http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ Paul's Blog of tech and nonsense en-us Matthew1471's BlogX / BlogX.co.uk Content © 2004-2005 Paul J Manoogian paul@manoogian.net paul@manoogian.net http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Fri, 20 Dec 2006 13:00 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=372 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=372 Those folks up in the cold Canadian north have some scientists at <a href="http://www.blueprint.org/" target="_New">Blueprint</a>, led by Dr. Christopher Hogue at Mount Sinai Hospital's <a href="http://www.mshri.on.ca/" target="_New">Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute</a>, who have created a new symbolic language called <a href="http://www.blueprint.org./news/pressreleases/ontoglyphs.html" target="_New">OntoGlyphs</a>. <p><p>This new collection of <i>glyphs</i> has 34 functional, 25 binding, and 24 location categories populated with Gene Ontology (GO) terms. It appears that with this awesome new visual language, scientists of the world will now be able to more quickly identify the attributes of proteins, particularly those in the <a href="http://bind.ca/" target="_New">BIND database</a>.<p><p><img src="images/articles/blueprintlogo.gif"><p><p><i>About The Blueprint Initiative</i><p>The Blueprint Initiative is a research program of the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute (SLRI) at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Blueprint has recently opened an affiliated node in Singapore. Led by principal investigator Dr. Christopher Hogue, Blueprint develops, hosts, and maintains public biological databases and bioinformatics software tools such as BIND, SeqHound, and Distributed Folding. For more information on Blueprint, visit <a href="http://www.blueprint.org" target="_New">www.blueprint.org</a>. <p><p>[Via: <a href="http://bioinformatics.ca/weblogs/log.php?wid=144" target="_New">Bioinformatics</a>] Tue, 31 Mar 2005 10:31 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=175 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=175 It looks like Dominique Mottas, an avant-gare entrepeneur and car enthusiast, created something great when - in the late 80's - decided to invest in some technological and biotech fields. With the many projects that he had, he'd invested in some designs of special sports cars. What he found was result was very interesting by it's design, but not sufficiently innovative from a technology perspective. So, back to the drawning board they went... during the process of searching for an idea to satisfy a customer's requires, he decided to do something radical: reinvent the wheel! <p><p><center><p><img src="images/articles/hubless.jpg"><p></center><p><p>The orbital wheel, also known as, the "hubless wheel" is a wheel reduced to its essential part: the outer ring. Since the wheel is free of midwheel structural constraints (or, a hub), it is touted to introduce a series of advantages and technological breakthroughs.<p><p>It took 10 years, from the first patent approval (obtained on January 15, 1990) in France to show off such greatness. Since then the hubless wheel has been ready to be presented to the general public and exploited throughout the world. ... and I've never seen one, for real!<p><p>Via: [<a href="http://www.ployer.com" target="_New">Ployer</a>] Mon, 30 Mar 2005 10:11 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=169 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=169 So, there's this guy, who decided to shove an RFID sensor into his hand and plans on wiring up his house and car with sensors that will allow all sorts of wireless-fairie magic to occur when he waves his new "wrist-wand" around. Well, he actually had a doctor implant it, but, that's just not a sensational first line to a story.<p><p><center><p><img src="images/articles/rfid_implant.jpg"><p></center><p><p>Actually he as fairly <a href="http://amal.net/rfid.html" target="_New">detailed FAQ </a>explaining all sorts of things, such as if he was crazy: to which he replied "Sure, why not?" <p><p>OK, so... I can't wait to see this guy, so that I can take my <a href="http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=154">RFID Zapper/Washer</a>, and disable him! Ha ha! Start your car <i>now</i>, Orwelean man!<p><p>Via:[<a href="http://www.gizmodo.com" target="_New">Gizmodo</a>] Tue, 17 Mar 2005 07:00 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=163 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=163 <center><p><img src="images/articles/robart-iii.jpg" width="296" height="249"><p></center><p><p>An interesting prototype robot from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, called the Robart III, is a mechanical rent-a-cop replacement -- designed to detect intruders, and kill them with a "<i>pneumatically powered six-barrel Gatling-style weapon that fires simulated tranquilizer darts or rubber bullets</i>," as read on <a href="http://www.defensetech.org" target="_New">DefenseTech</a>.<p><blockquote><i>ROBART III uses "head-mounted sensors, including two Polaroid sonar transducers, a Banner near-infrared proximity sensor, an AM Sensors microwave motion detector, and a video surveillance camera" to spot infiltrators.</i></blockquote><p><p>Does this thing, at all, sound like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/" target="_New">RoboCop</a>, to you? How scary is it that we're actually doing something like this? Hasn't ANYONE seen that movie, yet? I'm still waiting to drive away in my 6000-SUX!<p><p>Via: [<a href="http://www.defensetech.org" target="_New">DefenseTech</a>] and [<a href="http://ployer.com" target="_New">Ployer</a>] Fri, 6 Mar 2005 16:08 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=140 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=140 Last month, National Geographic reported that some engineers at the University of Pennsylvania had plans to develop and create a cloaking device with similar appeal to that of what can be found in almost any Star Trek episode. But their's isn't going to be quite as fancy - at least not yet. <p><p>They've got their plans for how they can create a device which will make items "nearly invisible to the observer." So, I'm guessing this means that it'll be a little more like the cloaking system that the "Preditor's" use? Maybe not...<p><p>The folks at the U of Penn say that their contrivance functions causing objects to appear so small that it almost disappears, by preventing light from bouncing off of the surface of the object. Supposedly, the proposed device would not require peripherals such as antennas or computer networks, and would reduce object visibility no matter what angle it is viewed.<p><p>The concept is based on a "plasmonic cover," meaning it can prevent light from scattering; the light bounces off of an object and makes it invisible to an observer. The cover stops light from scattering by resonating at the same frequency as the light striking it. If such a device could cope with different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation (including visible light), in theory, the object would vanish into thin air. <p><p>So, look out you ID4, Preditor, Alien beings: We people here on Earth can disappear, too! The cool thing? These people don't live too far from me... that either means that there's something wrong with the water that comes out of the Schulkyl river, or it's making brains work better!<p><p>Via: [<a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/02/0228_050228_invisibility.html" target="_New">National Geographic</a>] Tue, 3 Mar 2005 09:13 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=135 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=135 Physicists have been scouring the galaxy to find further signs of life and the meaning of it. The theory that there is other intelligent life in other galaxies and planets has been a discussion for scientists and sci-fi buffs, everywhere. Whether or not you subscribe to this theory or another more spirtual one, there are some physicists that believe that a recent discovery of two look-alke galaxies may, indeed, move us one step closer to the scientific theory.<p><p>The question remains: could two lookalike galaxies, with marginally a hair's worth of difference apart in the night sky, herald a revolution in our understanding of fundamental physics? <p><p><i>Some physicists believe that the two galaxies are the same - its image has been split into two, they maintain, by a "cosmic string"; a San Andreas Fault in the very fabric of space and time.</i><p><p><i>If this interpretation is correct, then CSL-1 - the name of the curious double galaxy - is the first concrete evidence for "superstring theory": the best candidate for a "theory of everything", which attempts to encapsulate all the phenomena of nature in one neat set of equations.</i> <p><p>Via: [<a href="http://www.physics.org" target="_New">Physics.org</a>] Wed, 11 Feb 2005 07:00 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=118 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=118 You know, you'd swear I'm a Windows/Microsoft hating, Mac Bigot, but the truth be told, I do all of my work on Windows systems. That includes my digital studio recording, video editing, and all of my Websites. OK, with that said...<p><p><center><p><img src="http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/images/articles/ipodstereoscope.jpg"><p></center><p><p>I was reading one of my favorite sites: <a href="http://www.hackaday.com/" target="_New">Hack a Day</a>. They have this fantastic little article about some folks who created a <a href="http://astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/stereographics/ipodphoto/index2.html" target="_New">projection stereoscope system </a>using two iPodPhoto's. Granted, their experiment wasn't perfect, and I'm sure there are better ways to do this, but one should truly check out what they've done to understand the innovation that people are trying to create.<p><p>It just proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same: We always want the same things, just bigger, better, and faster! ... and, of course, more mobile! :)<p><p>Via: [<a href="http://www.hackaday.com/" target="_New">Hack-A-Day</a>] Wed, 11 Feb 2005 06:20 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=117 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=117 Japan is one of the few countries that's spent some time figuring out how to keep drivers awake while traveling down those boring highways. One of those ways is something we see in many places, which is troughs - or ruts - appropriately spaced to cause vibration frequencies. <p><p>Hokkaido had a much more enjoyable idea: create roads with pleasing rhythmic and tonal pleasure. The Industrial Research Institute in Hokkaido are keeping the "groove" by creating a formula for pumping melodies up through your car. The grooves are a few millimetres deep and 6-12 mm wide; the closer they're grouped together, the higher the pitch of the note. <p><p><center><p><img src="http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/images/articles/RoadwayJapan.jpg"><p></center><p><i>They're planning to use different melodies for different areas, picking songs that have some association to the locale.</i><p><p>It'd be really cool to hear "Detriot Rock City" while going around that turn at 95! <p><p>I'm sure that hearing certain songs along the road could produce some interesting identifiers as to where you are; especially if you're going the wrong way. It gives a whole new meaning to "backmasking!"<p><p>Via: [<a href="http://slashdot.jp/article.pl?sid=05/02/02/0340256" target="_New">Slashdot Japanese Edition</a>] Sun, 8 Feb 2005 04:51 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=112 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=112 If you want to see a truly technologically fancinating digital camera, or at least the photographs from said camera, you really need to visit GigaPixl.ORG. You can do a little people watching (or Pixel-watching, if you prefer), where four-gigapixel images are a reality: but no reality you'll be able to buy soon, or would want to.<p><p>Physicist Graham Flint has been working on an ultra-high-resolution portrait of America, creating a series of truly enormous gigapixel images taken with a camera made up of decommissioned Cold War hardware. Pieces of salvaged parts of spy planes and nuclear reactors have combined to create a camera capable of capturing an astonishing 4 gigapixels of detail.<p><p><center><p><img src="http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/images/articles/gigapixel.jpg"><p></center><p><p>All of those gigapixels come with a surprising weight of almost 100 pounds for the metal boxed camera, which employs a huge 9"x18" film plate - the same format used by military U-2 spy planes.<p><p>If you're thinking he can just point and shoot his shots, you'd be dead wrong. Flint has to measure the distance to every object, he wants to shoot, in the field of view with a laser range finder. He then has to work with a set of algorithms to calculate lens adjustments.<p><p>The images are then scanned with a Leica Geosystems scanner; a special scanner used in geoscience surveys and by NASA for space imaging. <p><p>But there's definitely some merit to all of this madness. Take a look at the amazing detail (as expected) that can be seen of the results from the images taken and scanned: <a href="http://www.gigapxl.org/gallery-Parasail.htm">GigaPixl Gallery</a><p><p>Via: [<a href="http://www.digital-lifestyles.info">Digital Lifestyles</a>] Wed, 4 Feb 2005 09:08 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=109 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=109 Physics Professor Ronald L. Mallett, at the University of Connecticut, has created the blueprints for a true "time machine". The machine, which uses circulating beams of light, is currently being built.<p><p>You truly have to read <a href="http://temporology.bio.msu.ru/EREPORTS/mallett.pdf">the report</a> to get a good understanding of what he's talking about (and by "understanding" I mean be completely confused or at least question his sanity - kidding!), but I think the most important thing to remember is that people who want to do this are completely nuts! ;) No, seriously, it's intriging but complicated and currently a bit difficult to phathom the requirements for what we've seen in the movies - let alone the science of understanding of what's actually going on with time.<p><p>My suggestion is that you also check out the comments people have had on <a href="http://digg.com/science/Blueprint_For_A_Time_Machine">digg.com's site</a>. It's more interesting, to me, to hear what directions people go with their opinions. Obviously there are people, like me, that enjoy hearing themselves talk... so, feel amused!<p><p>But, if I could go back... I wouldn't have eaten that burrito for lunch... ;)<p><p>Via: [<a href="http://digg.com">Digg</a>] Mon, 2 Feb 2005 11:02 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=104 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=104 Speaking of cool devices... Technology and Science meet in the middle on this one!<p><p>The super-intelligent researchers at Manchester University (UK) have developed a printer which is capable of producing human skin to help wounds heal.<p><p>It works by taking skin cells from a patient's body and placing them into a special printer ink liquid, and then multiplied. The wound dimensions are entered into the "printer" machine and then used to print out a tailor made strip of skin, ready to be sewn on to the body.<p><p><center><p><img src="http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/images/articles/SkinPrint.jpg"><p></center><p><p>Researchers are hoping to design a way to print cells onto 3D plastic scaffolds so that they can "print-out" bones or cartilage.<p><p>Via: [<a href="http://www.sensoryimpact.com">SensoryImpact</a>] Wed, 18 Jan 2005 04:34 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=95 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=95 Directly from the source article at <a href="http://www.physorg.com/weblog/news861.html">PhysOrg.com</a>: <p><p>"<i>Larry Summers, the outspoken president of Harvard University, has stirred up controversy by suggesting there are innate differences between the sexes that prevent more women from rising to the top in science and mathematics.<p><p>Dr Summers, made his remarks in a speech to an invitation-only economic conference last Friday in which he also questioned the role of discrimination in keeping female scientists and engineers from advancing at top colleges and universities.<p><p>Dr Summers said that he was discussing hypotheses, based on works assembled for the conference, and was not expressing his own views.</i>" Wed, 11 Jan 2005 08:23 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=77 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=77 <a href="http://p2pnet.net/story/3518">p2pnet.net - the original daily p2p and digital media news site</a>: "p2pnet.net OT News:- An event so large that the best seat in the house is in space will almost certainly occur on Saturday.<p><p>Then, a 100-mile-long iceberg will collide with a floating glacier near the McMurdo Research Station in Antarctica.<p><p>'It's a clash of the titans, a radical and uncommon event,' says Robert Bindshadler, a researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.<p><p>The gigantic B-15A iceberg is moving steadily towards the Drygalski Ice Tongue, images from NASA satellites show, and NASA scientists predict a collision no later than January 15, 2005.<p><p>When the iceberg and the ice tongue meet, the edges could crumple and ice could pile or drift into the Ross Sea. But if the B-15A iceberg picks up enough speed before the two collide, the results could be more spectacular, says NASA, and the ice tongue could even break off.<p><p>The B-15A iceberg is a 3,000-square-kilometer (1,200-square-mile) behemoth that's the largest fragment of a much bigger ‘berg that broke away from the Ross Ice Shelf in March 2000.<p><p>And if the collision actually happens, it could be witnessed again and again, says NASA, adding:<p><p>“The tides that drive the iceberg's motion tend to push it in circles. ‘If B-15A bangs the ice tongue once, it could bang it again,' says Bindshadler. With multiple daily views of the Ross Sea, NASA satellites will be there to watch the show.” Mon, 30 Dec 2004 08:46 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=61 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=61 Well, OK, it's not magical. It's highly scientific! There's an emerging technology which is bringing us the wonderful new, self-cleaning glass product from <a href="http://www.pilkington.com/">Pilkington Corporation</a>. That new technology is nanotechnology; a science with a million uses in our near future.<p><p>The Pilkington Active Self-Cleaning Glass product is coated in a chemical layer that reacts with ultra-violet rays from sunlight to disintegrate organic dirt materials. Then when rain or water hits the glass, it simply takes the dirt with it. Very slick! But, I wonder what happens when you have an inorganic substance like particles left behind by smog?<p><p><center><p><img src="http://www.manoogian.net/blog/paul/images/nanoglass.jpg"><p></center><p><p><p>The substances in the glass are normal household chemicals, and the huge reduction in spray-and-wipe cleaning supplies adds up to a "greener" window.<p><p>The <a href="http://www.pilkington.com/international+products/activ/usa/english/faqs/default.htm">FAQ page on the Pilkington site</a> states that the glass is designed to reduce the amount of maintenance required. I guess it means that we'll still have to clean it when the weather is dry or when the window is extra dirty?<p><p>Now, when are they going to invent some self-cleaning toilets?!<p><p>Via [<a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2004/12/pilkington_acti_1.php">Treehugger</a>] Sun, 15 Dec 2004 09:24 EST Science http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/ViewItem.asp?Entry=16 http://www.manoogian.net/blog/blogx/Comments.asp?Entry=16 On Monday, December 13th, 2004, The White House opened the doors to search for a successor to Sean O'Keefe, NASA's former top Administrator. According to TechNews World, the list of candidates for the next space chief will have "fewer ties to President Bush and more technical expertise in aerospace."<p><p>O'Keefe formally resigned in a five-page handwritten letter to Bush. The White House said "it will move quickly to find a replacement", but discussion of the potential hopefuls was declined to reporters.<p><p>I had the honor of seeing <a href="http://www.manoogian.net/blog/paul/2004/10/space-its-pretty-big-place.htm">O'Keefe up close and personal</a> at the Gartner Group conference in Orlando Florida during October of this year. He's a dynamic speaker, funny, and comes off as a real person; let alone, an intelligent one.<p><p>I'm sorry he's leaving the space program, but, hopefully they'll choose a successor with the qualifications and vision that Mr. O'Keefe has.