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Submission + - positive correlation between monogamy and alcohol (wine-economics.org) 1

Submitted by wiredog
wiredog writes: Does monogamy cause drinking, or does drinking cause monogamy? FTA (PDF warning)

Intriguingly, across the world the main social groups which practice polygyny do not consume alcohol. We investigate whether there is a correlation between alcohol consumption and polygynous/monogamous arrangements, both over time and across cultures. Historically, we find a correlation between the shift from polygyny to monogamy and the growth of alcohol consumption. Cross-culturally we also find that monogamous societies consume more alcohol than polygynous societies in the preindustrial world. We provide a series of possible explanations to explain the positive correlation between monogamy and alcohol consumption over time and across societies.
Space

Submission + - French Use Space Tech To Find Parking Spots (itworld.com)

Submitted by itwbennett
itwbennett writes: Using technology developed by French space agency CNES (Centre Nationale d'Etudes Spatiales) to explore the planet Venus, drivers in the city of Toulouse are discovering something much more down-to-earth: vacant parking spots. The system is based on 3,000 sensors buried just under the pavement that detect changes in the electromagnetic environment around them and communicate the results via coaxial cable to a server, which makes the information available in real time to drivers' smartphones.
Apple

Submission + - Apple passes $300B market cap; 2nd in the world

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: In May, Apple surpassed Microsoft in market capitalization to become the second largest company (by that measure) in the world. Today, with its shares riding high, Apple passed $300 Billion in market cap, entering a club of two along with the still-gigantic ExxonMobile. And investors' targets could bring Apple beyond where Exxon is now (though Exxon continues to soar as well). Perhaps Wall Street is catching on that, despite the discontinuation of their underused Xserve, Apple is in fact becoming one of the key tech providers to Enterprise, a position that even a year ago seemed laughable. If you consider the iPad to be a PC (which enterprise increasingly is), then suddenly you realize that Apple is expected to climb to 12% market share in 2011. Plus of course, they have those little things called iPods and iTunes...
Idle

Submission + - Berkeley Library RFP asks for Nuclear Free vendor (berkeley.ca.us)

Submitted by beefsprocket
beefsprocket writes: RFID tags are not new to libraries. Neither is 3M as one of the larger providers of the Checkpoint circulation and self-checkout system. What is new is a library discarding their current working system used for over 500,000 items because the vendor refuses to submit a required Nuclear Free Disclosure Form. The specific form is required for anyone wishing to do business with the City of Berkeley per the Nuclear Free Berkeley Act of 1986. This reverses a 2008 exemption that the Library applied for to be able to work with 3M. From the RFP which is available here (pdf only):

"The Berkeley Public Library is seeking a vendor to provide services, software and hardware related to the provision of a self-check technology system, staff assisted circulation functions (check-in and check-out), materials security and automated materials handling system to be implemented at all five locations.

Vendors are invited to submit a proposal for one or more of these services, software and equipment or a complete system that will replace the current Checkpoint/3M library system.

In 2008, 3M Library Systems became the exclusive reseller and maintenance provider for the CheckPoint — Intelligent Library System. Because 3M will not submit the required City of Berkeley — Nuclear Free Disclosure Form, the Library must seek an alternate vendor who is compliant with all City of Berkeley contract requirements. The Library has received a 2-year waiver from the City of Berkeley to continue working with 3M while seeking an alternative. In 2009, the Library began exploring options for continuing to maintain the existing system with a different vendor, but has not found this to be a viable option."
Idle

Steampunk Con Mixes In More Maker Fun 50

Posted by ScuttleMonkey from the rebuttal-of-disposable-culture dept.
California has once again been blessed with another steampunk convention, this time to be held in Emeryville, CA on March 12-14 as the "Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition." This year's event promises to mix in much more of the DIY/maker flavor for a greater hands-on feel. Steampunk has been gaining much broader appeal in recent months with the continued growth of maker communities, and the many delightful varieties of music and literature. The con will feature, among other things, a 2 day track of 2-hour how-to, hands-on, and interactive workshops gear towards makers, DIY-ers, mad scientists, and evil geniuses. Of course, if you are an evil genius you probably don't need a workshop except as a gathering for potential test subjects.

Comment Re:NASA needs more budget. (Score 3, Informative) 324

by tezzer (#30984328) Attached to: Cool NASA Tech That Will Never See Space
NASA's budget is being increased by 6 billion dollars. They're canceling the Constellation program because it wasn't originally funded enough to ever work. The schedule has slipped so much there wasn't going to be a replacement for the Space Shuttle until 2038 or beyond. The director's statement is here: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/420994main_2011_Budget_Administrator_Remarks.pdf

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