Thursday, July 3, 2008
Scientists create sea-power generating 'Anaconda'
New Antibiotic Beats Superbugs At Their Own Game
ScienceDaily (July 3, 2008) — The problem with antibiotics is that, eventually, bacteria outsmart them and become resistant. But by targeting the gene that confers such resistance, a new drug may be able to finally outwit them.
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Looking For The Founatain Of Youth? Cut Your Calories, Research Suggests
ScienceDaily (July 3, 2008) — Want to slow the signs of aging and live longer? New Saint Louis University research suggests cutting back on calories could be a promising strategy.
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Resveratrol, Found In Red Wine, Wards Off Effects Of Age On Heart, Bones, Eyes And Muscle
ScienceDaily (July 3, 2008) — Scientists have found that the compound resveratrol -- found in red wine and grape skin -- slows age-related deterioration and functional decline of mice on a standard diet, but does not increase longevity when started at middle age.
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Printed Optical Electronics Come Into View
ScienceDaily (July 3, 2008) — European researchers have taken a major step towards the goal of developing printable electronics that can be used for creating radio frequency identification tags and flexible watch displays.
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Sleep Problems Associated With Menopause Vary Among Ethnic Groups (Wite woman more likely)
ScienceDaily (July 3, 2008) — Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep increase as women go through menopause according to research by Rush University Medical Center. Waking up earlier than planned also increases through late perimenopause but decreases when women become postmenopausal. The study is published in the July 1 issue of the journal Sleep.
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National Downshifting Week, starting July 7th
Get ready for National Downshifting Week, next week, starting on July 7th, sponsored by Conscious Consuming.What is downshifting? Downshifting is "slowing down your pace, finding a better work/life balance, consequently embracing living with less and leading a simpler, greener and happier life." Downshifting can lead to greener living, as you start live more and work less, you may find yourself becoming more thrifty, cooking at home, buying second-hand and generally being more careful with your consumption.
The dates for National Downshifting week were chosen to coincide with the birthday of Henry David Thoreau, America's most famous downshifter.
Be sure to check out the 10 Tips for Downshifting Success! All about downshifting activities such as:
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Nanowire-based memory promises leap in storage capacity
Nanowires being used for memory is hardly a new idea, but a group of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania seem confident that they've found a way to leapfrog the competition, and shake up storage devices as we know them. Unlike other nanowire-based memory methods, their system employs a non-binary form of nanowire memory, which makes it possible to store three bit values (0, 1, and 2) instead of the usual two (0 and 1) -- crazy talk, we know. That, the researchers say, allows for a "huge increase" in memory density, with fewer nanowires needed to store the same amount of information as a binary nanowire-based memory system, which'd also make the actual devices smaller. Of course, that's assuming any of this stuff actually gets out of the lab, which seems to be a long ways off at best.[Thanks, Dwight]
Tyrant alarm clock dials your contacts if you refuse to wake
We've seen alarm clocks institute some fairly unorthodox methods of waking users up, but this is exceptionally high on the list of "oh, no they didn'ts." Alice Wang's Tyrant, which we can only assume is a concept, actually dials a random number in one's mobile contact list for every three minutes that the sleeper doesn't address the obnoxiously loud ringing. In other words, unless you pick yourself up out of bed within ten minutes of the alarm going off, you'll have three angry friends wondering why they're getting phone calls from you everyday at O-five-hundred hours. Brilliant. Pure, sadistic, barbarous brilliance.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
Are SSD Really More Power Efficient?
Posted by CmdrTaco on Wednesday July 02, @10:12AM
from the how-will-i-green-up-now dept.
from the how-will-i-green-up-now dept.
Bakasama writes "Tom's Hardware compared the power performance of several available SSD cards with a Rotating HDD that was chosen specifically for its poor power efficiency. The results seem to fly in the face of current wisdom. 'Flash-based solid state drives (SSDs) are considered to be the future of performance hard drives, and everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon. We are no exception, as we have been publishing many articles on flash-based SSDs during the last few months, emphasizing the performance gains and the potential power savings brought by flash memory. And there is nothing wrong with this, since SLC flash SSDs easily outperform conventional hard drives today (SLC = single level cell). However, we have discovered that the power savings aren't there: in fact, battery runtimes actually decrease if you use a flash SSD.'"
Palm-sized lab could detect food-borne diseases
There are literally entire stores devoted to devices that detect drink spiking (okay, maybe not stores), but what about those of us concerned over food-borne pathogens? A crew of European researchers are addressing said worries by "creating one of only two prototype systems in the world that prepare samples and perform DNA tests on bacteria in a portable, easy-to-use and cost-effective chip." Essentially, the EU-funded OptoLabCard project is aiming to concoct a small, disposable laboratory that humans could carry around and use to detect diseases such as campylobacter and salmonella before ingesting contaminated grub. Team members are suggesting that a commercial product could be ready to roll within three years, with prices for each "lab" reaching as low as $0.50. 'Til then, always make your buddy have the first bite.[Via Physorg]
Pricey Chemicals Gleaned From Biodiesel Waste
ScienceDaily (July 2, 2008) — In a move that promises to change the economics of biodiesel refining, chemical engineers at Rice University have unveiled a set of techniques for cleanly converting problematic biofuels waste into chemicals that fetch a profit.
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Cubing Potatoes Before Boiling Can Reduce Mineral Content By 75%
ScienceDaily (July 2, 2008) — The preparation of a potato can have a big impact on its mineral content, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists report in a new study of this popular vegetable.
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Eating Broccoli May Keep Prostate Cancer Away, Study Suggests
ScienceDaily (July 2, 2008) — Eating one or more portions of broccoli every week can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and the risk of localised cancer becoming more aggressive.
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Supplies of Rare Earth Elements Exhausted By 2017
Posted by kdawson on Wednesday July 02, @08:11AM
from the they-don't-call-them-rare-for-nothing dept.
from the they-don't-call-them-rare-for-nothing dept.
tomhudson writes "While we bemoan the current oil crisis, I ran across an editorial that led me to research a more immediate threat. Ramped-up production of flat-panel displays means the material to make them will be 'extinct' by 2017. This goes for other electronics as well. Quoting: 'The element gallium is in very short supply and the world may well run out of it in just a few years. Indium is threatened too, says Armin Reller, a materials chemist at Germany's University of Augsburg. He estimates that our planet's stock of indium will last no more than another decade. All the hafnium will be gone by 2017 also, and another twenty years will see the extinction of zinc. Even copper is an endangered item, since worldwide demand for it is likely to exceed available supplies by the end of the present century.' More links at the journal entry."
Benefits Of Green Tea In Reducing An Important Risk Factor For Heart Disease
ScienceDaily (July 2, 2008) — More evidence for the beneficial effect of green tea on risk factors for heart disease has emerged in a new study. The study found that the consumption of green tea rapidly improves the function of (endothelial) cells lining the circulatory system; endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the progression of atherosclerosis.
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Big surprise: trains save time, money, fuel
Trains aren't just for cattle and vengeful gunslingers anymore. Amid concern about climate change and stratospheric fuel prices, the quintessential 19th century mode of transport may be ready to make a comeback.
The 7th annual Congestion Relief Index says that if 1/4 of US freight currently carried by trucks were shifted to rail by 2026, the average American would save of 41 hours of travel time and $985 in gas money annually. What's more, it's estimated that such a change could keep about 920,000 tons of pollutants out of the air each year.
Most of the predicted benefits would derive from reducing congestion on roads and highways, thereby reducing time and fuel spent idling in traffic.
One caveat: the study was backed by the Association of American Railroads, who may not be entirely objective on this issue.
via [Green Tech Blog]
9 Reasons Why Developers Think the CIO Is Clueless
Posted by CmdrTaco on Tuesday July 01, @06:51PM
from the wearing-underwear-outside-pants-doesn't-help dept.
from the wearing-underwear-outside-pants-doesn't-help dept.
Esther Schindler writes "Finally, a Forrester analyst who understands the attitudes of software developers. Mike Gualtieri identifies nine behaviors managers need to steer clear of or risk being labeled "clueless" — from control freak tendencies to being a vendor puppet. My favorite, however, is point #8: "the CIO collaborates to death," in which Gualtieri opines, "And, if you never watched Star Trek then you shouldn't even be a CIO.""
PC Repair In Texas Now Requires a PI License
Posted by CmdrTaco on Tuesday July 01, @07:59PM
from the lumberjack-requires-scuba-license-too dept.
from the lumberjack-requires-scuba-license-too dept.
JohnnyNapalm writes "In some shocking news out of Texas, PC repair will now require a PI License. Surely this stands to have a substantial impact on small repair shops around the state if upheld. Never fear, however, as the first counter-suit has already been filed."
Biodegradable motor oil made from cow fat?
A biodegradable motor oil from cow fat sounds wonderful doesn't it! Just imagine the possibilities when it comes to something like this. There would be a reduction in our dependence on foreign oils. The environmental impact from waste oil would be eliminated. It's like a grand utopia of self-reliance and green pastures filled with dancing cows and unicorns and rainbows and.... wait.The fact is, a biodegradable motor oil would be fantastic, but that's not the whole story. When this oil is extracted from cows, that means there's yet another reason to keep them locked up in pens and harvested for the sake of consumerism. So boo for that. This new oil (which comes out this fall) is not for our cars and trucks, but it's for small 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines, which frankly need all the help they can get in the eco-friendly department.
If this sounds like something you think you might be interested in, head on over to the website of Green Earth Technologies for a full product listing.
TV Viewers' Average Age Hits 50 Years Old
Posted by CmdrTaco on Tuesday July 01, @09:08PM
from the hey-i'm-almost-that-old-now dept.
from the hey-i'm-almost-that-old-now dept.
Ant writes "Variety reports on a recent study that says TV viewership's median age is outside the 18-49 years demographic: "The broadcast networks have grown older than ever — if they were a person, they wouldn't even be a part of TV's target demo anymore." These totals exclude DVR users, and apparently the oldest since they started tracking it. Of course you know what the means... TV is for old people! The internet has confirmed it.
The Scream Aliens Hear From the Earth
Posted by kdawson on Wednesday July 02, @05:48AM
from the ice-cream dept.
from the ice-cream dept.
onehitwonder writes "Astronomers have discovered that the Earth emits awful, ear-piercing chirps and whistles that could be heard by any aliens who might be listening, according to an article up at Space.com. The sounds are created by charged particles from the solar wind colliding with Earth's magnetic field. This article explains more about the sounds and links to an audio recording of it."
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Roundest Object In the World Created
Posted by CmdrTaco on Tuesday July 01, @09:19AM
from the boobs-boobs-boobs dept.
from the boobs-boobs-boobs dept.
holy_calamity writes "An international research group has created the most perfect spheres ever made, in a bid to pin down a definition of the kilogram. It should be possible to count exactly the number of atoms in one of the roughly 9cm silicon spheres to define the unit. Currently the kilogram is defined only by a 120-year-old lump of platinum in Paris, but its mass is changing relative to copies held elsewhere. Other SI units have more systematic definitions."
Chicken theft on the rise in Britain
When celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, began a highly visible campaign encouraging his fellow countrymen to only buy free range chickens, many Brits answered the call. A fair number of citizens even built chicken coops in their backyards to establish their own free-range food source. Consequently, the demand for fowl is on the rise and there is an actual shortage occurring. Where there are shortages, there are black markets and a rise of the dreaded chicken rustler.An estimated 1500 birds have been stolen so far from livestock breeders. Purebred birds like Orpingtons, Marans and Welsummers are in especially high demand and can be sold to first time buyers at a premium -- because first time buyers like pretty birds. It is not uncommon for a single purebred chicken to sell for 100 pounds.
Over 300,000 Britains raise chickens. That's a lot of free range eggs. With the market growing, theft is not expected to diminish.
Monday, June 30, 2008
FBI's New Eye Scan Database Raising Eyebrows
Posted by timothy on Monday June 30, @01:06PM
from the trust-us-we're-from-the-government dept.
from the trust-us-we're-from-the-government dept.
mattnyc99 writes "The FBI has confirmed to Popular Mechanics that it's not only adding palm prints to its criminal records, but preparing to balloon its repository of photos, which an agency official says 'could be the basis for our facial recognition.' It's all part of a new biometric software system that could store millions of iris scans within 10 years and has privacy advocates crying foul. Quoting: 'The FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) system, which could cost as much as $1 billion over its 10-year life cycle, will create an unprecedented database of biometric markers, such as facial images and iris scans. For criminal investigators, NGI could be as useful as DNA some day — a distinctive scar or a lopsided jaw line could mean the difference between a cold case and closed one. And for privacy watchdogs, it's a dual threat — seen as a step toward a police state, and a gold mine of personal data waiting to be plundered by cybercriminals.'"
Climate Change Causing Significant Shift In Composition Of Coastal Fish Communities
ScienceDaily (June 30, 2008) — A detailed analysis of data from nearly 50 years of weekly fish-trawl surveys in Narragansett Bay and adjacent Rhode Island Sound has revealed a long-term shift in species composition, which scientists attribute primarily to the effects of global warming.
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Heavy Birthweight Increases Risk Of Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis
ScienceDaily (June 30, 2008) — People who have a birthweight over 10 pounds are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis when they are adults compared to individuals born with an average birthweight, according to a study published by researchers from Hospital for Special Surgery online in advance of print in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. While the mechanism for this association is unclear, the study identifies a potentially modifiable risk factor and highlights a potential way to decrease the incidence of the disease.
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Tick And Mosquito Repellent Can Be Made Commercially From Pine Oil
ScienceDaily (June 30, 2008) — A naturally-occurring compound prepared from pine oil that seems to deter mosquito biting and repels two kinds of ticks has been found by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists.
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The Meatrix: It's got the Pork Board a little worried
Last year the National Pork Board's media arm, Pork Checkoff, did a survey of none to 14-year olds. They were wondering whether kids were seeing online anti-feedlot content. PETA kids, the Humane Society and the Meatrix videos were a few of the sites and videos they asked about.
What they found was concerning. While not too many kids were looking at PETA Kids, and even those that were terribly impacted, the kids who saw the Meatrix had highly negative perceptions of feedlots. The Meatrix is a spoof on the Matrix. It was originally created as a viral video in 2003 by Sustainable Table. The target was never kids, but in the triology's five years of life on the net, it's ended up in college classrooms, high schools and, of course, YouTube.
So Pork Checkoff decided it was time to counter-attack. It started making its own YouTube videos about the care feedlot farmers take with their pigs. For now the videos target moms, but they intend to distribute more videos that will be marketed to both moms and kids.
What they found was concerning. While not too many kids were looking at PETA Kids, and even those that were terribly impacted, the kids who saw the Meatrix had highly negative perceptions of feedlots. The Meatrix is a spoof on the Matrix. It was originally created as a viral video in 2003 by Sustainable Table. The target was never kids, but in the triology's five years of life on the net, it's ended up in college classrooms, high schools and, of course, YouTube.
So Pork Checkoff decided it was time to counter-attack. It started making its own YouTube videos about the care feedlot farmers take with their pigs. For now the videos target moms, but they intend to distribute more videos that will be marketed to both moms and kids.
Your Online Profile Actually Tells a Lot About You
Posted by timothy on Sunday June 29, @09:43PM
from the explains-my-dating-life dept.
from the explains-my-dating-life dept.
An anonymous reader writes "Despite all the media reports that your Facebook profile is giving the wrong impression, a psychological study shows people really can understand your personality from your online profile. Turns out you're not giving the wrong impression with your profile; you're giving the right impression to the wrong people. You can actually learn more about someone's Agreeableness from their online profile than from a first date."
Fisheries, Not Whales, To Blame For Shortage Of Fish
ScienceDaily (June 30, 2008) — The argument that increasing whale populations are behind declining fish stocks is completely without scientific foundation, leading researchers and conservation organizations said today as the International Whaling Commission opened its 60th meeting in Santiago, Chile.
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Inadequate Sleep May Exacerbate Cellular Aging In The Elderly, Animal Study Suggests
ScienceDaily (June 30, 2008) — Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have shown that the unfolded protein response, which is a reaction to stress induced by sleep deprivation, is impaired in the brains of old mice.
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Renewable Oil
Interesting article concerning genetically modified bugs that can now produce oil...
Scientists find bugs that eat waste and excrete petrol - Times Online: "‘Ten years ago I could never have imagined I’d be doing this,’ says Greg Pal, 33, a former software executive, as he squints into the late afternoon Californian sun. ‘I mean, this is essentially agriculture, right? But the people I talk to – especially the ones coming out of business school – this is the one hot area everyone wants to get into.’ He means bugs. To be more precise: the genetic alteration of bugs – very, very small ones – so that when they feed on agricultural waste such as woodchips or wheat straw, they do something extraordinary. They excrete crude oil. Unbelievably, this is not science fiction. Mr Pal holds up a small beaker of bug excretion that could, theoretically, be poured into the tank of the giant Lexus SUV next to us. Not that Mr Pal is willing to risk it just yet. He gives it a month before the first vehicle is filled up on what he calls ‘renewable petroleum’. After that, he grins, ‘it’s a brave new world’."
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