Tech & Science Archives - Page 26 of 114

New Jersey Ocean Waters Unusually Clear and Green

July 14, 2016 By Nancy Young Leave a Comment

Satellite view of NJ coastal waters on July 7. Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz/NASA

Beachgoers are startled by the unusual change in ocean water along the South Jersey shoreline. Usually, coastal waters in the area are of murky grayish color, but this time waters have gained a much tropical tint that makes them resemble the Carribbean.

Tourists noted that waters are also so clear that they can spot details they haven’t been able to do such as enjoying the sight of dolphins.

Scientists explained that a fresh influx of cold ocean water earlier this month has prompted coastal microalgae to bloom off. So waters borrowed the greenish hue of the chlorophyll in the aquatic plants.

However, algal bloom does not explain why the waters are so transparent during this time of the year. Researchers have another hypothesis: a prolonged drought in the Northeast seems to be the culprit.

Some business owners operating ocean excursions said that they have been on the waters their entire lives, but they weren’t able to recall a time when the water looked so tropical and clear. Cruise operators said that tourists are very impressed with the curious phenomenon since they can now easily spot dolphins even at several feet below the waves.

Yet, beachgoers and tourists alike are the most puzzled with the green waters. Marine scientists explained that marine upwelling has led to an explosion in the growth of phytoplankton along the Jersey shoreline.

Phytoplankton are microscopic plants which thrive when they are inundated with nutrient-rich waters coming from the colder subsurface layers down below. Researchers explained that the tiny plants are as small as a dot made by a pencil on a sheet of paper and they cannot be observed without a microscope. Yet, when they bloom so explosively, their presence cannot be missed.

Scientists said that the greenish hue of the waters is due to the chlorophyll in the marine plants. When sunlight reaches the plants, chlorophyll emits aquamarine wavelenghts through the ocean waters.

Biologists noted that there are billions of microscopic plants within the algal bloom. In a small soda can, you can fit about 500,000 microscopic plants.

Authorities reassured beachgoers that the microalgae are not a threat to their health. In fact, the plants are essential for the ocean ecosystem as they provide a rich source of food for many marine animals.

Image Source: NASA

Robotic Stingray Will Change the Future of Robotics

July 11, 2016 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

Scientists from the Harvard Wyss Institute managed to create a robotic stingray. The artificial animal is believed to be of use in the creation of artificial organs. The robotic stingray will change the future of both robotics and medicine.

The prototype created by the Harvard researchers has four different layers. The first is a silicone layer that makes up the body of the artificial animal. The second is a skeleton made out of gold wire. Then comes a second silicone layer that is used for skin insulation. The fourth and final layer is made out of live cells.

The live cells are harvested from rats. Approximately 200,000 genetically-engineered cells were used to create the robotic stingray. These special cells measure roughly 16 millimeters in length and weigh somewhere around 10 grams.

A specific light wavelength is applied to the genetically-modified cells in order to make them move. When exposed to the special light, the robotic stingray moves and flabs, mimicking the behavior of a real stingray.

According to Kit Parker, the lead researcher of the study, the bot follows the source of light automatically. It does that while swimming in special liquid rich in nutrients made to keep the rat cells alive and responsive.

For the moment, the robotic stingray could not survive outside the laboratory. The problem is that the rat cells that make it so special have no immune system and the bot could be attacked by all sorts of fungal or bacterial pathogens that could instantly kill it.

“Roboticists and engineers can see different ways to use biologist cells as building materials. Marine biologists can take a look to better understand why muscle tissues in rays are built and organized the way they are.”

The scientists declared that it is possible to construct an artificial heart in the near future. The artificial organ could be made from muscle cells that would behave similarly to a natural heart.

Parker mentioned that the team chose to build the robotic stingray because both the artificial heart and the stingray need to overcome their need of motion and fluid.

The stingray needs to swim, while the heart must pump blood. By creating an artificial robotic stingray, the Harvard researchers managed to mimic the way in which the animal responds to the ever-changing conditions.

Image source: Wikipedia

Study: Goats May Be Man’s Second Best Friend

July 10, 2016 By Deborah Campbell Leave a Comment

Recent research shows that domesticated goats may have more in common with dogs than previously thought. A group of scientists found that just like dogs, domesticated goats turn their eyes to humans when they need help.

Other domesticated animals don’t display such a loving relationship. Study authors believe that the goats’ friendly behavior towards humans is due to a long history of domestication which stretches back to 11,000 years ago.

A new study suggests that the 11,000 years of domestication have turned goats into man’s second best friend. The analysis revealed that goats have the same gaze at humans as dogs have when they need help.

Prior to the study, only dogs and horses were known to use direct eye contact to request something from their human owners.

Study authors wanted to test the theory and set up an experiment involving boxes filled with treats that animals couldn’t open all by themselves. Dogs, horses and, surprisingly, goats made eye contact with nearby humans to help them get to the food.

Study investigators underlined the distinction between taming and domestication. For instance, tame foxes can act like pets but they will never become domesticated. For several hundreds dollars you can buy a fox from a Siberia producer which breeds only animals that are docile in the presence of humans.

The Siberian company claims that the animals are very doglike and can be trained.

On the other hand, domestication creates a stronger bond between humans and animals and the implications are not yet fully understood. For example, tame wolves which can also never be domesticated did not turn their gaze to their human companions to help them open the containers in the experiment.

Researchers believe that the doglike gaze can only be attained through countless generations of domesticated animals. And goats had plenty of time at their disposal to become more acquainted with their human handlers when they need help.

Lead author of the study Alan McElligott who is a researcher at Queen Mary University of London in the U.K. noted that goats were never bred as pets. And neither were horses and dogs which were domesticated because man needed them as companions or for animal traction.

Goats were kept close to humans due to milk, hair and meat. But paradoxically, they treat us as their friends even though they weren’t bred to be our pets but our dinner.

The study was published this week in Biology Letters.

Image Source: Pixabay

Cyborg Locusts Will Soon Join the Army

July 9, 2016 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

Cyborg locusts could have both military and medical applications.

It seems that cyborg locusts will soon join the army as bomb scouts. Scientists are trying to take advantage of the complex anatomy of the insect and train them to search for mines without putting human lives at risk.

A team of researchers from the University of Washington in St. Louis have been experimenting with the idea of creating cyborg locusts. The robotic insects have a military application, improving the quality of homeland security.

Baranidharan Raman, a scientist from the University of Washington, declared that he and his team spent the last couple of years analyzing the way in which locusts smell. After pitching the idea of cyborg locusts to the US government, he received a $750,000 grand to continue the experiments for the next three years. The money came from the United States Naval Research Office.

A nanomaterials specialist, Professor Srikanth Singamaneni will be in charge of creating a plasmonic tag constructed from a special biocompatible silk. The “tattoo” will be fitted on the wings of the locusts. This will allow scientists to control the movement of the insects, making them move in specific patterns and towards precise locations.

According to the team, the insects will be fitted with a device resembling a minuscule backpack that will act as a transmitter of the data collected by the antennae. A small green light will flash when a scouted area is considered secure, and a red one will be activated when an explosive is found.

Raman and his team believe that the first prototypes will be ready within the year. If the experiments are successful, then the researchers believe that the cyborg locusts will be ready for action in less than two years.

Apart from the military applications of the retrofitted insects, Raman believes that the cyborg locusts will be helpful in detecting certain medical conditions that are diagnosable through smell. The professor added that the research is still in its early stages and that they will know more of the field applications of the design in a year’s time.

Locusts are apparently easier to use than dogs. The latter require a complicated set of surgeries in order to be fitted with sensors. Also, insects are nature’s robots with their keen senses and stealth capabilities.

Image source: Wikipedia

Saturn Largest Moon Titan May Host Methane-Loving Life Forms

July 7, 2016 By Michael Turner Leave a Comment

Artist’s rendition of Saturn as seen from its moon Titan.

Computer models that took into account a specific chemical element on Titan’s surface suggest that the exotic moon may represent the perfect environment to host life. However, don’t expect the life as we know it on Earth, but microbial life spurred by the rocky world’s methane-rich conditions.

Titan has stirred the imagination of scientists and space exploration fans for decades due to its methane lakes and methane-laden clouds. While surface pressures are similar to our planet’s, temperatures can sink as low as -180 degrees C.

Earth and Titan are currently the only known space bodies to host liquid on their surfaces.

Some researchers suspect that Titan’s methane lakes may host alien life, but they lack any compelling evidence. Yet, a new study brings at least some theoretical reason to back that hypothesis up.

Study authors noted that both experimental and observational data showed that there is plenty of hydrogen cyanide in the moon’s skies. The element can bond hydrogen together which can create the perfect conditions for simple alien microorganisms to thrive.

Hydrogen cyanide can also morph into polyimine, which can absorb the weak solar radiation that makes it through Titan’s thick atmosphere and convert it into energy. Researchers believe that there is a high chance for polyimine to be present even though it hasn’t been yet detected.

So, computer models based on quantum calculations show that the conditions to sustain life can be created due to polyimine despite frigid temperatures on the moon’s surface. This applies especially to the tidal pools close to Titan’s methane seas.

Nevertheless, scientists acknowledged that the possibility was “very speculative.” They added that the finding should not be seen as a prediction but as a possibility which might or might not occur.

Researchers said that their hypothesis that life may exist in environments that lack water and cozy temperatures need to be confirmed by an exploratory mission to Titan.

Even Robert Ballard, the famous explorer who spotted the Titanic’s wreck, showed great interest in a mission to explore Titan’s lakes. He said last year that humanity has got to go there.

A research paper on the latest findings was published July 5, 2016 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Image Source: Flickr

BlackBerry to No Longer Manufacture its Classic Smartphone Model

July 6, 2016 By Nancy Young Leave a Comment

On Tuesday, BlackBerry announced that it would no longer produce the ‘Classic’ model as it would focus more on the BlackBerry 10 line and Android devices.

The announcement was made in a blog post by the company’s chief operating officer Ralph Pini who admitted that in some cases it is very hard to let go. Pini added that both the company and customers will find it hard to let go the old model but “change makes way for new and better experiences.”

The Canadian smartphone maker rolled out the Classic model in 2014 as an attempt to win over plastic keyboard aficionados and smartphone users that are not on good terms with touchscreens.

Pini didn’t say whether BlackBerry OS would be discontinued but other models featuring the system were still displayed on the company’s website as of Tuesday. Pini added that some customers may still stick to the Classic shape of the smartphone despite the phone maker’s decisions.

Pini advised fans to look for the smartphone on their carriers’ sites. He also said that the company still had some on sale on its own website.

The Classic model is powered by BlackBerry 10 operating system, which was supposed to be another asset designed to lure more customers in. Recently, however, the company said that it would focus more on Android-powered devices.

The company wouldn’t unveil whether BlackBerry Classic was a hit as it is in its policy not to disclose sales figures. Yet, it is now known that the company is hemorrhaging money and struggling to cut costs.

In June, the phone maker announced a $670 million loss for the last quarter, which is thrice the amount of loss a quarter prior. Analysts believe that the plunge may be due to the wading popularity of the company’s phone business.

Moreover, the sales of its Priv phones were not as high as expected, and analysts don’t predict the situation to improve as the phones become internationally available. BlackBerry has tried to revive sales with price cuts and rabid advertising on Verizon’s network.

Despite all efforts, hardware sales plunged in this fiscal year and revenue dropped $38 million from $269 million during the same period last year. Investors had expected more than $470 million revenues, and were quite disappointed with the $424 million BlackBerry managed to pull off.
Image Source: YouTube

Stalker Threatened to Kill Stephen Hawking

July 4, 2016 By Roxanne Briean Leave a Comment

A female stalker threatened to kill Stephen Hawking during a conference. The woman sent disturbing emails to the physicist, telling him where she is and what she is planning to do. The stalker was apprehended by the police and is now serving time for her actions.

Jenny Theresa C. got a restraining order after the physicist’s family prompted the authorities. The female stalker threatened to kill Stephen Hawking because, according to her statement, she was in love with him.

The Spanish authorities held an expedited hearing as the woman pleaded guilty to stalking the famous author and physicist. Due to the fact that she admitted her crimes, Jenny Theresa C. was released on probation and only got a suspended jail sentence.

Because the female stalker threatened to kill Stephen Hawking in an explicit way, the authorities decided to issue a restraining order against her. According to the document, the woman is not allowed to approach the Nobel laureate within 500 meters. She is also banned from communicating with him in any way (telephone, email, letters, or any other outlet).

Normally, Spanish law would have condemned her to at least two years of incarceration. However, giving that she is an American citizen and that it was her first offense on the country’s territory, the full sentencing was canceled.

“The American citizen arrested for threatening Stephen Hawking has been released because the four-month prison sentence she received was suspended as she didn’t have a criminal record in Spain,” court source declared.

Jenny Theresa C. was arrested by Spanish police on Friday. She was staying at the Canary Island hotel. According to sources, the woman was planning to kill Stephen Hawking because she was in love with him.

Unfortunately, the more famous a person is, the more the chances of getting stalked increase. The problem with this behavior is that it usually ends badly for the person that falls victim to the deranged abuser.

One famous example of a tragic ending caused by stalking is John Lennon. His killer, who was a Beatles fan, developed an obsession for the singer, ultimately deciding to end his life. Other celebrities that were killed by an obsessive stalker are Rebecca Schaefer and Christina Grimmie.

Image source: Wikipedia

Oracle Loses $3 Billion to HP in Itanium Lawsuit

July 3, 2016 By Nancy Young 1 Comment

On Thursday, a Silicon Valley jury ordered Oracle to pay Hewlett Packard Enterprise $3 billion in damages in a trial revolving around now-defunct Itanium technology. The Redwood City-based company pledged to appeal the verdict.

HP argued in the trial that Oracle’s breaching of a contract led to the decline of a profitable line of business computers. In 2011, Oracle single-handedly decided to cease the development of a database and other software designed to power Itanium chip-based computer systems. Itanium is part of Intel’s line of microprocessors, but a less popular one.

HP which is focused on developing hardware such as servers and laptops said in the trial that Oracle revealed its intentions to hurt its business when it hired former HP chief executive Mark Hurd in 2011. In the meantime, Oracle entered the server business by purchasing Sun Microsystems Inc.

John Schultz of HP Enterprise argued that Oracle’s refusal to provide further support to HP’s Itanium-based server systems in the spring of 2011 led to serious damages to both the company and its customers.

Oracle chairman Larry Ellison denied allegations. He replied that his company’s actions were a response to Intel’s decision to stop providing support to Itanium. Intel said in the trial that this wasn’t the case.

Industry analysts believe that the $3 billion verdict should be “eye-opening.” On the other hand, the trial is not expected to harm Oracle’s reputation or shares as the company is currently valued at about $170 billion. Furthermore, HP Enterprise could see a lot less money than requested in court after the appeals.

Reportedly, Oracle got back in the Itanium support business after another court ruled it to do so. Oracle executive VP and general counsel Dorian Daley recently told reporters that the company’s 2011 decision echoed the future of Itanium-based platforms.

Daley noted that two lawsuit have proven that the microprocessor was nearing the end of its life cycle, while HP was perfectly aware of the situation but kept it hidden from customers and shareholders.

The latest trial, which began in May, represents the second huge courtroom loss in Oracle’s history. In late May, another California jury ruled that Google hasn’t infringed Oracle’s copyright on Java code as it had used it under the “fair use” policy. Oracle is preparing to appeal that verdict too.

Image Source: Wikimedia

Plants Can Assess Risks and Make Decisions Accordingly, Study

July 2, 2016 By Nancy Young 1 Comment

For the first time ever, scientists were able to prove that plants can make decisions based on the perceived level of risk and variable conditions.

If that’s not the first step toward sentient plants, able of thinking and moving to their own accord – Harry Potter’s Whomping Willow, anyone? – I don’t know what is.

On a more serious note, however, scientists discovered that pea plants were putting out more roots if placed in pots of soil with higher levels of nutrients, similar to the animals’ behavior of devoting more energy and resources to foraging and hunting when food is plenty.

Then, researchers separated the pea plant’s roots in two pots with variable conditions. One pot was offering the plant a constant level or nutrients while the second one sustained rising and falling levels.

The soil in one pair of pots was consistently of poor quality, while the solid in another pair featured an above average supply of nutrients.

According to the researchers’ hypothesis, the plants would choose to “grow more roots in the variable soil when the constant quality was low, and opt to devote root resources to the constant pot when soil quality was better.”

Surprisingly so, the pea plants’ roots followed this exact prediction. Their adaptive behavior is much like the decision making that takes place in the human brain when we’re faced with risk variables. In general, humans are more likely to gamble or take risks when they’re less at stake. When times are good, taking a risk comes with less gain.

“To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an adaptive response to risk in an organism without a nervous system,” said Alex Kacelnik, a zoologist and researcher at Oxford University.

The authors explained that their study’s purpose was not to prove that plants are somehow intelligent, like other animals or humans. Instead, their focus was on showing that they are rather complex and act on particularly interesting behaviors.

Theoretically, their findings could be classified as biological adaptations, as the plants have developed processes that help them exploit natural opportunities as efficiently as possible.

Published in the journal Current Biology, the study suggests other varying models of behavioral economics could be used to predict this interesting decision making of plants.
Image Source: Tumblr

Meet the New Furby Connect: Better and Smarter

July 2, 2016 By Kenneth Scott Leave a Comment

Remember the cute yet creepy Furby toys that were all the rage back in the late ‘90s? Everyone wished to have one – and not just the kids. Now, the popular toy has been redesigned and it’s making the comeback of the year.

Meet the new Furby Connect, a toy that’s more interactive and smarter than ever. While looking similarly to the original version, the new Furby has bigger eyes and larger ears to see and hear you better.

Thankfully, the toy does shut its eyes and you can even cover them with a sleep mask that acts as a shut down so you don’t have to fear the Furby will turn into a live Chucky Doll in the middle of the night.

Many of the old features have been kept for authenticity – the doll still blinks its eyes, makes noises and absently chats with other Furby Connects when two are together – but the redesign also includes new smart features.

In 2012, a more recent version of the ‘90s most popular toy was released with a companion app, but Furby Connect takes it as step further by adding Bluetooth connectivity. This way, the toy connected through the app available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire, can always be up to date.

Bluetooth also allows the Furby to connect with its owner and play songs and show video clips. This capability was possible through the company’s partnership with Kidz Bop; the new Furby can also display sports scores and other data on global events.

Furby Connect comes with a head-attached antenna that lights up blue when it has new content for you to watch. The notification alerts the owner to open the app and react to the latest videos and songs. The Furby Connect will do the same, reacting “with its own hilarious take on what’s happening on screen.”

Kids can also use the app to take care of the new Furby – which now feels like a hybrid between a Tamagotchi and a Gremlin (other favorite toys of the last century). The owner can raise virtual Furblings in-app by feeding them and playing games with them.

You can preorder the Furby Connect at Amazon.com, and you will pay $99 for it when released this fall.
Image Source: Hasbro

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