Friday, September 5, 2008
Got the e-mail that my copy of Spore shipped!
News from the Japanese banking world
Following last week's news that Origami Bank had folded, we are hearing that
Sumo Bank has gone belly up, and Bonsai Bank plans to cut back some of its branches.
Karaoke Bank is up for sale, and it is (you guessed it!) going for a song.
Meanwhile, shares in Kamikaze Bank have nose-dived, and 500 back-office staff at
Karate Bank got the chop. Analysts report that there is something fishy going on at
Sushi Bank, and staff there fear they may get a raw deal.
Every Satellite Tracked In Realtime Via Google Earth
Posted by kdawson on Friday September 05, @09:12AM
Pittsburg Alzimers reaserch Center
Seinfeld and Gates pair up for intense shoe-fitting session, cryptic advertisement
by Paul Miller, posted Sep 4th 2008 at 9:51PM
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Bisphenol-A: Maybe not-so-safe after all
by PATRICIA MAYVILLE-COX
Sep 4th 2008 @ 9:30AM
Filed under: Health, Kids and Parenting
However, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) begs to differ. The National Toxicology Program is a division of the National Institutes of Health. The National Toxicology Program has rated the chemical as a "three" or of "some concern" on a five-point scale, with five representing "very concerned."
The NTP panel looked at the chemical's effects on reproduction and development, including looking at lab animal studies. While the FDA is the regulator of chemicals in food, it says it will take the NTP findings into account when it meets again this month to discuss bisphenol-A.
What to do? Again, it's up to you. While bisphenol-A is found in many places, baby bottles might be the most disturbing. If you do need to use a baby bottle, there are plenty of bisphenol-A- free options out there. The choice is yours, for now.
[Via Daily Green]
Brain Cells Observed Summoning a Memory
Posted by timothy on Friday September 05, @01:29AM
The Electronic Bastille
Posted by timothy on Friday September 05, @04:19AM
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Redesigned, Bulkier Honda Insight to Challenge Prius
Journal written by u-bend (1095729) and posted by timothy on Thursday September 04, @10:36PM
School bus driver circles Brooklyn for 5 hours
by JOSH LOPOSER
Sep 4th 2008 @ 3:30PM
Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Activism
That's right, after picking up about a dozen first graders and kindergartners from the Achievement First Brownsville Charter School, a Brooklyn bus driver 'got lost' and circled the borough for a grand total of 5 hours. When police finally apprehended the wayward driver, they arrested him. Not for wasting tons of diesel fuel -- though that might please some of us -- but for just being dangerously weird.
I guess we may never know what he was thinking, or why he refused to stop and get directions, but I have a well thought-out theory: he's one of these energy-waster activists, here to destroy the planet.
What Michael Jackson Should Look Like
I think this is genius. The Daily Mail has printed pics of what the Thriller-star should look like if he hadn’t taken a surgical knife to the face. Apparently, they took old pics of the famous moonwalker and used PC’s to age Michael’s mug appropriately.
Of course, my only question is why stop there when there are so many other stars to expose. If I had access to this wonderfultechnology (and enough cash on hand), I’d be commissioning a whole slew of un-botoxed, un-plastic surgeried, and definitely un-Toupeed celeb pics, and then use them to create a giant matching quiz. Link via the ever-addictive Gawker.
Secret Wii recovery mode discovered, allows backup disks to run
by Nilay Patel, posted Sep 4th 2008 at 12:24PM
[Thanks, brakken]
The Netherlands readies for rising sea levels
by JOSH LOPOSER
Sep 4th 2008 @ 11:00AM
Filed under: Local, Climate Change
New studies show that the Netherlands are facing a 1.3 meter rising in sea level over the next century. That means the Dutch have to both build up their 350km of coastline while at the same time dredge out canals and build up dikes. In financial terms, that means they need to invest about $2.9B annually for the next few decades to have a fighting chance of keeping their cities -- which produce 65% of the nation's income -- above water.
Authorities have recommended a long term independent "Delta Fund" -- feed by natural gas income and state bonds -- to pay for the seemingly endless building project.
Gallery: Holding Back the Sea
Should IT Unionize?
Posted by CmdrTaco on Thursday September 04, @10:19AM
Dolphin Inspired Mini-sub
Japan's solar ships
by CHRISTINA CLARK
Sep 4th 2008 @ 8:25AM
Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Alternative Energy
The companies plan to put a solar panel capable of generating 40 kilowatts of power on the 60,000 ton ship. A solar panel placed on a house generates something like 3.5 kilowatts. The panel could help to conserve 6.5% of the fuel oil the ship uses to power its diesel engines.
Developers have to work to find solutions for potential damage from salt and vibrations on board the ship. They hope to have the first panels in place by December and commercial solution available in the next three to five years.
The 6.5% savings doesn't seem like a lot, until you consider the scale of the operation. On a ship that large, a 6.5% savings on fuel oil is probably enough to run a fleet of the Toyotas it is carrying.
[Via CleanTechnica]
GOOGLE'S BRIN SAYS CHROME HEADED TO ANDROID, PROBABLY
by Thomas Ricker, posted Sep 4th 2008 at 8:05AM
[Thanks, Coral]
Emu on the PA turnpike
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Virtual Telescope Zooms In On Milky Way Black Hole
Posted by samzenpus on Thursday September 04, @03:04AM
PHILIPS WAKE-UP LIGHT SIMULATES SUNRISE, STILL CAN'T CALL IN SICK FOR YOU
by Darren Murph, posted Sep 3rd 2008 at 11:22AM
[Via UberReview]
Update: Seems this has been around for at least a bit in some parts of Europe. Share the love!
Google's new browser "Chrome" Beta
Nearly Half Of US Adults Will Develop Painful Knee Osteoarthritis By Age 85: Study
Read More
Substance Found In Fruits And Vegetables Reduces Likelihood Of The Flu
Read More
Zombie Network Explosion
User Charged With Taking ISP Tech Hostage
from the to-kidnap-or-not-to-kidnap dept.
More Daytime Sleeping Predicts Less Recovery During Rehabilitation For Older Adults
Read More
Dashing Computer Interface To Control Your Car
Read More
All Types Of Antipsychotic Drugs Increase The Risk Of Stroke, Study Finds
Read More
New Sensory Devices To Aid Parkinson’s And Stroke Patients Under Development
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Reading Google Chrome's Fine Print
from the here-be-tygers dept.
Playing, And Even Watching, Sports Improves Brain Function
Read More
Heavy Trucks: Safety Research Identifies Factors That Lead To Loss Of Control, Accidents
Read More
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Battling Diabetes With Beta Cells
ScienceDaily (Sep. 3, 2008) — Scientists replicate insulin-producing cells, providing new hope for diabetics. Affecting eight percent of America’s population, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, strokes and heart disease. Thanks to Tel Aviv University researchers, a new cure -- based on advances in cell therapy -- may be within reach.