The LEGO Computer – “The entire body of this computer is built with Lego bricks, without using glue or screws. The budget was eighty dollars and the building time was about a month. The builder uses ventilation and air to minimize the effect of heat on the system…”

First commercial 3-D bio-printer makes human tissue and organs – “Invetech, an innovator in new product development and custom automation for the biomedical, industrial and consumer markets, today announced that it has delivered the world’s first production model 3D bio-printer to Organovo, developers of the proprietary NovoGen bioprinting technology. Organovo will supply the units to research institutions investigating human tissue repair and organ replacement…”

Iron Man 2 Trailer HD

The law of unintended consequences: Energy-efficient traffic lights can’t melt snow – “Cities around the country that have installed energy-efficient traffic lights are discovering a hazardous downside: The bulbs don’t burn hot enough to melt snow and can become crusted over in a storm — a problem blamed for dozens of accidents and at least one death…”

Insurgents Intercept Drone Video in King-Size Security Breach – “In Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. military depends on an array of drones to snoop on and stalk insurgents. Now it looks as if insurgents are tapping into those same drones’ broadcasts, to see what the flying robot spies see. If true — and widespread — it’s potentially one of the most serious military security breaches in years…” See also: Insurgents Hack U.S. Drones

Disappearing sunspots may signal end to global warming – “In the 17th century, the sun experienced a sunspot drought, dubbed the Maunder Minimum, which lasted 70 years – from 1645 until 1715. Astronomers at the time counted only a few dozen sunspots per year, thousands fewer than usual. As sunspots vanished temperatures fell. The River Thames in London froze, sea ice was reported along the coasts of southeast England, and ice floes blocked many harbors. Agricultural production nose-dived as growing seasons grew shorter, leading to lower crop yields, food shortages and famine…”

How to make a splash in social media:

Slowed light breaks record – “Kilometre-long pulses of light have been stored for over one second in a 0.1 mm cloud of ultracold atoms – before being revived and sent on their way. This latest demonstration of light storage using electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is the first to break the second barrier using ultracold atoms and has the added bonus of preserving the quantum state of the incoming pulse. The physicists in the US who carried out the experiment say that the work could play a key role in quantum information technology…”

The Physics of Space Battles – “I had a discussion recently with friends about the various depictions of space combat in science fiction movies, TV shows, and books. We have the fighter-plane engagements of Star Wars, the subdued, two-dimensional naval combat in Star Trek, the Newtonian planes of Battlestar Galactica, the staggeringly furious energy exchanges of the combat wasps in Peter Hamilton’s books, and the use of antimatter rocket engines themselves as weapons in other sci-fi. But suppose we get out there, go terraform Mars, and the Martian colonists actually revolt. Or suppose we encounter hostile aliens. How would space combat actually go?”

Army Tests ‘Universal Remote’ for Future Troopers – “On future battlefields, the Army wants to have an all-seeing array of drones, robots and sensors that will be tied together over a common network. But the real challenge will be bringing all that digital information down to the lowest level: the individual soldier…”

The often disturbing reality of social media – “The tactic is unethical at best, but it highlights just how desperate some companies are to turn a profit. The idea of monthly or yearly subscriptions, which were the bread and butter of old media cannot be relied on in this medium because online users refuse to pay them and then gravitate to the latest platform that can be used for free…”

How to remove a large rock from a cliff:

Shopping robot is Grandma’s little helper – “Bow down and salute your latest robot overlord. The Robovie II is a Wall-E-esque ‘bot that accompanies you down the supermarket aisles, carrying your shopping basket, and suggesting special offers and new product lines. (“May I recommend the 3-in-One jelly, Modom?” It’s made with whole nuts and bolts, and spreads beautifully on toast.”)”

Modellers claim wars are predictable
– “Insurgent attacks follow a universal pattern of timing and casualties…”

Solar Eruptions Captured By DiY Astronomer – ” No, these photographs weren’t taken by an astrophysicist or whipped up in a special-effects lab. Photographer Larry Alvarez takes these pictures of the sun in his backyard using a camera, a telescope, and some homemade gear. With some tips from Alvarez, you can build your own solar telescope camera, too…”

Bubble magic (including the cubic bubble):

Copenhagen could make ‘worst of all possible worlds’ – “The big problem is that it’s not just the final figures about who promises to do what that remain in dispute. Debates continue on the entire architecture of the deal…”

McDonald’s to offer free, unlimited Wi-Fi – “McDonald’s restaurants may soon be the easiest spot to find free Wi-Fi and browse the Web as long as you like…”

[[[Jump to - Interesting Reading #378 – cancer unlocked, uncontacted tribes, grim outlook for hybrids, add your own touch screen and much more…]]]