[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4efE_gO9lFo&hd=1[/youtube]
There may be a simple solution to your lack of a wireless signal soon. Scientists have developed a spray-on coating that can boost your phone’s reception, make your home amplify signals instead of attenuating them, or even turn a tree into a transmitter.
Continue reading… “Spray-on antenna for low power wireless everywhere”
A new augmented reality system could help astronauts take care of each other.
Astronauts will face all kinds of medical problems when traveling to Mars or other distant destinations , but rocket science isn’t surgery. And vice versa. A new augmented reality system could help astronauts take care of each other, overlaying computer graphics over a real patient to guide diagnoses or even surgery. It could even improve telemedicine in developing countries or remote spots.
Do you have trouble remembering your password? Perhaps you need to use your heart instead of your head. An encryption system that uses the unique pattern of your heartbeat as a secret key could potentially be used to make a hard drive that will only decrypt in response to your touch.
Continue reading… “Your heartbeat could replace your computer passwords”
Smaller and more efficient plus.
A team of University of California, San Diego researchers has built the smallest room-temperature nanolaser to date, as well as an even more startling device: a highly efficient, “thresholdless” laser that funnels all its photons into lasing, without any waste.
The two new lasers require very low power to operate, an important breakthrough since lasers usually require greater and greater “pump power” to begin lasing as they shrink to nano sizes. The small size and extremely low power of these nanolasers could make them very useful components for future optical circuits packed on to tiny computer chips, Mercedeh Khajavikhan and her UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering colleagues report in the Feb. 9 issue of the journal Nature…
Continue reading… “Electrical engineers build ‘No-Waste’ laser”
An “intensitygram” from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory shows the double-barreled sunspot active region 1416.
As solar activity builds toward an expected peak in 2013, a double-barreled sunspot has been doubling in size over the past couple of days and now has the potential to shoot significant eruptions in our direction. (video)
Continue reading… “Double-barreled sunspot points toward Earth”
Human brain cells created from skin.
Scientists in Britain are claiming to have made a major breakthrough after creating brain tissue from human skin.The researchers have for the first time generated crucial types of human brain cells in the laboratory by reprogramming skin cells, which they say could speed up the hunt for new treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and stroke.
Women more attracted to healthy golden skin than a masculine face.
Men with a healthier skin color are more attractive to women than those with a masculine face, according to new research.
Continue reading… “Women more attracted to men with healthy ‘golden’ skin: study”
New findings about Humpback whales change old views.
Whale song and the development of whale culture is a fascinating thing. Now researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Columbia University and Australia have found that humpback whales from different sides of the same ocean basin are singing different songs — an surprising finding since whales from the same basin usually sing the same tunes.
Previously, when whale songs from the same basin were compared, researchers found that the songs typically consisted of the similar parts or what is called in whale song parlance as “themes,” or distinct sounds which are often repeated in cycles lasting up to 30 minutes…
Continue reading… “Humpback whales living in same ocean basin found singing different tunes”
Transparent Screen
It can be dangerous to Multi-task on a smartphone, especially if it involves trying to read the screen while walking. A new application on the Android market should be a requirement for any smart device user taking to busy streets.
Continue reading… “Transparent smartphone screen makes it safe to text and walk”
Tree Bench
Aandeboom, the Dutch team that brought us the clever P-Tree urinal, designed this clever pop-up Tree Bench. This quirky design takes the traditional park bench to another level by supporting it with a set of industrial straps, allowing it to hover over the ground while providing space for plants and grass to thrive beneath it. (Pics)
Continue reading… “Tree Bench – portable bench turns any tree into a shady seat”
Google has love down to a science.
Google often returns results beyond simple web pages. The popular search engine can translate different languages, convert between different measurement systems and more. And thanks to its ability to parse complex equations, Google can explain one of the most mysterious forces of all: Love.
Continue reading… “Google reveals Valentine’s Day love equation”
Shortage of lifesaving drugs.
There is such short supply of a crucial medicine to treat childhood leukemia that hospitals across the country may exhaust their stores within the next two weeks, leaving hundreds and perhaps thousands of children at risk of dying from a largely curable disease, federal officials and cancer doctors say.
Continue reading… “Lifesaving drug supplies used to treat children could run out in two weeks”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.