3D model of FAST
Puerto Rico’s Arecibo Observatory has the world’s largest radio telescope but not for long. China has broken ground on the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), a massive bowl-shaped radio signal collector that will be the world’s most sensitive when it opens for business in 2016.
Continue reading… “China breaks ground on world’s largest radio telescope”
The x-Ar arm
The Steadicam was originally developed to take the shake out of Hollywood chase scenes. But Equipois, a company in California, has given it a new purpose; to help line workers and file clerks. The x-Ar arm reimagines a Steadicam’s spring system to make arms and tools feel weightless, diminishing the risk of repetitive-stress injuries without motors, batteries or external power.
Continue reading… “The x-Ar: A spring-loaded arm that gives superpower strength to office workers”
There are large variations of life expectancy in the U.S.
Americans are living longer. But that’s not the case in every corner of the country. According to a new study, hundreds of U.S. counties, mostly in the South, life expectancy has fallen.
Continue reading… “Life expectancy falls in hundreds of U.S. counties”
Teen brains can predict hits songs.
The teenage brain might not be such a teenage wasteland after all.
Continue reading… “Study: Adolescent brains can predict hit pop songs”
Watching tv for 2 hours a day could lead to dying prematurely.
For every two hours you sit in front of the television per day, the chance of dying before the age of 65 increases by 13 per cent, according to research.
A human kidney cell produces green laser light inside a resonator.
The world’s first biological laser has been created by physicists and molecular biologists, with live, glowing kidney cells at its core.
Continue reading… “World’s first biological laser created by scientists”
The Diwheel
The Diwheel is a strange-looking vehicle, which places the rider between two giant wheels, has moved from science fiction to reality.
Continue reading… “The Diwheel – gravity-defying electric vehicle”
Vehicle platoons (aka “road trains”) will allow software-equipped cars to automatically follow a professional driver in a “lead car”.
There will be platoons of vehicles lead by a professional driver that will let you take your eyes off the road and save fuel before cars are driven fully by computers. By 2020 they will be on the road in Europe. (video)
Continue reading… “Road trains are the future of hands-free driving”
The pair of ventricular assist devices are being prepared for surgery.
Surgeons have searched for the perfect artificial heart for decades. But they still remain stymied in their search for an artificial heart that does not wear out, break down or cause clots and infections.
Continue reading… “Scientists develop pulse-less artificial heart”
Missour River flood waters shooting out of Oahe Dam at Pierre, SD.
Back in 1998 Futurist Thomas Frey wrote a paper called “The Fort Peck Incident” which outlined the devastating effects that bursting the massive hydroelectric dam located near Fort Peck would have. His scenario at the time revolved around a terrorist plot performing the deed, but the basic concept of the dam bursting is more relevant today than ever. However, this time it’s not from a foreign terrorist organization but from Mother Nature herself…
Scientists blame agriculture, with restricted diets and urbanization.
Man has conquered Everest and landed on the Moon, so it is tempting to think we are bigger and better than our ancestors. But on a purely physical basis we just don’t measure up. Mankind is actually shrinking.
Continue reading… “Mankind is shrinking and so are our brains”
Fitbot
Many people because of the shape of their bodies don’t even consider shopping for clothes online an option. Fits.me is a new service that has actually come up with a pretty clever way to let people of all shapes and sizes see how a garment will look on them while shopping online. The secret is an animated mannequin with a body composed of separate panels that can be individually adjusted via servo motors on the inside. This allows the mannequin to grow or shrink to any body shape or size. (video)
Continue reading… “Fitbot lets online shoppers try on clothes before buying”