Benjamin Franklin’s phonetic alphabet

on 2013/05/16 in Articles, Culture & the World, History, Technology

Benjamin Franklin was many things. Politician, scientist, inventor, printer author, he was a visionary whose ideas helped shape America. But he also had some notions that, while founded on sound logic and pragmatism, seem quite bizarre in retrospect. For instance, there’s his suggestion that the turkey was a more appropriate national symbol than the eagle, which he saw as “a bird of bad moral character.” Franklin’s vision for American didn’t stop with independence and iconography. He also proposed a redesigned alphabet – a new language for a new nation.

GoSleep – Sleeping Pods

on 2013/05/15 in Articles, Technology

Abu Dhabi International Airport launch ‘GoSleep’ sleeping pods, a world first. In an armchair that converts into a private flat-bed. The stylish, Finnish designed sleeping pods by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), are easy-to-operate, featuring a sliding shade that isolates you from noise, light and crowds.

Anti-cocaine vaccine to be tested on humans

on 2013/05/14 in Articles, Psychology & Health, Technology

Cocaine addicts may soon have a ‘cure’ for their unhealthy dependence: researchers have successfully created a vaccine that prevents cocaine particles from reaching the brain and inducing feelings of euphoria, thereby helping users break their addiction. “The vaccine eats up the cocaine in the blood like a little Pac-Man before it can reach the brain,” Dr. [...]

Tags: Cocaine Addiction, Vaccine

Incredible images from the Space Station ‘Emergency’ EVA

on in Astronomy, Gallery, Technology

Biofuels and bioprospecting for beginners

on in Biology & Chemistry, Culture & the World, Environment, Lectures, Technology

Biofuels can provide energy without the reliance on environmentally harmful fossils fuels — but scientists are still searching for a plentiful source. Craig A. Kohn demonstrates how cellulose, the naturally abundant tough walls of plant cells, might be the solution.

Illegal Numbers

on in Culture & the World, Lectures, Technology

An illegal number is a number that represents information which is illegal to possess, utter or propagate. Any piece of information is representable as a number, and therefore if the information itself is illegal in some way, the pure number itself may be illegal

What phone companies are doing with all that data from your phone

on 2013/05/13 in Articles, Culture & the World, Technology

Cell phones are so many things now–computer, map, clock, calculator, camera, shopping device, concierge, and occasionally, a phone. But more than anything, that little device that never leaves your person is one amazingly prolific data engine.

Scientists recreate Egyptian town Heracleion

on 2013/05/12 in Articles, Culture & the World, History, Technology

For centuries, the city of Heracleion believed to be a legend, one of the most important trade centers in the Mediterranean area before it disappeared 1,200 years ago, in area of the Bay of Aboukir, near Alexandria. Now has been brought back to the surface with the help of 3D.

What left these spooky trails in the sky?

on in Articles, Astronomy, Technology

Ball lightning? Spectral orbs? Swamp gas? Early this morning, May 7, these eerie glowing trails were seen in the sky above the Marshall Islands and were captured on camera by NASA photographer John Grant. Of course, if NASA’s involved there has to be a reasonable explanation, right?

Terrafugia the World’s first Flying Car

on 2013/05/11 in Articles, Technology

Flying Car Terrafugia TF-X™ is the practical realization of the dream of countless visions of the future and will focus the program with clear goals that enhance the safety, simplicity, and convenience of personal transportation. The TF-X will carry four people in car-like comfort, will have a range of at least 500 miles, will fit in a single car garage, will be able to drive on roads and highways.

78,000 applications for One-Way trip to Mars

on in Articles, Astronomy, Culture & the World, Technology

Mars One will set up a permanent human settlement on Mars in 2023, and in two weeks received 78,000applications for the One-Way trip to Mars.

Send your name and a haiku poem to Mars on a Solar Winged MAVEN

on 2013/05/10 in Articles, Astronomy, Technology

Do you want to go to Mars? Well here’s your chance to get connected for a double barreled dose of Red Planet adventure courtesy of MAVEN – NASA’s next ‘Mission to Mars’ which is due to liftoff this November from the Florida Space Coast.

Plant Plastic

on in Environment, Media, Technology

A film that explores the benefits of using plant-based plastic.

Tags: Plastic

The Living Building Challenge

on in Media, Technology

The Challenge: as we face imminent ecological collapse, visionary change agent Jason F. McLennan heads up a growing movement of deep-green design and inspires a revolution of humanity and heart.

10 Countries That Commit The Most Cyber-Attacks