nature on 19 September 1959, was written by an American author, Philip Morrison, and another Italian, Giuseppe Cocconi. Nonetheless, from then on, for 30 years Italy has not taken part in the research that arose from that article. But in 1990 two Italian guys, Claudio Maccone and Stelio Montebugnoli, met while participating in the Bioastronomy meeting held in Val Cenis, and the history of Italian SETI began. From then on, the contributions by Italian investigators to search for extraterrestrial civilizations have constantly increased, both in number and quality, but so far nobody had tried to tell their history. In 2024, on the occasion of the IAC Milano 2024, a first contribution appeared, in a book written by myself (“Ascoltando l’infinito silenzio. L’Italia e la ricerca delle civiltà extraterrestri”), but which could count on several contributions from the main protagonists of Italian SETI. In this paper I present the main topics covered in the book and the possible future developments of this work
Evo-SETI: life evolution statistics on Earth and exoplanets
No full textThis book offers a vision of how evolutionary life processes can be modelled. It presents a mathematical description that can be used not only for the full evolution of life on Earth from RNA to modern human societies, but also the possible evolution of life on exoplanets, thus leading to SETI, the current Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence. The main premise underlying this mathematical theory is that the Geometric Brownian Motion (GBM) can be applied as a key stochastic process to model the evolution of life. In the resulting Evo-SETI Theory, the life of any living thing (a cell, an animal, a human, a civilization of humans, or even an ET civilization) is represented by a b-lognormal, i.e., a lognormal probability density function starting at a precise instant (b, birth) then increasing up to a peak time, then decreasing to senility time and then continuing as a straight line down to the time of death. Using this theory, Claudio Maccone arrives at remarkable hypotheses on the development of life and civilizations, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and when computers will take over the reins from us humans (Singularity). The book develops the mathematical Evo-SETI Theory by integrating a set of articles that the author has published in various journals on Astrobiology and Astronautical Research
Mathematical SETI: Statistics, Signal Processing, Space Missions
No full textThis book introduces the Statistical Drake Equation where, from a simple product of seven positive numbers, the Drake Equation is turned into the product of seven positive random variables. The mathematical consequences of this transformation are demonstrated and it is proven that the new random variable N for the number of communicating civilizations in the Galaxy must follow the lognormal probability distribution when the number of factors in the Drake equation is allowed to increase at will. Mathematical SETI also studies the proposed FOCAL (Fast Outgoing Cyclopean Astronomical Lens) space mission to the nearest Sun Focal Sphere at 550 AU and describes its consequences for future interstellar precursor missions and truly interstellar missions. In addition the author shows how SETI signal processing may be dramatically improved by use of the Karhunen-Loève Transform (KLT) rather than Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Finally, he describes the efforts made to persuade the United Nations to make the central part of the Moon Far Side a UN-protected zone, in order to preserve the unique radio-noise-free environment for future scientific use
The Discussion on the paper “The SETI Research Programme and the Theory of Intelligent Design” by Adam Trybus
No full textNiniejszy tekst stanowi zapis dyskusji nad artykułem Adama Trybusa, „Program badawczy SETI a teoria inteligentnego projektu”, przeprowadzonej przez pracowników i doktorantkę Instytutu Filozofii Uniwersytetu Zielonogórskiego w ramach spotkań Zielonogórskiej Grupy Lokalnej „Nauka a Religia”. Autor artykułu uznaje, że praktyka porównywania teorii inteligentnego projektu z programem badawczym SETI w celu wykazania naukowego charakteru tej pierwszej jest bezpodstawna. W dyskusji jej uczestnicy wskazują na błędy popełnione przez autora, jak również polemizują z wygłaszanymi w jej trakcie poglądami.This text is a record of the discussion on the paper “Program badawczy SETI a teoria inteligentnego projektu” [The SETI Research Programme and the Theory of Intelligent Design] by Adam Trybus on a seminar of the Zielona Góra Local Group “Science and Religion” held at the Institute of Philosophy, the University of Zielona Góra. The author argues that comparing the theory of intelligent design and the SETI research programme does not form a valid argument for the scientific character of the former. During the discussion, its participants indicate errors and omissions of the presented paper and discuss various issues related to the described subject area
In vitro conservation of
No full textMinimal growth storage could be utilized for in vitro plant conservation. Modifying the culture medium or the environmental condition can reduce the plant growth. The aim of the experiment is to observe the effect of macronutrients on the reduction of valerian culture This research was conducted at Tissue Culture Laboratory at the Indonesian Crops and Medicinal Research Institute (ISMCRI). Single axillary buds with leaves of valerian were used as explants. The treatment applied were :1) full-MS medium + 0.1 mg l-1 BAP, 2) ¾ MS + 0.1 mg l-1 BAP, 3) ½ MS + 0.1 mg l-1 BAP and, 4) ¼ MS + 0.1 mg l-1 BAP. After 12 weeks of conservation, the cultures were transferred into a plant growth regulator free-MS medium to observe their regeneration ability after the conservation. Then, the cultures were acclimatized at the greenhouse to observe their further growth. The result showed that using ¼ MS + 0.1 mg l-1 BAP was the best treatment to reduce the growth during 12 weeks of conservation. After in vitro storage, the cultures can grow normally in full strength plant growth regulator free-MS medium, which was characterized by the formation of new shoots. Valerian also produced roots in the same medium. All acclimatized plantlets were successfully established at the greenhouse
Количество обитаемых планет в Галактике и Вселенной в свете SETI. Стратегии развития цивилизаций
No full textBasing on the new physical approach in description of the characteristics of alive matter, the author obtained a numerical values for mass of living matter in the Universe, quantity of biospheres in the Universe (Nbio~3,3·1018), quantity of biospheres in the Galaxy (N~(1±0,5)·108). The calculated average distance between biospheres in the Galaxy is l?25light years. However, the probability of disclosure of an extra-terrestrial civilization, analogous to Earth one, is too small, P~10-5. It is shown, that a paradigm of the expansive and extensive development of the modern technological civilization in the bounds of SETI is useless principally. A strategy of intensive growth of civilization using the low-energy quantum technologies is more realistic. In that case, the radiation of civilization becomes low and it is very difficult to detect such civilization in the electromagnetic diapason.Исходя из нового физического подхода в описании характеристик живого вещества впервые удалось получить численное значение массы живого вещества во Вселенной, количество биосфер во Вселенной (Nbio~3,3·1018), количество биосфер в нашей Галактике (N~(1±0,5)·108). При этом среднее расстояние между биосферами в Галактике составляет l?25св.лет. Однако вероятность обнаружения внеземной цивилизации, аналогичной земной, мала, P~10-5. Показана принципиальная непригодность парадигмы экспансивной и экстенсивной стратегий развития современной техногенной земной цивилизации в рамках SETI. Более реалистичной является стратегия интенсивного развития цивилизации с использованием низкоэнергетических квантовых технологий, что делает цивилизацию малоизлучающей и практически необнаружимой в электромагнитном диапазоне
Götter-Astronauten. Erich von Däniken und die Paläo-SETI-Mythologie (Volltext)
No full textGERMAN: Waren die Götter Astronauten? Davon ist Erich von Däniken überzeugt. Der erfolgreiche Autor ist seit Jahrzehnten der einflussreichste Protagonist auf dem Gebiet der Paläo-SETI bzw. Prä-Astronautik, einer grenzwissenschaftlichen Laienforschung, die die Position vertritt, dass Außerirdische vor Urzeiten die Erde besucht und die Entwicklung der Menschheit beeinflusst haben. Sie seien als Götter verehrt worden, und Spuren ihres Wirkens fänden sich bis heute – würden aber von den meisten Menschen missverstanden oder ignoriert.
Doch Däniken schreibt in seinen Sachbüchern nicht nur über die Ursprünge der Menschheit, sondern auch über unsere Zukunft und den Sinn des Lebens. Er begibt sich dabei sowohl in Konfrontation zur Wissenschaft wie auch zu den etablierten Religionen – weist aber gleichzeitig auch gewisse Ähnlichkeiten mit beiden Seiten auf. Das vorliegende Buch beschreibt die Grundannahmen, auf denen seine Argumentation beruht, und erschließt die religiösen und mythologischen Bausteine seiner Weltanschauung.
ENGLISH: Were Gods really astronauts? Erich von Däniken is convinced of this. For decades the successful author has been the most influential protagonist on the topic called paleo-SETI, ancient astronauts or ancient aliens - parascientific lay research maintaining that long ago extraterrestrials visited earth and influenced our history. According to proponents, they were revered as gods, and traces of their presence are still visible today, although ignored or mis-understood by most.
But Erich von Däniken not only talks about human origins, but also about our destiny and future. His writing confronts both academic research and established religions - while at the same time sharing similarities with both. This book describes the basic assumptions underlying his arguments, and highlights the religious and mythological building blocks of his worldview
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