abiliti
Forget stomach stapling and lap band surgery. The next big thing in weight loss surgery may be the stomach pacemaker.
Continue reading… “Abiliti – Stomach Pacemaker Prevents Overindulging”
Study: World’s Sixth Mass Extinction Has Begun
New threat is man-made.
Mankind may have unleashed the sixth known mass extinction in Earth’s history, according to a paper released by the science journal Nature.
Continue reading… “Study: World’s Sixth Mass Extinction Has Begun”
$424 Million NASA Satellite Launch Fails
NASA’s Glory satellite ended up at the bottom of the southern Pacific Ocean early Friday morning, the victim of a failed launch that almost got the $424 million weather spacecraft into orbit.
All seemed to be going as planned at the 2:10 a.m. PT launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, until the final stage of the launch, when a fairing covering the satellite was supposed to be ejected. Because that protective cover stayed on, the configuration was too heavy and too slow to make it to orbit, said NASA launch commentator George Diller…
Continue reading… “$424 Million NASA Satellite Launch Fails”
Genetically Engineered Brain Virus Can Enhance Memories Made Weeks Earlier
Scientists find a way to boost the recall of memories even after they’ve started to fade.
Need to cram for a big test? Trying to learn a new language? Just had a great vacation? Scientists have developed a procedure that may be able to help you remember things, as long as you’re willing to inject a genetically engineered virus directly into your brain.
Continue reading… “Genetically Engineered Brain Virus Can Enhance Memories Made Weeks Earlier”
Breathalyzer Nintendo Game
Baltsy Adams – game programmer.
DrunkenNES is a video game controlled by breathing into breathalyzer built into a modified game cartridge. It was developed by Baltsy Adams, pictured above. Points are awarded based upon level of intoxication (the drunker the player, the higher the score). This video illustrates game play. (after jump…)
California Libraries Targeted for Takeover by Private Equity Firms
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTTY9IpwnWg&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
Remote Controlled Cockroach
What else can we make into a remote controlled critter?
Our pals at Backyard Brains (makers of the terrific SpikerBox kit, which allows you to study the electrical impulses of insect neurons) are developing circuitry to control which direction a cockroach walks…
(video after jump…)
Judge Allows Sony’s Request For Identifying Information For Anyone Who Visited Hacker’s Sites
Sony is aiming at hackers.
This is a rather disturbing turn of events. Federal Magistrate Joseph Spero has approved a request by Sony to subpoena the hacker GeoHot’s web host, as well as YouTube, Google, and Twitter, for identifying information on anyone who has accessed, commented, or viewed information relating to thehack. At best this is lazy on Sony’s part and irresponsible on Magistrate Spero’s, and at worst it is a deliberate and malicious wholesale violation of privacy.
The pretense for this wildly overreaching action is that Sony needs this information to prove the case should be tried in San Francisco, in federal court and close to Sony’s headquarters. Why? Because it’s in Sony’s terms of service. This after another judgenoted previously that by Sony’s standards, “the entire universe would be subject to [her] jurisdiction.”
On-Demand Escalators Can Cut Energy Use By Up To 52%
On demand has its advantages.
Escalators can be a tricky topic. On the one hand, they’re huge energy sucks when no one is using them and they’re endlessly looping without a passenger, or when stairs are a perfectly useful option. On the other hand, escalators are a big resource in places like airports or for those of us who aren’t able to get up a flight of stairs, so it’s not like we could or would want to get rid of them. The solution seems to be escalators that run only when needed — and that solution can save a ton of electricity.
Life As A Healthcare CIO points us to an example of just such an on-demand escalator in use at the Narita airport near Tokyo…
Continue reading… “On-Demand Escalators Can Cut Energy Use By Up To 52%”
Sword Swallowing: The World’s Most Dangerous Form of Therapy
World Sword Swallower’s Day was celebrated at Ripley’s Odditoriums around the globe.
Six sword swallowers participated in New York City: Harley Newman, James Stilianos,
Nicholas Penney, Veruschka, Todd Robbins and Riley Schillaci.
Also pictured is Robbins’ son, Finn, who celebrated with a foam sword.
Ask professional sword swallowers about the dangers of their art, and they’ll tell you their lives are at risk with every swig of steel. But for some, the perilous stunt is what helps life go on. Natasha Veruschka — a New York City belly dancer and sword swallower. For her, the ancient art has proved therapeutic since the passing of her husband, Terrance Shands-Galloway, in November.
The couple had been married for 22 years. He was also her manager throughout her 10-year career.
Continue reading… “Sword Swallowing: The World’s Most Dangerous Form of Therapy”
Geminoid-DK: Realistic Robot Could Pass Off as a Human
Geminoid-DK
Now, we’ve all seen the Geminoid before – an extremely realistic robot that was a spitting image of the professor who created it. The robot originated in Japan by Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, but now it looks like it has made its way over to Europe. A professor from Denmark decided to create a Geminoid of his own, and this one is even more realistic than Hiroshi Ishiguro’s original creation. (videos)
Continue reading… “Geminoid-DK: Realistic Robot Could Pass Off as a Human”
Joy of Parenting a Fantasy: Cost of Children Forces Parents to Convince Themselves It’s Worthwhile
Bringing up a child in the 21st century is so expensive parents have no option but to tell themselves it is all worthwhile.
Most parents say they wouldn’t have it any other way. Children cause them financial hardship, eat up their time and cause untold worry… but mums and dads insist they are worth every penny, wrinkle and grey hair.
