23102732
submission
derGoldstein writes:
Intel will again offer CPU upgrades through software. In the past, the upgrades gave you HyperThreading and more L3 cache. This time upgrades will actually increase CPU frequency: "Intel® Upgrade Service offers three different upgrades on second generation Core processors: Intel® Core i3-2312M processor, Intel® Core i3-2102 processor, and Intel® Pentium® G622 processor". The page provides benchmarks of the 3 upgrade options.
23082050
submission
derGoldstein writes:
Project PyPy is an alternative implementation of Python, with the main advantage being a Just In Time (JIT) compiler which speeds up your code considerably. They've announced the first public release of jitviewer, which is a visualization tool that helps you understand how your code is being compiled by PyPy's JIT, all the way down to assembly. If you just want to see how it looks and play with it, they've setup an online demo — just select a file, and click "Show Assembler".
23067118
submission
derGoldstein writes:
This year Microsoft kept signaling that it's going back to lower-level code with a C++ renaissance. It would give C++ programmers the same priority that was, up until now, reserved for .Net programmers. They even launched a new show about it on their Channel9. Now Google wants to appeal to native programmers with their Native Client for Chrome. It seems that both companies want to cover both the higher-level JavaScript and lower-level C/C++. I dare hope this will give seasoned C/C++ programmers a place along JavaScript programmers at the web development table.
23065216
submission
derGoldstein writes:
Ars has a story up on printing electronic circuits onto the skin, allowing for extremely sensitive sensors: "New research published in Science describes technology that allows electrical measurements (and other measurements, such as temperature and strain) using ultra-thin polymers with embedded circuit elements. These devices connect to skin without adhesives, are practically unnoticeable, and can even be attached via temporary tattoo. All of the necessary components of the devices, including electrodes, electronic components, sensors, radio frequency communication components, and power supplies, are set within an extremely thin (about 30 m) elastic polyester sheet. The sheet has a low elastic modulus (that is, it's flexible) and no noticeable mass (about 0.09 g), so you have a lightweight, stretchable membrane."
23057312
submission
derGoldstein writes:
From the Google blog: "Today we’re adding games to Google+. With the Google+ project, we want to bring the nuance and richness of real-life sharing to the web. But sharing is about more than just conversations. The experiences we have together are just as important to our relationships. We want to make playing games online just as fun, and just as meaningful, as playing in real life." Isn't it funny that they phrase it as though this was their original realization?
22935416
submission
derGoldstein writes:
A new DARPA initiative called Cyber Fast Track has been posted on FBO.gov: [from the PDF] "This Research Announcement (RA) seeks to revolutionize cyber technologies by promoting non-
traditional technical opportunities. The Cyber Fast Track (CFT) program will engage numerous
cyber related efforts across the spectrum of computer and network operations (CNO) to
demonstrate that cyber efforts can be accomplished rapidly and cost effectively. This effort
intends to extend the existing performer base to include non-standard, cutting edge
organizations and individuals throughout the cyber community, thereby strengthening the
Department of Defense’s (DoD) Cyber Security capabilities. ... The CFT Program objective is to capture multiple small cyber projects with a focus on shorter
time frames, low cost, and with the expectation of results demonstrated in less than 12 month
periods. The program will accept proposals for any/all technologies related in the area of
cyber. ... The CFT Program is encouraging community interest and participation and allowing for an open
submission of proposals in the field of Cyber. For the time and money currently invested for
one program, the Government is striving to engage in dozens of programs. The Government
needs agile cyber projects that are smaller in effort, have a potential for large payoff, and result
in a rapid turnaround, creating a greater cost to the adversary to counter. This program seeks
to engage many and different eyes on similar and diverse challenges."
22932714
submission
derGoldstein writes:
ABCNews has a story of a toy RC truck that was upgraded with a camera and saved lives: "The little truck was used by the troops to run ahead of them on patrols and look for roadside bombs. Fessenden has had it since 2007, when Ernie and Kevin Guy, the owner of the Everything Hobby shop in Rochester, rigged it with a wireless video camera and shipped it to him. ... Last week, it paid off. Chris Fessenden said he had loaned the truck to a group of fellow soldiers, who used it to check the road ahead of them on a patrol. It got tangled in a trip wire connected to what Fessenden guesses could have been 500 lbs. of explosives. The bomb went off. The six soldiers controlling the truck from their Humvee were unhurt". (link contains video) This really begs the question: why are hobbyists ahead of the military with something like this, using consumer technology?
22923548
submission
derGoldstein writes:
Bruce Schneier points to a report about the full-body scanners in airports: "The weekly Welt am Sonntag, quoting a police report, said 35 percent of the 730,000 passengers checked by the scanners set off the alarm more than once despite being innocent.
The report said the machines were confused by several layers of clothing, boots, zip fasteners and even pleats, while in 10 percent of cases the passenger's posture set them off."
22923346
submission
derGoldstein writes:
Nerds are usually considered to be navel-gazing, which makes this story from Discovery pertinent: "If you're an innie and not an outie, your belly button is home to at least 60 to 100 or more species of bacteria, fungi and yeasts, according to new research ... Although we find about 60 or 70 species on the average person, we have found more than 1400 species overall, such that differences among individuals are great". So you should probably stop picking your belly button.
22923184
submission
derGoldstein writes:
Discovery is pointing to an ongoing study by Sophia Vinogradov, professor of psychiatry at UC-San Francisco, who is "trying to determine whether computer-based cognitive remediation, a type of brain training through video game-like programs, is effective for treating schizophrenia ... In a handful of blinded and randomized trials with computer-based training, Vinogradov has reported cognitive improvements for both recently diagnosed patients and those living with the disorder for several years. So far, treatment — such as 50 hours of training over a 10-week period — has shown great promise for patients when compared to control groups".
22921502
submission
derGoldstein writes:
From Discovery: "Summertime on Mars is bringing water to the planet's surface, suggest NASA scientists who on Wednesday unveiled pictures of slender carvings in the sun-facing sides of crater walls on Mars that are believed to be etched by flowing briny water. ... Salts also would suppress the water's freezing point, making it plausible that the dark, finger-like features were carved by liquid. The streaks range from 0.5 yards to 5 yards wide and stretch hundreds of feet, far smaller than previously detected gullies. "
22921434
submission
derGoldstein writes:
From npr: "Speaking with The Associated Press on the sidelines of the website's annual conference, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales said the nonprofit company that runs the site is scrambling to simplify editing procedures in an attempt to retain volunteers". According to Wales: "We are not replenishing our ranks ... It is not a crisis, but I consider it to be important." Despite Wikipedia's wide-reaching popularity, Wales said the typical profile of a contributor is "a 26-year-old geeky male" who moves on to other ventures, gets married and leaves the website.
22751106
submission
derGoldstein writes:
This week will be the 40th anniversary of the "Moon Buggy" mission — Apollo 15, the ninth manned mission in the American Apollo space program. This was the first mission (of 3) that carried the Lunar Roving Vehicle. The vehicle was battery-powered, had a mass of 463 lbs (210 kg), and could carry 1,080 lbs (490 kg), on the moon's surface. Life has posted this gallery of classic images.
22699630
submission
derGoldstein writes:
From MIT's Technology Review: "New research from Yale University uncovers cellular changes that seem to underlie this type of memory loss in monkeys, and shows that it can be reversed with drugs. By delivering a certain chemical to the brain, researchers could make neurons in old monkeys behave like those in young monkeys. Clinical trials of a generic drug that mimics this effect are already underway. The findings support the idea that some of the brain changes that occur with aging are very specific—rather than being caused by a general decay throughout the brain—and can potentially be prevented."
22699562
submission
derGoldstein writes:
Engadget reports: "The wonders of iPlayer are no longer the reserve of the Brits. As of today, iPad users in 11 other countries across Europe can subscribe to the service for €7 per month or €50 per year. The subscription grants access to a wealth of TV classics, like Fawlty Towers and Only Fools & Horses, as well as unwitting comedies like EastEnders. Some sort of motoring series by the name of Top Gear is also available". Hopefully they'll make this available to the rest of the world, and not just on the iPad.
