fairyshaman's shared items in Google Reader

No-Carb Diets May Impair Memory

2008-12-12T21:36:25Z

New research suggests that people who eliminate carbohydrates from their diets have worse memory skills in the short term.

'Impossible' Molecular Chain Reaction on Metal is Demonstrated

2008-12-12T22:52:28Z

People said it couldn't be done, but researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in Pittsburgh demonstrated a molecular chain reaction on a metal surface, a nanoscale process with sizable potential in areas from nanotechnology to developing information storage technology.

Two cancer drugs prevent, reverse type 1 diabetes, study shows

2008-11-18T19:30:33Z

Two common cancer drugs have been shown to both prevent and reverse type 1 diabetes in a mouse model of the disease, according to research conducted at the University of California, San Francisco. The drugs - imatinib (marketed as Gleevec) and sunitinib (marketed as Sutent) - were found to put type 1 diabetes into remission in 80 percent of the test mice and work permanently in 80 percent of those that go into remission.

miShare: Share Media Directly Between iPods

2008-11-07T19:08:01Z

Share music, video or photos with anyone, anywhere with the miShare: This smart little device lets you transfer music, video or photos without the use of a computer or a cable.

This is the device I have been waiting for. It was so frustrating to have to get to a computer just to a copy a song from a friend onto my iPod; now I don't have to.

The miShare makes the process of sharing files easier than ever before. To transfer files, connect both iPods to the miShare; click the on-switch to music, video or photos; click the only button on the device; and let the transferring begin.

The miShare works with all mini, nano, 3G, 4G, Video (5G), and Classic (6G) iPod models. Unfortunately this nifty gadget doesn't currently work with the iPod Touch or iPhone, but the company is working on it.

The miShare is $99 and can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. Start sharing your favorite files with a friend now.

[Via Yahoo Tech].

Creating Music With Your Cell Phone

2008-11-07T20:32:03Z

(PhysOrg.com) -- If you own a cell phone, then new software created by Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology director Gil Weinberg and his students will allow you to be the next composer and performer of your own original music.

Distributed network of laptop accelerometers used as seismic detector

2008-11-04T23:38:10Z

We're often surprised by the unforeseen applications that emerge when lateral thinking is applied to new technology - and this is certainly one of them. The Quake-Catcher Network aims to create the world’s largest earthquake monitoring system by linking internet-connected computers. The key to the system is its ability to take advantage of Sudden Motion Sensors or Active Protection Systems that are already found in many recently manufactured laptop computers. Day-to-day, these sensors are designed to protect the computer's hard disk from vibration, but by running specially designed networking software they become a far-reaching, low-cost solution for a seismic detection and early earthquake warning system...

Tags: Education, Network

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Simple device which uses electrical field could boost gas efficiency

2008-09-25T20:05:25Z

With the high cost of gasoline and diesel fuel impacting costs for automobiles, trucks, buses and the overall economy, a Temple University physics professor has developed a simple device which could dramatically improve fuel efficiency as much as 20 percent.

'Nutraceuticals' could prevent diabetes

2008-08-22T17:49:42Z

People at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes might be able to delay or prevent the disease by taking certain food supplements and making lifestyle changes, according to a new book by Dr. James W. Anderson, an internationally recognized authority on metabolic diseases and weight loss and professor emeritus of medicine and clinical nutrition at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.

Video: Sensacell's interactive floor shows trail of LED footprints

2008-08-13T17:05:00Z

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Far from being the first LED-infused floor we've seen hipsters and hippies break dance and boogie down on (respectively), Sensacell's latest contraption still manages to stand out by bringing back memories of when mouse trails really were the coolest thing about an operating system. Flashbacks aside, the installation -- which is currently at the entrance to the Comunitat Valenciana in Spain -- possesses over 1,000 interactive modules, each of which include capacitive sensors and a LED lighting system. The integrated tech enables it to recognize when someone is walking over it and consequently light up as if to leave an eye-catching LED trail of their path. Can you imagine how many ~~hours~~ days you could entertain an ageless kid with this? Video after the jump.

Continue reading Video: Sensacell's interactive floor shows trail of LED footprints

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Major Breakthrough: Decoding Music's 'DNA'

2008-08-08T15:40:00Z

The latest invention of a German audio software engineer can dissect and reassemble musical chords, enabing anyone who can play a single chord to craft complex symphonies.

Fingerprints provide clues to more than just identity

2008-08-07T21:05:23Z

Fingerprints can reveal critical evidence, as well as an identity, with the use of a new technology developed at Purdue University that detects trace amounts of explosives, drugs or other materials left behind in the prints.

A new light on the brains of people with borderline personality disorder

2008-08-07T21:13:58Z

In a game of give and get, the brains of people with borderline personality disorder often don't get it.

Online generative music … generator

2008-08-06T23:30:14Z

The WolframTones algorithmic composition generator creates a new multi-instrument sequence with every click -

WolframTones works by taking simple programs from Wolfram's computational universe, and using music theory and Mathematica algorithms to render them as music.

Includes options for style, instrumentation, pitch and time controls - you can even email each piece as a MIDI file
- Generate a Composition

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Studies show people underestimate the willingness of others to help them out

2008-08-06T23:58:49Z

For many of us, the thought of asking someone for help or a favor--be it a colleague, friend or stranger--is fraught with discomfort. We figure we're imposing or tend to assume the person will say no, which could leave us embarrassed or humiliated.

Dutch town looks to cut pollution with air-purifying concrete

2008-08-06T22:37:00Z

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

The Dutch town of Hengelo looks to be taking a rather unique approach to cleaning the air, with it now testing out a new type of "air-purifying concrete" developed by the University of Twente that promises to soak up the nitrogen oxide particles emitted by car exhausts. That's done with the aid of a titanium dioxide-based additive which, with the help of some sunlight, binds with the nitrogen oxide particles and turns them into harmless nitrates, which can apparently just wash away with the next rain shower. The town isn't fully sold on the idea just yet, however, with it only paving half of a road now under construction with the so-called "green bricks" (pictured above), while the other half is getting paved with plain old concrete. They'll then take some air measurements from each section early next year and decide whether to continue paving the town green or not.

[Via Physorg]

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Mintyboost v2.0 is out

2008-08-06T20:00:00Z

The incomparable ladyada tells us:

The next version of the Mintyboost is done and documented. This time it's based on the LT1302 chip instead of the MAX756, which can provide up to 600mA (although I've found that with 2xAA's it doesn't really go past 450mA). The layout was also improved for better efficiency. The upgrade was necessary as the latest Apple products really need a lot of current to charge and hopefully they will work better now!

Kit Upgrade! Mintyboost v2.0 is 2x better

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Electric bike offers green urban commuting option

2008-08-06T17:47:00Z

Ultra Motor says its zero-emissions ride will appeal to people who want the freedom of personal commuting, but without the hassles and costs of cars.

Researchers Grow Human Blood Vessels In Mice From Adult Progenitor Cells

2008-07-21T15:00:00Z

For the first time, researchers have grown in mice functioning human blood vessels from cells obtained from adult blood and bone marrow. This research could eventually lead to treatments for heart attack, acute injuries, wound healing and may facilitate growing new organs.

The Parker Steam Synthesizer runs on steam, sounds like a theramin, Bjork wants

2008-07-18T19:04:00Z

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

If synth rock was meant to go hand-in-hand with fantastic steampunk universes (and we really can't see why it wasn't), instruments would look something like the thing you see here. This is the Parker Steam Synthesizer, a steam-powered music synth that runs on water and some coal. Designer Lorin Edwin Parker controls steam pressure with a ball valve which activates a dynamo. The dynamo is a magnet motor attached to a flywheel that creates an alternating magnetic field which is then turned into electricity by an inductive pickup. That pickup is finally plugged into an amp and you have some trippy electro from a device that could have been around years ago. He says it will run for about 20 minutes on one tank of water, which, in our estimation, is just long enough for Bjork to hear it and add to her band's already-insane inventory. By the way, the Read link includes a .mov file so you can see this thing in action.

[Via MusicRadar]

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Thin people eat differently at all-you-can-eat buffets

2008-07-15T23:30:55Z

(PhysOrg.com) -- When it comes to chowing down at all-you-can-eat Chinese buffets, thinner people do it differently, finds a new Cornell study. They tend to browse and chew more, use chopsticks and smaller plates, face away from the food and place a napkin in their laps.