Built to order - Hearts anyone?
March 31, 2008
University of Minnesota scientists have rebuilt and reanimated a heart. This is a major step in creating “built-to-order” organs that will help countless transplant patients currently waiting for donors.
“Someday, doctors may routinely extract cells from heart failure patients and use them to reseed a new organ from a cadaver-derived ECM. ” — UoM
Read more here
Spyshots - Asus’s Eee PC Desktop
March 29, 2008
HotHardware released these not so official images of the upcoming Asus Eee PC Desktop. Although the picture shows that they have definitely got their styling right, we’re going to wait to see what’s inside before dropping a couple of hundred on this beauty.
“We should caution you that these are not “official” pictures per se. In fact, we can’t really comment on the source of these pics except to say that they are indeed shots of an Asus Eee PC Desktop product that should be arriving to market some time in the next quarter or so.” –HotHardware.com
A Step in the Quantum direction!
March 29, 2008
A small step for making quantum computers a reality has been achieved by researchers in the U.K. This minor but important advancement — The creation of the first logic gate on a silicon chip that can process individual photons.
Individual photons of light show great promise as quantum bits of information (qubits) in a quantum computer because they can travel great distances through optical fibres or even air without losing their quantum nature. One reason for this is that individual photons of light do not normally interact with each other. However, this makes it hard to create devices for processing quantum information such as logic gates, which rely on the interaction of two or more photons.
3-D chip stacks - Future of Computing?
March 23, 2008
Mr. Moore predicted that the number of transistors that fit on a piece of silicon would double almost every two years. However, this axiom will be trumped in 15 years or less. This is due to the increasing difficulty faced when manipulating transistors the size of atoms. So, what direction can our favourtie piece of silicon go?
It looks like IBM has been working on a solution to help. It’s called a 3-D chip stack and it looks promising. Hypothetically, it’s possible to move data 1000X faster than we do now. How? Using TSVs (through-silicon vias) that go through the chip and connect to the next layer directly below it. Currently, chips connect along the outer edges which is slow and limiting.
Keep your eyes peeled — IBM is slated to begin selling this technology soon.
Plen - The Bluetooth controlled Robot
March 16, 2008
Plen is a humanoid robot that can be controlled via Cell Phone or Desktop PC. This little guy is probably more skilled than you! Unfortunately, in order to buy the best toys you must have money in the bank — Now on sale for a measly $2000USD
Check the video below to see some of these skills:
Rock on, Rock Band Rockers
March 6, 2008
We have all played the Guitar Hero series of console games, pretending to be Jimi Hendrix, Slash or Zakk Wylde, but if you feel that your skills as a drunken latenight living room rockstar have progressed a little beyond the norm, I suggest you try out Rock Band. In this arena, you can rock out not only as lead guitarists such as Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters, but as the bassists, drummers and vocalists of these bands. Yes you heard me, even those crazy bassists.
The gameplay is very similar to Guitar Hero, only involving a variety of peripherals, including a microphone and complete drum pad kit. Because of this, it is quick and easy to pick up. The guitar even has 5 frets at the top of the neck for soloing! But don’t be worried, the expert difficulty will give even the most cracked out insane heroin-junkie musicians a run for their money. It is an absolute blast, and hilariously addicting to say the least. Before you know it, it will be 5:30am and you will be convincing your band mates to play ONE MORE song to get that tour bus for your world tour. After all, you can’t WALK a world tour.
Rock Band is available for Xbox 360 and PS3, and a version for Wii is scheduled for arrival in the near future. It’s a perfect addition to any otherwise lame party or late night jam session.
Rock & roll included, sex and drugs sold separately.
YouTube Resolution Tweaking
March 4, 2008
Tired of looking at mediocre quality videos on YouTube? Depending on your internet connection, YouTube automatically adjusts the quality of the videos that you can view.
Add this “&fmt=6” (without the quotes) to the end of the URL and if there’s a higher quality video available it will begin loading right away. Otherwise you’ll sit there staring at a loading symbol until you realize that it’s not working.
The quality difference is noticeable but don’t expect HD content to be loaded.
