Even the coldest continent on Earth is melting, say NASA scientists. These maps illustrate different aspects of seasonal melting on Antarctica. After analyzing 20 years of satellite data, scientists have concluded that persistent melting—melting that lasts for at least three daytime periods or one consecutive day and night—has been occurring increasingly farther inland and at …
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Green auto design: light, lean and cheap
That’s the objective of Gordon Murray, ex-Formula 1 car designer who recently launched a new company to design a green family car, the T25. Production will be outsourced for this concept car which Murray would like to have online in 18 months. He’s aiming for safety, efficiency and cost competitiveness. Let’s hope this initiative helps …
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Hacking kits available on-line
A recent report by the BBC highlighted the growing availability of hacking and virus writing tools. Available are easy to use tools that automate attacks. With prices up to € 750, you can find everything from individual viruses to comprehensive kits that let budding cyber thieves craft their own attacks. Some of the most expensive …
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Bee CCD caused by virus and other problems
At the beginning of the year reports of colony collapse disorder of bee populations seemed to swarm around the world. Many causes were suggested. Recent research reported in Science suggests that one organism, Israeli acute paralysis virus of bees, was strongly correlated with CCD. Unfortunately, this does not mean that prevention or a cure are …
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BBC iPlayer to be cross-platform
The recent launch of the BBC iPlayer, which allows viewers to see news reports and other programmes on line, was met with criticism because it was soft-launched as a Windows only device. More than 16,000 people have signed an electronic petition that called on the government to ensure the BBC’s iPlayer works on non-Windows PCs. …
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Internet service may become tiered
In comments to the US Federal Communications Commission, which is investigating net access, the Justice Department said that internet service providers should be allowed to charge for priority traffic saying it is opposed to “network neutrality” – the idea that all data on the net is treated equally. This is extraordinary; it is contrary to …
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Embrace Islam
What a good idea! It sounds strange given the geopolitical tension around the world. But embracing Islam would be a whole lot more productive than condemning it. Now, being atheist, I’m not advocating religion. Rather, I’m suggesting that a positive attitude that embraces people would have better results than a divisive and condemning one that …
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APEC for climate change and trade
The principal messages from leaders meeting at the APEC summit recently concluded in Sydney Australia are to prioritise action to reduce climate change and to successfully conclude the WTO Doha round trade talks. These are entirely appropriate prime objectives. Unfortunately, the US, which is the largest per capita carbon emitter and world superpower, and Australia, …
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Making Money
Pratchett’s latest novel is on the stands. In today’s volatile world of money its bound to be revealing. We’ll review it in due course, but Pratchett is always brilliant.
Starchy veg, not meat, is the key to human’s brain development
Recent genetic studies reported in Nature Genetics suggest that human’s ability to digest starchy foods, like the potato, may explain our success on the planet. Compared with primates, humans carry extra copies of a gene, called AMY1, which is essential for making the salivary enzyme amylase that digests calorie-rich starches. The University of California …
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