Firefox 31 Released

An anonymous reader writes Mozilla has released version 31 of its Firefox web browser for desktops and Android devices. According to the release notes, major new features include malware blocking for file downloads, automatic handling of PDF and OGG files if no other software is available to do so, and a new certificate verification library. Smaller features include a search field on the new tab page, better support for parental controls, and partial implementation of the OpenType MATH table. Firefox 31 is also loaded with new features for developers. Mozilla also took the opportunity to note the launch of a new game, Dungeon Defenders Eternity, which will run at near-native speeds on the web using asm.js, WebGL, and Web Audio. “We’re pleased to see more developers using asm.js to distribute and now monetize their plug-in free games on the Web as it strengthens support for Mozilla’s vision of a high performance, plugin-free Web.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Firefox 31 Released

Research Shows that Seven Hours of Sleep Might Be the Sweet Spot

Eight hours of sleep. Six hours of sleep. Seven hours of sleep. It seems like every year we see a study that claims that some amount of hours is better than another. The Wall Street Journal collects together a few studies that show data suggests that seven hours might be the sweet spot these days. Read more…

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Research Shows that Seven Hours of Sleep Might Be the Sweet Spot

MicroxWin Creates Linux Distribution That Runs Debian/Ubuntu & Android Apps

An anonymous reader writes VolksPC who developed MicroXwin as a lightweight X Window Server has come up with their own Linux distribution. Setting apart VolksPC’s distribution from others is that it’s based on both Debian and Android and has the capability to run Debian/Ubuntu/Android apps together in a native ARM experience. The implementation doesn’t depend on VNC or other similar solutions of the past that have tried to join desktop apps with mobile Android apps. This distribution is also reportedly compatible with all Android applications. The distribution is expected to begin shipping on an ARM mini-PC stick. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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MicroxWin Creates Linux Distribution That Runs Debian/Ubuntu & Android Apps

After 150 Years, Scientists Finally Know How Barnacle Glue Works

Over a century and a half ago, Charles Darwin first described the remarkable adhesive capabilities of barnacles. He couldn’t figure out how their natural superglue worked, though. And it took until now to finally unlock the barnacle glue’s mysteries . Read more…

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After 150 Years, Scientists Finally Know How Barnacle Glue Works

Kindle Unlimited Is Here: Read As Much As You Like For $10 a Month

Following rumors earlier this week , Amazon has just announced its new Kindle Unlimited subscription service . Pay $10 a month, and you can read as much as you want (from a pool of 600, 000 books, at least). Read more…

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Kindle Unlimited Is Here: Read As Much As You Like For $10 a Month

New Mayhem Malware Targets Linux and UNIX-Like Servers

Bismillah writes: Russian security researchers have spotted a new malware named Mayhem that has spread to 1, 400 or so Linux and FreeBSD servers around the world, and continues to look for new machines to infect. And, it doesn’t need root to operate. “The malware can have different functionality depending on the type of plug-in downloaded to it by the botmaster in control, and stashed away in a hidden file system on the compromised server. Some of the plug-ins provide brute force cracking of password functionality, while others crawl web pages to scrape information. According to the researchers, Mayhem appears to be the continuation of the Fort Disco brute-force password cracking attack campaign that began in May 2013.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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New Mayhem Malware Targets Linux and UNIX-Like Servers

More Forgotten Vials of Deadly Diseases Discovered

schwit1 (797399) writes FDA officials now admit that when they discovered six undocumented vials of smallpox in a facility in Maryland they also found 327 additional vials that contained dengue, influenza, and rickettsia. “FDA scientists said they have not yet confirmed whether the newly disclosed vials actually contained the pathogens listed on their labels. The agency is conducting a nationwide search of all cold storage units for any other missing samples. Investigators destroyed 32 vials containing tissue samples and a non-contagious virus related to smallpox. Several unlabeled vials were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing and the remaining 279 samples were shipped to the Department of Homeland Security for safekeeping.” The FDA’s deputy director is quoted with what might be the understatement of the year. “The reasons why these samples went unnoticed for this long is something we’re actively trying to understand.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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More Forgotten Vials of Deadly Diseases Discovered

US Marines Demonstrate Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connector Prototype

Zothecula writes In a recent demonstration carried out during RIMPAC 2014, the US Marines displayed and tested a fully-functional, half-scale prototype of its new amphibious transport vehicle. The proposed full-size version of the Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connecter (UHAC) is designed to power across the water with a payload of nearly 200 tons at up to 20 knots and be capable of driving up on to the shore and over the top of obstructions up to 10ft high. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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US Marines Demonstrate Ultra Heavy-Lift Amphibious Connector Prototype

Amazon’s Prepping a "Kindle Unlimited" Subscription Service For Books

Amazon is testing an ebook rental service called “Kindle Unlimited.” The e-commerce company put up test pages for the service, which will offer “unlimited access to 600, 000 titles.” Users would pay $9.99 a month for access to the extensive online lending library. Amazon yanked the pages today but they’re still available on Google Cache. Read more…

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Amazon’s Prepping a "Kindle Unlimited" Subscription Service For Books