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.

"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>

Developments

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

Chinese 23andMe knockoff gives different results from 23andMe

Genetic Screening

23Mofang, a Chinese DNA test startup offering similar reports to 23andMe, makes scientifically-questionable claims in its results, raising privacy concerns.

Chinese 23andMe Knockoff Gives Different Results From 23andMe

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-11-26/23andme-vs-china-s-23mofang-review-what-do-dna-tests-tell-you">I Took DNA Tests in the U.S. and China. The Results Concern Me</a> [Bloomberg]

More on DNA: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/scammy-dna-test-startups">&#8220;Like Horoscope Readings!&#8221;: The Scammy World of DNA Test Startups</a>

"It's a gimmick. It's so ridiculous."

But the American company only offering the treatment in a small clinic in Colombia is highly suspect.

Gene-hacking company says it can slow your aging for $1 million

Red Flags

An American biotech firm claims it can slow or reverse human aging through gene-hacking, but the entire premise is scientificially questionable.

Gene-Hacking Company Says It Can Slow Your Aging for $1 Million

READ MORE: <a href="https://onezero.medium.com/scientists-dodge-fda-to-offer-a-1-million-anti-aging-treatment-in-colombia-38756dfb3ad1">Scientists Dodge FDA to Offer a $1 Million Anti-Aging Treatment in Colombia</a> [OneZero]

More on anti-aging: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/anti-aging-drug-old-cells">Anti-Aging Drug That Kills Old Cells Passes First Human Trial</a>

"I think of this as a study where many things could go wrong."

The development could lead to personalized, responsive medical devices.

Scientists finally build artificial brain cells

Brain Chips

Scientists recreated the bizarre activity of brain cells in tiny new chips, potentially leading to a new generation of artificial medical devices.

Scientists Finally Build Artificial Brain Cells

READ MORE: <a href="https://techxplore.com/news/2019-12-world-artificial-neurons-chronic-diseases.html">World first as artificial neurons developed to cure chronic diseases</a> [University of Bath via TechXplore]

More on neural circuits: <a href="https://futurism.com/brain-based-circuitry-just-made-artificial-intelligence-faster">Brain-Based Circuitry Just Made Artificial Intelligence A Whole Lot Faster</a>

Neuroscience/Brain Science

Brain-inspired circuitry just took a huge leap forward.

"You can almost forget their condition when you meet them for the first time."

People with half their brain removed are doing surprisingly well

Major Restructuring

Decades later, people who had half their brain removed as children have stronger neural connections and function than doctors expected.

People With Half Their Brain Removed Are Doing Surprisingly Well

READ MORE: <a href="https://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/epilepsy-news-235/they-had-half-their-brains-removed-here-s-what-happened-after-752296.html">They Had Half Their Brains Removed. Here&#8217;s What Happened After</a> [HealthDay]

More on brains: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/doctors-livestreamed-brain-surgery-facebook">Doctors Just Livestreamed a Brain Surgery on Facebook</a>

"They have intact language skills. When I put them in the scanner, we made small talk, just like the hundreds of other individuals I have scanned."

"It's not that the system helps them become completely independent, but if you can't see anything, being able to see just a little bit becomes extremely valuable."

A man's new bionic eye lets him see after an accident blinded him

Neoscope

A blind man who went through brain surgery to get outfitted with a new bionic eye says he can see some things for the first time in years.

A Man’s New Bionic Eye Lets Him See After an Accident Blinded Him

READ MORE: <a href="https://onezero.medium.com/a-blind-man-sees-his-birthday-candles-again-thanks-to-a-bionic-eye-be0d3d987e48">A Blind Man Sees His Birthday Candles Again, Thanks to a Bionic Eye</a> [OneZero]

More on bionic eyes: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/bionic-eyes-infrared-thermal-vision">Future Bionic Eyes Could One Day Give Wearers Infrared Vision</a>

Robotics/Prosthetics

What looks like everyday sunglasses is actually a camera linked to a brain implant.

"These products are marketed as healthy alternatives, and yet we see more and more evidence that they're definitely not healthy."

New research: Vaping is incredibly bad for your heart

Lose-Lose

New research suggests that vaping is just as bad for your heart as is smoking cigarettes. In some ways, vapes are even worse.

New Research: Vaping Is Incredibly Bad for Your Heart

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/vaping/e-cigarettes-hurt-heart-health-possibly-more-regular-cigarettes-n1079076">E-cigarettes hurt heart health, possibly more than regular cigarettes</a> [NBC News]

More on vaping: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/cdc-knows-causing-vape-lung">The CDC Says It Really Knows What&#8217;s Causing &#8220;Vape Lung&#8221; This Time</a>

Studies

They may be even more unhealthy than cigarettes.

It's the first time in the U.S. that vaping led to the procedure.

This person vaped so much they needed a double lung transplant

Double Vape Lung

One man recently got a double lung transplant because he vaped so much that he caused irreparable damage to his respiratory system.

This Person Vaped So Much They Needed a Double Lung Transplant

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/11/health/vaping-transplant-detroit-bn/index.html">Double lung transplant needed after vaping related injury</a> [CNN]