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Checking out the sky is fun, but you could be frozen by the time you find what you were looking for. Meade’s EXT-LS telescope, with Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optics for a better picture, has a computerized scope that will automatically locate the star, moon, planet or star you are seeking. Once it is locked in with LightSwitch technology, you can take photos with its built-in camera or check out audio and video clips. The EXT-LS can find over 500 objects and is available for $1,299.00.
Read More 
| Meade
Gallery: Meade EXT-LS Telescope
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IBM is working on an advanced computer voice that is almost indistinguishable from a human’s. Referred to as “generating paralinguistic phenomena via markup in text-to-speech syntheses,” the voice is programmed to use verbal tics like, ‘um’ and ‘er.’ It can react to an interruption by saying “shhh” and has an algorithm that can learn expressions at correct sentence points. The company plans on using them in telephone helplines, satellite navigation systems, cameras, etc. So we guess the Authors Guild may have a valid concern about the next generation of Kindle after all.
Read More | Telegraph
Gallery: IBM Develops Advanced Computer Voice
Even doctors love Twitter. Last week surgeons from the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan sent short updates while removing a cancerous tumor from a man’s kidney. Sent by the chief resident, the messages were watched by medical students, doctors and perhaps fans of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Four months ago, Robert Hendrick, while under local anesthesia, tweeted his varicose vein removal surgery while the event was taking place. He claimed that it not only took his mind off it and lessened his nervousness, but family and friends were there to support him.
Read More | CNN
Gallery: Henry Ford Hospital Tweets Operations
LG Solar Powered Cell Phone
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Science,
LG displayed an eco-friendly cell phone at the 2009 Mobile World Congress this week with a solar panel that had been built in to the back cover. Only needing natural light, if given 10 minutes of direct sunlight, the user can make a 3 minute call. The best part of the gadget is that it can be put on any LG phone. The company also has redesigned their packaging with recycled paper for the box and printed material.
Read More | Mobile Burn
Gallery: LG Solar Powered Cell Phone
Want your own mini-power plant? Dow Chemical has been working on the project Solar Solutions for the past year. They are developing solar roof shingles and hope to sell them by 2011. In collaboration with Global Solar Energy and home builders, they have been testing them with both simulated hail and fire to make sure they can handle extreme conditions. “The Beast,” a $2.5 million injection and molding machine, produces the shingles that should have a 20 year life span.
Read More | The Star
Gallery: Dow Chemical Solar Roof Shingles
After last week’s collision of two satellites in space, experts estimate tens of thousands of pieces of space junk that they will now have to monitor. They already track over 17,000 pieces larger than 2 to 4 inches in diameter. The incident occurred between a U.S. Iridium commercial satellite and a derelict Russian military one about 500 miles above the planet. The FAA has received reports of falling debris over Texas, which could be related to the crash but was not confirmed. Either way, it may be 10,000 years before the floating stuff, seen in this artist’s rendering, will not be a threat to other satellites.
Read More | MSNBC
Gallery: Satellite Crash Causes Space Trash
Scientists have discovered that cotton candy may help grow replacement tissue. It can be used for making networks of blood vessels in laboratory grown skin, muscle, bone or fat. Dr. Jason Spector of Cornell Medical Center in New York and Leon Bellan of Cornell University presented their research in a paper for Soft Matter. A thick liquid chemical is poured over a chunk of the sugary stuff. After it solidifies, it is placed in warm water to dissolve the candy. What is left is a piece of material with tiny channels which are lined with cells to create the blood vessels. Interestingly enough, while Dr. Spector is a cotton candy fan, partner Bellan claims, “It’s disgusting. I won’t eat it.”
Read More | Physorg
Gallery: Cotton Candy Basis for Blood Vessel Networks
Who needs to go outside on a cold night when we can bring part of the universe inside? Moon in My Room has twelve different phase settings and is authentically detailed. A CD comes with it that provides moon facts and its relationship with the planet. The display is simple to put up in one of three different angles, comes with an infrared remote and shuts off automatically to preserve batteries (not included.) Moon in My Room carries a MSRP of $29.95.
Read More | Discovery Shopping
Gallery: Moon In My Room
Programmer Peter Neubäcker has developed Direct Note Access, software that can allow computers to analyze digitized chords and separate them into individual notes. While it was already possible to manipulate pitch, tempo and other aspects of music, this is the the first time that a single chord can be dissected. The former German guitar maker’s software can help musicians and engineers correct notes that are out of tune as well as unreleased classic music that was recorded on out-of-tune instruments.
Read More | Technology Review
Gallery: Direct Note Access Separates Chords
Scientist Develops Program to Interpret Alien Language
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Science, Software,
If and when a real ET arrives, Dr. John Elliot from Leeds Metropolitan University will be ready. He claims that an alien language will have recognizable patterns and has has created a program to help identify and translate them. He says that all human languages have “functional terms” such as ‘if’ and ‘but’ and that they are separated by up to nine characters or words. The software can also be utilized to break the language down into nouns and verbs. If they still can’t figure it out, perhaps a bag of Reese’s Pieces might help.
Read More | Telegraph
