Codenamed “Sandy Bridge,” Intel’s new lineup of microchips promises the biggest-ever leap in processing power.
US chip giant Intel introduced Wednesday a speedy new generation of chips that thwart film piracy and enable quick handling of data-rich video and games.
Driving a convertible exposes drivers and passengers to dangerous noise levels.
Driving a convertible with the top down could expose you to dangerous noise levels on a par with a building site, claims a new study. Levels as high as 100 decibels were recorded at speeds of 75mph which for long periods could lead to damage to hearing.
OnStar
Starting this spring, OnStar will begin selling — for $299 — “Anywhere,” a standalone rearview mirror compatible with most top-selling vehicles that allows access to much of OnStar’s services. Yup, it’s OnStar-to-go. This may be the coolest safety-and-security gadget ever.
Continue reading… “OnStar Anywhere Expands Beyond GM to Most Top-Selling Cars”
The material, called a “nanoscoop” because it resembles a cone with a scoop of ice cream on top, is shown in the above scanning electron microscope image.
An entirely new type of nanomaterial developed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute could enable the next generation of high-power rechargeable lithium (Li)-ion batteries for electric automobiles, as well as batteries for laptop computers, mobile phones, and other portable devices.
Hydrogenase
Vincent Callebaut’s latest project, Hydrogenase, aims to create a self-sufficient organic airship. This conceptual transport system would be comprised of airships that produce biofuel from seaweed. The project draws its inspiration from nature, as well as from the qualities of its materials and its self-manufacturing processes. (pics)
Continue reading… “Hydrogenase: Self-sufficient Organic Airship”
Too many text messages and social networking linked to risky behavior.
Parents of text-crazed teenagers might have more to be concerned about than sky-high cell phone bills, according to a Case Western Reserve University study that links excessive use of popular high-tech communications to risky health behaviors.
Continue reading… “Hyper-Texting Linked to Risky Behavior in Teenagers”
(Scale bar = 1mm. Rectangle left shows approximate location of digital micrograph illustrated right).
‘Cherry’ figure. Note that red organisms predominate, but black fungus is also present.
While some rock art fades in hundreds of years, the “Bradshaw art” remains colourful after at least 40,000 years.
Jack Pettigrew of the University of Queensland in Australia has shown that the paintings have been colonized by colorful bacteria and fungi.
These “biofilms” may explain previous difficulties in dating such rock art…
Blood test will be able to detect one cancer cell among a billion healthy cells.
Cellphones thriving in prisons.
At a Georgia state prison, a counterfeiter ticks off the remaining days of his three-year sentence on his Facebook page. He has 91 digital “friends.” Like many of his fellow inmates, he plays the online games FarmVille and Street Wars.
Continue reading… “Smartphones Are Thriving in Prisons Despite Being Banned”
Amazon Kindle book lending
Amazon has now enabled a Kindle book lending service that allows eligible Kindle books to be lent to friends and family for up to 14 days, and the borrower doesn’t need to own a Kindle reading device.
Continue reading… “Amazon Launches Kindle Book Lending”
A bumblebee gathers pollen from a sunflower.
Four previously abundant species of bumblebee are close to disappearing in the United States, researchers reported Monday in a study confirming that the agriculturally important bees are being affected worldwide.
Continue reading… “Study: Alarming Decline in Bumblebees Found in U.S.”
MySpace has been suffering from tumbling traffic and revenue over the past year.
Unfortunately for the staff at Myspace the New Year might not bring great news for them, with rumors of huge layoffs taking the shine of New Year’s Eve celebrations for a social networking pioneer MySpace.
Continue reading… “MySpace May Layoff Half of It’s Workforce”