Wed, Sep 22 06:09 PM
Doctors may soon be able to see a patient's innards in normal light without X-rays, as French scientists claim to have found a new way to decipher the little light that passes through opaque materials.
When light passes through materials that we consider opaque, such as paint, biological tissue, fabric and paper, it is scattered in such a complex way that an image does not come through.
But, now physicist Sylvain Gigan and his colleagues at the Industrial Physics and Chemistry Higher Educational Institution in Paris said they have that found they can actually reconstruct complex images from light passing through these barriers.
The key, they said, is to know precisely how the barriers interfere with this light, the LiveScience reported.
For their research, Gigan and his team first shone a green laser beam at a layer of zinc oxide -- a common ingredient in white paints -- that was roughly 80 microns thick, or slightly thinner than a human hair.
By analysing the pattern of light that passed through, the researchers generated a formula called a "transmission matrix" that made sense of the seemingly random way the light was scattered by the barrier.
With this knowledge, they were able to reconstruct a 32-pixel by 32-pixel image of a five-petal flower projected onto the zinc oxide.
However, the researchers said the see-through vision was not perfect as a lot of the information needed to reconstruct images gets lost when the light gets scattered, making the images look grainy.
It also won't find use in trying to look through walls, unless they are very thin indeed -- looking through a 100-millimeter wall would prove a million times harder than looking through a wall 100 microns thick.
Still, their method could one day be used to peer inside bodies, Gigan said.
That would require their system to be roughly 1,000 times faster than it currently is, to make up for all the scattering generated by the movements of living tissue.
"A microelectromechanical array that uses tiny mirrors to quickly divert laser beams back and forth over a surface to scan it should provide for the 1,000 times speed increase we are looking for," Gigan said.
The new findings are published online in the journal Nature Communications.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20100922/1243/ttc-scientists-develop-alternative-to-x_1.html
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Soon, swipe cell phone to pay for shopaholics' purchases
Thu, Sep 23 05:26 PM
A mobile phone that can be swiped at the till to make instant purchases may soon end the need to carry cash or even a wallet.
Although it has yet to go into full commercial use, after five months of a six-month trial in the Spanish resort of Sitges near Barcelona, the results of the hi-tech new payment method look impressive.
Locals were given 1,500 Samsung phones fitted with special SIM cards and security chips for use at 500 businesses, reports the Sun.
And more than half of users are still regularly paying by phone, with the average sale an impressive 31 euros (26.50 pounds).
The innovation is the result of collaboration between payment company Visa, mobile operator Telefonica - the owners of O2 - and Spanish bank la Caixa.
For anything under 20 euros, the retailer just keys in the amount or scans the barcode before the phone is swiped across the front of a sensor.
Larger purchases require a four-digit PIN number, which adds security should the phone fall into the wrong hands.
Phones can be pre-loaded with cash or linked directly to a bank account.
As well as being a payment system, security passes for work, gym membership or even Oyster cards for London commuters can also be added.
However there are still some major obstacles. For the system to work, the mobile needs to use a SIM card with a payment function built in, plus a supporting secure chip similar to a top-up memory card. And there needs to be enough financial incentive for the mobile operators to join in.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20100923/1243/ttc-soon-swipe-cell-phone-to-pay-for-sho.html
A mobile phone that can be swiped at the till to make instant purchases may soon end the need to carry cash or even a wallet.
Although it has yet to go into full commercial use, after five months of a six-month trial in the Spanish resort of Sitges near Barcelona, the results of the hi-tech new payment method look impressive.
Locals were given 1,500 Samsung phones fitted with special SIM cards and security chips for use at 500 businesses, reports the Sun.
And more than half of users are still regularly paying by phone, with the average sale an impressive 31 euros (26.50 pounds).
The innovation is the result of collaboration between payment company Visa, mobile operator Telefonica - the owners of O2 - and Spanish bank la Caixa.
For anything under 20 euros, the retailer just keys in the amount or scans the barcode before the phone is swiped across the front of a sensor.
Larger purchases require a four-digit PIN number, which adds security should the phone fall into the wrong hands.
Phones can be pre-loaded with cash or linked directly to a bank account.
As well as being a payment system, security passes for work, gym membership or even Oyster cards for London commuters can also be added.
However there are still some major obstacles. For the system to work, the mobile needs to use a SIM card with a payment function built in, plus a supporting secure chip similar to a top-up memory card. And there needs to be enough financial incentive for the mobile operators to join in.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20100923/1243/ttc-soon-swipe-cell-phone-to-pay-for-sho.html
India switches over to cleaner petrol, diesel
Thu, Sep 23 05:45 PM
New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) The country has fully switched over to cleaner Euro-III and Euro-IV petrol and diesel as of yesterday and well ahead of the October one deadline, Minister of State for Petroleum Jitin Prasada said today. "We launched Euro-IV grade petrol and diesel in 13 big cities from April 1 and Euro-III grade fuel was to be introduced in the rest of the country in phases by October one.
We introduced Euro-III petrol and diesel in North Eastern states (the last of the regions) yesterday," he told reporters here. With this, the launch of ultra low sulphur and benzene fuel has been completed ahead of schedule, he said.
"The roll-over happened without a glitch. There are no disruptions of fuel (supplies) anywhere in the country.
" When Euro-IV grade fuel was launched in April, petrol prices were increased by Rs 0.50 a litre and diesel by Rs 0.26 per litre. For introduction of Euro-III grade, petrol prices have been raised by Rs 0.26 per litre and diesel by Rs 0.21 a litre in phases as the fuels were introduced throughout the country.
"There will be no further increase in prices as a result of introduction of Euro-III fuel. Whatever had to be done, has already been done," Prasada said.
He said public sector firms spent over Rs 32,000 crore in upgrading refineries to produce higher quality fuel. "This (introduction of Euro-III and IV grade fuel) will considerably improve the air quality with reduction in emission of pollutants in fuels.
" As against the approved scheduled of introducing Euro-III fuel by October one, introduction of higher grade petrol was advanced in 20 states and that of diesel in 23 states. In the last leg, Bharat Stage-III (the India equivalent of Euro-III) petrol and diesel has been introduced in the seven North Eastern States on September 22, he said.
The government had already introduced BS-IV (the India equivalent of Euro-IV grade) petrol and diesel in all 13 identified cities (NCR of Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune, Solapur, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad) on a single day effective April 1, 2010. The Auto Fuel Policy had prescribed a road map for introduction of BS-IV and BS-III grades of petrol and diesel (equivalent to Euro III and Euro-IV Petrol and Diesel) in the country.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20100923/1416/tnl-india-switches-over-to-cleaner-petro.html
New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) The country has fully switched over to cleaner Euro-III and Euro-IV petrol and diesel as of yesterday and well ahead of the October one deadline, Minister of State for Petroleum Jitin Prasada said today. "We launched Euro-IV grade petrol and diesel in 13 big cities from April 1 and Euro-III grade fuel was to be introduced in the rest of the country in phases by October one.
We introduced Euro-III petrol and diesel in North Eastern states (the last of the regions) yesterday," he told reporters here. With this, the launch of ultra low sulphur and benzene fuel has been completed ahead of schedule, he said.
"The roll-over happened without a glitch. There are no disruptions of fuel (supplies) anywhere in the country.
" When Euro-IV grade fuel was launched in April, petrol prices were increased by Rs 0.50 a litre and diesel by Rs 0.26 per litre. For introduction of Euro-III grade, petrol prices have been raised by Rs 0.26 per litre and diesel by Rs 0.21 a litre in phases as the fuels were introduced throughout the country.
"There will be no further increase in prices as a result of introduction of Euro-III fuel. Whatever had to be done, has already been done," Prasada said.
He said public sector firms spent over Rs 32,000 crore in upgrading refineries to produce higher quality fuel. "This (introduction of Euro-III and IV grade fuel) will considerably improve the air quality with reduction in emission of pollutants in fuels.
" As against the approved scheduled of introducing Euro-III fuel by October one, introduction of higher grade petrol was advanced in 20 states and that of diesel in 23 states. In the last leg, Bharat Stage-III (the India equivalent of Euro-III) petrol and diesel has been introduced in the seven North Eastern States on September 22, he said.
The government had already introduced BS-IV (the India equivalent of Euro-IV grade) petrol and diesel in all 13 identified cities (NCR of Delhi, Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune, Solapur, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad) on a single day effective April 1, 2010. The Auto Fuel Policy had prescribed a road map for introduction of BS-IV and BS-III grades of petrol and diesel (equivalent to Euro III and Euro-IV Petrol and Diesel) in the country.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20100923/1416/tnl-india-switches-over-to-cleaner-petro.html
Sunday, March 7, 2010
3D soccer arrives in Germany after England
The soccer fans of England watched the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United on a television, broadcasted live by Sky Sports, at a pub in London, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010. British pay-TV broadcaster Sky transmitted their first 3D soccer match to selected venues around the UK on that.
After successful testing in Englan, the German pay-TV Channel Sky Deutschland has announced their plans to broadcast the Bundesliga football game between Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburger SV on 14 March to a select audience in Munich in HD 3D. This will be the first time effort of 3D football teleast in the world . The game will be produced in 3D by DFL and Sportcast.Former German international Franz Beckenbauer will present in the match.
Deputy CEO of Sky Deutschland told “ We're going one step further,with the first live HD 3D production in Germany." The match will be telecasted in BWIN, ESPN HD UK, ESPN UK, German Sports, Setanta Sports Australia.
A separate version of the match will be captured for the 3D audience. Presenter Jessica Kastrop and commentator Kai Dittmann will host the transmission that will use multiple 3D cameras.Samsung's first 3D models - 46-inch and 55-inch flat panels starting at $2,340 - are available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Sears. com
Fifa has signed an agreement with Sony to film up to 25 games from the finals in South Africa in 3D. Fans will be able to watch the games on 3D-ready televisions at home or at special public screens in seven cities around the world, including London, using special glasses.
After successful testing in Englan, the German pay-TV Channel Sky Deutschland has announced their plans to broadcast the Bundesliga football game between Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburger SV on 14 March to a select audience in Munich in HD 3D. This will be the first time effort of 3D football teleast in the world . The game will be produced in 3D by DFL and Sportcast.Former German international Franz Beckenbauer will present in the match.
Deputy CEO of Sky Deutschland told “ We're going one step further,with the first live HD 3D production in Germany." The match will be telecasted in BWIN, ESPN HD UK, ESPN UK, German Sports, Setanta Sports Australia.
A separate version of the match will be captured for the 3D audience. Presenter Jessica Kastrop and commentator Kai Dittmann will host the transmission that will use multiple 3D cameras.Samsung's first 3D models - 46-inch and 55-inch flat panels starting at $2,340 - are available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Sears. com
Fifa has signed an agreement with Sony to film up to 25 games from the finals in South Africa in 3D. Fans will be able to watch the games on 3D-ready televisions at home or at special public screens in seven cities around the world, including London, using special glasses.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Now, you can recommend places to click on Mars!
Fri, May 29 02:05 PM
Washington, May 29 (ANI): Arizona State University (ASU) researchers and scientists have created a new feature for Google Earth 5.0, which would enable anyone, anywhere, to recommend places on Mars to photograph. Google Earth 5.0 is the popular online application that lets users tour Earth, the starry sky, and the Red Planet Mars. The ASU team has created two new features for the application, one of which lets anyone, anywhere, recommend places on Mars to photograph with ASU's THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System) camera on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter. The second new feature shows the most recent infrared images of Mars sent back to Earth from the THEMIS camera.HEMIS is the Thermal Emission Imaging System, a multiband infrared and visual camera designed at ASU by Dr. Philip Christensen. According to Dr. Christensen, "These two features, developed by our staff in cooperation with programmers at Google, will help everyone have a lot more fun exploring the Red Planet. It's public engagement at its best." "We wanted to give the general public a way to suggest places on Mars for THEMIS to photograph," he added. "Using the new feature, people can recommend sites, and these recommendations go to mission scientists who will decide what areas THEMIS images. If a public suggestion matches what the researchers choose, we'll notify the person who suggested the site and let them see the image as soon as we do," he further added. To suggest a place for THEMIS to photograph, viewers need two things: Google Earth 5.0 and a file that is updated each week giving the spacecraft's Mars orbital ground track. To get the orbital track, users should go to http://suggest.mars.asu.edu and follow the simple steps to register. With the orbital track file downloaded, viewers start Google Earth and switch the globe to Mars (via the Planets toolbar button, which resembles the planet Saturn). Then, viewers open the orbital track file from within Google Earth. Viewers can also just double-click on the orbital file once Google Earth has been set to Mars as its planet. The places where THEMIS can take images during the coming week appear as stripes wrapped onto the Martian globe. Viewers click on stripe segments to recommend places for THEMIS to photograph. "Each viewer can make up to 10 imaging suggestions per week," said Christian Yates, software engineer at the Mars Space Flight Facility. (ANI)
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090529/981/tsc-now-you-can-recommend-places-to-clic.html
Washington, May 29 (ANI): Arizona State University (ASU) researchers and scientists have created a new feature for Google Earth 5.0, which would enable anyone, anywhere, to recommend places on Mars to photograph. Google Earth 5.0 is the popular online application that lets users tour Earth, the starry sky, and the Red Planet Mars. The ASU team has created two new features for the application, one of which lets anyone, anywhere, recommend places on Mars to photograph with ASU's THEMIS (Thermal Emission Imaging System) camera on NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter. The second new feature shows the most recent infrared images of Mars sent back to Earth from the THEMIS camera.HEMIS is the Thermal Emission Imaging System, a multiband infrared and visual camera designed at ASU by Dr. Philip Christensen. According to Dr. Christensen, "These two features, developed by our staff in cooperation with programmers at Google, will help everyone have a lot more fun exploring the Red Planet. It's public engagement at its best." "We wanted to give the general public a way to suggest places on Mars for THEMIS to photograph," he added. "Using the new feature, people can recommend sites, and these recommendations go to mission scientists who will decide what areas THEMIS images. If a public suggestion matches what the researchers choose, we'll notify the person who suggested the site and let them see the image as soon as we do," he further added. To suggest a place for THEMIS to photograph, viewers need two things: Google Earth 5.0 and a file that is updated each week giving the spacecraft's Mars orbital ground track. To get the orbital track, users should go to http://suggest.mars.asu.edu and follow the simple steps to register. With the orbital track file downloaded, viewers start Google Earth and switch the globe to Mars (via the Planets toolbar button, which resembles the planet Saturn). Then, viewers open the orbital track file from within Google Earth. Viewers can also just double-click on the orbital file once Google Earth has been set to Mars as its planet. The places where THEMIS can take images during the coming week appear as stripes wrapped onto the Martian globe. Viewers click on stripe segments to recommend places for THEMIS to photograph. "Each viewer can make up to 10 imaging suggestions per week," said Christian Yates, software engineer at the Mars Space Flight Facility. (ANI)
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090529/981/tsc-now-you-can-recommend-places-to-clic.html
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
"Missing link" found
Yesterday, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, a revolutionary discovery -- one that will stand as a milestone for paleontologists and evolutionists everywhere -- was announced. Scientists based at the University of Oslo have discovered “Ida,” also known as Darwinius masillae, a 47-million-year-old fossil that has been proclaimed the “missing link” in connecting human skeletal structure to early mammals.
Scientists found Ida in Messel Pit, Germany and soon found out that she is about twenty times older than most fossils related to human evolution. What makes Ida so special is that despite her classification as an early prosimian (lemurs), she has certain undeniable human characteristics such as forward facing eyes and even an opposable thumb.
This is an exciting and validating day for scientists everywhere. Broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough has said: “This little creature is going to show us our connection with all the rest of the mammals.”
Head on over to The Link for pictures, video and more information about Ida and the team of researchers behind her. Also don’t miss what’s up at the open source journal PLoS One to read about the scientists’ findings.
News link: http://blog.ted.com/2009/05/darwin_validate.php
Photo link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090519-missing-link-found.html
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Now, software that allows laptops to shout for help when stolen!
London Mar 2 (ANI): Scientists have developed a computer program that allows laptops to shout for help if they have been stolen.
The program, called Retriever, has been developed by a software company called Front Door Software Corporation, reports the Telegraph.
Retriever enables users to display alerts on the missing computer's screen and even to set a spoken message such as a shout or a warning.
Tracking software for stolen laptops has been on the market for some time, but this is understood to be the first that allows owners to activate recorded messages, according to The Times.
Owners must report their laptop missing by logging on to a website, which sends a message to the computer, triggering on-screen messages of warning to the thief and voice alerts.
The 21-pound software, designed by the Colorado-based firm, also collects information if the stolen laptop is being used to access the Internet so that the police can be alerted to its location. (ANI)
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090302/862/ttc-now-software-that-allows-laptops-to.html
The program, called Retriever, has been developed by a software company called Front Door Software Corporation, reports the Telegraph.
Retriever enables users to display alerts on the missing computer's screen and even to set a spoken message such as a shout or a warning.
Tracking software for stolen laptops has been on the market for some time, but this is understood to be the first that allows owners to activate recorded messages, according to The Times.
Owners must report their laptop missing by logging on to a website, which sends a message to the computer, triggering on-screen messages of warning to the thief and voice alerts.
The 21-pound software, designed by the Colorado-based firm, also collects information if the stolen laptop is being used to access the Internet so that the police can be alerted to its location. (ANI)
http://in.news.yahoo.com/139/20090302/862/ttc-now-software-that-allows-laptops-to.html
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