feanne's recent activity
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Comment on Diagram Website (2023) in ~tech
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Comment on New protein-based gel repairs tooth enamel in ~health
feanne Link ParentAs someone with dental trauma and anxiety I'm really hopeful for this tech too! I'm not yet there w/ dental habits but I'm working on it! I'm using 3 types of toothpaste combined-- one for...As someone with dental trauma and anxiety I'm really hopeful for this tech too!
I'm not yet there w/ dental habits but I'm working on it! I'm using 3 types of toothpaste combined-- one for sensitive teeth, one with hydroxyapatite, and one with recaldent; I rub toothpaste on my floss; I rinse with water after eating or drinking anything; I go twice a year for regular cleaning. Still have bad enamel :( But at least at my last dental visit my dentist actually complimented me for taking very good care of my teeth. I even got a discount because cleaning was so fast! That was a first for me.
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Comment on New protein-based gel repairs tooth enamel in ~health
feanne Link ParentI'm still working on my dental habits and I hope for the same!I'm still working on my dental habits and I hope for the same!
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Comment on New protein-based gel repairs tooth enamel in ~health
feanne (edited )LinkSummary Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a gel to repair tooth enamel Previously developed enamel restoration materials and techniques were limited by disadvantages such...Summary
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Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a gel to repair tooth enamel
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Previously developed enamel restoration materials and techniques were limited by disadvantages such as "having toxic and noxious components (e.g., triethylamine27), time-consuming application processes (e.g., 30 min23, 15 min27, 12 h26, 10 min/day28), partial recovery of architecture and functional properties (e.g., aprismatic enamel9, prismatic enamel23,25,26,27), and limited control of the mineralisation process"
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This new gel is designed to restore enamel in a "patient and clinically-friendly manner", with an application process under 5 minutes
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Testing on human tooth samples demonstrate the gel's capacity to restore enamel even when enamel erosion has reached bare dentine, as well as the gel's resistance to normal wear conditions such as toothbrushing, grinding, chewing, and acid exposure
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A NewScientist article about this gel reports that human clinical trials are set for 2026
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A startup company, Mintech-Bio, has been established to develop this product
Excerpts from linked ScienceDaily article
Researchers have created a bioinspired gel that can regenerate tooth enamel by mimicking natural growth processes. The fluoride-free material forms a mineral-rich layer that restores enamel’s strength and structure while preventing decay. It can even repair exposed dentine and reduce sensitivity. Early testing shows it performs like natural enamel, with potential for rapid clinical use.
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Once applied, the gel forms a thin yet durable layer that seeps into the surface of the teeth, filling in tiny cracks and holes. It then acts as a scaffold that captures calcium and phosphate ions from saliva. These minerals are carefully organized into new enamel through a process known as epitaxial mineralization. This allows the regenerated enamel to integrate seamlessly with the existing tooth structure, restoring both strength and appearance.
The material can also be used on exposed dentine, creating an enamel-like coating that helps reduce tooth sensitivity and improves how restorations, such as fillings or veneers, bond to the tooth surface.
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Because enamel cannot naturally regenerate once it is lost, dental care has long focused on prevention or temporary protection. Existing treatments like fluoride varnishes and remineralization products can help relieve symptoms but do not actually rebuild enamel.
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Professor Alvaro Mata, Chair in Biomedical Engineering & Biomaterials and lead investigator on the project, emphasized the technology's practical potential: "We are very excited because the technology has been designed with the clinician and patient in mind. It is safe, can be easily and rapidly applied, and it is scalable... We have started this process with our start-up company Mintech-Bio and hope to have a first product out by next year; this innovation could soon be helping patients worldwide."
Excerpts from original study: Biomimetic supramolecular protein matrix restores structure and properties of human dental enamel - University of Nottingham - 2025-11-04
To facilitate translation of the technology, we have conducted the experiments following steps that are commonly used in dental practices including: (i) prophylaxis using abrasive paste to remove the pellicle layer, (ii) acid etching using a 37% phosphoric acid gel for 30 seconds, (iii) washing with water to remove debris, and (iv) air drying the tooth surface for 30 s. Afterwards, the ELR solution was deposited and air dried on the tooth surface in 3-4 min.
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We confirmed the performance of this remineralised tissue by testing a collection of key functional properties, including integration to the underlying tissue, stiffness, hardness, coefficient of friction, wear strength, and stability to extensive physiological use, including abrasion from toothbrushing and chewing and grinding, fracture due to grinding, and erosion due to exposure to acidic solutions. Our mineralising technology offers a practical and clinically friendly solution to remineralise thin (up to ~ 10 μm) layers of lost enamel in a manner that regains both structure and function of healthy enamel tissue. This capability far surpasses current commercial dental remineralisation alternatives and overcomes key translational obstacles that have so far prevented the capacity to regrow enamel tissue in patients, even as thin functional layers. Moreover, our findings demonstrate a capacity to grow enamel-like structures under conditions that closely imitate various mechanical and chemical challenges found in the mouth. However, these tests do not fully recreate the complexity of the in vivo oral environment and, consequently, to fully confirm the capacity to regenerate natural enamel would require in vivo validation, which we envision to pursue in future work.
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New protein-based gel repairs tooth enamel
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Comment on Pluribus S01E01 - “We is Us” in ~tv
feanne Link ParentI didn't read it as fascism because I associate fascism with intentional cruelty, systematic weaponized violence, and demonization of the "others" (the few humans left immune). The hivemind seems...I didn't read it as fascism because I associate fascism with intentional cruelty, systematic weaponized violence, and demonization of the "others" (the few humans left immune). The hivemind seems extremely pacifist and averse to inflicting violence and harm, to the point of not even attempting self-defense. They even seem to be trying to make the "others" as comfortable as possible.
Just based on what I've watched up to episode two-- I'm leaning towards them being actually benevolent or even naive, but I could be proven wrong later on if it turns out that they're actually just putting on an act.
To me though it would be more interesting if they're sincere. My interpretation of the show is that it's an exploration of what a non-human benevolent sentient non-individualistic life form might be like. The concept of individuality is essential to human morality, but can we conceive of non-human benevolent intelligent life form having other forms of morality sans individuality? (Side note- An interesting fan theory I read on Reddit is that the hivemind virus is a weapon by an alien race. They use it to make a planet's dominant life form nonviolent and helpless so when they arrive to take over it'll be super easy.)
I see Carol's character as very egocentric and even a little bit messianic. She cannot conceive of morality as anything other than human-centered or perhaps even human-exclusive. She assumed she would kind of "take charge" of the group and started talking to them assuming that they would just agree with her. She immediately wrote off the hivemind as evil and didn't bother to learn Zosha's name. Almost immediately after learning that she accidentally killed 11 million with her angry outburst, she let her temper get the best of her again, probably killing millions more. I get that she has good intentions though. I think she is a lot like people in real life who may loudly and aggressively talk about progressive advocacies, but may be doing so from a very Western-centric and top-down perspective rather than taking time to listen, learn, and check what would actually help.
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Comment on Pluribus S01E01 - “We is Us” in ~tv
feanne LinkI've finished the first two episodes and I'm really enjoying it! Seems like a fun premise to me. I would probably just... immediately surrender :))I've finished the first two episodes and I'm really enjoying it! Seems like a fun premise to me. I would probably just... immediately surrender :))
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
feanne Link ParentI really appreciate you taking the time to play and then write down a detailed account of your experience of the game! So happy to know that it added to your cozy morning. Insaniquarium is a fave!...I really appreciate you taking the time to play and then write down a detailed account of your experience of the game! So happy to know that it added to your cozy morning. Insaniquarium is a fave! I loved these desktop pet games as a kid and I'm glad to see that they seem to be trending again (and I'm happily joining the trend as a gamedev). I love that you named your fish. I have to think about some way to incorporate naming fish in the game even if it's just something basic like using it as the name of the save slot.
I don't want the fish in my game to die but I do want to gamify it a bit and have in-game currency somehow. The in-game currency will be used to unlock cosmetic options (like the different colors, patterns, fish types, hats, etc.). I might add some "maintenance"-type mechanics like the fishbowl occasionally getting dirty / the fish pooping and needing cleanup.
Thank you so much for checking out my work and glad you're trying Air Garden too!
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
feanne (edited )Link ParentThanks so much! I'm still hoping to finish Air Garden someday hehe. I refactored and rebuilt this game a few times, and took detailed notes documenting my process each time. When I felt like the...Thanks so much! I'm still hoping to finish Air Garden someday hehe.
I refactored and rebuilt this game a few times, and took detailed notes documenting my process each time. When I felt like the build was clean enough, I started over again and recorded the tutorial while frequently referring to my build notes. I took lots of takes and breaks; the resulting video was heavily trimmed to remove all my awkward pauses, mistakes, etc. I definitely feel like I do much cleaner builds when I'm building to teach because everything has to be super clear and well-documented. When I'm coding for myself I get over-excited just cobbling things together fast and usually end up with spaghetti code. (Not that my tutorial teaches excellent code, but it works clearly and it's probably not too bad.)
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
feanne Link ParentThanks so much!! Oohh thanks I have corrected the link -- https://mellowminx.itch.io/itsy-bitsy-fishy (but this is the initial game prototype, and only has one type of fish, no custom...Thanks so much!!
Oohh thanks I have corrected the link -- https://mellowminx.itch.io/itsy-bitsy-fishy (but this is the initial game prototype, and only has one type of fish, no custom types/patterns/colors yet)
I used to draw with ink on paper then scan, but now my process is fully digital, I draw on my iPad. For this game's art I used Concepts app on iPad. It has an infinite canvas which I really like because I have a habit of drawing all my game assets on one giant canvas.
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Comment on Timasomo 2025: The Showcase in ~creative.timasomo
feanne Linkitsy bitsy fishy desktop game I was supposed to just use this time to learn how to post a game on Steam, but I just watched a few videos about that and listed some resources for it. The process...- Exemplary
itsy bitsy fishy desktop game
I was supposed to just use this time to learn how to post a game on Steam, but I just watched a few videos about that and listed some resources for it. The process looks really tedious and complicated and the interface for actually uploading the game files is ugly and unintuitive. Then I procrastinated by continuing to work on the game. I made a very basic UI for controlling game audio volume, customizing the fish's appearance, and basic save/load functionalist. My favorite part is a "randomize fish appearance" button! There are 3 goldfish varieties, 9 different marking patterns (which can be combined in 2 layers), and 12+ possible colors for each layer (the base fish color layer + 2 pattern layers). I feel like I spent a lot of time just endlessly clicking this button and enjoying the random variety/pattern/color combos. 🐠🌈 I also spent a lot of time manually drawing each layer for each variety. (There are 6 growth stages so for each pattern I wanted to add I needed to draw it for each growth stage for each variety.)
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Comment on The goon squad. Loneliness, porn’s next frontier, and the dream of endless masturbation. in ~life
feanne LinkOof. Guilty as charged!Nor can I so neatly separate the gooners as a whole from the rest of us. Think about it for a second: What are these gooners actually doing? Wasting hours each day consuming short-form video content. Chasing intensities of sensation across platforms. Parasocially fixating on microcelebrities who want their money. Broadcasting their love for those microcelebrities in public forums. Conducting bizarre self-experiments because someone on the internet told them to. In general, abjuring connective, other-directed pleasures for the comfort of staring at screens alone. Does any of this sound familiar? Do you maybe know some folks who get up to stuff like this?
Oof. Guilty as charged!
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Comment on Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton will be an "AI-first" company, with AI HR, AI R&D, in-game AI services in ~games
feanne (edited )LinkThe original press release linked in the title is in Korean. Here are a few articles discussing this announcement in English:...The original press release linked in the title is in Korean. Here are a few articles discussing this announcement in English:
https://www.escapistmagazine.com/news-krafton-shifting-to-ai-first-company/
https://gamerant.com/subnautica-2-publisher-ai-first-company-change/
Krafton is investing about $69.7 million on hardware for AI, and then $21 million annually on AI tools for its employees. They claim that the time and resources saved from AI use will allow them to do more gamedev.
My excitement for Subnautica 2 was already dampened by the ongoing conflict between Krafton and the original Subnautica studio co-founders. Hearing about "AI-first" development has just about killed my interest in it entirely. "AI HR" sounds like a nightmare too.
Oh well, I'm still enjoying the original Subnautica anyway.
Edit: Still nice to know that Subnautica 2 development apparently isn't using generative AI
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Subnautica 2 publisher Krafton will be an "AI-first" company, with AI HR, AI R&D, in-game AI services
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Comment on Nanoparticle vaccine shows cancer prevention and immunity in mice in ~health
feanne (edited )LinkThe original paper is here: Super-adjuvant nanoparticles for platform cancer vaccination - October 9, 2025 One of the authors of the paper apparently did an AMA on Reddit. (I don't know how to...UMass Amherst researchers have developed a groundbreaking nanoparticle-based cancer vaccine that prevented melanoma, pancreatic, and triple-negative breast cancers in mice—with up to 88% remaining tumor-free. The vaccine triggers a multi-pathway immune response, producing powerful T-cell activation and long-term immune memory that stops both tumor growth and metastasis. By combining cancer-specific antigens with a lipid nanoparticle “super adjuvant,” it overcomes key challenges in cancer immunotherapy.
The original paper is here: Super-adjuvant nanoparticles for platform cancer vaccination - October 9, 2025
One of the authors of the paper apparently did an AMA on Reddit. (I don't know how to verify this. Reddit username Gkane262626, signing comments as "Griffin", and there's an author named "Griffin I. Kane" credited in the paper.) Some of the interesting answers in the AMA thread:
Q: How much do you expect your results to translate to human trials? What differences with mice could come into play that would change the results?
A: That is always the billion dollar question in new drug development. The key to this nanoparticle system are the two payloads (a STING agonist and a TLR4 agonist). These molecules activate the immune system via specific pathway, and thus require recognition by specific cellular machinery (STING and TL4). The expression levels of this machinery vary from patient to patient, but are generally well expressed in all immune cells. If a patient cohort was low in STING/TLR4 expression, they may not be a likely responder. These immune responses are generated in the lymph nodes, which are decently recapitulated in mice compared to humans. Identification and selection of antigens will need to be human specific. And, of course, many drugs that have shown little to no toxicity in mouse modes have presented in clinical trials with uncontrollable adverse side effects. Sorting out the precise NP formulation that safely and effectively co-delivers these drugs will be the key. There is significant literature explaining the more precise challenges in animal-to-human translation. Each drug (and its regulatory path) often differs.-Griffin
Q: What stage of cancer was tested, and what are the possible implications for the ~80% of pancreatic cancers diagnosed as inoperable?
A: This paper presented a prophylactic vaccine, so preventative. Stay tuned for the next phase, which will entail therapeutic vaccination in tumor bearing patients!
Q: Are funding cuts in the US jeopardizing the next steps in this research?
A: Yes 10000% and this is of paramount importance. Progress by fundamental biology and engineering researchers is being hindered.
Q: How long until this could be commercially available?
A: No promises, but our feet are on the gas pedal. IND submission to FDA in the next 18-24 months.
Q: Your mouse data are preventive and use a very strong dual signal (STING + TLR4). Given that STING drugs have struggled for tolerability/efficacy in people and that lysate-style vaccines have a mixed past, how will your first-in-human trial de-risk those issues? Specifically: (1) which clinical setting will you pick first (post-surgery to prevent recurrence vs. active disease), (2) will you start with defined peptides rather than lysate to lower autoimmunity risk, (3) what biomarkers (e.g., STING/TLR4 activity) will you use to pre-select likely responders, and (4) how will you drive lymph-node activation without systemic inflammation (dose, route, or device)? What concrete ‘win’ signal in Phase 1 would convince you this can scale?
A: Great questions. First indications will likely include solid tumors patients, likely in combination with ICB therapy. We are actively narrowing the peptide pool and developing methods for screening TCRs that expand when lysate method is used (maybe new neoantigens?). Existing targets like KRAS are also of interest. STING and TLR4 expression levels in lymph nodes and tumors will be of high interest. Our NPs have been engineering to drain efficiently to lymph nodes and avoid accumulation in other peripheral organs (a major advantage to this tech). A win in phase 1 would be safe and efficacious with clear immunogenicity. Exact guidelines will be ironed out.
Most of the discussion is too technical for me to understand, so I don't know how excited I should be about this. I always see exciting headlines in cancer research, and of course any progress here is important. It still just feels like it's still a long way off from considering cancer to be an easily treatable / preventable / well-understood condition.
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Nanoparticle vaccine shows cancer prevention and immunity in mice
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Comment on Gimp Tutorial for Idiot? in ~comp
feanne (edited )LinkFree raster graphics editor available for Linux: https://pixieditor.net/ Free web-based raster graphics editors: https://www.photopea.com/ https://graphite.rs/ Pixieditor and Graphite are new and...Free raster graphics editor available for Linux:
https://pixieditor.net/Free web-based raster graphics editors:
https://www.photopea.com/
https://graphite.rs/Pixieditor and Graphite are new and quite interesting, they have node-based procedural graphic editing capabilities. Can be used for both vector and raster.
If you're just looking to make basic shapes/diagrams (like just a rectangle with an outline), online diagram editor https://draw.io/ may be adequate.
I hope you find the right one for you! Comfort with the UI really does make a difference for me with my own workflow.
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Comment on Gimp Tutorial for Idiot? in ~comp
feanne Link ParentJust a note that Affinity has stopped selling their software, at least for now. They posted a cryptic announcement about "creative freedom" arriving at the end of this month, and they've closed...Just a note that Affinity has stopped selling their software, at least for now. They posted a cryptic announcement about "creative freedom" arriving at the end of this month, and they've closed their store in the meantime. Folks are speculating that they may be moving to a subscription-based model and/or incorporating generative AI. (Personally I think it's not great for them to be act shady about their announcement, they should have just announced whatever it was straight up instead of making themselves look less trustworthy.)
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Comment on The Oatmeal: A cartoonist's review of AI art in ~comics
feanne Link ParentMy interpretation of the comment was that the distinction between "just imagery" and "art" is just shorthand for how much the beholder values the work. So the same thing that is "just imagery" to...My interpretation of the comment was that the distinction between "just imagery" and "art" is just shorthand for how much the beholder values the work. So the same thing that is "just imagery" to one beholder may be "art" to another.
Very nice, thanks for sharing! Here are some things I liked that I found through the map:
An interactive explanation of bezier curves
Random useless websites
The joy of silly useless software
Luna's gaming blog (cozy games) found via ooh blog directory
Illustrated diagram of the cozy web
Chia Amisola (artist and designer devoted to the internet)
Games by Neal