Don't call it vaporware: Scientists use cloud of atoms as optical memory device

Don't call it vaporware: Scientists use cloud of atoms as optical memory device: Scientists have taken this to a whole new level by demonstrating that they can store visual images within quite an ethereal memory device -- a thin vapor of rubidium atoms. The effort may prove helpful in creating memory for quantum computers.

Ancient pool of warm water questions current climate models

Ancient pool of warm water questions current climate models: A huge pool of warm water that stretched out from Indonesia over to Africa and South America four million years ago suggests climate models might be too conservative in forecasting tropical changes. Present in the Pliocene era, this giant mass of water would have dramatically altered rainfall in the tropics, possibly even removing the monsoon. Its decay and the consequential drying of East Africa may have been a factor in Hominid evolution. The missing data for this phenomenon could have significant implications when predicting the future climate.

Laser light zaps away cocaine addiction

Laser light zaps away cocaine addiction: By stimulating one part of the brain with laser light, researchers have shown that they can wipe away addictive behavior in rats -- or conversely turn non-addicted rats into compulsive cocaine seekers.

Disney Kills Star Wars 1313, Lays Off LucasArts Staff

Disney Kills Star Wars 1313, Lays Off LucasArts Staff: Lucasfilm said today that it will cease internal game development at LucasArts, following the company's acquisition by Disney in November.

Dementia costs top those for heart disease or cancer, study finds

Dementia costs top those for heart disease or cancer, study finds: The most-detailed examination of the costs of dementia in the United States finds the disease is more costly to the nation than either heart disease or cancer. The analysis suggests that the costs of dementia could more than double by 2040 if the rate of the disease remains constant as the nation's population continues to grow older.

Why Aren't Android Users Actually Using Their Handsets?

Why Aren't Android Users Actually Using Their Handsets?: Marketshare-wise, Android is crushing iOS. But if you look at actual usage stats, that relationship is completely flip-flopped. And that?s weird.

Damaging effects of unemployment and unexpected wealth losses on mobility and economic security

Damaging effects of unemployment and unexpected wealth losses on mobility and economic security: A new study examines how American families cope with unexpected financial setbacks and how those periods of economic uncertainty draw down financial resources. The report studies families across race and income levels, revealing different experiences resulting from unemployment and the difficult choices many of them face.

Could playing 'boys' games help girls in science and math?

Could playing 'boys' games help girls in science and math?: A new review finds that men still have better spatial ability than women and  this may be explained by gender-role identification.

A model predicts that the world's populations will stop growing in 2050

A model predicts that the world's populations will stop growing in 2050: Global population data spanning the years from 1900 to 2010 have enabled a research team to predict that the number of people on Earth will stabilize around the middle of the century.

Highest efficiency in black solar cells ever: 18.7%

Highest efficiency in black solar cells ever: 18.7%: Scientists report an efficiency of 18.7% for black silicon solar cells, the highest efficiency reported so far for a black silicon solar cell.

Hubble breaks record in search for farthest supernova

Hubble breaks record in search for farthest supernova: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has found the farthest supernova so far of the type used to measure cosmic distances. Supernova UDS10Wil, nicknamed SN Wilson after American President Woodrow Wilson, exploded more than 10 billion years ago.

Used parachute on Mars flaps in the wind

Used parachute on Mars flaps in the wind: Photos from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show how the parachute that helped NASA's Curiosity rover land on Mars last summer has subsequently changed its shape on the ground.

Ancient gold ring which may have inspired Tolkien

Ancient gold ring which may have inspired Tolkien:
There is a buzz in Tolkiendom right now about a gold ring dating from Roman times, which may have given Tolkien a seed of an idea for his own ’One Ring’.  The ancient ring, found in 1785 in a field which was a Roman archaeological site in Silchester, Hampshire, UK, was associated with a ‘curse tablet’, cursing the man whom the original owner accused of stealing the gold trinket.   Archeologist Sir Mortimer Wheeler, investigating the wording of the curse, consulted with Tolkien about the ring in 1929; and that conversation may have been part of Tolkien’s inspiration to create his own magic ring.
The Roman artifact is now being shown in a new display at National Trust property The Vyne, also in Hampshire.  The display includes a first edition of The Hobbit, and was arranged with the help of the Tolkien Trust.  You can read more about this fascinating item, including an excellent explanation of the associated curse,  in this article from the Guardian newspaper, here.  Further articles can be found here and here.
Thanks to all who wrote in to tell us about this one ring!

Search for dark matter: Experiment measures antimatter excess in cosmic ray flux

Search for dark matter: Experiment measures antimatter excess in cosmic ray flux: The international team running the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) today announced the first results in its search for dark matter. They report the observation of an excess of positrons in the cosmic ray flux. The results are consistent with the positrons originating from the annihilation of dark matter particles in space, but not yet sufficiently conclusive to rule out other explanations.

Ionic thrusters generate efficient propulsion in air

Ionic thrusters generate efficient propulsion in air: Thrusters powered by ionic wind may be an efficient alternative to conventional atmospheric propulsion technologies. When a current passes between two electrodes -- one thinner than the other -- it creates a wind in the air between. If enough voltage is applied, the resulting wind can produce a thrust without the help of motors or fuel. Researchers have now found that ionic thrusters may be a far more efficient source of propulsion than conventional jet engines.

Stop 'bad guys with guns' by implementing good policies

Stop 'bad guys with guns' by implementing good policies: The National Rifle Association has put forward a National Shield School Proposal which supports the placement of armed security in all schools. A new review attempts to find a balanced and unbiased view of the facts within this heated and emotional debate.

Rising temperature difference between hemispheres could dramatically shift rainfall patterns in tropics

Rising temperature difference between hemispheres could dramatically shift rainfall patterns in tropics: One often ignored consequence of global climate change is that the Northern Hemisphere is becoming warmer than the Southern Hemisphere, which could significantly alter tropical precipitation patterns, according to a new study by climatologists.

Feeling hungry may protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease

Feeling hungry may protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease: A study in mice with genetic mutations seen in human Alzheimer's disease found that the feeling of hunger itself may protect against the disease.

Cyber Criminals Tying Up Emergency Phone Lines Through TDoS Attacks, DHS Warns

Cyber Criminals Tying Up Emergency Phone Lines Through TDoS Attacks, DHS Warns: tsamsoniw writes "Emergency-service providers and other organizations are being targeted with TDoS (telephony denial of service) attacks, according to a security alert (PDF) from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, obtained by security expert Brian Krebs. TDoS attacks use high volumes of automated calls to tie up target phone systems, halting incoming and outgoing calls. Perpetrators are using the attacks to extort cash from target organizations, who receive a call from a representative from a purported payday loan company, who demands payment of $5,000 for an outstanding debt — usually speaking in an unspecified 'strong accent.'"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Judge Rules That Resale of MP3s Violates Copyright Law

Judge Rules That Resale of MP3s Violates Copyright Law: Redigi runs a service that lets you resell your digitally purchased music. Naturally, they were sued by major labels soon after going live, with heavyweights like Google weighing in with support and an initial victory against pre-trial injunctions. But the first actual court ruling is against them. Pikoro writes "A judge has sided with Capitol Records in the lawsuit between the record company and ReDigi — ruling that MP3s can only be resold if granted permission by copyright owners. From the article: 'The Order is surprising in light of last month's United States Supreme Court decision in Kirtsaeng v. Wiley & Sons, which reaffirmed the importance and applicability of the First Sale Doctrine in the United States of America.'" Redigi vows to appeal, and claims that the current version of their service is not affected by the lawsuit.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries

A longer life for lithium-sulfur batteries: Electric cars have still got it tough in the German marketplace. They are too expensive and their range is too short. This is an opportune time for a breakthrough in efficient and low-cost lithium-sulfur batteries.

The hunt for the creative individual

The hunt for the creative individual: Some people are more creative than others and are literally bubbling with ideas, while others rarely or never show signs of creativity. What should we look for when searching for creative people?

Cancer drugs an unexpected ally in the battle against malaria

Cancer drugs an unexpected ally in the battle against malaria: Scientists tested the efficacy of cancer drugs at killing the malaria parasite during the liver phase with astonishing success. This research paves the way for future studies using cancer drugs that could cause less drug resistance and have more targeted treatments than conventional malaria drugs.

Valve Starts Publishing Packages For Its Own Linux Distribution

Valve Starts Publishing Packages For Its Own Linux Distribution: An anonymous reader writes "In preparation for the "Steam Box" game console that will make necessary their own Linux-based software platform, Valve developers have started publishing Debian packages for their platform which looks like their first-generation operating system will be derived from Ubuntu 12.04.2 LTS. So far the packages being published include a new "Plymouth" boot splash screen as the operating system loads, a Steam desktop wallpaper, auto-updating system scripts, and experimental NVIDIA Linux graphics drivers."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Google Glass and Surveillance Culture

Google Glass and Surveillance Culture: Nerval's Lobster writes "Tech journalist Milo Yiannopoulos asks the question lurking in everyone's mind about Google Glass. ;It's an audacious product for a company no one trusts to behave responsibly with our data: a pair of glasses that can monitor and record the world around you,' he writes. 'But if Glass becomes as ubiquitous as the iPhone, are we truly to believe that Google will not attempt to abuse that remarkable power?' With each new eyebrow-raising court judgment and federal fine levied against Google, he adds, 'it becomes ever more clear that this is a company hell-bent on innovating first and asking questions later, if ever. And its vision, shared with other California technology companies, is of corporate America redefining societal privacy norms in the service of advertising companies and their clients.' He feels that Google will eventually end up in some sort of court battle over Google Glass and privacy. Do you agree? Does Google Glass deserve extra scrutiny before it hits the market?"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Esophageal cancer risk may be reduced through a variety of lifestyle factors -- from taking aspirin to losing belly fat

Esophageal cancer risk may be reduced through a variety of lifestyle factors -- from taking aspirin to losing belly fat: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is home to the Seattle Barrett's Esophagus Program, a multidisciplinary effort conducted in collaboration with researchers at Brigham & Women’s College and the University of California at San Francisco. This research team has shown that a systematic approach to early cancer detection can boost five-year survival rates from about 15 percent to more than 80 percent.