Human Eye Protein Senses Earth's Magnetism

chrb pointed out a story at BBC News about the discovery of a light-sensitive protein in the human eye that acts like a “compass” in a magnetic field. The molecule at the center of the study is called cryptochrome and is found in every animal on Earth. If removed from the eyes of flies, the flies lost the ability to respond to a magnetic field. From the article: “Despite much controversy, no conclusive evidence exists that humans can sense the Earth’s magnetic field, and the find may revive interest in the idea. Although humans, like migratory birds, are known to have cryptochrome in their eyes, the idea of human magnetoreception has remained largely unexplored since pioneering experiments by Robin Baker of the University of Manchester in the 1980s.”

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Human Eye Protein Senses Earth's Magnetism

Violent Games Credited With Reducing Crime Levels

maroberts writes “According to a research paper produced from a collaboration between the University of Texas and the Centre for European Economic Research, violent video games may induce aggressive behavior, but the incapacitation effect outweighs this and produces a genuine reduction in violent crime. This paper was referenced in a BBC news story giving reasons why the US crime rates are falling (at least outside the prisons!)”

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Violent Games Credited With Reducing Crime Levels

Tesla Will Discontinue the Roadster

Attila Dimedici writes “Tesla has announced that their business model has failed. Their basic idea was to sell a boutique electric car to fund the development of a regular consumer electric car. With this announcement they are saying that they did not sell enough of the Roadster to make producing it profitable. If that is the case, it is only a matter of time until Tesla closes its doors. I thought their approach was the most likely to create a successful fully electric car. Although it is possible that the technology they have developed will allow the existing car companies to develop successful fully electric cars, it is a shame that Tesla has failed to become a successful car manufacturer.”

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Tesla Will Discontinue the Roadster

Human Genome Contaminated With Mycoplasma DNA

KentuckyFC writes “The published human genome is contaminated with DNA sequences from mycoplasma bacteria, according to bioinformatics researchers who blame an epidemic of mycoplasma contamination in molecular biology labs around the world. The researchers say they’ve also found mycoplasma DNA in two commercially available human DNA chips made by biotech companies for measuring levels of human gene expression. So anybody using these chips to measure human gene expression is also unknowingly measuring mycoplasma gene expression too. The mycoplasma genes are clearly successful in reproducing themselves in silico raising the possibility that we’re seeing the beginnings of an entirely new kind of landscape of infection. One option to combat this kind of virtual infection is to protect databases with the genomic version of antivirus software, a kind of virtual immune system. But this in itself could make things worse by triggering an evolutionary arms race that selects genes most capable of beating the safeguards.”

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Human Genome Contaminated With Mycoplasma DNA

Microsoft updates Hotmail with more signature options, Gmail and Yahoo Mail keyboard shortcuts

Okay, it’s not as titillating as the time Microsoft added conversation view to Hotmail, but the outfit did just freshen up its email service with a handful of helpful tweaks. Topping the list is an assortment of shortcuts, including the ability to right click a message to reply, reply all, or forward (you could already do this for other things, like marking something as unread). Hotmail also now responds to some additional Gmail- and Yahoo Mail-specific keyboard shortcuts, such as “#” for deleting messages — a Gmail trick. And the company is none too subtle about admitting it wants the service to be user-friendly for folks if — or when — they switch from Google or Yahoo. Rounding out the batch of improvements, you get an easy way to recover deleted emails, an improved back button, HTML5-fueled speed improvements, and the option of changing your default font signature — something we can’t believe Hotmail has been missing until now. Hit the source link for the full spill, and find a short demo video after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft updates Hotmail with more signature options, Gmail and Yahoo Mail keyboard shortcuts

Microsoft updates Hotmail with more signature options, Gmail and Yahoo Mail keyboard shortcuts originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad accounts for 97 percent of US tablet traffic online

Non-computer device traffic

It’s no secret that the iPad commands a serious lead in the battle for tablet mindshare, but comScore’s new Device Essentials traffic-tracking service shows just how much that translates into market dominance. According to the web monitoring company, the iPad and its successor account for 89 percent of tablet internet use globally, and 97 percent here in the US. Of course, the slate segment is still young and accounts for only a tiny percentage of total traffic. And, it’s worth noting, the iPad has a significant advantage in being the first to hit shelves. If you want to dig a little deeper, hit up the source link for the PR and a few more charts.

iPad accounts for 97 percent of US tablet traffic online originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 00:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft updates Hotmail with personal signatures, Gmail and Yahoo Mail keyboard shortcuts

Okay, it’s not as titillating as the time Microsoft added conversation view to Hotmail, but the outfit did just freshen up its email service with a handful of helpful tweaks. Topping the list is an assortment of shortcuts, including the ability to right click a message to reply, reply all, or forward (you could already do this for other things, like marking something as unread). Hotmail also now responds to the same keyboard shortcuts used in Outlook and — here’s the interesting part — Microsoft went and worked in Gmail- and Yahoo Mail-specific ones, too (think “#” for deleting messages). And the company is none too subtle about admitting it wants the service to be user-friendly for folks if — or when — they switch from Google or Yahoo. Rounding out the batch of improvements, you get an easy way to recover deleted emails, an improved back button, HTML5-fueled speed improvements, and the option of changing your default font and personal signture — something we can’t believe Hotmail has been missing until now. As always, hit the source link for the full spill, and find a short demo video after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft updates Hotmail with personal signatures, Gmail and Yahoo Mail keyboard shortcuts

Microsoft updates Hotmail with personal signatures, Gmail and Yahoo Mail keyboard shortcuts originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen Temporary Auto Pilot brings hands-free driving to the highway


Would you feel comfortable driving down the highway with a Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) behind the wheel of your next Volkswagen? A new technology proposed by the German automaker won’t take you from A to B automatically, but it will help out with more simple driving, so you can take your hands off the wheel while cruising down the highway at up to 130km/h (about 80 mph), for example. The system pairs Lane Assist with cruise control, and can be overridden by the driver at any time. The TAP system’s Pilot Mode uses radar, laser, camera, and ultrasonic sensors to maintain a safe distance between vehicles, start and stop in traffic, and slow down before a bend. Speed is set by the driver, who you’ll need to remain aware of your surroundings in case you need to take over control — so don’t get too comfortable poking around the menus on that AppRadio just yet.

Continue reading Volkswagen Temporary Auto Pilot brings hands-free driving to the highway

Volkswagen Temporary Auto Pilot brings hands-free driving to the highway originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 07:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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