Category: Science & Technology News

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Analysis, Big Problems, Science & Technology News

Five ways technology is getting worse

smartphone-computer-keyboard

Our technological world has plenty of pitfalls.

If you feel like you’re scrambling to keep up with technology, you’ve got plenty of company as technology has been moving forward in leaps and bounds. There’s not a gadget on the market that doesn’t aim to make our lives easier, but now we’re tangled up in a strange new world. It’s a complex web of tweets and roaming charges in which we we hunt for open power outlets with the urgency of our ancestors foraging for their next meal.

 

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Birth, Health & Fitness, Science & Technology News

Blood test can determine fetal sex at seven weeks

pregnant-woman

The test analyzes fetal DNA found in the mother’s blood and can establish sex weeks earlier than other options.

A baby’s sex can be determined as early as seven weeks into pregnancy by a simple blood test.  The test is highly accurate if used correctly, a finding that experts say is likely to lead to more widespread use by parents concerned about gender-linked diseases, those who are merely curious and people considering the more ethically controversial step of selecting the sex of their children.

 

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Big Problems, Economy, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

Growing number of Americans struggle to keep their cars on the road

mechanic

“Many Americans rely on their cars for their livelihood, and losing access to them could be financially devastating.”

Margaret McCormick’s 2001 Toyota Celica has been sitting in the parking lot of her condo complex for the past four months.  She can’t afford to fix the flat tire and broken transmission.

 

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Analysis, Business, Economy, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

Cable TV losing record number of subscribers

watching tv

Eight of the nine largest subscription-TV providers in the U.S. lost 195,700 subscribers in the April-to-June quarter.

Americans spend a lot of free time in front of the TV set and that is where the weak economy is hitting them.  Record numbers of people are canceling their cable and satellite TV subscriptions, according to an analysis by the Associated Press of the companies’ quarterly earnings reports.

 

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Analysis, Health & Fitness, Science & Technology News

Morning smokers at an increased risk of developing cancer

morning smoker

Early morning smokers have higher levels of nicotine and possibly other tobacco toxins in their body.

Are you a smoker that  needs a cigarette soon after waking up in the morning? Then, you have an increased risk of developing lung, and head and neck cancers, two new studies have warned.

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Business, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

Beach volleyball champions to advertise QR codes on their bikini bottoms

volleyball

Shauna Mullin and Zara Dampney encourage spectators to photograph their behinds in a deal with Betfair to advertise a Quick Response (QR) code on their bikini bottoms.

Female beach volleyball champions in Britain are renting out their bikinis in an advertising deal that encourages spectators to photograph their behinds. Zara Dampney, 24, and Shauna Mullin, 26, have turned their bottoms into their bottom line by advertising a Quick Response (QR) code on their behinds.

Analysis, Big Problems, Business, Human Behavior, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

‘Workplace incivility’ a growing problem: study

workplace incivility

Workplace incivility is on the rise.

Are you stressed on the job? Do rude,  inconsiderate, or unpleasant coworkers add to your list of headaches? “Workplace incivility” is on the rise,  said researchers at the American Psychological Association annual meeting on Sunday.

 

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Business, New Discoveries, Science & Technology News

China’s dominance of vital rare minerals challenged by find in Nebraska mine

rare minerals

Matt Joeckel displays a core sample of carbonatite rock containing niobium and rare-earth elements, which was taken from a deposit near Elk Creek, Neb.

The small Nebraska town of Elk Creek (population 112), may not be so small much longer. Reports suggest that the southeastern Nebraska town may be sitting on the world’s largest untapped deposit of “rare earth” minerals, which have proved to be indispensable to a slew of high-tech and military applications such as laser pointers, stadium lighting, electric car batteries and sophisticated missile-guidance systems.

 

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Architecture, Business, Economy, Latest Trend, Science & Technology News

A plan towards building micro homes and micro apartments for struggling cities

tiny house

 Micro home

The following is a letter written  to the Mayor of Providence, RI by Walt Barrett. Walt would like to encourage you to pass the letter on to the mayor of your town or city and try to make some changes across the country.

 

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Crazy Stuff, Great Videos, Science & Technology News

Dutch railway station installs ‘transfer accelerator’ for busy passengers

slide

“Transfer accelerator” at the Overvecht Station in Utrecht.

Commuting is typically a bit of a grind even on the nicest, newest subway or bus system. A metro station in the Netherlands, though, has sought to liven up the experience — by installing a slide that riders can zip down instead of taking the stairs. It may sound a little silly but itdoes look like fun. (Video)