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Education

Tennessee "Teaching the Controversy" Bill Passed Into Law-> 1

Submitted by MrKevvy
MrKevvy writes "The Tennessee "Teaching the Controversy" bill was passed into law today.

"A law to allow public school teachers to challenge the scientific consensus on issues like climate change and evolution will soon take effect in Tennessee.
State governor Bill Haslam allowed the bill — passed by the state House and Senate — to become law without signing it, saying he did not believe the legislation "changes the scientific standards that are taught in our schools.""
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Comment: NASA Spin-offs (Score 1) 373

by Linnen (#38615402) Attached to: US Report Sees Perils To America's Tech Future

I realize that the 'in' thing is to bash "big, bad inefficient" government, but do try to keep up with the times. 30 second search on Wikipedia.
From Wiki
1 NASA spin-off technologies

        1.1 Health and medicine
                1.1.1 Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)
                1.1.2 Infrared ear thermometers
                1.1.3 Ventricular assist device
                1.1.4 Artificial limbs
        1.2 Transportation
                1.2.1 Aircraft anti-icing systems
                1.2.2 Highway safety
                1.2.3 Improved radial tires
                1.2.4 Chemical detection
        1.3 Public safety
                1.3.1 Video enhancing and analysis systems
                1.3.2 Fire-resistant reinforcement
                1.3.3 Firefighting equipment
        1.4 Consumer, home, and recreation
                1.4.1 Temper foam
                1.4.2 Enriched baby food
                1.4.3 Portable cordless vacuums
                1.4.4 Freeze drying
        1.5 Environmental and agricultural resources
                1.5.1 Water purification
                1.5.2 Solar energy
                1.5.3 Pollution remediation
        1.6 Computer technology
                1.6.1 Structural analysis software
                1.6.2 Remotely controlled ovens
                1.6.3 NASA Visualization Explorer
        1.7 Industrial productivity
                1.7.1 Powdered lubricants
                1.7.2 Improved mine safety
                1.7.3 Food safety

NASA even publishes a report of its spin-off technologies ( http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/ )
Here is a list from 2010;
NASA Technologies Benefiting Society
Health and Medicine
Burnishing Techniques Strengthen Hip Implants
Signal Processing Methods Monitor Cranial Pressure
Ultraviolet-Blocking Lenses Protect, Enhance Vision
Hyperspectral Systems Increase Imaging Capabilities
Transportation
Programs Model the Future of Air Traffic Management
Tail Rotor Airfoils Stabilize Helicopters, Reduce Noise
Personal Aircraft Point to the Future of Transportation
Ducted Fan Designs Lead to Potential New Vehicles
Winglets Save Billions of Dollars in Fuel Costs
Sensor Systems Collect Critical Aerodynamics Data
Coatings Extend Life of Engines and Infrastructure
Public Safety
Radiometers Optimize Local Weather Prediction
Energy-Efficient Systems Eliminate Icing Danger for UAVs
Rocket-Powered Parachutes Rescue Entire Planes
Technologies Advance UAVs for Science, Military
Inflatable Antennas Support Emergency Communication
Smart Sensors Assess Structural Health
Hand-Held Devices Detect Explosives and Chemical Agents
Terahertz Tools Advance Imaging for Security, Industry
Consumer, Home, and Recreation
LED Systems Target Plant Growth
Aerogels Insulate Against Extreme Temperatures
Image Sensors Enhance Camera Technologies
Lightweight Material Patches Allow for Quick Repairs
Nanomaterials Transform Hairstyling Tools
Do-It-Yourself Additives Recharge Auto Air Conditioning
Environmental and Agricultural Resources
Systems Analyze Water Quality in Real Time
Compact Radiometers Expand Climate Knowledge
Energy Servers Deliver Clean, Affordable Power
Solutions Remediate Contaminated Groundwater
Bacteria Provide Cleanup of Oil Spills, Wastewater
Reflective Coatings Protect People and Animals
Computer Technology
Innovative Techniques Simplify Vibration Analysis
Modeling Tools Predict Flow in Fluid Dynamics
Verification Tools Secure Online Shopping, Banking
Toolsets Maintain Health of Complex Systems
Framework Resources Multiply Computing Power
Tools Automate Spacecraft Testing, Operation
GPS Software Packages Deliver Positioning Solutions
Solid-State Recorders Enhance Scientific Data Collection
Computer Models Simulate Fine Particle Dispersion
Industrial Productivity iconIndustrial Productivity
Composite Sandwich Technologies Lighten Components
Cameras Reveal Elements in the Short Wave Infrared
Deformable Mirrors Correct Optical Distortions
Stitching Techniques Advance Optics Manufacturing
Compact, Robust Chips Integrate Optical Functions
Fuel Cell Stations Automate Processes, Catalyst Testing
Onboard Systems Record Unique Videos of Space Missions
Space Research Results Purify Semiconductor Materials
Toolkits Control Motion of Complex Robotics

Government

5 Hot Tech Policy Agenda Items You Need to Watch->

Submitted by bdcny7927
bdcny7927 writes "From providing more spectrum space for wireless providers to battling online piracy to creating cybersecurity policy to protecting intellectual property, expect things to heat up in Washington this year. So pour yourself a cup of coffee and read on to learn how lawmakers will impact the tech world in the year ahead."
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Comment: They are a 'Fallacy of the Middle' party (Score 1) 249

by Linnen (#38539916) Attached to: New Group Paves Way For 2012 Online Primary
Another example of 'High Broderism' made into a political party, like Bloomberg's try or the 'No Labels' party. When one party's response to a cut finger is to recommend to cut off the patient's hand and the other party's recommendation is to cut the patient's arm off at the shoulder, these 'centralists' would compromise and just cut the patient's arm off at the elbow instead of getting out the band-aide.

America Elect is a group of campaign consultants looking for a front man.
Space

Atom Smashers Get an Antimatter Surprise->

Submitted by suraj.sun
suraj.sun writes "The Large Hadron Collider is constantly on the hunt for "new physics" — discoveries that confound and expand our current understanding of the universe... and it may have found one in the decay patterns of a subatomic particle and its antimatter counterpart.

Specifically, particles called D-mesons appear to decay in a slightly different way than their antiparticles, and this seemingly small finding could explain why the early universe became dominated by matter instead of antimatter. According to project physicist Matthew Charles, the results have a statistical certainty of 3.5 sigma — meaning there's a 99.95% chance that these results will hold up, but still short of the 5 sigma level needed to declare this a formal discovery.

However, the team still has a huge amount of data still to work through, so there's an excellent chance that we'll know one way or the other about this result in the near future.

http://io9.com/5859845/the-large-hadron-collider-may-have-discovered-why-we-dont-live-in-a-universe-of-antimatter"
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Science

Gene study offers clues on memory puzzle->

Submitted by
fysdt
fysdt writes "Scientists have shed light on why it is easier to learn about things related to what we already know than it is to learn about unfamiliar things, according to a new study.

The team says this is a paradox, as very different things are arguably more novel, yet adding to what we already know is so much easier.

Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh and Tokyo have found that building on existing knowledge activates a key set of genes in the brain.

These 'plasticity' genes do not respond so well to subjects about which we know very little, making it harder for us to form new memories about unfamiliar topics.

The team says this could help us understand how professionals acquire their knowledge gradually over time and may inform new educational strategies to boost learning."
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NJ Judge Rules GPS Tracking of Spouse Legal->

Submitted by Endoflow2010
Endoflow2010 writes "The use of a GPS device to track your whereabouts is not an invasion of privacy in New Jersey, a state appellate court panel ruled today.

Based on the battle of a divorcing Gloucester County couple, the decision helps clarify the rules governing a technology increasingly employed by suspicious spouses — many of whom hire private investigators.

No state law governs the use of GPS tracking devices, and the ruling, which does not affect police officers, is the first to address the issue, said Jimmie Mesis, past president of the New Jersey Licensed Private Investigators Association.

“We only use it when we are sure we have the appropriate conditions,’’ Reed said, noting that investigators make sure GPS devises are installed in cars on public streets and not private areas, and that the spouse must have some legal or financial connection to the car.

Appellate Judge Joseph Lisa, Jack Sabatino and Carmen Alvarez said Villanova had no right to expect privacy because the GPS tracked his movements on public streets.

“There is no direct evidence in this record to establish that during the approximately 40 days the GPS was in the ... glove compartment the device captured a movement of plaintiff into a secluded location that was not in public view, and, if so, that such information was passed along by Mrs. Villanova to (Leonard),” Lisa wrote."
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It's lucky you're going so slowly, because you're going in the wrong direction.