2007-12-10

dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 01:02 pm
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Tech: Seaweed as a carbon dioxide sink

A group of scientists have proposed that seaweed could be a viable method for sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Seaweed's rapid growth means that it could use up as much carbon dioxide as a rainforest while providing an alternative source of food and fuel. Currently, more than 8 million tons of seaweed and algae are harvested for food, almost exclusively in Asia-Pacific region.
dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 03:10 pm
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Tech: Voyager 2 reaches the heliosheath

Voyager 2 has crossed into the heliosheath more than 1 billion miles closer to the sun that Voyager 1, proving that the termination shock boundary is flattened. Scientists can now sample the plasma in the heliosheath because, unlike Voyager 1, Voyager 2 has a working plasma instrument. This means that Voyager 2 can measure the velocity, density, and temperature of the region.
dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 03:25 pm

Tech: Oil-repellant material

Researchers from MIT and US Air Force have developed a new material that repels oil, opening the door to smudge resistant cell phone displays and self-cleaning displays. An early application of the research was a a material that attracted water and repelled oil that could potentially be used to filter water out of fuel.
dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 03:32 pm
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Amusing: Dog Armour

Spok is modeling a suit of dog armour. Visit the site to see a similar set for squirrels.

Found on "The Corpus Callosum", courtesy of ScienceBlogs.
dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 03:37 pm
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1 in 4 Canadians on Facebook

1 in 4 Canadians on Facebook
"The list of things that help define Canada just got a little longer: Hockey, Tim Hortons and ... Facebook.

Despite the recent flurry of bad press over the popular social networking site's privacy practices, nearly 8 million Canadians – more than one in four – have a Facebook profile page, according to an upcoming study by Toronto-based Solutions Research Group, highlights of which were obtained by the Star.

That makes Canada among the most plugged-in Facebook places in the world, boasting the most users of any country outside the United States and a nearly 15 per cent share of Facebook's total subscriber base of 57 million.
...


Found on Rick Mercer's Blog
dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 03:44 pm
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Gadgets: Wine holder

Wine holder. Just make sure you don't bend over.
dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 03:52 pm
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Amusiing: Trademarking "NSFW"

A company by the name of Fark is attempting to trademark the acronym NSFW in the United States.

Found on Giizmodo.
dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 09:39 pm
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Amusing: Child carbon tax

An Australian medical expert has proposed that every couple who has more than two children should pay $4,400(US) per child plus $800 per year for each child to offset their carbon emission.  No word on who should get the money, or whether children with flatulence should be charged extra.
dracodraconis: (Default)
2007-12-10 09:46 pm
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Tech: Geminid meteor shower

The Geminid meteor shower should be starting to fill the night sky with pretty lights, peaking on December 13 and 14th. With no moon out, the show should be especially clear.