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Medicine

Scientists Recover Black Death RNA From Exhumed Victims 105

Posted by timothy from the what-could-go-wrong? dept.
Richard.Tao writes "Scientists have recovered the RNA of the virus that caused the plague by digging through an English mass grave, and compiling [from several partial examples] the genetics of the virus. Though the plague still persists, scientists have believe the ancient strain was different due to a different onset of symptoms."
Transportation

Solar Car Speed Record Smashed 72

Posted by timothy from the hats-are-off-to-you dept.
An anonymous reader writes with word from Australia that "There's a new world record for the fastest solar-powered land vehicle: 88 km/h average speed over one kilometre in a lightweight car that uses about the same power as a toaster." As the article goes on to explain, this solar racer, built last year by students from the University of New South Wales, managed to nab that speed record earlier this month on an Australian navy base airstrip.
PC Games (Games)

BioWare's Star Wars MMO To Have Space Combat 122

Posted by Soulskill from the just-in-case-they-weren't-busy-enough dept.
An anonymous reader writes "Big news for Star Wars fans looking forward to BioWare's upcoming Star Wars: The Old Republic MMORPG — space combat has been confirmed for the game. Players will be able to fly around the galaxy in their own personal starships, avoiding asteroid belts, landing in dangerous territory and battling other vessels. The initial news makes it sound like a cross between Mass Effect's galaxy map and a traditional space fighting game, where players will have to find 'hotspots' on the galaxy map in order to enter a particular zone."
Bug

Nokia and RIM Respond To Apple's Antenna Claims 514

Posted by timothy from the pot-v-kettle-round-xixiivii dept.
awyeah writes "In response to Apple's press conference, where videos of a few devices were shown losing signal bars with a tight grip, RIM and Nokia have both taken shots at Apple. RIM's co-CEOs say that Apple's claims 'appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation.' Meanwhile, Nokia, noting that they are pioneers in antenna design and were the first company to bring to market a phone with an internal antenna, prioritizes 'antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict.'"
Bug

NASA Finds Cause of Voyager 2 Glitch 283

Posted by kdawson from the blame-cosmic-rays dept.
astroengine writes "Earlier this month, engineers suspended Voyager 2's science measurements because of an unexpected problem in its communications stream. A glitch in the flight data system, which formats information for radioing to Earth, was believed to be the problem. Now NASA has found the cause of the issue: it was a single memory bit that had erroneously flipped from a 0 to a 1. The cause of the error is yet to be understood, but NASA plans to reset Voyager's memory tomorrow, clearing the error."
Software

Tom's Hardware On the Current Stable of Office Apps For Linux 121

Posted by timothy from the everything-is-amazing-no-one-is-happy dept.
tc6669 writes "Tom's Hardware is continuing its coverage of easy-to-install Linux applications for new users coming from Windows with the latest installment, Office Apps. This segment covers office suites, word processors, spreadsheet apps, presentation software, simple database titles, desktop publishing, project management, financial software, and more. All of these applications are available in the Ubuntu, Fedora, or openSUSE repos or as .deb or .rpm packages. All of the links to download these applications are provided — even Windows .exe and Mac OS X .dmg files when available."

Comment Re:We're looking to AUSTRALIA for advice on broadb (Score 1) 387

by betong (#29923193) Attached to: Obama Looks Down Under For Broadband Plan

Seriously why not Japan, or most European countries?

Because Japan, and most European countries, are geographically tiny. Australia is, AFAIK, the only USA-sized country rolling out nation-wide high-speed internet access. Our population density is an order of magnitude lower than yours, so surely, if we can make it profitable, so can the US.

Admittedly, our current infrastructure is mediocre, but the planned roll-out should address that.
Biotech

Neural Implant To Give Control of Paralyzed Arms 42

Posted by ScuttleMonkey from the i-call-it-a-stranger dept.
An anonymous reader writes "A neural implant that connects to muscle-stimulating electrodes has given monkeys the ability to grasp a ball and drop it into a hole even though the monkey's arm has been anesthetized. The approach is another step towards 'rewiring' the brains and limbs of paralyzed patients. The research, presented at the Society for Neuroscience conference in Chicago this week, uses a technique called functional electrical stimulation (FES), in which implanted electrodes deliver electrical current to trigger muscle contractions, providing a way to reconnect this loop."

Comment Re:Good idea (Score 1) 238

by betong (#18971735) Attached to: The 660 Gallon Brewery Fuel Cell
Actually in Brisbane, the city of the article, we've been in a drought for so long that the signs are more likely to ask us to refrain from flushing at all! The current adage is something like "If it's yellow, let it mellow; if it's brown, flush it down".
User Journal

Journal Journal: A candle for Atlas

Journal by Xiang-K

He sits alone, with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and why?

I think I'll light a candle for him.

------

Just got back from the Finale of the Queensland Biennial Music Festival, singing at the Brisbane Powerhouse with a group of Refugees. The concert was called Alafiah: Voices of Freedom, and I guess you could say it was a success.

Comment Minorities banned from the polls (Score 4, Funny) 746

by Xiang-K (#6510080) Attached to: Best Karaoke Song?
If Gloria Gaynor doesn't win this round, I *will* demand a recount.

After that, I will attempt to convince the public that a large portion of Florida's African American Community were barred from the polls, allowing the winner to take its unlawful stand.

After all of this, I will have Michael Moore write a book on my exploits in the search of justice.

B.T.W, Where is Leo Sayer? He makes me feel like dancing. =(
User Journal

Journal Journal: A question?

Journal by Xiang-K

Have you ever wished for anything better?

Life is like a game of poker. You're dealt your cards, then you keep them or throw them away. In the end you either win or you lose.

Just a question and a thought.

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