The government is looking at raising retirement age to 70.

The elderly in Japan are using exoskeletons to delay retirement

Robo Seniors

Older folks in Japan are using exoskeletons to help them do their jobs as they are spending more of their lives in the workforce, as New Scientist reports.

The Elderly in Japan are Using Exoskeletons to Delay Retirement

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2226447-people-in-japan-are-wearing-exoskeletons-to-keep-working-as-they-age/">People in Japan are wearing exoskeletons to keep working as they age</a> [New Scientist]

More on exoskeletons: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/paralyzed-us-veteran-exoskeleton-marathon">Paralyzed US Veteran Uses Exoskeleton to Complete a Marathon</a>

Robotics/Prosthetics

"The father is in his 70s and was supposed to retire but is still working with our muscle suit."

FITTER. BETTER. HAPPIER.

Larry Page's money is going toward universal flu vaccine research, along with free shots for schoolchildren.

The co-founder of Google is quietly trying to cure the flu

Final Flu Shot

Larry Page, Google co-founder and former CEO, has been quietly funneling millions of dollars into charities that fund flu vaccine research and distribution.

The Co-Founder of Google Is Quietly Trying to Cure the Flu

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/11/21011097/universal-flu-vaccine-larry-page-google-cofounder-funding-private-foundation">Larry Page is quietly funding efforts to develop a universal flu vaccine</a> [The Verge]

More on the flu: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/2020-flu-season-quirky-start">2020 Flu Season off to Quirky Start, Also Affects Seals</a>

Treatments

Larry Page is funding research toward a universal vaccine.

This year's flu season has thrown researchers a bit of a curve ball.

2020 flu season off to quirky start, also affects seals

Seal Flu?

We're solidly into the beginning of the 2019-2020 flu season and so far it's proving to be an unusual one as atypical strains of flu virus are turning up.

2020 Flu Season Off to Quirky Start, Also Affects Seals

READ MORE: <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/12/this-years-flu-season-is-off-to-an-early-unusual-start-cdc-says/">Unusual type of flu virus is dominating early start to this year’s flu season</a>

More on Influenza: <a href="https://futurism.com/its-been-a-century-since-the-1918-flu-pandemic-were-still-not-rid-of-the-virus">In 1918 We Faced the Flu Pandemic. Today, We’re Still Fighting the War.</a>

Developments

Thankfully early testing suggests this year's flu vaccine seems to cover the dominant viral strain.

The model "improved ADHD detection performance considerably" while analyzing a data set of 973 participants.

This AI can detect ADHD better than humans

ADHD AI

A team of researchers used a type of artificial intelligence (AI) to predict ADHD in patients by having it analyze magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

This AI Can Detect ADHD Better than Humans

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/rson-aib120919.php">Artificial intelligence boosts MRI detection of ADHD</a> [Radiological Society of North America]

More on AI: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/roleplaying-ai-game-dungeon-master">This Roleplaying AI Makes a Great Dungeon Master</a>

Neuroscience/Brain Science

The same approach could be applied to other neurological conditions as well.

"We're not going to force people to opt in. If I try that, I know I'll undermine everything."

Tech firm that develops tools for police buys massive DNA database

Forensic Database

GEDMatch, the DNA ancestry company that famously helped police track down a serial killer, just got bought by a genetic forensics firm.

Tech Firm That Develops Tools for Police Buys Massive DNA Database

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/peteraldhous/the-genealogy-website-that-helped-crack-the-golden-state">The Genealogy Website That Helped Crack The Golden State Killer Case Has Been Bought By A Forensic Genetics Firm</a> [Buzzfeed News]

More on DNA: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/police-dna-database">Police Are Collecting DNA From People Without Telling Them</a>

Genetics

Verogen claims it will only give people's info to cops if they opt in.

"I just don't see that GoFundMe can continue to stick their head in the sand and pretend this isn't a problem on this platform."

Bioethicists: GoFundMe is profiting off medical scams

Sleeping Gatekeeper

A team of bioethicists argue that it's high time GoFundMe better regulate its platform to keep out medical scammers and unregulated treatments.

Bioethicists: GoFundMe Is Profiting off Medical Scams

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/9/21002593/bioethics-gofundme-health-unproven-medical-treatments-illegal-operations">Bioethics experts call on GoFundMe to ban unproven medical treatments</a> [The Verge]

More on questionable treatments: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/biohackers-scammed-hydrogen-water">Biohackers Got Scammed by a Company Selling &#8220;Hydrogen Water&#8221;</a>

"I think they should be ashamed of themselves for taking part in it."

"I thought that it was pretty incredible that I can disappear and someone else can appear."

After bone marrow transplant, man’s semen contains only donor’s DNA

Surprising Seed

After a bone marrow transplant, a man's semen now contains only his donor's DNA in a case that could affect the future of forensic science.

Bone Marrow Transplant Changes Man's Semen To Donor's DNA | Futurism

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/07/us/dna-bone-marrow-transplant-crime-lab.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">When a DNA Test Says You’re a Younger Man, Who Lives 5,000 Miles Away</a> [The New York Times]

More on forensic science: <a href="https://futurism.com/two-forensic-dna-analysis-techniques-are-under-fire-for-serious-inaccuracies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Two Forensic DNA Analysis Techniques Are Under Fire for Serious Inaccuracies</a>

His strange situation could affect the future of forensic science.

After Bone Marrow Transplant, Man’s Semen Contains Only Donor’s DNA

After Transplant Procedure, Man’s Semen Contains Only Donor’s DNA

A shady THC vaping brand seems to be a primary cause.

CDC: These are the brands linked to the vaping epidemic

Not-So-Dank Vapes

The Centers for Disease Control has released a list of vaping brands EVALI sufferers said they used prior to contracting the lung disease.

CDC: These Are the Brands Linked to the Vaping Epidemic

READ MORE: <a href="https://time.com/5745483/vaping-illness-brands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">These Brands May Be to Blame for Vaping-Related Illnesses, According to CDC Report</a> [TIME]

More on vaping: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/cdc-knows-causing-vape-lung" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The CDC Says It Really Knows What’s Causing &#8220;Vape Lung&#8221; This Time</a>

Organic Chemistry

EVALI sufferers used one brand far more than any other.

After just six months of vaping, she now has scarred lungs.

Doctors think vaping gave this woman a rare lung disease

Cobalt Lung

A woman developed a rare disease called "cobalt lung" after vaping marijuana for just six months, according to a new case study.

Doctors Think Vaping Gave This Woman a Rare Lung Disease

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/61462-marijuana-vapes-cause-cobalt-lung-disease-seen-in-metal-workers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marijuana vape users are getting incurable &#8220;cobalt lung&#8221;</a> [Inverse]

More on vaping: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/vaping-incredibly-bad-heart" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Research: Vaping Is Incredibly Bad for Your Heart</a>