Neuroscience in future military conflict, on the cutting edge of medical science should remember that their work could have other, more harmful uses.
It sounds like science fiction warfare. But directed energy weapons that use wave beams to cause pain, and electrical brain stimulation that boosts a soldier’s combat ability are advances in neuroscience are on the horizon.
Continue reading… “Neuroscience could assist soldiers in the future”
Unmanned drones controlled by remote operators on the ground will fly in the same airspace as airliners, cargo planes, business jets and private aircraft.
A final congressional bill was approved Monday to speed the nation’s switch from radar to an air traffic control system based on GPS technology, and to open U.S. skies to unmanned drone flights within four years.
Continue reading… “Congress ok’s bill that opens skies in U.S. to unmanned drones”
Boost your brain power with some cranial current.
Transcranial direct current stimulation can make your brain work better. DARPA proved it can make you better at video games, the U.S. Air Force has shown it cuts drone remote-pilot training in half, and Harvard researchers have used it to treat depression. So what is this magical device that powerfully manipulates your brain function and where can you get one?
It’s not much more than a battery and a bunch of wires. In fact, you could actually make it yourself…
Continue reading… “How to electrify your brain to be smarter with a 9-volt battery”
Can science detect hit songs?
Obviously, there’s a lot of money to be made from hit pop songs. But can you predict or even make which songs will make it ot the top of the charts?
Bring in the scientists! Artificial Intelligence researcher Tijl De Bie and colleagues analyzed 50 years’ worth of hit songs on Britain’s top 40 charts and came up with a formula.
From an interview over at The Los Angeles Times…
Continue reading… “Scientific formula for hit pop songs”
Photosynthesizing Solar Cells
Andreas Mershin, a researcher at MIT, has created solar panels from agricultural waste such as cut grass and dead leaves. Mershin says in a few years it will be possible to stir some grass clippings into a bag of cheap chemicals, paint the mixture on your roof, and immediately start producing electricity.
Continue reading… “MIT creates solar panels from leaves and grass”
Overade foldable bike helmet
Cycling is undoubtedly fun and a great way to keep fit, but we all know it can be dangerous if you don’t take safety precautions — yet so many cyclists still don’t wear their helmets! A common excuse cyclists use is that they are such a pain to carry around, but perhaps this neat fold-up device will encourage more cyclists to protect their heads. (Pics)
Continue reading… “Compact foldable bike helmet”
Smoking in a vehicle can create toxic levels of circulating smoke.
While there are fewer kids and teens are getting exposed to secondhand smoke while riding in the car, the rates of exposure are still high enough to warrant concern, according to a new government study.
Continue reading… “Study: many kids still exposed to secondhand smoke in cars”
Green tea contains antioxidant chemicals that may help ward off the cell damage that can lead to disease.
Over time, elderly adults who regularly drink green tea may stay more agile and independent than their peers, according to a Japanese study that covered thousands of people.
Continue reading… “Green tea the secret to healthy old age: study”
A senior administrator at Claremont McKenna resigned after acknowledging he falsified college entrance exam scores for years to rankings publications such as US News.
Nearly 30 years ago, US News & World Report debuted its list of “America’s Best Colleges”. The magazine hoped its college rankings would be a game-changer for students and families. But instead they have had a much bigger affect on colleges themselves.
Continue reading… “Colleges obsess over national rankings, not students”
The Electric Car is making new inroads in the UK.
Back in July of 2011 we heard about reports of plans for a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations across the UK. Wind energy utility Ecotricity was installing charging stations in rest areas up and down the nations highways. Now CEO Dale Vince—who was interviewed in a live chat about building a wind energy empire—just posted on his blog that phase one of the Electric Highway is complete, and he is predicting that 2012 may just be the year of the electric car…
Continue reading… “Phase one of UK’s Nationwide Electric Car Charging Network complete”
Ahhhh. Massage.
Stiff muscles definitely benefit from a rub down, but scientists have never quite known why. Now, a team of researchers has shown that it works by changing your gene expression — quite literally, your body is hard-coded to release pain-easing chemicals when you’re massaged.
If you listen to people in the world of alternative medicine, they’ll normally tell you that massage “releases toxins”. That is bull, and scientists know it. But knowing an answer is wrong doesn’t give you the right one. No, doing some science does…
Continue reading… “Massage feels good because it changes your gene expression”
People with certain forms of the CD36 gene may like high-fat foods more than those who have other forms of this gene.
A preference for fatty foods has a genetic basis, according to researchers, who discovered that people with certain forms of the CD36 gene may like high-fat foods more than those who have other forms of this gene.
The results help explain why some people struggle when placed on a low-fat diet and may one day assist people in selecting diets that are easier for them to follow. The results also may help food developers create new low-fat foods that taste better…
Continue reading… “Preference for fatty foods may have genetic roots”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.