392677
submission
ScentCone writes:
The Telegraph covers a New Scientist report (subscribers only) about two US comsologists who suggest that, a la Schrodinger's possibly unhappy cat, the act of obvserving certain facets of our universe may have shortened its life . FTA, 'Prof Krauss says that the measurement of the light from supernovae in 1998, which provided evidence of dark energy, may have reset the decay of the void to zero — back to a point when the likelihood of its surviving was falling rapidly.' Warning: if you've read this summary, you may have already changed the article.
114123
submission
ScentCone writes:
On a topic related to recent discussion here , Malaysian DVD pirates have now put a bounty on the heads of two dogs that have so far contributed to six arrests and the seizing of roughly a million conterfeit game and movie disks. The disk and manufacturing gear were hidden in secret compartments and concealed spaces over four floors of an office building.
63852
submission
ScentCone writes:
In hopes of disrupting small droplets of water before they are able to form into an approaching storm's fruit-damaging hail, some farmers are spending $50K+ each on sonic cannons. Like most, this New Zealand company's gear uses acetylene gas charges. The technique has a long history, but there is continued debate about its effectiveness. Nissan, though, has got their own version to protect lots full of shiny new cars.
47026
submission
ScentCone writes:
US District Judge James Roberston has directed the US Treasury to start working on a way for the blind to differentiate between printed denominations. He said that the government is violating the Rehabilitaion Act in discriminating against those with a disability. He cites other countries' use of varying currency sizes as evidence that there are solutions, but does not prescribe a particular approach. Possibilities include raised ink and punched holes. Newer bills already support infrared features for use with readers, but such technology gets some complaints. The vending machine industry, which has participated in previous redesign discussions, may have a lot of work to do.
36448
submission
ScentCone writes:
New Zealand's Qualification Authority (which sets testing standards for the public schools) is confident that those grading papers will understand the meaning of students' responses, even if they use phone/IM-style text-speak. FTA, "credit will be given if the answer 'clearly shows the required understanding,' even if it contains text-speak." Many teachers are not amused, and critics say that the move will devalue NZ's equivalent of a high school diploma.
17345
submission
ScentCone writes:
A Florida woman made the (unopposed) case that she was defamed and suffered business damages because of what a Louisiana woman was posting about her online. She has no expectation of collecting the money, but says "People are using the Internet to destroy people they don't like, and you can't do that." Libel is libel, but a libeler now has more/easier reach than before, and things like the Google cache add a new dimension.
16073
submission
ScentCone writes:
North Korea says that it has conducted its first nuclear weapons test and "brought happiness to its people."
Japan and China earlier issued an unusual joint statement saying that such a test would be "unacceptable."
As of 11:10PM EST, the USGS says that it has not detected any unusual seismic activity on the Korean peninsula in the last 48 hours. Is NK's declaring a successful test with no apparent seismic indicators suggesting that they have actually done so just a more over-the-top-than-usual bit of propoganda?
