The contribution of aircraft to greenhouse gas emissions has been well documented and while biofuels are being trialled in an effort to combat the issue, an expected doubling in air traffic by 2035 suggests that a fundamental shift in technology is needed to make real progress. That’s the starting point for the D “double bubble” – a design concept presented to NASA by an MIT led research team which promises a 70 percent improvement in fuel economy, reduced noise, lower nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and the ability to use shorter runways…
Continue Reading Double bubble aircraft design would use 70 percent less fuel
Japan has been flooded with new cell phones over the last few days. We’ve shown you KDDI au’s 10 new handsets Monday, SoftBank Mobile’s 13 new models yesterday, and now it’s time for NTT Docomo’s summer lineup. Japan’s biggest mobile carrier (55 million) unveiled 20 new cell phones [press release in English] yesterday, some of which are just awesome.
Here’s Docomo’s complete line-up for this summer. (Please note just a few features are listed up below, for example most of these models have TV tuners built in – without me mentioning this. Hit this link for more information on the handsets in English).
Sharp LYNX SH-10B
(rebranded version of the Android 1.6 smartbook ISO01 KDDI showed in March: 5-inch touchscreen with 960×480 resolution, 5.3MP CMOS camera plus 0.43MP front camera, full QWERTY keyboard, Snapdragon processor (1GHz), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, Wi-Fi, GPS, 4GB of internal memory, Sharp Blu-ray recorder connectivity)
Toshiba dynapocket T-01B
(rebranded version of the Windows Mobile 6.5.3 Professional phone “K01″ KDDI showed in March: 4.1-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (480×800 resolution), 3.2MP CMOS camera, 12.9mm thin body, Snapdragon processor (1GHz), slider QWERTY keyboard,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR)
NEC N-08B
(4.6-inch full wide VGA (854×480) screen, full QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi access-point capability, microSDHC slot, 1,000 hours of standby)
Fujitsu F-06B
(3.5-inch two-way touchscreen with 480 x 960 resolution, 13.2MP camera that lets you shoot full HD videos even under water (waterproof up to 1.5m), HDMI interface, Wi-Fi access-point capability, microSDHC slot, GSM, GPS, Bluetooth, DLNA support)
NEC N-04B
(3.3-inch full wide VGA screen, 12.2MP CMOS camera that lets you shoot HD videos in 1,280×720 resolution, Wi-Fi access-point capability, microSDHC slot, GSM, GPS, Bluetooth, DLNA support)
Panasonic P-04B
(3.3-inch full wide VGA screen, 13.3MP CMOS camera, Blu-ray recorder connectivity, GPS, microSD slot, Bluetooth, GSM)
Sharp SH-07B
(3.4-inch full wide VGA touchscreen, 12.1MP CCD camera that lets you shoot full HD videos even under water (waterproof up to 1.5m), HDMI interface, microSDHC slot, GPS, GSM, Bluetooth)
Fujitsu F-07B
(3.3-inch full wide VGA two-way screen plus OLED mini sub-display, 12.2MP CMOS camera that lets you easily share pictures on social networks, microSDHC slot, GPS, GSM, Bluetooth)
LG L-04B
(2.4-inch screen with 240×320 resolution, 3.1 MP CMOS camera, GSM, designed in collaboration with UK-based Studio Conran)
NEC N-05B
(3.2-inch full wide VGA screen plus OLED mini sub-display, 8.1MP CMOS camera, GSM, GPS, designed in collaboration with Japanese home furnishing store Francfranc)
NEC N-06B
(2.9-inch screen, with QVGA resolution (240×427), 5.1MP CMOS camera, GSM, advanced Deco-Mail functions)
Panasonic P-05B
(3-inch screen with QVGA resolution, 8.1MP CMOS camera, GPS, microSD slot, body with twinkling illumination, one version designed in collaboration with American fashion brand kate spade)
Panasonic P-06B
(3.1-inch full wide VGA touchscreen, 13.2MP CMOS camera, microSD slot, Blu-ray recorder connectivity, GSM, GPS, Bluetooth, waterproof)
Sharp SH-08B
(3.2-inch full wide VGA screen, 8MP CCD camera, GPS, microSD slot, waterproof, designed in collaboration with fashion brand EMILIO PUCCI)
Sharp SH-02B marimekko
(3.4-inch full wide VGA screen, 8MP CCD camera, GPS, Bluetooth, GSM, designed in collaboration with Finnish brand marimekko)
NEC N-07B
(3.3-inch full wide VGA screen, 5.1CMOS camera, Bluetooth, GSM, 760 hours of battery life (standby), designed in collaboration with Tokyo-based design firm amadana)
The Markit iTraxx Crossover index of swaps on 50 European companies jumped 37 basis points to 569, according to Markit Group Ltd. The index typically rises as investor confidence deteriorates.
Merkel’s coalition stopped traders buying default protection on government bonds they don’t own, so-called naked swaps, as German lawmakers prepare to debate a bill authorizing a $1 trillion bailout to backstop the euro. The unexpected ban, done independently of the European Union, came after the rescue package failed to stop the 16-nation common currency from weakening to a four-year low and as banks became increasingly reluctant to lend to one another.
Antibiotic resistance poses danger to humans against some bacterial infections. Strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics can be caused by improper use of antibiotics. Dr Donald Poretz, an infectious disease specialist, said “You end up with very resistant bacteria in the urinary tract. That’s only one example. Skin infections, lung infections, different bacteria causing these types of infections as they become more and more resistant, and then you get to more severe problem like tuberculosis in many parts of the world. People are given little of this and little of that to treat tuberculosis and tuberculosis germs develop resistance.” Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus also known as MRSA is one of the most lethal infections born out of bacterial resistance which kills 19,000 people in the United States every year.
Dr Thomas Frieden, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said “We speak of the pre-antibiotic and antibiotic eras, but if we don’t improve our response to the public health problem of antibiotic resistance, we may enter a post- antibiotic world in which we will have few or no clinical interventions for some infections.” Specialists are concerned that the more times the antibiotics are used, the less effective they become. The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics due to its mutation is a natural process. Experts say that the best solution is to educate patients and doctors to stop using antibiotics when they are not necessary.
speak of the pre-antibiotic and antibiotic eras, but if we don’t improve our response to the public health problem of antibiotic resistance, we may enter a post- antibiotic world in which we will have few or no clinical interventions for some infections
If you’re one of those who sit tightly expecting the first images of the new Audi S7 “Super Sedan” images, we can bring you some good news as we just caught wind that the S7 has been spied testing at the famous Nürburgring circuit in Germany. With availability confirmed for sometime in 2011, the new Audi S7 Super Sedan is slated to compete with the likes of the BMW M5 and the Mercedes E63 AMG.
The images reveal the presence of a four-tailpipe exhaust system, a high performance braking system, and a retractable rear spoiler. There will also be a modified bumper, a sportier suspension, attractive wheels and a chrome grille. Power will come from a 4.2L V8 engine that can render 444 hp. Hopefully the final production model will break cover at the Geneva Motor show next year.
On the whole, most smartphones only give you a day’s usage before the battery fizzles up—but Androids seem to be particularly juice-sucking. According to Larry Page however, if you’re not getting a full day’s use, there’s “something wrong.” More »
The young star Justin Bieber was nominated for Best New Artist in the upcoming 2010 BET award which will take place at Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2010.
The Canadian singer just started with his career as he released his first single, “One Time”. It was amazing that this song reached the number 12 spot on the Canadian Hot 100 during its first week of release in July 2009. The song later peaked on number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. After this, he had other songs released like “One Less Lonely Girl”, “Love Me” and “Favorite Girl”. Not only these songs made him popular but also his angelic face!
There are millions of fans of Justin out there and who would doubt that he was nominated in the 2010 BET award where in this event would normally award black singers, actors and actresses. Stephen Hill, BET’s President of Music Programingand Specials even stated that Bieber has crossed the color boundaries the same way that hip-hop has crossed the boundaries the other way for a number of years.Usher was the one who helped Bieber to be signed in a music label. Usher was nominated for best male rhythm and blues artist.
Bieber is admired along with music’s most popular black performers like Rihanna, Chris Brown, Beyonce and Jay-Z. Many viewers will be waiting for this event to come and many fans of Justin just can’t wait to see his appearance in the 2010 BET Awards.
The 2010 Bet awards will be hosted by Queen Latifa and it would be aired live from The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on June 27.
It’s a fact that every automaker is keen to jump on the green bandwagon these days. Same goes for Jaguar who have decided to render some hybrid commuters by 2013 or 2014.
There are no precise details available about the hybrid Jag, but experts believe that this Jaguar hybrid will be powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine and a 35kW electric motor, both mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. From what we’re hearing, the Jaguar XJ will be the one that will break cover with this touted green set-up — and if Jaguar insiders are right, in the future this green set-up could find a place under every Jaguar’s hood minus the X-type.
Facebook has launched a new mobile site aimed at a very specific market. Dubbed 0.facebook.com, the new site is labeled as being fast and free. It’s an even more stripped-down version of the regular Facebook mobile site and it is being offered only through operators with which the social network has partnered. The main … (read more)
For those out of the know, the new Aston Martin One-77 is a limited edition supercar — only 77 units slated for production. As exclusive as it may sound, 10 of these scorching speedsters have been ordered by some crazy fanatic hailing from the middle-east. That is surely a whopping order as the guy is paying $17M for 10 units and the speculation is that each of these 10 cars will get a unique exterior color and cabin. The new Aston Martin One-77 features a 7.3-liter V12 engine capable of producing 700bhp, and can hit a top-speed of 355km/h.
That’s another reason why I hate being poor. Don’t you ?
If you’ve ever been annoyed by the impatiently waiting for an office building elevator, this might just be the perfect building for you. Each of the new elevators installed by Mitsubishi Electric in Umeda Hankyu Building’s new office area in Osaka, Japan measures 11.2 x 9.2 feet in area by 8.5 feet high (3.4m wide, 2.8m long and 2.6m high), thus allowing for a whopping 80 person capacity…
Continue Reading Mitsubishi Electric installs elevators to carry 80, possibly the world’s largest
Being a single, childless (as far as I know), male my experience with baby strollers is largely limited to trying to avoid parents using them as battering rams at my local shopping center. That task could get a whole lot tougher if the Roller Buggy gains widespread popularity. A simple pull of the lower body extends a platform and transforms the Roller Buggy from a run-of-the-mill baby stroller into a scooter that lets parents transport baby around town at breakneck (hopefully not literally) speed…
Continue Reading Roller Buggy – the baby stroller/scooter hybrid for kids on the fast track
When celebrity Regis Philbin talked up the benefits of Zeo’s sleep tracking device on his TV show last June, the Newton, MA-based startup sold more than 1,000 units within three days, says Dave Dickinson, the firm’s CEO.
Zeo, founded as Axon Labs in 2003 by three Brown University students, is nearly a year into marketing a system for consumers that detects brain waves to record the length and quality of their sleep. Sleep-deprived journalists like The New York Times‘ David Pogue gobbled up the story last year, sending early adopters to what was the only place to buy Zeo’s Personal Sleep Coach, the Internet. Yet the firm faces the same hurdles that have tripped other consumer tech makers trying to navigate between an initial publicity bump and commercial success.
This month Zeo’s first infomercials aired, providing the startup a new means of enticing the masses to buy. In June, the firm plans to release its first iPhone app, which gives users of the system a new way to view their sleep data. (Users are already able to upload their sleep information to their personal accounts on the firm’s website.) The jury is still out, however, about whether the product is destined for lasting stardom. Dickinson says that so far the company has sold thousands of its products, but he and other executives refused to provide exact sales figures.
Colin Angle, co-founder and CEO of iRobot, has been advising the team at Zeo since 2005 and is a director of the startup. Angle came to the aid of Zeo in 2005 after his Burlington, MA-based robotics firm had made millions of dollars with the Roomba, a robotic vacuum cleaner for the consumer market. He says that the adoption of Zeo’s product hasn’t been …Next Page »
The design principles and style behind the new Alfa Giulietta are discussed in this video (in Italian, but you get the picture). From the overall shape of the car to the classic Alfa grille and badge at the front, we get a full tour of the new vehicle.
As designer Lorenzo Ramaciotti says, the Giulietta turns a new page for Alfa and many fans are hoping it will mark a new era at the Italian brand company. While Ramaciotti talks of the design, and there’s no denying this a good looking car, the first Giulietta test drives would indicate that it is also a pleasing car to drive. See the marketing pics with Uma Thurman below, and check out our test drive pics here.
The latest Neuropodpodcast tackles deep brain stimulation, blast injuries in soldiers, fibre-tracking brain scans and a group of hungover neurologists on an early morning run, in coverage from the recent American Academy of Neurology conference. In fact, it’s one of the best Nature Neuroscience podcasts I’ve heard in ages.
There’s also a fascinating bit about the history of phrenology by neurologist Daniel Schneider. Phrenology was the curious 19th practice of ‘reading bumps’ on the head to divine someone’s character based on the flawed idea that differences in brain structure would affect skull growth.
Schneider has searched medical and non-medical publications of the time and found, contrary to the belief that the practice was simply a fashion among the public, that the medical profession was more approving of the idea than the general populace.
As the practice was started by medical men it seemed respectable and gave a tool to help explain some scientific questions of the time, even if it didn’t live up to its promises.
As an aside, I note from the scientific programme of the meeting that neuropsychologist Brenda Milner was presenting some of her latest work on the recently departed amnesic patient HM.
It was pointed out to me that Milner is 92. Respect to that.
Just in case you weren’t aware that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Gundam figurines, Bandai has teamed up with Japanese network Softbank for a limited edition Gunpla phone. More »
Indiana Representative Mark Souder admits having had an adulterous affair with staffer, Tracy Meadows Jackson then resigns.
Rep. Mark Souder, a Republican Congressman known to be conservative and supportive of family values , said on Tuesday that he will resign from Congress on Friday.
The eight-term congressman said he have “sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff.” According to some sources, their affair began after Jackson joined Souder’s district staff in 2004 and suspicions came during the primary campaign when anonymous tipsters called Souder’s aides and his opponent.
“I am so ashamed to have hurt those I love,” Souder announced in his Fort Wayne office. “I am so sorry to have let so many friends down, people who have fought so hard for me.” Souder did not identify the staff member.
Mark Souder has been married to Diane Souder for 36 years and they have three children. Tracy Meadows Jackson is also married to a successful homebuilder and Kosciusko County Commissioner.
The 2010 NBA Draft will take place on June 24, 2010 at 7 pm ET on ESPN. The First 14 picks were decided at the NBA Draft Lottery.
For the First Round:
1. Washington Wizards
2. Philadelphia 76ers
3. New Jersey Nets
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
5. Sacramento Kings
6. Golden State Warriors
7. Detroit Pistons
8. Los Angeles Clippers
9. Utah Jazz (via Phoenix, New York)
10. Indiana Pacers
11. New Orleans Hornets
12. Memphis Grizzlies
13. Toronto Raptors
14. Houston Rockets
15. Milwaukee Bucks (via Chicago Bulls)
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Denver, Charlotte)
17. Chicago Bulls (via Milwaukee Bucks)
18. Miami Heat
19. Boston Celtics
20. San Antonio Spurs
21. Oklahoma City Thunder
22. Portland Trail Blazers
23. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Philadelphia, Utah)
24. Atlanta Hawks
25. Memphis Grizzlies (via Denver Nuggets)
26. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Phoenix Suns)
27. New Jersey Nets (via Dallas Mavericks)
28. Memphis Grizzlies (via LA Lakers)
29. Orlando Magic
30. Washington Wizards (via Cleveland Cavaliers)
Second Round:
31. New Jersey Nets
32. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Minnesota Timberwolves)
33. Sacramento Kings
34. Golden State Warriors
35. Washington Wizards
36. Detroit Pistons
37. Milwaukee Bucks (via Philadelphia 76ers)
38. New York Knicks
39. New York Knicks (via Denver, LA Clippers)
40. Indiana Pacers
41. Miami Heat (via New Orleans Hornets)
42. Miami Heat (via Toronto Raptors)
43. LA Lakers (via Memphis Grizzlies)
44. Portland Trail Blazers (via Chicago Bulls)
45. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Houston Rockets)
46. Phoenix Suns (via Charlotte Bobcats)
47. Milwaukee Bucks
48. Miami Heat
49. San Antonio Spurs
50. Dallas Mavericks (via Oklahoma City)
51. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Dallas, Minnesota and Portland)
52. Boston Celtics
53. Atlanta Hawks
54. LA Clippers (via Denver Nuggets)
55. Utah Jazz
56. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Phoenix Suns)
57. Dallas Mavericks (Pick may be conveyed to Indiana.)
58. LA Lakers
59. Orlando
60. Phoenix Suns (via Cleveland Cavaliers)
You heard it right! AT&T have finally given their approval to allow their bazillion or so iPhone users to hook their computer up to AT&T’s magical data waves, tether stylee.
Tethering was first introduced as an option in iPhone OS 3.0, but AT&T wouldn’t let US users get in on the laptop-on-iPhone action, for fear that their network would explode. So, up until this point, tethering has strictly been an international affair, despite AT&T’s looming promise of “soon“.
While I’m not directly affected by this issue (I’m Australian, and don’t own an iPhone), it’s not like you guys haven’t been waiting like a million years or anything, so I’m happy for you. No, really. *hugs*
If you’ve updated to OS 4.0 beta 4, and you’re not seeing the tethering option, just reset your network settings, and everything should be hunky dory.
![Click here to read Google: "If You Are Not Getting A Day [of Android Battery], There Is Something Wrong"](http://cache-01.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/4/2010/05/160x120_android-battery.jpg "Click here to read Google: "If You Are Not Getting A Day [of Android Battery], There Is Something Wrong"")
Facebook has launched a new mobile site aimed at a very specific market. Dubbed 0.facebook.com, the new site is labeled as being fast and free. It’s an even more stripped-down version of the regular Facebook mobile site and it is being offered only through operators with which the social network has partnered. The main … (
The latest Neuropod 
