"At near-absolute-zero temperatures, atoms can be held in an optical lattice"

At near-absolute-zero temperatures, atoms can be held in an optical lattice—formed by standing light waves, where the atoms sit in the troughs of the waves at low potential energy. At these temperatures, they lose most of their thermal fluctuations and begin to act like an ideal quantum system. Atoms held in an optical lattice can be used to simulate electrons trapped in a crystalline solid, so this quantum system can be helpful in studying important phenomena like quantum magnetism and high-temperature superconductivity. The atoms could also be used for quantum logic gates and registers (the working memory of quantum computers).

Source and rest of the story:  http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/12/how-cold-is-cold-enough-a-lot-colder-than-you-think.ars

This is intriguing, when I was a kid I thought Molecular circuits were just Sci Fi, now it is looking like quantum computers may be a reality in my lifetime.

Ediacaran fossils

The authors have essentially performed a CAT scan of these tiny fossils, except they use energies high enough to fry human tissues. This is sufficient to reveal subtle internal features, including what appears to be a nucleus inside many of the cells, as shown above. The authors argue that this isn't not just a matter of similar appearance. The object has a consistent location within the cells, takes up a consistent fraction of the cell's volume, and only appears once per cell, all of which are features of a nucleus.

Source and full story: http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/12/precambrian-fossils-once-thought-to-be-embryos-reinterpreted-as-somethign-else.ars

Mass Extinctions have long been an area of interest to me, so I find this deeply interesting.  As much for the advances of Technology in Paleontology/Paleobiology, as for the actual fossils being discussed.

Birds can do Math

Pigeons can learn abstract numerical rules, a skill that scientists had believed only primates possessed. Although the birds may not be able to do higher math, their ability to reason numerically is likely something that a wide variety of species can do, too, researchers say.

Full story at http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/12/no-joke-pigeons-ace-a-simple-math.html

Simply Cool, Planets & Stars to scale

http://www.rense.com/general72/size.htm

Neutrinos and Dark Matter

A planned Neutrino Telescope KM3NeT  http://www.km3net.org/home.php looks to add a lot to our knowledge about the universe.  It will also be one of the largest objects ever built.

When it the KM3NeT is finished it will join the IceCube particle detector in the Antarctic http://www.icecube.wisc.edu/index.php in the search into the understanding the cosmos.

Google Hacking

I keep mentioning this to people, so decided to put it here for easy reference.

Tom Bowers:  Goggle Hacking

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_hacking

http://streaming.linux-magazin.de/events/usenix08/archive/tbowers/

http://www.usenix.org/media/events/usenix08/tech/mp3/bowers.mp3

http://www.usenix.org/event/usenix08/tech/slides/bowers.pdf

"Discovery of a ‘Dark State’ Could Mean a Brighter Future for Solar Energy"

Using "organic plastic semiconductor material" a group led by  Xiaoyang Zhu is looking to double Solar Cell efficiency.

The maximum theoretical efficiency of the silicon solar cell in use today is approximately 31 percent, because much of the sun's energy hitting the cell is too high to be turned into usable electricity. That energy, in the form of "hot electrons," is instead lost as heat. Capturing hot electrons could potentially increase the efficiency of solar-to-electric power conversion to as high as 66 percent.

Source and full story at http://www.utexas.edu/news/2011/12/15/dark_state/

Angela Zhang wins 100k for creating cancer-killing nanoparticle

She’s just been awarded the $100,000 Grand Prize in the Individual category of the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. Her project was entitled “Design of Image-guided, Photo-thermal Controlled Drug Releasing Multifunctional Nanosystem for the Treatment of Cancer Stem Cells.”

 Rest of the Story

Congratulations Angela Zhang!

Honor Among Rats, if not Thieves

Well they are talking about Empathy, but that wouldn't be as snappy a title.  I was surprised that Rats display this behavior for, I assume, non related Rats.  I would have expected them to be Psychopathic or Sociopathic by human terms.

This snippet from ars:

Now, new research in Science suggests that rats are capable of empathy. The study tested how rats responded when their fellow rats were trapped, and found that they would not only spend time and energy deliberately helping their trapped companions, but they would even share food after liberating them.

Sources:

• Primary:  http://www.sciencemag.org/content/334/6061/1427
• Story source above:  http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/12/rats-show-empathy-will-come-to-the-aid-of-other-rats.ars

Two rotating spheres separated by thousands of kilograms of liquid sodium aim to mimic Earth's interior

Ten years in the making, the US$2-million project is nearly ready for its inaugural run. Early next year, the sphere will begin whirling around while loaded with 13,000 kilograms of molten sodium heated to around 105 °C. Researchers hope that the churning, electrically conducting fluid will generate a self-sustaining electromagnetic field that can be poked, prodded and coaxed for clues about Earth's dynamo, which is generated by the movement of liquid iron in the outer core. If it works, it will be the first time that an experiment that mirrors the configuration of Earth's interior has managed to recreate such a phenomenon.

           Source & rest of story: http://www.nature.com/news/dynamo-maker-ready-to-roll-1.9582

NASA Announcing Kepler Discoveries at Science Conference

Source:  http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/nov/HQ_M11-243_Kepler.html

 

 

MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. -- NASA will host a news briefing at 8 a.m. PST, Monday, Dec. 5, to announce new discoveries by the Kepler mission. The briefing, during the Kepler Science Conference, will be in building 152 at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif.

Kepler is the first NASA mission capable of finding Earth-size planets in or near the "habitable zone," the region in a planetary system where liquid water can exist on the surface of an orbiting planet. Kepler is detecting planets and possible candidates with a wide range of sizes and orbital distances to help scientists better understand our place in the galaxy.
A live stream of the Kepler Science Conference will be available at:  http://connect.arc.nasa.gov/kepler

Kepler Science Conference: http://kepler.nasa.gov/Science/ForScientists/keplerconference

Kepler Mission:  http://www.nasa.gov/kepler

An easy way to curb smart-phone thieves

The idea that your smart phone could make you vulnerable to a thief has triggered a strong reaction.

Earlier this week I highlighted this problem and readers asked why the cell phone's serial number couldn't be used to block stolen phones, rendering them useless.


I assumed that idea was simplistic. Surely there was a good reason why it wouldn't work. There isn't.

Rest of the story from C.W. Nevius, Chronicle Columnist

NASA: "Lightning-made Waves in Earth's Atmosphere Leak Into Space"

Full story at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/lightning-waves.html

"Now, NASA's Vector Electric Field Instrument (VEFI) aboard the U.S. Air Force's Communications/Navigation Outage Forecast System (C/NOFS) satellite has detected Schumann resonance from space. This comes as a surprise, since current models of Schumann resonance predict these waves should be caged at lower altitude, between the ground and a layer of Earth's atmosphere called the ionosphere."

For more information on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schumann_resonances

Spiders vs Ants, sort of like Ninjas vs Pirates

As many of the readers here probably already know from personal study, Spiders tend to have problems with Ants, researchers have discovered that Golden Orb Spinner Spiders use a chemical irritant in their webs to deter Ants.

Article is from the Australian Geographic.

MIT discovery could lead to all-optical chips!

From Mass High Tech:

Ross, along with fellow materials science and engineering professor Lionel Kimerling and former students Lei Bi ’11 and Juejun Hu Ph.D. ’09, figured out that the fairly common gemstone garnet had the properties they needed to make the optical “diode for light” as it is both transparent and magnetic. The release cites Ross saying, “The whole system could be made using standard microchip manufacturing machinery.”

This is an impressive discovery in my opinion.  Here is Journal Nature Abstract.

This is deserving of Nobel Prize consideration in my opinion. Considering the fact that the system can be made with standard microchip manufacturing, it is an elegant and efficient solution as well.

Open Source Physics receives SPORE Award

Science Prize for Online Resources in Education (SPORE)

Open Source Physics (OPS) wins SPORE award.

Links to OPS summary and full article at Science.

Open Source Physics in their own words:

Computational Resources for Teaching
The OSP Collection provides curriculum resources that engage students in physics, computation, and computer modeling. Computational physics and computer modeling provide students with new ways to understand, describe, explain, and predict physical phenomena.

Kilobots, am I the only one who thinks Daleks?

From http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/ssr/projects/progSA/kilobot.html :

To enable the possibility of large Kilobot collectives where the number of robots is an order of magnitude larger than the largest that exist today, each robot is made with only $14 worth of parts and takes 5 minutes to assemble. Furthermore, the robot design allows a single user to easily oversee the operation of a large Kilobot collective, such as programming, powering on, and charging all robots

Stephen Hawking "says the colonization of outer space is key to the survival of humankind"

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/human-survival-depends-on-space-exploration-says-stephen-hawking-134135238.html

Something I have believed for long time personally.

Jawbone's Jambox, Cool Bluetooth speaker & speakerphone!

If you hate headsets like I do, or just want a good speaker that doesn't require wires, take a look at the Jambox, it is a high end Speaker and Speakerphone. 

You can use Bluetooth for wireless operation, since it uses a rechargeable battery, or the standard 3.5mm jack to connect it to your laptop, iPad, Cell phone, etc.


Supposedly a NASA engineer/scientist was involved in the design of the Jambox.  So it appeals to the Gadget Geek in me!

Got my girlfriend a Blue Jambox for her Birthday last month, she really likes it, no problem using it via Bluetooth for her Ipad or Blackberry phone, also worked fine with the 3.5mm headphone jack hooked to her TV. 

She has used it with her iPad near daily for 12 days on the first charge.  So the battery life is really good, she was using it to listen to streaming music off the iPad most evenings afterwork.  Plus watching movies a few times a week.  Not sure how many total hours, but even people that use it day long should be satisfied I think.


It also works good as a speaker phone, I will be borrowing it this weekend for some Skype calls (I hate headsets), hopefully she gets the hint that I want one for Xmas.


It also includes good, perhaps even great accessories, it comes with two different length USB/powercords, a AC adapter, 3.5mm cord, & a neat padded carrying case.  The case is padded has magnetic flap closures, it compresses flat and the flaps secure it on the flat empty position or the closed position when protecting the Jambox.

Comes charged and ready to use out of the box!  Any questions?  Post them below.


The Jambox is really cool.  More information available at Jawbone Official site.

EDC Innovation from Exotac, Pocket Candle

http://www.exotac.com/product_images/n/188/IMG_2528__25514_zoom.jpg


http://www.exotac.com/candletin/

I have been trying to design a usable pocket candle for some time now, if you have a mini Bic lighter and a candle you are pretty well set for starting fires in most situations.

I have been EDC an Exotac Nano striker for almost a year now, it rides on my keychain easily.  But I like the Two is One, One is None rule for disaster preparation gear. So I usually have a Mini Bic lighter as well, now I have a candle to add to the equation.

NASA in Final Preparations for Nov. 8 Asteroid Flyby, inside Moon's orbit

Details at NASA

Here is snippet from NASA:

The trajectory of asteroid 2005 YU55 is well understood. At the point of closest approach, it will be no closer than 201,700 miles (324,600 kilometers) or 0.85 the distance from the moon to Earth.

"Our galaxy's gas" from ars

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2011/11/somethings-out-between-the-stars-but-we-dont-know-what-it-is.ars

Interesting article about the diffuse gas bands astronomers have found, the most recent one in the galactic center.

Unknown chemistry composition so far, sounds interesting.  Perhaps there is a connection to abiogenesis?

A good Green Lighting Resource

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Lighting/lighting.htm#Solar

More Green Computer Tech, Apple related

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/10/exploring-other-world-computings-super-green-headquarters.ars

This really interests me, I don't like having to replace computers ever few years.

Two things stood out to me, one is the Parking Lot that collects rainwater for the grounds, also filters out oil & etc from car leaks!

And then there was this: 

100 percent wind-powered

While OWC's corporate headquarters is impressive for its use of green materials, building techniques, and business practices, the crowning achievement of its green initiative is its 500 kilowatt Vestas V39 wind turbine. Perched atop a 131 foot tower just to the west of the main building, OWC's wind turbine came online in 2009. With the flick of a switch, OWC became the first technology manufacturer and distributor in the US to be fully powered by on-site wind power.

Green Data Center in Iceland

http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/10/building-a-data-center-that.ars

Makes a lot of sense, though I wonder about the volcanic activity there being a risk.

Researchers devise brain-machine interface with a sense of touch

We may yet have the $6 Million Man.  Cool.

US Military Throwable Robots, reminds me of Robot Wars

I really like watching Robot Wars/ BattleBots, and at least a couple of these Military designs looked like they were based on those concepts.

3M film turns windows into transparent solar panels

Supposed to be a DIY install, think about the energy saving on sky scrappers!

Full StoryLink.

NASA, Google award $1.35M prize for ultra-cool, mega-efficient electric aircraft

http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/nasa-google-award-135m-prize-ultra-cool-mega-

200+ MPG!  Beats a Prius by a lot.

Cassini Solstice Mission

This is simply cool, http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/photos/ I could spend hours playing on that site.

Note you can look through the raw images, you might even find something before anyone else does.

Looking forward to Amazon's new Tablet

Latest news I have seen at Ars

Cheap EDC Case for carrying Micro SD cards around

Found this mini Altoids tin in the travel/sample section of  a box store

Just doing this for now but plan to try using foam or something to make custom liner trays.

Neat EDC flashlights

I like SureFire as primary flashlights, since they use clicky switches and they start at high output setting.

But I have been looking for smaller flashlights for backup, and for when I have to dress more formally.

I like the Fenix LD15 since it uses a single AA battery, much cheaper than the CR123 batteries my Surefires use.

It has a twisty switch, but I don't mind that on my backup lights, IMO twisty lights are less likely to turn themselves on in my pocket.  This AA light has a High output in same range as my more expensive Surefires that use CR123 batteries.


I also found this cute little Fenix E05 in purple. This light uses AAA batteries, only has a low level setting but is small and light weight.

Thinking I might get my girlfriend this purple one as a gift and get myself a black Fenix E05.  I probably wouldn't carry this light often, probably only on more formal occasions were I can't carry the bigger flashlights I normally use.  But it is small enough to be carried anywhere.

These Fenix lights are all LED models, which I really prefer for EDC. I have switched my EDC Surefire's to LED heads. They get much better battery life, but more importantly they never really die. They just get dimmer and dimmer.

So you never go to use the light and have nothing. That happened to me more than once with the older, pre LED, bulbs in the Surefires. Couple of times when I really needed a light. That is why I pretty much always carry 2 flashlights now.

Cool Bluetooth Speaker & Speakerphone, the Jawbone Jambox.

Updated 10/31/11 

Got my girlfirend one for her Birthday this last weekend, she really likes it, no problem using it via Bluetooth for her Ipad or Blackberry phone, also worked fine with the 3.5mm headphone jack hooked to her TV.

Now, hopefully she takes the hint and gets me one for Xmas!

end of update

The Jawbone is really cool.

Very portable bluetooth speaker & speaker phone for iPod/iPhone/iPad or other bluetooth device.

I want one, though using it as speaker would be the primary function for me, I can see using the speaker phone functionality for video calling. I'm sure it would work for conference calling buy I don't have a need for that.

More information available at Jawbone Official site.

Are Cephalopods the Craftiest Critter?

Video by Roger Hanlon, produced by Flora Lichtman from Sciencefriday

In my opinion, Cephalopods are certainly the coolest animals extant, extant is a concise way to say "currently living".   Cephalopods include Octopus,  Squid,  Cuttlefish, and Nautiloidea.  Cuttlefish are my favorite, they seem to me to be the most sophisticated of the Cephalopods.
 
The Cuttlefish ability to camouflage is so advanced they can virtually disappear.  The also can put on displays that shame electronic devices.



As this short clip from Nova demonstrates.

Though Nautiloidea, such as Nautilus and Allonautilus, are a passion of a Mentor of mine Peter D. Ward.  Article here coauthored by him about the Allonautilus.

In a future post, I will show some of the connections between the study of Stones (Lithic) and Cephalopods.

Lithic Technology

Natural stone by Michael Miller

 Or Flintknapping as it is commonly called is an old technology that anyone can learn.  It is a low cost hobby, you will need a few tools, but if you can't spend much money at the start you can use modern tools that you have laying around now.

Since you will literally be working stone, which if not "dirt" cheap is still inexpensive, the consumable part of the hobby will be almost free.

In addition, if your serious about it, you can sell some of your work once you have mastered the basics.  Though many do not realize it, you can work glass.  Obsidian, a traditional material for flintknapping, is a volcanic glass.

Glass does have some downsides vs some other materials specially some types of flint and chert.  But it is easy to obtain glass that makes truly beautiful points or blades.

You can use beer, wine, or soft drink bottles as an easy to find most likely free source of material that comes in colors not typically found in natural stone.

Artistic Glass point by Michael Miller

Or if your willing to spend a little money for aesthetic or artistic joy you can consider Artistic Glass, photo above is finished point made from Artistic Glass by Michael Miller.  See this thread on the Paleoplanet forum.  I find these modern materials are often truly beautiful.

Even people not familiar with forming stone tools can easily see the beauty of these objects.  I also find a lot of natural stone points pleasing to the eye as well.  Agate makes for jewelry quality points in my opinion.

So if your interested in learning how ancient people made tools.  If your looking for a rewarding hobby, or perhaps you just dream of being stranded like Robinson Crusoe, take a look at Flintknapping. 

Paleoplanet is a good place to start if you want to learn more, they also cover a lot of other primitive skills.  If you want to buy some artistic or functional work by modern masters check out Flintknappers.com ,I am waiting for my first order of a few points to arrive from that site.

I plan to do a future post on flintknapping with a lot more detail as I learn more.  As mentioned above I have ordered a few points myself, I plan to acquire at least a small collection.  I also want to test points and blades in the field to learn how they compare to the more modern tools I am used to.

Special thanks to the founder of Flintknappers.com, Michael Miller, he provided the pictures for this post.  In addition to answering all of the questions I had about flintknapping.  Michael Miller's Gallery of items for sale, link to his Lithic Analysis company.

Mars Rover arrives at Endeavour Crater on Mars

Only took about 3 years to go 13 miles, talk about slow drivers!  More detailed pic.

Great place for more learning about Science

The Physics Forum, I discovered this today by accident, just wish I would have found this forum years ago, they have many different sections for students and professionals. 

They cover a lot more than just Physics, there is to much for me to cover in a brief post.  I am overwhelmed with the amount of resources available at the  Physics Forum.  In a few weeks after I have timed to digest some of what they offer I will do an update post.

I will also add their link to right side of my blog for easy clicking.

Check them out, you won't be disappointed.

Twitter, Tweets, & Copyright

Trying to understand copyright issues in connection to the internet and related Technology really seems a daunting task at times.

Personally I think the legal system hasn't caught up to "Internet Age" yet, just like the music industry only recently adapted to change in recording technology. Or, more interesting to me than music industry, book publishing industry is in the midst of adaptation. Though that is a topic for a future blog.

I have come to blogging from a writing background, thought I understood proper ways to use copyrighted material, but I recently realized that I was actually at the Unconscious Incompetence stage of knowledge [see  Four Stages of Competence wikipedia].  I  literally didn't know what I didn't know.

So I have been considering much more critically anything I want to quote or reference with more than a link & description.

This morning I saw a Tweet I wanted to post on a fan page, so I did some Net searching to see if there was an answer.  Though I wasn't concerned about that specific Tweet, since I am sure the author wants the information spread.  That was the point of his Tweet.

So far this article, by Emerging Strategies, is by far the best information I have found about Tweets & copyright issue.

I have a far better understanding of the issue, after reading their article, than I did from the rest of my research combined.

Aurora Above Churchill, Manitoba

Photograph by Richard Kelly

A beautiful picture.  From Earth Science Picture of the Day [EPOD] a neat & educational Blog.

Information about the Blog.


Photographer Richard Kelly
Richard Kelly's website

Possible Water Flows on Mars

Embedded video from


NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory California Institute of Technology

August 04, 2011

PASADENA, Calif. -- Observations from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed possible flowing water during the warmest months on Mars.

"NASA's Mars Exploration Program keeps bringing us closer to determining whether the Red Planet could harbor life in some form," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said, "and it reaffirms Mars as an important future destination for human exploration." ~NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (more)

 For more information from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter [MRO] check  NASA MRO or Mars Program they have lots of high resolution pictures.  In addition to much more information.

Defensive Adaptations

Japanese Honey bees have a interesting defense against the Asian Giant Hornet that likes to prey on them, see this link for full story.

Science Pictures

Image Credit: NASA/Swift/Penn State/J. Kennea

Just a bit of inspiration, to keep slogging through calculus so I can see the beauty that lies beneath the surface of images like these.

If you want to learn what these pictures really mean, check Professor Astronomy.

Image Credit: Jon Morse and NASA

Paleolithic technology

Check out PaleoPlanet.  They have have information on Flintknapping and other "primitive" skills.  In my opinion they are not low level skills.  I suspect most people that study so called "primitive" skills quickly learn that, buy then my BA is in Anthropology.

I think learning "primitive" skills is very rewarding, it is something anyone can learn how to do, though it takes time and effort.  It is an extremely rewarding hobby, activity, or even avocation for adults or children. 

It is an educational activity, part of "experimental anthropology" or term I'm more used to "reconstructive archaeology," were you attempt to learn more about how things were done in the past by using techniques and tools from certain people & time period.

This often leads to new information, you gain knowledge by doing that can not be learned from simply studying the artifacts past people left behind.

NASA Juno space probe

This is the quote that caught my eye:

Attached to the probe are three little Lego figures specially made of space-grade aluminum. They represent the Italian physicist Galileo, who discovered Jupiter's four biggest moons; the Roman god Jupiter; and his wife Juno, for whom the spacecraft is named.

Lego's in space, makes me think of MST3K.

More detailed information from NASA.

Cyber Attack

More details from The Atlantic Wire, but it is pretty stunning in the scale.

Also consider that the Pentagon considers Cyber Attacks an act of war.

See refs The Atlantic Wire article, Wall Street Journal article, US Dept of Defense pdf

Though there are problems with DOD's position on the general issue of cyber attacks, I also wonder if that posistion was drafted in response to this attack.  Remember the parts of the government and some others have know about this large Cyber Attack for some time.  The story just broke to the public now.

Multiverse theory

Maybe we are not alone. Story from BBC, what is really cool about this particular Multiverse idea is that it is testable!

Scientist may actually be able to find evidence of other universes.  Doubtful we will be able to find out more.

Multiverse info from Wikipedia, might not be updated yet with this recent information.


Journal Physical Review D

First observational tests of eternal inflation: Analysis methods and WMAP 7-year results

Stephen M. Feeney, Matthew C. Johnson, Daniel J. Mortlock, and Hiranya V. Peiris

Abstract pdf

Detailed publication pdf

How to change Text color HTML help

Thanks to quackit again, link to HTML color help here.

Tired of Breaking Cell Phones?

Then give this Cell phone a try, I think I could break it if I tried. But it would take a bit of work.

Alpacka packrafts

I discovered the Alpacka Rafts from reading Andrew Skurka's blog, he used one on a long Alaskan hike both as raft and also at times as a sledge/toboggan for hauling gear.

Just struck me as very cool, idea of being able to fish and paddle in ponds and lakes that might not see people in any given decade, perhaps even any century, has a certain appeal to me.

Flying Lemurs

But they are not Lemurs.  Oh well, still neat little creatures.  More info available here.

Brief Solar Flare

From the Bad Astronomy Blog

Neat Gift that has a lot of utility

Just a few examples, for more information click here.

These items are made from multiple colors of paracord, they look very attractive, yet if you ever need some cordage you will have some with you.

They even offer to replace for free if you ever have to use it in an emergency.  As long as your willing to send them your story & photos so they have an endorsement from satisfied customer.

Personally I think they look good enough to wear just for the look, but then I like neat things like this.  Check out "EDC" [Every Day Carry, usually refers to small items that might be useful] labeled posts on my blog for some other things I think are neat.

So a good, modest priced, gift idea for kid or adult, specially for anyone that likes outdoor activities.  That could actually save someones life, or more realistically, provide a temporary fix to get you home.

If your not familiar with paracord, it is cordage (basically thin rope) that meets the standards needed for parachute.  It is the gold standard of rope for hikers, astronauts, hunters, military, etc. 


Wikipedia link for more information on paracord.

Here is a picture showing what the insides look like, you can use the smaller inner strands for thread if you need to mend clothes or a tent.

Really cool keychain

This is really neat, I am going to get one or two and try out. I like the shackle for the keys, lets you keep the keeps from making so much noise.  Link here.

Earth's Trojan Asteroid, the first one found!

Cool video from NASA of the orbit.  For more information go to Space.com

Blogger, big post making expanding or read more section

This is something that is real easy.  ONCE you know how.  When editing a post or making a new one just put your cursor (curser?) where you want the break then click on this button in menu bar, [see picture, click pic to enlarge]

If your using the newer version of Blogger for posting, the button is near the "link" & "picture" buttons, right after add video.  The button itself still looks the same as it does in that picture.


For official help page click here.

Dolphins, at least some, can detect electricity

Interesting, BBC story here.

I knew sharks could, I will have to do some research on this and do a more detailed blog about it, in the near future.

I'm not sure if they are detecting the electrical  activity of the muscles or the change in the electrical flows in the water.  I suspect it is the latter for two reason.  First I am unaware of any land animals that have this ability.  Secondly, the electrical impulse that muscles generate is very very small.  We need electrodes attached to skin to detect that, that is what they are doing at the hospital when they check your heart.

Back Pain

Use a Tennis Ball!

Well I finally tried something for my crummy back yesterday that I had heard of some time ago but never tried.  Used a tennis ball between my back and a wall so I could get the pressure were I needed it on my back.

Helped a lot.  Did it 4 times yesterday for about 3-5 minutes at a time, really loosened up the muscle knots in my back.  There is a bit of a learning curve to get it working good, by the third time I tried it yesterday I finally started getting the knack.

All you need is a tennis ball and a wall, though some people lay down instead, I found that standing against the wall I am able to put enough pressure on the muscle knots to get them to release. Don't think I could get enough pressure on them while laying down.

So now with Tennis ball and this great book Stretching that I reviewed on my other blog, I feel like I am getting my back pain under control.

Science projects anyone can do with their kids, or by themselves

Crystal Radios are easy to build.  Here is a link to an inexpensive kit from Amazon
here is a link to detailed instructions for making a crystal radio from parts.

So something useful & neat, if your looking for something besides a radio, Science Toys has lots of other projects you can do.  All of it is educational, not just the science, but the skill building and problem solving required to get it right are valuable skills for learning any topic or dealing with real world issues.

Now those are neat offices

But would you want your Boss to be able to literally make you "walk the plank?"

Dus-T a T Shirt with a dust mask

I can see several uses for this T shirt, from keeping bugs out of your mouth to dealing with windy days and dust/sand blowing about.

DUS-T link.

Search Engine Showdown Blog: The User's Guide to Web Searching

Another good Blog/Resource I have found The Engine Showdown Blog: The User's Guide to Web Searching, real useful resource for learning how to find what you want on the Net.

I found this page while looking for more cached search options than Google offers.  Don't know if the average user will get much from this page.  A serious user or someone who does Google Hacking will find more than a little useful information IMO.

Neat way to carry 2 piece fly rod

From Jason's blog, The Patron Pole: A Combination Hiking Staff and Fly Rod Case
How to pack your 2-piece fly rod while backpacking, Jason's blog is worth reading on a regular basis.

Not Running a Hospital

New Blog to me, worth following I think.  Former Hospital CEO talking about health care & hospital issues.

Link to Not Running a Hospital.

TED: Ideas worth Spreading

A REALLY cool website. TED link

All kinds of topics covered, they add new videos or audio podcasts every week.

Good way to spend some time.

Video of Peter Ward lecture on Earth's mass extinctions

Here is the link to his lecture.

Peter Ward is a paleontologist.  I have been reading his books for a decade or so, he focuses on Mass Extinctions (Dinosaur die off is the Mass Extinction most people are familiar with) the study of which is a hobby of mine.

Here is a short bio of his from the University of Washington webite, he is faculty there.

Here is a list of some of his books Peter Ward books

How to turn Cleartype on to makes things easier to read on computer.

Here is a very clear youtube that show how, cleartype really helps reduce my eyestrain & fatigue.

If you don't like cleartype it is easy to switch back.

SC2 Teamliquid News, quick link list for when I am on the road

 Teamliquid Tournaments page

Teamliquid Streams page

Teamliquid featured News

Teamliquid Community News

Teamliquid everything page

Teamliquid wiki

EDC Blog

I am a big fan of the EDC Blog, a lot of neat gadgets show up there that I have never seen or heard of before. I really like the watch in this picture.

Jules Underwater Lodge

Whether your into scuba diving, marine ecology, eco tourism, or not Jules Underwater Lodge is simply cool.

Imagine spending the night underwater, about 30 feet down, with windows to view the sea life and all the comforts your used to at home.

They are also paired up with Aurora Aerospace to provide zero G flights, like astronauts use for part of their training, as a package deal.

How to make Link open in new page HTML help

Need some help with HTML for blogging or basic webpage? quackit
Helps, this makes links open in new window:  <a href="http://www.quackit.com/html/html_help.cfm" target="_blank">HTML Help</a> 

All you need to do is cut & paste this: target="_blank"

Amazon Associate how to make simple text link

If you would like to link directly to an item's page using a simple link, do this

http://www.amazon.com/dp/ASIN/?tag="tracking ID here"

Replace "ASIN" with the 10-digit ISBN or ASIN of the product,

So from this link  http://www.amazon.com/Incredibad-CD-DVD-Lonely-Island/dp/B001NY4WLA

You need "B001NY4WLA"

OdeWire: Positive News search engine

Tired of all the if it bleeds it leads?  Checkout OdeWire.

In their own words:  OdeWire presents news to inspire intelligent optimists.  Our unique wire is constantly refreshed by an automated system that combines advanced semantic technology with the guidance of our editorial staff.  Around the clock and around the world, OdeWire is always looking at the most authoritative news sources for stories that focus on solutions rather than problems, and on positive changes rather than negative ones. Unlike other news sources that are over-weighted with negativity, OdeWire contributes to a more balanced media diet.

Volcano Grill, tabletop safe runs on Propane, Charcoal, or Wood

Volcano Grill, just heard about it from a net friend of mine that got one and likes it.

You can buy with or without propane option, if you don't care about propane will save you ~$60.

I am putting it on my wish list, I think it will make perfect companion to my Caldera Cone Alcohol stove.  Think it makes more sense than some of the other systems I was looking at, I would carry it in car.  Though it is not what I would call hiking portable it is small enough that you could carry it with you if car broke down and you needed it.

The Caldera Cone is better suited to hiking IMHO.  While the Volcano Grill is better suited to car camping, or if the power runs out.

The standard Caldera Cone is made for alcohol & esbit tablets, but they also make the Tri Ti System that can burn wood also.

If you would just like small system to keep in the car for winter emergencies the Caldera Keg System is the way to go IMO.

Your own factory at home

Not as good as Next Generation (Star Trek) replicator, but we are getting there.


Makerbot

Automated Build Platform with Relay Board Kit