Want to read Slashdot from your mobile device? Point it at m.slashdot.org and keep reading!

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Biotech

Stem Cells Restore Sight For Corneal Disease Patients 223

Posted by timothy from the soon-it'll-be-saline-&-stem-cell-solution dept.
Sean0michael writes "Australian scientists have restored the sight of three human test subjects using stem cells cultured in contact lenses. All the patients were blind in only one eye. Two were legally blind, but can now read the big letters on an eye chart. The third could read the first few lines, but is now able to pass a driver's test. The University of New South Wales reports that these patients all had damaged corneas, and the stem cells came from each person's good eye. The best part: the procedure is inexpensive, raising hopes for being able to push this to the third world sooner than other, more expensive medications."

Comment Re:Could they possibly... (Score 1) 162

by cailith1970 (#28162351) Attached to: Time Warner ToS Changes Could Mean Tiered Pricing, Throttling

While this is absolutely true, the pricing that we are charged here for poor speed and low quotas is frankly highway robbery and not really justifiable even with this consideration. I know we started life as a penal colony, but do the ISPs have to keep up the tradition? :)

Now, back on topic. Most of the ISPs here do not charge quota for accessing their servers. Telstra run games servers that allow their customers to play without hitting their quota, while my ISP runs a large mirror site that has an impressive array of files that again do not count toward your quota. This appears to be the model that TWC is trying to apply over there.

Comment Re:Could they possibly... (Score 2, Informative) 162

by cailith1970 (#28161695) Attached to: Time Warner ToS Changes Could Mean Tiered Pricing, Throttling
In Australia, we get to choose our plan by both speed AND quota. If you exceed your quota, in most cases you will get shaped to 128kpbs. Some of the bigger players like Telstra charge you excess usage per megabite over the limit. This pricing structure has been in Australia for many years.
Displays

A Widescreen Laser Projector In Your Pocket 189

Posted by timothy from the so-very-happy-to-see-you dept.
Edis Krad writes "Redmond based company Microvision is in the last stages of developing and releasing a portable, laser-based projector, code-named 'Show WX.' The projector has a resolution of 848 by 400 pixels (WVGA) and, since it uses laser-scanning rather than LCD to form the images, it does not require a lens to focus, allowing it to display images virtually in any surface. The device comes with its own user-replaceable battery, which means you could take it with you anywhere you want. Although there is no pricing information on their website, according to this local news video, it could cost at least $200."
The Courts

Mac Clone Maker Psystar Files For Bankruptcy 366

Posted by kdawson from the taking-the-pressure-off dept.
StikyPad was one of several readers letting us know that Psystar has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. We've discussed the Mac clone maker's battles with Apple extensively. The company apparently has over $250,000US in debt, and states that it cannot turn a profit in the current economy. "The Chapter 11 filing will temporarily suspend Apple's copyright infringement suit against Psystar, which is currently before the US District Court of Northern California. But once the bankruptcy protection is sorted out, the copyright case will resume." And PC Mag is reporting that, on the other side of the Atlantic, two new clone companies are just getting started. Like PsyStar, FreedomPC and RussianMac promise to deliver PCs with OS X preloaded.
Earth

Microbes 100M Years Old Found In Termite Guts 145

Posted by kdawson from the mutualism-in-action dept.
viyh writes with coverage on MSNBC of the discovery of ancient microbes fossilized in the gut of a termite. "One hundred million years ago a termite was wounded and its abdomen split open. The resin of a pine tree slowly enveloped its body and the contents of its gut. In what is now the Hukawng Valley in Myanmar, the resin fossilized and was buried until it was chipped out of an amber mine. The resin had seeped into the termite's wound and preserved even the microscopic organisms in its gut. These microbes are the forebears of the microbes that live in the guts of today's termites and help them digest wood. ... The amber preserved the microbes with exquisite detail, including internal features like the nuclei. ... Termites are related to cockroaches and split from them in evolutionary time at about the same time the termite in the amber was trapped."
Medicine

Cola Consumption Can Lead To Muscle Problems 420

Posted by timothy from the but-your-lifting-arm's-doing-fine dept.
wjousts writes "As I'm sure many Slashdot readers live almost exclusively on cola drinks, a new warning from doctors: 'Doctors have issued a warning about excessive cola consumption after noticing an increase in the number of patients suffering from muscle problems, according to the June issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice. ... 'Evidence is increasing to suggest that excessive cola consumption can also lead to hypokalaemia, in which the blood potassium levels fall, causing an adverse effect on vital muscle functions.' And sorry, diet colas aren't any better."
Censorship

Submission + - Australia tests vehicle speed limiting devices (abc.net.au) 1

Submitted by
nemesisrocks
nemesisrocks writes: "The New South Wales (Australia) Government is testing a device that will limit the speed of drivers because "excessive speed is one of the primary ways that people are killed while driving".

Located on the dashboard, it senses a driver's speed with the use of GPS. If the speed of a car goes over the posted legal limit, a warning sounds. If the driver ignores the warning, the device eventually cuts all power to the car because a cut-off switch has been installed between the accelerator and the engine."
Java

Submission + - Sun to launch App Store for Java, and no one cares (javaworld.com) 1

Submitted by
jfruhlinger
jfruhlinger writes: "Yesterday Jonathan Schwartz announced on his blog Project Vector, which aims essentially to be an analogue to the iPhone's App Store — only for Java applications, on desktops. This could be huge for the millions of Java developers who'd be able to sell their apps directly to consumers, and for Sun (or, soon, Oracle) which will get a cut of every transaction. So why is it that nobody seems to care?"
Education

Submission + - Google CEO Urges Grads 'Turn off Your Computers' 1

Submitted by
Hugh Pickens
Hugh Pickens writes: "Google chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt told about 6,000 graduates at the University of Pennsylvania's commencement that they need to find out what is most important to them — by living analog for a while. "Turn off your computer. You're actually going to have to turn off your phone and discover all that is human around us," Schmidt said. "Nothing beats holding the hand of your grandchild as he walks his first steps." Schmidt also urged graduates not to lay out a rigid path for themselves. Rewards will gravitate to those who make mistakes and learn from them. "You can't plan innovation or inspiration, but you can be ready for it, and when you see it you can jump on it and you can make a difference." Schmidt added that members of his generation spent all their time trying to hide their most embarrassing moments while today's generation records and posts all those moments on YouTube, drawing laughter from the crowd. "And I am looking forward to watching these for the next 30 or 40 years.""
Music

Submission + - RIAA victim Jammie Thomas gets a new lawyer! (p2pnet.net)

Submitted by
newtley
newtley writes: "Only days after learning Brian Toder, her previous legal representative, had decided discretion was the better part of valour, leaving her fend for herself against the RIAA, Jammie Thomas says another lawyer has come forward with an offer of pro bono help. He's K.A.D. Camara from Camara & Sibley in Houston, Texas, says Jammie. And, "He's the youngest person in history to graduate from Harvard Law school with honors," she points out. Nor will her trial — or, rather, her retrial — be delayed, as was expected. It'll now go forward in June 15, as slated. "I'm so happy !" — Jammie said. That didn't take long. :)"

Slashdot Top Deals

The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning, and does not stop until you get to work.

Close