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Feb. 7th, 2008
Interesting science articles
Feb. 7th, 2008 11:29 pmOcean-going robot gone green - In December a hybrid "glider" robot was released to criss-cross the Virgin Islands Basin. The robot uses thermal stratification of the ocean as a form of propulsion; specifically, when at the surface where the water is warmer, thermal energy causes the robot to move oil from inside to outside bladders, changing it bouyancy so that it can sink, using its wings to control the direction in which it dives. In deeper water, the cold water reverses the process and the robot begins to ascend. It is expected that the robot can function for up to six months.
Virtual Worlds believed the next terrorist hot-spot - US Intelligence officials believe that the anonymity and global access of virtual worlds makes them an ideal place for terrorist to meet, plot, and conduct financial transactions away from the prying eyes of the intelligence community. This has intelligence officials concerned because they are unable to monitor transactions or spy on people effectively when they are interacting in a virtual world.
That data you bring to the US border may be confiscated - There are reports that US border officials have been copying, and in some cases erasing, information stored on electronic devices brought through the US border. At least one lawsuit is being conducted in response to more than 15 reported cases of search and seizure of electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players. In response, some companies have made it policy to ensure that any and all confidential data be removed from any electronic device being brought into the US.
Government-approved spyware - The FBI has applied to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for approval to release its CIPAV spyware. The spyware is designed to infiltrate computers to obtain its IP and MAC Ethernet addresses, open TCP and UDP ports, and a variety of information about the computer itself, including the last URL accessed by the machine. The program sends the data back to a central computer periodically.
Virtual Worlds believed the next terrorist hot-spot - US Intelligence officials believe that the anonymity and global access of virtual worlds makes them an ideal place for terrorist to meet, plot, and conduct financial transactions away from the prying eyes of the intelligence community. This has intelligence officials concerned because they are unable to monitor transactions or spy on people effectively when they are interacting in a virtual world.
That data you bring to the US border may be confiscated - There are reports that US border officials have been copying, and in some cases erasing, information stored on electronic devices brought through the US border. At least one lawsuit is being conducted in response to more than 15 reported cases of search and seizure of electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players. In response, some companies have made it policy to ensure that any and all confidential data be removed from any electronic device being brought into the US.
Government-approved spyware - The FBI has applied to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for approval to release its CIPAV spyware. The spyware is designed to infiltrate computers to obtain its IP and MAC Ethernet addresses, open TCP and UDP ports, and a variety of information about the computer itself, including the last URL accessed by the machine. The program sends the data back to a central computer periodically.