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."

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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?"

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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.

Record-breaking 2011 Lake Erie algae bloom may be sign of things to come

Record-breaking 2011 Lake Erie algae bloom may be sign of things to come: The largest harmful algae bloom in Lake Erie's recorded history was likely caused by the confluence of changing farming practices and weather conditions that are expected to become more common in the future due to climate change.

Tests to predict heart problems and stroke may be more useful predictor of memory loss than dementia tests

Tests to predict heart problems and stroke may be more useful predictor of memory loss than dementia tests: Risk prediction tools that estimate future risk of heart disease and stroke may be more useful predictors of future decline in cognitive abilities, or memory and thinking, than a dementia risk scores, according to a new study.

Ask Slashdot: How To Stay Ahead of Phone Tracking ?

Ask Slashdot: How To Stay Ahead of Phone Tracking ?: An anonymous reader writes "In the last few years there has been a significant upsurge in subverting the cellular network for law enforcement purposes. Besides old school tapping, phones are have become the ideal informant: they can report a fairly accurate location and can be remotely turned into covert listening devices. This is often done without a warrant. How can I default the RF transmitter to off, be notified when the network is paging my IMSI and manually re-enable it (or not) if I opt to acknowledge the incoming call or SMS? How do I prevent GPS data from ever being gathered or sent ?"

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Most Dangerous Object in the Office: The Rocket-Propelled Ikaros Line Thrower

Most Dangerous Object in the Office: The Rocket-Propelled Ikaros Line Thrower: Ever since this $599 rope grenade, er, maritime rescue device came in, we've been dreaming about zip-lining out the window to escape boring meetings.

Dangers of surveillance: It's bad, but why?

Dangers of surveillance: It's bad, but why?: Surveillance is everywhere, from street corner cameras to the subject of books and movies. “We talk a lot about why surveillance is bad, but we don’t really know why,” says Neil Richards, JD, privacy law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. “We only have a vague intuition about it, which is why courts don’t protect it. We know we don’t like it, and that it has something to do with privacy, but beyond that, the details can be fuzzy.” Richards’ new article on the topic, “The Danger of Surveillance,” will be published in the next issue of the Harvard Law Review.

Our internal clocks can become ticking time bombs for diabetes and obesity

Our internal clocks can become ticking time bombs for diabetes and obesity: If you're pulling and all-nighter to finish a term paper, a new parent up all night with a fussy baby, or simply can't sleep like you once could, then you may be snoozing on good health.

Air Force Wants New Energy Weapons to Cause Non-Lethal 'Bioeffects'

Air Force Wants New Energy Weapons to Cause Non-Lethal 'Bioeffects': Here's what the Air Force is preparing to spend $49 million discovering: how directed energy weapons can "identify critical biochemical or molecular changes." Which could make for better weapons.

Can meditation make you a more compassionate person?

Can meditation make you a more compassionate person?: Scientists have mostly focused on the benefits of meditation for the brain and the body, but a recent study takes a look at what impacts meditation has on interpersonal harmony and compassion.

Limited-Edition Jar Jar Binks Thumbdrive Costs You Nerd Cred

Limited-Edition Jar Jar Binks Thumbdrive Costs You Nerd Cred: The most hated Star Wars character ever is coming to a USB port near you. For reals this time.

Swarming robots could be the servants of the future

Swarming robots could be the servants of the future: Swarms of robots acting together to carry out jobs could provide new opportunities for humans to harness the power of machines.

Prekindergarten program boosts children's skills

Prekindergarten program boosts children's skills: Boston Public Schools' prekindergarten program is substantially improving children's readiness to start kindergarten, according to a new study of more than 2,000 children enrolled there. The program uses research-based curricula and teacher coaching, is taught primarily by masters-level teachers, and is open to any child. This study suggests that efforts to increase the enrollment of underrepresented Latino children in high-quality prekindergarten programs, such as the one studied here, may be beneficial.

Marital conflict causes stress in children, may affect cognitive development

Marital conflict causes stress in children, may affect cognitive development: Marital conflict is a significant source of environmental stress for children. Witnessing such conflict may harm their stress response systems, affecting their mental and intellectual development. Research findings suggest that stress from marital conflict can hinder children's development of cognitive ability.

Corvette Racer Avoids Crashes With Trick Radar Tech

Corvette Racer Avoids Crashes With Trick Radar Tech: When the No. 4 Corvette C6.R beat out a field of Ferraris, Porsches and Vipers at the 12 Hours of Sebring earlier this month, the 'Vette had a leg up on the competition. It wasn't extra horsepower or super-sticky tires that gave the drivers an advantage, but a handful of sensors and a PC running Linux.

Bees Communicate With Electric Fields

Bees Communicate With Electric Fields: sciencehabit writes "The electric fields that build up on honey bees as they fly, flutter their wings, or rub body parts together may allow the insects to talk to each other, a new study suggests. Tests show that the electric fields, which can be quite strong, deflect the bees' antennae, which, in turn, provide signals to the brain through specialized organs at their bases. Antenna deflections induced by an electrically charged honey bee wing are about 10 times the size of those that would be caused by airflow from the wing fluttering at the same distance—a sign that electrical fields could be an important signal."

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Building Better Body Armor With Nanofoams

Building Better Body Armor With Nanofoams: Zothecula writes "Given that scientists are already looking to sea sponges as an inspiration for body armor, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that foam is also being considered ... not just any foam, though. Unlike regular foam, specially-designed nanofoams could someday not only be used in body armor, but also to protect buildings from explosions."

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