Friday, February 27, 2015

A Deep Deep 3D Sea of Stars Universe Seen by the ESO’s VLT Telescope

""By taking very long exposure pictures of regions of the sky with the Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have created so-called ‘deep fields’ that have revealed much about the early Universe.
The first deep field, the Hubble Deep Field North, was observed over ten consecutive days during Christmas 1995.
The resulting image consisted of 342 separate exposures, with a total exposure time of more than 100 hours, compared with typical Hubble exposures of a few hours.
The observed region of sky in Ursa Major was carefully selected to be as empty as possible so that Hubble would look far beyond the stars of our own Milky Way and out past nearby galaxies.
The results were astonishing – almost 3,000 galaxies were seen in the image.
In 1996 it was decided to observe a second deep field, the Hubble Deep Field South, to assess whether the Hubble Deep Field North was indeed a special area and thus not representative of the Universe as a whole. This time the field also contained a quasar, which was used as a cosmological lighthouse and provided valuable information about the matter between the quasar and the Earth.
These images gave astronomers a peephole to the ancient Universe for the first time, and caused a real revolution in modern astronomy.
But they did not hold all the answers — to find out more about the galaxies in the images, astronomers had to carefully look at each one with other instruments, a difficult and time-consuming job.
Now, for the first time, VLT’s MUSE instrument can do both jobs at once.""

Human Designated Cognitive Mystery Gene Touted as Genetic Trait for Brain Size Modifier in DNA

""Led by Wieland Huttner, director of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, the researchers said the brain's neocortex gets a neuron boost to fuel functions such as reasoning, language and sensory perception. These traits are what make the human brain the most complex in the animal kingdom.

"Our ultimate goal has always been to identify the changes in the genome that were responsible for us humans having larger brains than other primates," Huttner told the Guardian. "What we now have is a gene that is characteristic of a 1.3 liter to 1.4 liter brain, and that makes it very exciting."

For their study, the researchers injected the gene into mouse embryos, which in turn caused their brains to grow larger and develop wrinkles known to fit more tissue in the skull.

"Will they learn better, or have better memories? That's hard to say. But we should know that later this year," Huttner said. "We saw cortical folding in half of the mice. So the gene is sufficient to do that, but it won't necessarily do it every time."

But Huttner and his team will have to wait for the mice to grow older so their brains can develop. Afterward, the researchers will see if the gene also increases the mice's cognitive abilities.""


Technologies Breakthroughs for Rechargeable Batteries Revitalizes Cleaner Energy Usages

""Researchers from Singapore’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) of A*STAR and Quebec’s IREQ (Hydro-Québec’s research institute) have synthesized a new material that they say could more than double the energy capacity of lithium-ion batteries, allowing for longer-lasting rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and mobile devices.""

nanoboxes used in the new battery cathode material


""The new material for battery cathodes (the + battery pole) in based on a “lithium orthosilicate-related” compound,  Li2MnSiO4, combining lithium, manganese, silicon and oxygen, which the researchers found superior to conventional phosphate-based cathodes. They report an high initial charging capacity of 335 mAh/g (milliAmpere-hours per gram) in the journal Nano Energy.
“IBN researchers have successfully achieved simultaneous control of the phase purity and nanostructure of Li2MnSiO4 for the first time,” said Professor Jackie Y. Ying, IBN Executive Director. “This novel synthetic approach would allow us to move closer to attaining the ultrahigh theoretical capacity of silicate-based cathodes for battery applications.""



""Not all batteries are created equal". The first ever rechargeable AA/AAA batteries that allows direct micro-USB charging without the need for an external battery cradle""
""Even in today’s world, the reliance on standard AA/AAA batteries is ever increasing. It's a $40+ Billion dollar industry that provides assistance in our everyday lives, but also creates a substantial amount of waste at the same time. Batteries are used for almost everything that’s handheld like remotes, cameras, flashlights, alarm clocks, medical devices, etc. When those batteries run out, they’re usually simply thrown out. Those that choose to be a bit more eco-friendly have the option of using rechargeable batteries, but even those come with some inconveniences.
The concept of rechargeable batteries has been around for decades, but these come with bulky cradles that would hold a handful of batteries at once and allow simultaneous recharging. This cradle also needed to be carried around when on travel to make sure devices were well powered while away from home.  
Technology has advanced much since then and in today’s market, there are even AA/AAA batteries that can be charged using a standard USB port. However, the USB plug will take up quite an amount of space thus reducing the battery capacity as well as structural integrity since the top of the battery must be removed in order to plug the battery into a USB port for charging.
This is where Lightors comes into play. Lightors offers an innovative alternative to rechargeable batteries without the fuss of using an external charging cradle. Much of today’s mobile devices use micro-USB as a standard for charging, but these cables are usually reserved for charging a single device. Lightors brings new use for your existing micro-USB cables and were designed to offer maximum battery capacity while being eco-friendly and re-usable. With its built-in micro-USB port, Lightors can be charged directly using any existing cable around your home or office (it comes with one too).
Lightors can be charged over 500 times  and will drastically reduce costs on purchasing additional batteries and reduce the amount of waste that gets created from throwing out traditional batteries. When the power runs out, simply plug them back in and a light will indicate that charging is complete.""

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Threats of Fresh Sanctions Over Ukraine: Russia Slams the West's Continued Involvement

""Russia warned Western countries against imposing more sanctions on Moscow, saying such threats show the West is opposed to following through on a truce for eastern Ukraine.

Both the United States and some leaders in Europe have threatened to impose tougher sanctions against Moscow if it does not stop supporting pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday called those threats an attempt to "deflect attention" from the need to follow through on the terms of a cease-fire, which has only recently begun to take hold.
"Behind these calls are hidden the lack of desire of these actors - the corresponding countries, organizations, the United States, the European Union - to achieve what was laid out in the Minsk agreements," Lavrov said at a news conference.
Weapons withdrawal
Also on Thursday, Ukrainian troops have begun withdrawing artillery from a frontline eastern village near the devastated town of Debaltseve, under the watchful eye of European monitors overseeing a cease-fire deal reached earlier this month.
Military officials on Thursday showed reporters from the Reuters news agency trucks towing 100-millimeter guns from the village of Paraskoviyvka, as Kyiv acknowledged a marked reduction in rebel attacks in the past three days.
For a second straight day on Thursday, Ukraine's military officials reported no combat fatalities in the regions near the Russian border, boosting prospects that an internationally brokered truce reached February 12 will hold.  Kyiv authorities, however, said its withdrawal timetable could be adjusted if army positions are attacked.""
Temporary Cease Fire:

Tall Tale Legendary Catfish Mammoth: 280-Pounder Caught by Fisherman in Italy

""A 280 pound catfish was caught by a fisherman in Italy. According to USA Today SportsDino Ferrari caught the huge fish in Po Delta. While the catfish caught by Ferrari was 8.7 feet in length and weighed 280 pounds, the largest catfish ever caught weighed 300 pounds. That does not mean that this wasn’t a record-breaking fish, however. According to the report, this might be the largest catfish ever caught using a generic fishing rod.
According to the San Antonio Express-News, any catfish over 6.5 feet is considered extremely rare. Ferrari isn’t some small time fisherman, either. According to Grind TV, the Italy native is a pro at catching big Wels catfish, and many of these fish frequent the waters where Ferrari casts his line.
“The wels catfish is the second-largest freshwater fish in its region, ranking behind the beluga sturgeon. The largest beluga sturgeon on record is reportedly 3,463 pounds.”
The 280 pound catfish is certainly a sight to see, as it looks as if it could swallow Ferrari whole. He posed for photos with the fish, clearly very proud of his catch (even appearing to hug it while his brother took some pictures), which took him a tiring 40 minutes to reel in. It is almost hard to believe that catfish can get that big!
Animal lovers may be happy to know that Ferrari did not keep the catfish, nor did he sell it for money. After his brother took a couple of pictures of the creature, the guys released it back into the river, where it swam off, happy to live another day.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, these Wels catfish aren’t exactly harmless; this certainly is not the type of sea creature that you would want to swim into. And it is definitely not a “gentle giant” by any means.""
Fish Tale:

FCC Re-Classifies Internet From 'Info-Service' to a 'Tele-Service' (ALT ~Laws & Regulations), How Predictable… It Voted on Strict Party Lines to Adopt Obama’s 332 Page “Net Neutrality” Proposal

""How predictable… The Federal Communications Commission voted on strict party lines to adopt Obama’s 332 page “Net Neutrality” proposal. Given that everything the government touches ends up as a rousing success-story, I’m sure you’ll be able to keep your internet if you like your internet. According to Fox News:
The commission, following a contentious meeting, voted 3-2 to adopt its so-called net neutrality plan -- a proposal that remained secret in the run-up to the final vote. On its surface, the plan is aimed at barring service providers from creating paid "fast lanes" on the Internet, which consumer advocates and Internet companies worry would edge out cash-strapped startups and smaller Internet-based businesses. Chairman Tom Wheeler said it would ensure an "open, unfettered network."
Of course… Because if there is one thing the government is known for it is protecting truly free markets, right? At issue is a concern that service providers might unfairly target certain companies for preferential (or discriminatory) treatment. However, I can’t help but notice that this is largely a problem that doesn’t actually exist. Apparently the big government fanatics over at Obama’s FCC believe it is prudent governance to restrict freedom because someone might(someday) abuse it.
How terribly Orwellian. I think George Washington is credited with a quote about such overzealous governance:
"It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it."
Democrats fear that a lack of competition within the industry is leading to monopolistic injustice; and evidently believe that slapping a 21st century technology with rules designed for rotary telephones, will somehow level the playing field. (I call it socialism for broadband… Let’s make sure everyone has equally atrocious internet service.)""

Micromanaging the Internet is Real

Fairness Doctrine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
""The Fairness Doctrine was a policy of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced in 1949, that required the holders of broadcast licenses to both present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was, in the Commission's view, honest, equitable and balanced. The FCC eliminated the Doctrine in 1987, and in August 2011 the FCC formally removed the language that implemented the Doctrine.[1]
The Fairness Doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters. Stations were given wide latitude as to how to provide contrasting views: It could be done through news segments, public affairs shows, or editorials. The doctrine did not require equal time for opposing views but required that contrasting viewpoints be presented.[2]
The main agenda for the doctrine was to ensure that viewers were exposed to a diversity of viewpoints. In 1969 the United States Supreme Court upheld the FCC's general right to enforce the Fairness Doctrine where channels were limited. But the courts did not rule that the FCC was obliged to do so.[3] The courts reasoned that the scarcity of the broadcast spectrum, which limited the opportunity for access to the airwaves, created a need for the Doctrine. However, the proliferation of cable television, multiple channels within cable, public-access channels, and the Internet have eroded this argument, since there are plenty of places for ordinary individuals to make public comments on controversial issues at low or no cost at all.
The Fairness Doctrine should not be confused with the Equal Time rule. The Fairness Doctrine deals with discussion of controversial issues, while the Equal Time rule deals only with political candidates.""

Application of the Doctrine by the FCC[edit]

""In 1974, the Federal Communications Commission stated that the Congress had delegated it the power to mandate a system of "access, either free or paid, for person or groups wishing to express a viewpoint on a controversial public issue..." but that it had not yet exercised that power because licensed broadcasters had "voluntarily" complied with the "spirit" of the doctrine. It warned that:

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