- Smallest Letters Holographic projections are read by mapping 2D electron wavefunctions revealing an S and a U.
- Poverty Linked to Poor Memory Skills in Kids Those who had known nothing but poverty scored about 20 percent lower on working memory.
- Robot Mimics Human Child CB2 was designed to mimic a child of age 1 or 2. And it is creepy looking.
- Powerful Ideas: Wringing Oil from Algae The speed at which algae grow make them the best choice for supplying biofuels.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Science News
In Science News:
Tiny Newfound Frog Fits on a Fingertip
A tiny, "midget" frog that can fit on the tip of a finger — and previously only known by its croaking — has finally been found by researchers.
Noblella pygmaea on a fingertip.
The frog is about 0.45 inches long.
Credit: Alessandro Catenazzi, University of California, Berkeley
The frog is about 0.45 inches long.
Credit: Alessandro Catenazzi, University of California, Berkeley
Read all about it here.
Strange 'hand' in space photographed
A new image captures a cosmic scene that looks like a hand reaching towards red light.
Strange 'hand' in space photographed
Rescue workers search for Italy quake survivors
Workers using bare hands and buckets frantically look for victims of Italy's earthquake, which killed more than 150 and injured 1,500.
Rescue workers search for Italy quake survivors
Wastewater spill in Lake Norman
In local news:
Lincoln County authorities launched an investigation today after discovering a wastewater spill of about 300 gallons into Lake Norman.
The untreated sewage came from a broken line caused by a private contractor, according to the county department of public works. The spill entered Lake Norman at 8191 Bay Pointe Drive.
While the broken line has been repaired and the spill stopped, a swimming advisory notice has been posted in the area until the amount of contamination has been determined.
County officials advised residents to avoid coming in contact with water in the area until the ban is lifted because of the possibility of e-coli in the water. E-coli is a bacteria that occurs naturally in small quantities but can be harmful to humans and wildlife at elevated levels.
Authorities said the lake water is being tested and when it has been determined to be safe, the notices will be removed. Residents can receive updates through the county's Web site www.lincolncounty.org by clicking on “alerts.”
Residents of the immediate area where the spill took place are being notified through written notices and the reverse 911 system.
For information call the county department of environmental health at 704-736-8426 or Lincoln County Public Works at 704-736-8497.
Public Flogging of Woman by Taliban Raises Outrage
A video of 17-year-old woman being flogged thirty-four times by Taliban militants in the Swat Valley has raised public outrage.
However, while President Asif Ali Zardari ordered the arrest of the perpetrators, the teenage woman was flogged in Kabbal, a remote district where Taliban rule is the law.
However, while President Asif Ali Zardari ordered the arrest of the perpetrators, the teenage woman was flogged in Kabbal, a remote district where Taliban rule is the law.
News akimbo
More News that is slightly off center:
Man charged with using fish as deadly weapon
For instance, if you use one as a missile, you can land yourself a whopper of a felony charge.
Father tried to rid son of spirits
A Houston man who allegedly thought demons invaded his home and family is jailed on charges he beat his 3-year-old son.
Italian authorities dismissed quake warning
The earthquake that has killed at least 90 people in Italy was predicted for the end of March, but the warning was not heeded.
Italian authorities dismissed quake warning
Two for the brain
It seems a scraping the skin suppresses "itch" signals emanating from the spinal cord that would otherwise be sent to the brain.
Why a good scratch quells an itch
The brain can re-accommodate transplanted hands into regions taken over by other parts of the body – surprisingly, the left hand gets accepted fastest in right-handed people.
Hand transplants seize back lost brain territory
The five ages of the brain: Old age
Part 5: Not everyone ages in the same way, but what's the difference between a jolly, intelligent oldie and a forgetful, grumpy one? And can we improve our chances of becoming the former?
Old age
Overweight galaxies
Some massive early galaxies seem to have bulked up too quickly to be explained by a diet of neighbouring galaxies alone.
And I Quote
Be careful how you make those statements, gentlemen.
The public isn’t buying that.
My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks.
~President Obama
And just want prompted the statement above?
Details here.
The public isn’t buying that.
My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks.
~President Obama
And just want prompted the statement above?
Details here.
The Pope is a Public Enemy
Finally someone has done it ... declared the Pope a public enemy!
Dr. Marty Klein over at Sexual Intelligence puts it like this:
Dr. Marty Klein over at Sexual Intelligence puts it like this:
Belgium Declares Pope Public Enemy
By Dr. Marty Klein
You’ve probably heard about Pope Benedict’s announcement three weeks ago that AIDS “cannot be overcome by the distribution of condoms. On the contrary, they increase the problem.”
The comment was especially brutal and uncivilized given the timing—on a trip to Africa, which has 137 million Catholics and 60% of the world’s HIV population.
In response, the Belgian parliament passed a law ordering the government to “react strongly against any state or organization that in the future brings into doubt the benefit of using condoms to prevent transmission of the AIDS virus.” The government then lodged a formal, diplomatic protest with the Vatican over the Pope’s “unacceptable” comments.
Belgium is hardly alone in its condemnation; here are other comments on the Pope’s bizarre and self-serving belief:
* The New York Times: “The Pope deserves no credence when he distorts scientific findings about the value of condoms in slowing the spread of the AIDS virus.”
* The medical journal Lancet: This is “an outrageous and wildly inaccurate statement.”
* Former French Prime Minister Alain Juppe: Pope Benedict seems to be “living in a situation of total autism.” France’s Education Minister Xavier Darcos condemned the remarks as “criminal”.
* Portuguese bishop Ilidio Leandro: People with AIDS are “morally obliged” to use condoms if they have sex.
* The Philadelphia Inquirer: A cartoon showing the Pope praising a throng of sick and dying Africans: “Blessed are the sick, for they have not used condoms.”
It’s one thing for the Church to say “we don’t believe in using contraception.” That would be quirky, poignant, and pathetic. But when the Church lies and says condoms don’t work—when every scientific study in the world says they do—they go beyond religion to superstition. That puts them right alongside those in Africa and Asia who believe that sex with a virgin can cure AIDS.
Meanwhile, where are the moderate Catholics when their Pope says this dangerous stuff? We expect moderate Muslims to speak out and denounce virulent strains of Islam. I challenge moderate Catholics to do the same: It just isn’t enough to be reasonable, shaking your head in private. This is your Church. All Americans fund it via your tax exemptions, and our government gives it way too much attention when making healthcare, education, diplomatic, and communications policy. It’s time for you to step up and openly criticize your Church’s policy.
Belgium stood up—and they’re 75% Catholic.
Isn’t there a 9th Commandment against bearing false witness? At least when this same Church burned the (accurate) books of Copernicus and Galileo, the Pope could honestly say he didn’t know any better, that astronomy was a new science. Not now. When the Pope simply demands the suffering of people for no good reason—millions dying of AIDS in Africa, a raped 9-year-old in Brazil who needed an abortion to live—he just looks like a foolish old man with fancy clothes.
*****
Way to go Belgium!
Infrared cops find 10,000 cannabis plants
Almost 10,000 cannabis plants have been destroyed by New South Wales Police in a series of aerial drug raids across the state over the past five months.
Mosques, and Thus Prayers, Misaligned
From the "OOPS!" Department:
A slight directional miscue affects some 200 mosques in Mecca.
These mosques are supposed to have a niche showing the direction of the Kaaba, an ancient cube-like building in Mecca's Grand Mosque and the most sacred Islamic site, but are apparently misaligned.
A slight directional miscue affects some 200 mosques in Mecca.
These mosques are supposed to have a niche showing the direction of the Kaaba, an ancient cube-like building in Mecca's Grand Mosque and the most sacred Islamic site, but are apparently misaligned.
Headlines
Headlines for April 6, 2009
- Italy: More than 70 dead, 1,500 injured in quake
- Obama declares US not at war with Islam
- Series of bombings in Baghdad Shiite areas kill 34
- South African prosecutors dropping Zuma case
- Analysts say N. Korean rocket not a total failure
- Khmer Rouge defendant says US helped rise to power
- Australian library finds copy of Schindler's list
- World leaders condemn N. Korea launch, but have few options
- Series of Baghdad bombings in Shiite neighborhoods kill 33
- Media allowed to cover return of U.S. war dead after 18-year ban
- Sallie Mae plans to bring 2,000 jobs back to U.S. in 18 months
- Study: Twitter, YouTube at work improves job performance
- Detroit cops ruffle feathers with pillow fight crackdown
- 'Charlies Angels' star Farrah Fawcett hospitalized in Calif.
Office blunders to avoid
A little common sense and courtesy go a long way, so avoid attracting negative attention with these behavior no-no's.
Office blunders
Also:
Things worth buying before the economy improves
Shoppers can score bargains on big-ticket items like laptops and furniture, but when the economy rebounds, the deals may vanish.
Before the economy improves
Also:
Obama embraces Muslim world with speech
"Let me say this as clearly as I can," Obama says in his first trip to a Muslim nation as president, "the United States... will never be at war with Islam."
Obama embraces Muslim world with speech
More:
Deadly earthquake rocks Italy
At least 70 die when an earthquake knocks down entire blocks of buildings as residents slept inside.
Deadly earthquake rocks Italy
More:
News a bit off kilter
The Law and Order edition.
Art Framed with Marijuana
It wasn't the beauty of the paintings that caught of the eye of Customs agents.
It was their drug-sniffing dog turning up his nose at the art that stopped the show.
Judge Orders Parrot To Appear In Court
An African Grey parrot must appear in a Florida court as part of a civil lawsuit over its rightful owner, a judge says.
Elderly woman rescued on runaway scooter
An elderly Cornish woman had to be rescued by police yesterday after her motorized scooter sped out of control.
Dimbulb leaving town
Dimbulb spews about leaving town ...
... and Jon wishes him "well" (and even offers him, his ez-pass to speed him on his way).
The only trouble is ... the rest of us don't want him in our towns, either.
And he can't go to Hell, they have already said they were more refined and sophisticated there and they won't have 'his kind' ruining the place.
I heard there was an old outhouse down in the Hollow a ways that might be just the place, though.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Rush Limbaugh Leaves New York | ||||
| ||||
... and Jon wishes him "well" (and even offers him, his ez-pass to speed him on his way).
The only trouble is ... the rest of us don't want him in our towns, either.
And he can't go to Hell, they have already said they were more refined and sophisticated there and they won't have 'his kind' ruining the place.
I heard there was an old outhouse down in the Hollow a ways that might be just the place, though.
Aspartame and Pandas
The red panda turns out to be very fond of aspartame – something only certain primates were thought to be able to taste.
Our Readers
Some of our readers today have been in:
Seoul, Seoul T'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea
Siauliai, Siauliu Apskritis, Lithuania
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Blackburn, England, United Kingdom
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Selfoss, Arnessysla, Iceland
Lyngby, Kobenhavn, Denmark
Roubaix, Nord-Pas-De-Calais, France
Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
as well as Kuwait and the United States
Seoul, Seoul T'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea
Siauliai, Siauliu Apskritis, Lithuania
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Blackburn, England, United Kingdom
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Selfoss, Arnessysla, Iceland
Lyngby, Kobenhavn, Denmark
Roubaix, Nord-Pas-De-Calais, France
Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
as well as Kuwait and the United States
Daily Horoscope
Today's horoscope says:
Watch yourself in flirtatious situations and make sure that you don't start seeing connections as being deeper than they really are.
I always do, I always do!
Watch yourself in flirtatious situations and make sure that you don't start seeing connections as being deeper than they really are.
I always do, I always do!
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