Friday, October 12, 2012

Brain scans predict children's reading ability

Brain scans predict children's reading ability: New research can identify the neural structures associated with poor reading skills in young children, and could lead to an early warning system for struggling students.

Air Force Lab Test Out "Aircraft Surfing" Technique To Save Fuel

Air Force Lab Test Out "Aircraft Surfing" Technique To Save Fuel:



coondoggie writes "It's not a totally new concept, but the Air Force is testing the idea of flying gas-guzzling cargo aircraft inline allowing the trailing aircraft to utilize the cyclonic energy coming off the lead plane — a concept known as vortex surfing — over long distances to save large amounts of fuel. According to an Air force release, a series of recent test flights involving two aircraft at a time, let the trailing aircraft surf the vortex of the lead aircraft, positioning itself in the updraft to get additional lift without burning extra fuel."




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Google Maps Gets Massive Street View Update

Google Maps Gets Massive Street View Update:
SternisheFan writes "Google Maps has been updated with what's described as the 'biggest ever" increase in Street View photography, with more than 250,000 miles of road around the world gaining street-level imagery. Street View coverage has been boosted in eleven countries, with new 'special collections' of photography, giving more insight into particular landmarks. Google has also sent its cameras inside some landmarks, so you can now step into Kronborg castle in Denmark, for instance. The search giant uses a combination of Street View photography cars, bikes, and even individually-work camera backpacks to gather its footage. Support for viewing Street View on mobile devices has been contentious in recent weeks, with Apple's decision to oust Google Maps from iOS 6 and replace it with its own Apple Maps app. Google re-added access by updating its webapp, however, and has promised a native version of Google Maps for iOS by the end of the year."




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Roth Ceramic Subwoofer Drops That Bass

Roth Ceramic Subwoofer Drops That Bass: In an age of throw-away Ikea furniture, artist-branded headphones and smartphones with the shelf life of soft cheese, finding gadgets you'll cherish and pass down to your children is tough. Industrial designer Joey Roth is here to help.