DNA computer 'calculates square roots' (...make decisions, and take actions at the chemical level.)

BBC ^ | June 2, 2011 | Jason Palmer

[decimon]

Researchers have shown off a "DNA computer" of unprecedented complexity, which can calculate square roots.

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For example, it was used to calculate the square root of a four-bit number, but the process took between six and 10 hours.

However, Professor Winfree said that contrary to conventional electronics, the goal is not just high speeds.

"We are no longer pursuing the goal targeted by Len Adleman's original DNA computing experiment: to compete with silicon by using the massive parallelism of chemistry to solve combinatorial problems in mathematics," he explained.

"Instead, our goal is now - and has been for many years - to enrich chemistry itself so that molecular behaviours can be programmed.

"We'd like to make chemical systems that can probe their molecular environments, process chemical signals, make decisions, and take actions at the chemical level."

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[decimon]

Why does Romney have a “play” button on his mouth?

You're missing the symbolism. That's an arrow pointing to his left and it's over his mouth.

[Still Thinking]

Ah, sort of an incarnation of everything that emerges from his mouth, since it all boils down to “move to the left” anyway? LOL

[Still Thinking]

Or maybe it’s for the other primary contenders and it means “Please move to MY left, so I can appear to be the conservative candidate!”