technology

Scientists use iPhones to diagnose intestinal worms

"Scientists used an iPhone and a camera lens to diagnose intestinal worms in rural Tanzania, a breakthrough that could help doctors treat patients infected with the parasites, a study said on Tuesday. Research published by the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene showed that it is possible to fashion a low-cost field microscope using an iPhone, double-sided tape, a flashlight, ordinary laboratory slides and an $8 cameral lens. The researchers used their cobbled-together microscope to successfully determine the presence of eggs from hookworm and other parasites in the stool of infected children." Continue reading →

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New technology allows the paralyzed to paint with their brainpower

"A computer programme enabling paralysed patients to create artwork using just the power of their brains drew big crowds on Wednesday at the CeBIT, the world’s top IT fair. Under a system pioneered by Austrian firm g-tec, the user wears a cap that measures brain activity. By focusing hard on a flashing icon on a screen, the cap can recognise the specific brain activity connected to that item, allowing the user to “choose” what he or she wants the computer to do. The artist can select various shapes and colours via brainpower and build up a basic picture on the screen, explained g-tec sales director Markus Bruckner. The user can also draw straight lines." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew technology allows the paralyzed to paint with their brainpower

Shocking the Gate-Rapists

"Three engineers in India have come up with something that ought to wallop the TSA's deviants into better behavior: they've 'invented a set of electrified underwear to help prevent rape.' No doubt they meant the unofficial sort, but heck, this should work on federal gate-rapists, too. 'The underwear, called Society Harnessing Equipment (SHE), deploys a 3,800kV charge to anyone touching the outside of the underwear while protecting the wearer with a polymer lining. A person trying to molest a girl will get the shock of his life the moment pressure sensors get activated...,'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingShocking the Gate-Rapists

Google announces experimental superfast Internet service to be installed in Austin, Texas

"Google announced Tuesday that its experimental superfast Internet service will spread to Austin, the Texas home of a South By Southwest festival beloved by technology trendsetters. Google Fiber should start connecting its so-called gigabit Internet to homes in Austin, the Texas state capital and a hotbed for Internet entrepreneurs, by the middle of next year, said vice president of access services Milo Medin. Google Fiber debuted in Kansas City and in November began providing users there with Internet service that moves data at a blazing gigabyte per second, about 100 times faster than the speed provided by typical broadband connections." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGoogle announces experimental superfast Internet service to be installed in Austin, Texas

Bitcoin Crash Spurs Race to Create New Exchanges

"The rush to build a more reliable exchange for the virtual currency bitcoin is under way after another price crash on Wednesday disgruntled customers who directed their anger against the alternative currency's major exchange. This follows a 20 percent crash last Thursday which Mt.Gox blamed on a type of hacking attack called a distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS) -- which slows down the website -- delaying orders and panicking sellers. Another DDoS was again reported by the exchange on Thursday morning, coinciding with another price drop." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBitcoin Crash Spurs Race to Create New Exchanges

The Internet-Homeland Security Power Center Revolving Door

"The second-ranking official at the Department of Homeland Security said she will resign shortly, ending four years as a champion of a civilian-controlled Internet. In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Jane Holl Lute, the sole deputy secretary at Homeland Security, said on Monday she would give notice this week and leave to pursue a role in international Internet affairs. Lute said that she was leaving with the department on a strong footing in Internet matters, with its central role cemented by an executive order on cybersecurity issued by President Barack Obama in February." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Internet-Homeland Security Power Center Revolving Door

HBO executive: Rampant piracy of ‘Game of Thrones’ is a ‘compliment’

"Contrary to popular thinking, the rampant piracy of 'Game of Thrones' has not harmed the network that airs it, HBO programming president Michael Lombardo told Entertainment Weekly on Sunday, just hours before the show’s season three premiere. 'I probably shouldn’t be saying this, but [piracy] is a compliment of sorts,' Lombardo reportedly said. 'The demand is there. And it certainly didn’t negatively impact the DVD sales. [Piracy is] something that comes along with having a wildly successful show on a subscription network.' The show’s creator, George R. R. Martin, said as much earlier in March." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHBO executive: Rampant piracy of ‘Game of Thrones’ is a ‘compliment’

Don’t Expand the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: Destroy It!

"Aaron Swartz faced 13 counts under CFAA, up to 35 years in prison, for copying too many files from the online academic resource JSTOR. This threat of overwhelming state sponsored persecution has been regarded as the reason for Swartz tragic suicide January 11th, 2013. The collective outrage generated from Swartz’s story has brought activists together in an effort to gain support for legislation that would reform and clarify CFAA, referred to as Aaron’s Law. It appears that the House Judiciary Committee is not interested in Aaron’s Law’s spirit of reform and clarity, instead they prefer to see CFAA expanded and strengthened." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDon’t Expand the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: Destroy It!

Government spying hurts the economy

"With laws like the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA), the United States could be losing out on much needed business opportunities. Legislation like these allow the government to spy on customers' data, and RT's Liz Wahl takes a look at why companies are thinking twice before investing in the US." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGovernment spying hurts the economy

Tennessee Highway Patrol using semi-trucks to combat texting

"The stepped-up enforcement of highway laws came as a new CDC study showed most U.S. drivers reported talking on their cellphone and about one in three read or sent text or email messages when driving. Roberts, who usually steers a motorcycle or standard patrol car in Meigs, McMinn and Rhea counties, is one of 97 troopers statewide who hold a commercial driver's license that allow them to use a semi truck. On Wednesday, Roberts spotted seven people breaking the laws below him. He thought he saw a Volkswagen driver texting, but he wasn't sure; maybe she was just dialing a number." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingTennessee Highway Patrol using semi-trucks to combat texting