Consumers would wave their phones instead of swiping credit cards at the checkout counter.
The cellphone has been more than a cellphone for years, but soon it could take on an entirely new role — standing in for all of the credit and debit cards crammed into wallets. Instead of swiping a plastic card at the checkout counter, consumers would merely wave their phones.
According to an article on the National Geographic website, nearly half the primate species are in danger of becoming extinct from destruction of tropical forests, illegal wildlife trade and commercial bush-meat hunting.
Continue reading… “Half Of All Primates Threatened With Extinction”
Hispanics are currently the fastest growing group.
In a surprising show of growth, Hispanics accounted for more than half of the U.S. population increase over the last decade, exceeding estimates in most states. Pulled by migration to the Sun Belt, America’s population center edged westward on a historic path to leave the Midwest.
On March 7th, the Arctic sea ice most likely reached its maximum extent for the year — signaling the beginning of the melt season — and that maximum tied for the lowest ever seen on the satellite record. The maximum extent was 5.65 million square miles, which may sound like a lot, until you consider that’s 463,000 square miles less than the average recorded between 1979 and 2000. That’s a little more than 8% less than the average — and it gives us some more good evidence that warming is continuing to cause the Arctic to melt at a rather profound rate…
What makes movie popcorn so gosh darned expensive? What’s in that strange yellow liquid they call butter anyhow? And while we’re at it – what are in those popcorns anyhow?
Well, it’s all a secret and theater owners are fighting the FDA to keep it that way…
Visions of a hybrid computer chip.
Research from the University of Wisconsin–Madison points to progress in creating hybrid computer chips combining silicon and neurons. Biomedical engineers demonstrated a novel technique for weaving the tendrils of mouse nerve cells into a network of semiconductor tubes. Yeah, that’s just an illustration above. But eventually, a neural-electronic device such as this could be used to study diseases of the nervous system, test drug efficacy, or potentially lead to new brain-machine interfaces…
Continue reading… “Examining The Method Of Wiring Chips With Nerve Cells”
The top spot as the laziest state in the union is Tennessee
In the earliest days of the U.S., the frontier was a tough place to live. Surely more than one pioneer, upon reaching the rushing and roiling Mississippi River, turned to his wagon-mates and said, with a wave of his hand, “Yeah, this looks like a nice place to settle, let’s call it a day.”
Scientists have successfully created a herd of more than 200 cows that is capable of producing milk that contains the characteristics of human milk.
Details are a bit thin on this one, but my initial reaction to this is an overwhelming grossness: Researchers in China have genetically modified some 200 cows so that the milk they produce is similar to human milk.
Continue reading… “Genetically Modified Cows in China to Produce ‘Human’ Milk”
Doctor pulling back the brows of a middle-aged man contemplating cosmetic surgery.
More men are going under the knife, opting for procedures like facelifts, botox and liposuction, according to a new report that said cosmetic surgery is fast becoming a preferred option for middle aged males who want to “look good”.
Continue reading… “More Middle Aged Men Opting for Cosmetic Surgery to Look Good”
Percentage religiously unaliated versus time in four regions: (a) the autonomous Aland islands region of Finland, (b) Schwyz Canton in Switzerland, (c) Vienna Province in Austria, (d) the Netherlands
A study recently released by a team from Northwestern University and the University of Arizona shows that religion and religious affiliations may be on the verge of extinction in the nine countries studied. Utilizing a mathematical model of nonlinear dynamics, the team analyzed data from censuses taken in nine different countries dating as far back as a century.
Continue reading… “Study: Religion on the Verge of Extinction in Some Countries”
Amazon.com ‘Appstore’
Amazon.com begins selling applications for the Google Android smart phone in its digital storefront just days after Apple files a lawsuit claiming that ‘Appstore’ infringes its ‘App Store’ trademark.
Are buses less safe today? Yes, according to the Federal Transit Authority, because of … fat people. So it’s rewriting the rules to ensure bus safety:
The Federal Transit Authority (FTA) proposes raising the assumed average weight per bus passenger from 150 pounds to 175 pounds, which could mean that across the country, fewer people will be allowed on a city transit bus.
Continue reading… “Bus Safety Rules to be Rewritten Because of People are Now Too Fat”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.