Model of a protein as seen in Foldit
In an experiment called CASP9, scientists were struggling to map the structure of M-PMV, a protein involved in a virus that causes a form of simian Aids. In that experiment and others, the search had been going on for more than a decade. But the solution was not found by a laboratory but the players of an online puzzle game.
Netflix will rename it’s DVD service – Qwikster.
Netflix Inc will be separating its movie streaming business from its DVD-by-mail service, which it is renaming Qwikster. Netflix is trying to recover from a customer backlash over its subscription fee increase.
Continue reading… “Netflix to seperate DVD-by-mail service from streaming”
The world temperature should have risen more than it did but where was the heat going?
The mystery of Earth’s missing heat may have been solved: it could lurk deep in oceans, temporarily masking the climate-warming effects of greenhouse gas emissions, researchers reported on Sunday.
Continue reading… “Earth’s ‘missing’ heat may be hiding deep in oceans”
When ethanol is broken down by the body, it can cause DNA damage that may lead to dangerous changes to the cells.
Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of cancer because ethanol is itself a carcinogen on certain parts of the body, scientists have found.
Continue reading… “Drinking alcohol does increase your risk of cancer: study”
Improved focus helps children to learn skills and acquire language, and the brain is at its most adaptable early in life.
Scientists say they have found the first evidence that infants as young as 11 months can be taught to focus attention, making it easier for them to learn new skills.
Another new invention from Dean Kamen.
Inflatable wind turbines may not be an entirely new idea, but prolific inventor Dean Kamen has detailed one of a slightly different sort in a recently published patent application. In addition to generating energy for general use, the turbine would also be able to power a set of LEDs adorning the turbine itself, which could be used to display advertising or other information using a persistence of vision effect…
Continue reading… “Dean Kamen files patent application for an inflatable, illuminated wind turbine”
Medical images showing bags with cocaine inside the gastrointestinal tract of a 20-year-old Irish national arrested by police at Congonhas airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A graphic reminder of just how far drug smugglers will go to elude law enforcement to get their product over the border is seen in these guesome images. The images, which show an arrested man’s digestive tract that is literally stuffed with dozens of thumb-sized bags of cocaine, are also testimony to how far the digestive tract can expand.
Continue reading… “How 72 bags of cocaine fit in a drug smuggler’s belly”
China send the price of CFL bulbs soaring.
China has sent the price of compact fluorescent light bulbs soaring in the United States as it takes steps to fight pollution.
Continue reading… “China tightens grip on rare earth minerals sending CFL bulb prices soaring”
“There are too many redheads in relation to demand”
The largest sperm bank in the world has started turning down redheaded donors because there is too little demand for their sperm. Cryos’s director, Ole Schou, said that there had been a surge in donations in recent years, allowing the facility to become much more picky about its donors.
This is a channel-bridge over the River Elbe and joins the former East and West Germany,
as part of the unification project.
The Magdeburg Water Bridge is a navigable aqueduct in Germany. It connects the Elbe-Havel Canal to the Mittelland Canal, and allows ships to cross over the Elbe River. It is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world at 918 meters. (Pics)
Continue reading… “Amazing Magdeburg Water Bridge – a river over a river”
Martin jetpack
A water-based jetpack isn’t exactly the most practical way to get to the office, but what about one that uses wind turbines to propel you across the city? That sounds a little more useful, which is why it is utterly awesome to hear that the Martin jetpack will be available in 2012. That’s the good news. (video)
Continue reading… “$100,000 Martin jetpack will be available in 2012”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.
