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Macroscopic Electrical Circuit Can Be Quantum System

Softpedia News (Tudor Vieru) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:33:00 +0000

According to a scientific paper appearing in this issue of the respected scientific journal Nature, experts at the university of California in Santa Barbara (UCSB) have recently managed a remarkable breakthrough in the field of quantum mechanics. They have succeeded in detecting the quantum correlations in the results of measurements of entangled quantum bits, or qubits. In their experiments, they report, a superconducting, electrical circuit was used, so that the results could be inferred.

The team also reveals that the obtained correlations are stronger than any of those obtained using conventional (non-quantum mechanical) physics. Additionally, and most importantly, the new UCSB study shows that the oddities that characterize the quantum world do not only take place at the small scale. They can affect the macroscopic world in equal proportion, the physicists say. The results were obtained by a joint collaboration of scientists from experts John Martinis and Andrew Cleland's laboratories at the university.

One of the basic properties of quantum mechanics is that measurements conducted in experiments have unpredictable results. In spite of this fact, the new investigation has proven, strong correlations still exist. By measuring, for example, quantum states – su... (read more)

Actor Injured on “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” Set

Softpedia News (Elena Gorgan) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:22:00 +0000

The third film in “The Twilight Saga,” “Eclipse,” would be action-packed, actors Jackson Rathbone and Ashley Greene, who play Jasper and Alice, were saying a while back. Rathbone was even boasting about using his riding skills to shoot some scenes of how Jasper was like before becoming a vampire and doing some of his own fighting sequences. Summit Entertainment has confirmed the actor was in an accident and had to be taken to the hospital, Wonderwall MSN says.

Reports got out in the media that one of the leading actors had been injured on the “Eclipse” set – in Vancouver – and, in order to act ahead of the media, which might have picked up on the story and blown it out of proportion, Summit issued a statement. Nothing serious happened, but Rathbone was taken to the hospital as a precaution measure. He has since been released and is back to work.

“Actor Jackson Rathbone of the ‘Twilight Saga’ movies, was slightly injured yesterday during a fight scene rehearsal. As a precaution, he was driven to the hospital and checked out by a doctor. He’s fine and is back at work on the set of ‘Eclipse’ today.” Summit said in the official statement. The movie studio did not mention how the accident might have occurred, though it... (read more)

Lexar Announces DDR3 Memory Kits for Intel's 'Calpella'

Softpedia News (Traian Teglet) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:58:00 +0000

Coming to provide support for Intel's latest generation of mobile processors, Lexar Media has announced today that it launched the Crucial DDR3-1333MHz notebook memory modules. Available in capacities of 1GB and 2GB, these new modules have been specifically designed to support Intel's new Core i7 mobile processors, providing end-users and computer enthusiasts with a new level of performance. With new Core i7-equipped systems having already been announced, from leading vendors like ASUS, Alienware and Toshiba, Lexar's new Crucial notebook memory comes to provide users with a choice for a high-performance memory solution.

“Intel’s new Core i7 mobile processors are powering the first notebook platform to use DDR3 memory exclusively, bringing the benefits of DDR3 to mainstream and corporate mobile notebook users alike,” said Jim Jardine, Lexar Media’s senior worldwide product manager. “Compared to notebooks that use DDR2 memory, DDR3 technology offers the ability to provide higher memory bandwidths while still using less power, which can equate to better user experiences – not only from a better performing system, but potentially longer battery life as well.”

<... (read more)

ALMA Steps Up Astronomy to New Heights

Softpedia News (Tudor Vieru) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:55:00 +0000

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is one of the world's most powerful telescopes, and also one that is placed in an ideal position to observe the Universe. Situated atop the 5,000-meter plateau of Chajnantor, in the Chilean Andes, the array benefits from exquisite meteorological and atmospheric conditions to probe the skies to huge depths, in radio wavelengths. The entire ensemble is, in fact, a large interferometer, which means that the array acts like a single, huge dish. Recently, a new antenna was delivered to the plateau, by a custom-built, giant transporter.

The machine was especially designed to carry the huge antenna to a height of 5,000 meters (16,400 feet). The new observatory has a diameter of 12 meters, and weighs in at around 100 tons. Because of the harsh conditions at ALMA, where oxygen concentrations in the air are just half those at sea level, the antennas are first assembled and tested at the ALMA Operations Support Facility, located at a more decent altitude, of only 2,900 meters (9,500 feet).

“This is an important moment for ALMA. We are very happy that the first transport of an antenna to the high site went flawlessly. This achievement was only possible through contributions from all international ALMA partners: this particular antenna is provided by Japan, the ... (read more)

First WiiWare to Support MotionPlus

Softpedia News (Florian Totu) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:51:00 +0000

Nintendo's MotionPlus add-on hasn't seen much support from game developers. Except for Wii Sports Resort and a few EA sports-themed releases, the Wii feature is pretty much an unused trinket. However, game developer Ghostfire Games plans to change that by releasing Rage of the Gladiator, a title expected to come out sometime this autumn, but which doesn't have an exact release date or even an estimated price. This will be the first-ever WiiWare game to support MotionPlus and how well it fares on the market will probably decide the fate of future releases.

Rage of the Gladiator is a first-person fantasy fighting game that seems to have its roots in the original Punch Out!! The Wii Remote that features the MotionPlus is supposed to be far more accurate and it will allow players to make surgical weapon-strikes, on the horizontal and vertical axes. The game will also support simpler controllers, allowing for gameplay with the Wii Remote and Nunchuck combo.

Today, Ghostfire Games gave away some additional content for the game, including a trailer and ten new screenshots. Some of the enemies and bosses that the gamer will have to overcome have already been unveiled, and these include a Dragon, a Chimera, a Beholder and the ninja boss called Naginata, which strangely enough doesn't use one.

A new Punch Out!!... (read more)

Over $500,000 Stolen from Construction Firm's Bank Account

Softpedia News (Lucian Constantin) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:45:00 +0000

New cases of fraudulent banking transfers that affect companies and organizations across the U.S. continue to be uncovered. A new incident involves a Maine-based company called Patco Construction, whose account was emptied of over $500,000 by Eastern European cybercrooks.

The Washington Post reports that Patco's online banking credentials were stolen and then used to initiate batches of fraudulent transfers from its account to over thirty individuals with whom the company never had any previous business. Separate series of transfers were performed on a daily basis from May 7 until May 14 and totaled to around $588,000.

The company successfully recovered $243,000, but is missing the rest and the bank refuses to cover the loss. Under the law, business customers are treated differently from private persons when it comes to fraud. While regular consumers have 60 days to report fraudulent activity to their bank and will generally get reimbursed, businesses only have 24 hours to do it and without any guarantee that they will see their money back.

Financial institutions are, however, required by regulations to protect all of their customers' assets, business or otherwise, by enforcing "commercially reasonable security procedures." Patco feels that Ocean Bank failed to meet this obli... (read more)

Microsoft Kicks Off WebsiteSpark Program

Softpedia News (Ionut Arghire) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:44:00 +0000

Redmond-based software company Microsoft has announced today the launch of WebsiteSpark Program, aimed at offering professional Web development and designer companies that have up to ten employees the possibility to join a partner network that will help them grow their businesses. Along with the new program, the software giant also announced the launch of Web Platform Installer 2.0 and the Windows Web Application Gallery 2.0, which should also drive the development of richer Web experiences.

The new WebsiteSpark Program, the company states, builds upon the success of the previous Spark programs, including Microsoft BizSpark and DreamSpark, and will deliver to Web professionals Microsoft software and solutions, as well as tools, training and support, to ensure that their businesses become successful. At the same time, the new initiative will also connect Web professionals and hosters with customers and partners, as well as with complementary technologies from other professionals. Those interested in joining the WebsiteSpark Program should head to this page.

“Developers are the lifeblood of our business, and we are wholly committed to ensuring their success,” said Bob Muglia, president of Microsoft’s Server and Tools Business division. “WebsiteSpark makes Microsoft’s Web developmen... (read more)

Download MacFamilyTree 5.6.4 for Snow Leopard

Softpedia News (Filip Truta) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:27:00 +0000

Synium Software has released a new version of its genealogy desktop app, MacFamilyTree. MacFamilyTree helps users document, store, and display information about their family. They can draw and print family trees, lists, cards, heritage charts, descendant charts and genograms.

According to the release notes for MacFamilyTree 5.6.4, Synium Software has included fixes for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, an improved GEDCOM Importer and minor cosmetic fixes.

“Based on more than a decade of experience, MacFamilyTree 5 may be regarded as the most advanced genealogy application for the Mac and is fully compatible with GEDCOM for reliable exchange of genealogy information across OS boundaries,” Synium Software says.

Using MacFamilyTree, Mac owners can include multiple partners and people in the same relationships, while data is exported as HTML to build a web page, with many more export options being available. The GEDCOM 5.5 is the native file format. Synium Software's genealogy program requires an ATI Radeon 7500, or GeForce 4 MX Graphics Card, or an Intel GMA 950 (or better). MacFamilyTree runs on Intel or PowerPC-based machines under Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later. A demo version of the desktop software, as well as a demo for the iPhone / iPod touch client are available using the links below.read more)

Intel Officially Debuts the Core i7 for Notebooks

Softpedia News (Traian Teglet) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:16:00 +0000

Santa Clara, California-based Intel, the world's leading processor vendor, has just officially announced the debut of one of its most anticipated products this year, the new line of Core i7 Mobile processors. Available in both regular and extreme editions, the chips have already been selected to power some of the latest high-end portable gaming systems, including new models from Alienware, Toshiba and ASUS. Built on the latest Intel PM55 express chipset, the new line of Intel Core i7 processors has been designed to provide consumers with a choice for Intel's Nehalem architecture, inside a portable PC form factor.

“With intelligent features like Intel Turbo Boost Technology, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology and a host of others, Intel has revolutionized the laptop PC processor, delivering performance when you need it, energy efficiency when you don’t,” said Dadi Perlmutter, executive vice president and general manager, Intel Architecture Group. “For the first time, mobile users can choose a laptop that delivers Internet-server like speed, right in their laps for the most demanding tasks, from intense gaming to digital video editing and social media applications.”

Lotus Plant Inspires NASA Dust-Shield Coatings

Softpedia News (Tudor Vieru) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:16:00 +0000

Spacecraft are very prone to malfunctions caused by external influences. Things as small as bacteria can jeopardize an entire mission, especially if they form biofilms atop various gears, or inside astronauts' living quarters. In an attempt to ensure that this doesn't happen, experts at NASA again turned to nature for inspiration, and took after the beautiful lotus plant in creating a dust-busting, transparent coating, to apply on future space vehicles, ScienceDaily reports.

The coatings are developed by a joint partnership between the Linthicum, Maryland-based Northrop Grumman Electronics Systems, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, Maryland, and the Atlanta, Georgia-based nGimat Corporation. The transparent structure acts in a way similar to how the lotus plant sheds water, and experts believe that, once prototypes are completed, layers of coatings could potentially be used to keep microorganisms and dust away from vital spacecraft gears.

At first glance, a lotus leaf appears to be very smooth. But, when placed under the microscope, the surface reveals its amazing structure. Countless tiny spikes form on each square millimeter of the leaf, and drastically minimize the area where dust and water can grab a foothold. “If you splash lotus leaves with water, it just beads up and rol... (read more)