Whatever's Interesting

links for 2008-06-25

NBEHTM — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:30:28 +0000

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World\’s First \’Building In Motion\’ Set For Dubai

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Italian Architect Poised To Build 80-Story Tower With Revolving Floors Powered By Wind Turbines

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OC Register to outsource some editing to India

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An Indian company will take over copy editing duties for some stories published in The Orange County Register and will handle page layout for a community newspaper at the company that owns the Pulitzer Prize-winning daily, the newspaper confirmed Tuesday.

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Dyson working on new generation of fast, green cars

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Britain\’s most famous inventor, Sir James Dyson, is working on a project that could lead to the creation of a fast, green car.

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A truly lucky and blessed bastard has seen THE DARK KNIGHT and damn… I\’m so frickin\’ jealous!

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Hey folks, Harry here… On the other side of WALL*E… for me the film I\’m geekin\’ hardest for is THE DARK KNIGHT. I watch the TV spots relentlessly. The new glimpses at Heath\’s performance are both hearthbreaking & illuminating. And every nuance of…

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Tourist dies of \’food poisoning\’

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A British tourist has died of suspected food poisoning at a luxury hotel at Lake Garda, northern Italy.

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Sickness bug found in tap water

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About 250,000 people in Northamptonshire are being told to boil tap water for drinking after a bug was found to have contaminated supplies.

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E Ink: \’E-newspapers\’ to Go Commercial in late 2009

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\”In the field of electronic paper-based electronic newspapers, a verification test will start by the end of 2008, and an actual business will start in the second half of 2009.\”

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Antro Solo Seats Three, Gets 117 mpg City, 157 Highway

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Straight out of Budapest comes some seriously different thinking. What if you could get an $18,000 car that seats three McLaren F1 style (driver in middle, flanked by passengers), weighs less than 600 pounds, achieves well over 100 mpg and can go…

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New brief on DARPA\’s Vulcan engine

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DARPA has released some tidbits of information in a briefing on how one might build a propulsion system that combines a Constant Volume Combustion (CVC) engine and a full-scale turbine engine to accelerate a hypersonic jet to multiple Mach.

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links for 2008-06-24

NBEHTM — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:30:17 +0000

Chicago locals beware the birds

Chicago residents have been sharing tips about how to avoid coming under attack by dive-bombing blackbirds.
Visa taps into Facebook following

Visa, the world’s largest credit card network, is paying Facebook $2m (£1m) to advertise its small business service on the popular social networking site.
Logitech Unveils First Mac-Compatible Webcam with Premium Autofocus Technology, Carl Zeiss Optics

Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac Delivers Image-Perfect Detail, Exceptional Video Calling with iChat and Skype
Physicists Store Images in Vapor

Books are written on solid pieces of paper for an obvious reason: the atoms in a solid don’t move around much, keeping the words and pictures in place for centuries. Trying to store letters and images in a gas medium, on the other hand, seems a little..
Air hockey-playing robot crushes humanity

First machines learn to dominate the sport of emperors (chess). Now they are on the verge of dominating the sport of electricians.
Midwest floodwaters could linger for weeks

The worst of the flooding that has ravaged the midwestern United States is nearly over, but it will be weeks before the murky water recedes in many areas, the National Weather service warned Monday.
Lightning sparks 800-plus fires in California

More than 840 wildfires sparked by an “unprecedented” lightning storm are burning a swath of Northern California, alarming the governor and requiring the help of firefighters from Nevada and Oregon.
Economy on brink of recession, Greenspan says

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warned on Tuesday the U.S. economy was on the brink of a recession, with the chances of that happening at more than 50 percent.
Millionaires club gets bigger, members richer

The world’s millionaires club is getting bigger — and its members decidedly richer.
The number of people around the globe with at least $1 million in assets swelled by 6 percent last year to 10.1 million, according to the 12th annual World Wealth…
Councils Told To Stop Snooping For ‘Trivial’ Offences

Councils have been urged to stop using controversial surveillance powers for “trivial” offences.
Bosses have been warned by the head of the Local Government Association (LGA) that they risk alienating the public for so-called snooping.
U.S. searches for salmonella in Mexico

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt said Monday the United States wants to open an office in Latin America to monitor food safety.
First image of Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo structure

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo is under construction at Scaled Composites in Mojave, California and Flightglobal has obtained what appears to be the first image of its cockpit section.
Man’s Wii Fit experiment comes to an end, 15 pounds shed

As you may recall, Mickey DeLorenzo rose to some degree of internet stardom a little over a year ago by dropping a whopping nine pounds using Wii Sports as his sole exercise routine and, after packing on a few pounds, he decided to give it another go…

links for 2008-06-23

NBEHTM — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:30:30 +0000

Embroidered T-shirt. Price: £4. Cost: Misery

Primark is rightly being exposed over the use of child labour in the finishing of cheap clothes. But as evidence against retailers stacks up, shoppers are kidding themselves if they don’t shoulder some of the blame, says Dan McDougall.
Ugliest dog show

Twelve contenders vied for the title of the World’s Ugliest Dog at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, in California.
Did Capone Get Off On GET SMART??

It’s sort of amusing that many of the films I had the highest expectations for this summer have let me down, and then a movie like GET SMART comes around, for which I had fairly low expectations thanks to some abysmal trailers, and it ends up being…
Tactical biorefineries go to Iraq

The U.S. Army is testing the mettle of small-scale waste to energy machines in the hot and sandy war zone.
First picture of £4billion glass tower that could save - but dwarf - Battersea Power Station

A £4billion masterplan to save Battersea Power Station before it collapses was unveiled today.
Public Bike System , System Overview (CANADA)

The Public Bike System (PBS) was created to offer an attractive and easy-to-use option for those seeking urban transportation that has less impact on the environment than traditional fuel-powered vehicles, and to act as the perfect complement to public…
Video: Samsung’s Soulful dinosaur takes tour around England

Remember that not-entirely-innocent looking prehistoric creature that won your heart immediately upon viewing Samsung’s optical illusion promotional vid? Apparently quite a few folks demanded to see more of the Soul dinosaur, so Sammy hoisted him up…
Bollywood Goes to Hollywood, With Some Tinsel of Its Own: Financial News

Hollywood loves to show outside investors just how the movie business really works. But some of the people behind Bollywood in India believe they have something to teach Hollywood about making movies.
Media & internet - Facebook heads MySpace in unique visitors

Facebook, the fast-growing social network, has taken a significant lead over MySpace in visitor numbers for the first time, according to one popular measure of internet traffic.
Poll: most Britons doubt cause of climate change

The majority of the British public is still not convinced that climate change is caused by humans - and many others believe scientists are exaggerating the problem, according to an exclusive poll for The Observer.

links for 2008-06-20

NBEHTM — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:30:31 +0000

Internet addiction is a ‘clinical disorder’

Obsessive internet use is a public health problem which is so serious it should be officially recognised as a clinical disorder, according to a leading psychiatrist.
Ahmadinejad says West failed in Iran nuclear crisis

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday the West has failed to break Iran’s will in the nuclear standoff, days after world powers presented Tehran with a new offer aimed at ending the crisis.
Bright Chucnks At Phoenix Lander’s Mars Site Must Have Been Ice

Dice-size crumbs of bright material have vanished from inside a trench where they were photographed by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander four days ago, convincing scientists that the material was frozen water that vaporized after digging exposed it.
What is the science behind the AeroCam?

The science behind the BroadStar AeroCam is brilliant in its simplicity. In the same way that an airplane wing uses the movement of air to generate a force powerful enough to raise an enormous aircraft and keep it airborne, the AeroCam captures energy…
Mr. Beaks Likes GET SMART, Loves Anne Hathaway!

…Peter Segal deserves more credit than he’s likely to get for the film’s pacing; ephemeral fare like this tends to bog down after ninety minutes, but he keeps things humming for a solid 110. That’s not easy. And while the ringers generally fail to…
Harry says, ‘If Shit Got THE LOVE GURU On It, Shit Would Wipe It Off!’

Unfuckingbelievably unspeakably awful. THE LOVE GURU is astonishingly rancid. There’s a part of me, that wants THE LOVE GURU to make like 75 Million opening weekend. Why? So that the entire - giant film going audience marks Mike Myers’ death as a comedian
US fears of teen ‘pregnancy pact’

Officials in the US state of Massachusetts are investigating how 17 teenage girls from the same school have become pregnant.
India inflation rate rises to 11%

Indian inflation has risen to a new 13-year high, hitting shares and weakening the rupee.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-19

NBEHTM — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:30:32 +0000

Nanosolar Achieves 1GW CIGS Deposition Throughput

…This feat is fundamentally enabled through the proprietary nanoparticle ink we have invested so many years developing. It allows us to deliver efficient solar cells (presently up to more than 14%) that are simply printed…
Clone cell cancer ‘cure’ hailed

Scientists claim they have cured advanced skin cancer for the first time using the patient’s own cells cloned outside the body.

Australia ire over chef’s f-words

The oaths and expletives for which colourful British TV chef Gordon Ramsay is famed have brought him to the attention of Australian lawmakers.
Indian baby ‘back from the dead’

Hospital authorities in India have ordered an independent inquiry after a baby was declared dead, only to make an apparently miraculous return to life.

Firefox claims download success

Mozilla is claiming a download record for the release of Firefox 3.0.
The song they didn’t write? Coldplay are accused of plagiarism by American band

It was all going so predictably well. Coldplay’s new album went straight to No 1 on Sunday, selling 300,000 copies in three days; concerts sold out; that iTunes ad was everywhere. Even their notoriously sniffy critics in the music press seemed,…
US N-weapons parts missing, Pentagon says

The US military cannot locate hundreds of sensitive nuclear missile components, according to several government officials familiar with a Pentagon report on nuclear safeguards.
Schoolboy hacker Omar Khan who upped his grades faces 38 years in jail

It could be a long time before Omar Khan goes to college: as long as 38 years, according to Orange County prosecutors, who have arrested and charged the 18-year-old student with breaking into his prestigious high school and hacking into computers to…
House Democrats call for nationalization of refineries.

House Democrats responded to President’s Bush’s call for Congress to lift the moratorium on offshore drilling. …
Among other things, the Democrats called for the government to own refineries so it could better control the flow of the oil supply….
The Trons: self-playing robot band totally kills our self-esteem

We’ll admit, we reckoned we were coming along alright with our bar chords, but now we’re teetering on the edge of just giving up. Yeah, we’ve seen robotic mechanisms programmed to make meaningful sounds before, but The Trons are a bona fide band, man….

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-18

NBEHTM — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:30:33 +0000

Universal sets a date for ‘Bruno’ - Entertainment News, Film News, Media

Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Bruno” is ready for summer heat.
Universal will release the film on May 15, 2009. So far, there are no other R-rated comedies near that date.
Energy Guzzled by Al Gore’s Home in Past Year Could Power 232 U.S. Homes for a Month

In the year since Al Gore took steps to make his home more energy-efficient, the former Vice President’s home energy use surged more than 10%, according to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.
Women Dressed As Nurses Targeting Central Fla. Shoppers

A gang of female bandits dressed in nursing costumes is stalking and targeting women and elderly shoppers at Central Florida businesses.
Why We’re Gloomier Than The Economy

Ask Americans how the economy is doing, and their answer is stark: It is not just bad, it is run-for-the-hills terrible. Consumer confidence is at its lowest level in almost 30 years. Only 12 percent of Americans think the economy is in good shape. On…
Verizon Pushes Speed Factor In Expanding Faster Web Service

Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) said Wednesday that it plans to expand the availability of its super-fast Internet service, further pressuring the cable providers in the speed game.

Behold The Badassity Of Tony Jaa’s ONG BAK 2!!

Twitch has posted the Cannes promo reel for Tony Jaa’s directorial debut, ONG BAK 2.
Moriarty’s One Thing I Love Today! Brian K. Vaughan’s ROUNDTABLE Script!

…a fairly jaded script collector friend of mine msg’d me to say he’d gotten his hands on… yes, “the best script ever,” and I should read it. He sent it over, and as soon as I saw what it was, I was intrigued. Brian K. Vaughn is one hell of a w

links for 2008-06-17

NBEHTM — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:30:38 +0000

Japanese ‘cannibal killer’ executed in Tokyo

Japan’s most reviled serial killer – a “cannibal nerd” who preyed on primary-school girls and drank their blood – has been executed in Tokyo.
Sony Ericsson makes good on Motion Gaming F305 and S302 Snapshot handsets

We’ll make this quick since we’ve already given you all the details related to Sony Ericsson’s Motion Gaming F305 and S302 Snapshot. The F305 quad-band GSM/EDGE slider relies upon a motion-sensing accelerometer (pictured bowling), dedicated gaming…
Frontline Aerospace Unveils “Humvee of the Air”

Frontline Aerospace, Inc., announced a breakthrough aircraft configuration code-named V-STAR ™ – an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – and associated MicroFire ™ gas turbine fuel-efficiency technology.
Honda rolls out zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell car

Japanese automaker’s hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity promises twice the efficiency of gas-electric hybrids.
Scans see ‘gay brain differences’

The brains of gay men and women look like those found in heterosexual people of the opposite sex, research suggests.
Afghans flee amid fears of battle

Hundreds of people have fled their homes in a district of southern Afghanistan where the Taleban have seized control of a number of villages.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-16

NBEHTM — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:30:17 +0000

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-13

NBEHTM — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:30:34 +0000

90 per cent of pandas in jeopardy after China earthquake

The lives of 90 per cent of China’s endangered pandas are now in jeopardy after last month’s massive earthquake devastated the remote mountain corner that is their last remaining habitat.
Politicians oppose Belgian bid for Anheuser-Busch: Financial News

Politicians object to Belgian bid for Anheuser-Busch but economics could seal the deal
Bush’s exit helps U.S. image abroad, survey shows

There is good news and bad news for President George W. Bush as he pursues his valedictory tour of Europe this week, according to a new worldwide study by the Pew Global Attitudes Project.
Health warning over body piercings

Medical experts warned Friday that botched body piercings can take up to ten months to heal and in the worst cases can lead to hepatitis infection.
Salmonella fear traps tomatoes in Mexico

Export-quality tomatoes labeled “Ready to Eat” in English flooded Mexico City markets on Thursday after a salmonella scare in the U.S. trapped them south of the border.
Experts unveil ‘cloak of silence’

Being woken in the dead of night by noisy neighbours blasting out music could soon be a thing of the past.
NASA’s new spacesuits are made for walking

The US space agency yesterday placed an order for new spacesuits for the 2015 launch of the new Orion capsule, designed to replace the aging space shuttle and re-establish humans on the Moon as part of the Constellation Program.
Screen Grab: Woz hacks Kathy Griffin’s iPhone… on TV

Steve Wozniak is much more than a throbbing brain with a tie. He knows that the quickest way to a girl’s heart is to jailbreak her iPhone… on TV. As he tells Ms. Griffin, “You know, some people would criticize you for not having hacked your iPhone….
Firefox Mobile Concept Video

Firefox is coming to mobile. The innovation, usability, and extensibility that has propelled Firefox to 200 million users is set to do the same for Firefox in a mobile setting.
Spain treats child phone addicts

Two children in Spain have been admitted to a mental health institution to be treated for addiction to their mobile phones, Spanish media report.
Hamas set off massive Gaza blast

The armed wing of Hamas has admitted that a massive explosion in the Gaza Strip on Thursday was caused by militants preparing an armed operation.
Fuel costs push up US inflation

US inflation rose at its fastest pace for six months in May because of sharply higher energy costs.
iPhone 3G: everything you ever wanted to know (but were afraid to ask)

If you’re anything like us, just about everyone in your family has called you up this week to ask if you think they should get the iPhone 3G; it really doesn’t help matters that there’s just an absurd amount of (mis)information floating around about it…

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-12

NBEHTM — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:31:32 +0000

Secret al-Qaida, Iraq files found on British train

Secret government documents on al-Qaida and Iraq were left on a commuter train, prompting a major police investigation into the latest in a series of embarrassing security breaches, British officials said Wednesday.
Secret terror files left on train

Police are investigating a “serious” security breach after a civil servant lost top-secret documents containing the latest intelligence on al-Qaeda.
China lists Olympic rules for foreigners

Foreigners attending the Beijing Olympics better behave — or else.
Video: Robotic Hand Uses Shark-like “Sixth Sense” to Find Its Grip

A robotic hand designed by Intel researchers is able to sense the general shape of objects before interacting with them.

Video: Microsoft Surface at the Rio in Las Vegas

Video: Viva Las Surface

See all those beautiful people? You don’t know them. And pushing your specs up the bridge of your nose while seated in front of Microsoft’s Surface won’t change that. Nevertheless, next time we’re adjusting our gadget-laden fanny packs in Vegas,…
HP: Multi-Touch to Come to Notebooks Before Windows 7

Okay, I know we’re LAPTOP, but when I saw the new HP TouchSmart All-in-One, I had to make an exception to our “no desktops allowed” rule. The 22-inch computer has a multi-touch screen that’s as addictive as it is intuitive. For starters, it works.
Cuba to abandon salary equality

Cuba is to abolish its system of equal pay for all and allow workers and managers to earn performance bonuses, a senior official has announced.
US releases border strike footage

The US has released video excerpts of a controversial air strike in the Afghan-Pakistani border region which Pakistan says killed 11 of its soldiers.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-11

NBEHTM — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:30:35 +0000

Steven Spielberg has $1 billion dream

Steven Spielberg aims to raise more than $1 billion in third-party financing to reinvent DreamWorks as a separate company that once again owns the movies it makes.
Airlines look for new ways to cut weight - and fuel costs

Airlines are scrutinizing every step of their operations, from the tarmac to the sky, and from the nose to the tail of their planes, searching for new ways to cut their soaring fuel bills.
Dollar Gains Most Since 2005 as Bernanke Says Growth Risk Fades

The dollar may extend the biggest two-day gain versus the euro since 2005 after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said economic risks have faded, spurring traders to boost wagers interest rates will rise.
Bush: ‘All options’ open on Iran

US President George W. Bush said Wednesday after talks here with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that “all options” are on the table for dealing with Iran’s suspect nuclear programme.
Why did food sellers treat tomatoes like hot potatoes?

It’s the beginning of the summer, and it’s tough to find fresh salsa for our chips and tomatoes for our burgers.

Steve Jobs’s Appearance Grabs Notice, Not Just the IPhone

…took note of a gaunt-looking Steve Jobs. “Concern over APPLE Steve Jobs’s physical appearance…” read a headline on the Drudge Report, which linked, without further comment, to photos showing the Apple CEO on stage at the Apple conference.
BMW GINA Light Visionary Model revealed

The BMW GINA Light Visionary Model that was seen via video being installed in the BMW Museum in Munich last week has finally been revealed, and the futuristic design study shows how BMW designers are thinking outside of the box when it comes to…
Light therapy ‘can slow dementia’

Dementia could be slowed significantly by treatments which reset the body’s natural clock, researchers have said.
Virtally waterless washing machine heralds cleaning revolution

Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a new way of cleaning clothes using less than 2% of the water and energy of a conventional washing machine. The revolutionary technology will provide alternatives to both domestic washing and…
Say Goodbye to Wimpy Paper

Paper grocery bags that can hold a few liters of milk without tearing? That may not be too far off thanks to the development of a “nanopaper” that is tougher than cast iron. The material–made from nanosized whiskers of cellulose–is also lighter than…
Virgin Galactic will roll out mega-mothership

Rollout of Scaled Composites’ mega-mothership, WhiteKnightTwo, is anticipated late July in Mojave, California — the first phase of a project to create a private space travel business — SPACE.com has learned in an exclusive interview.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-10

NBEHTM — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:30:23 +0000

Jordan archaeologists unearth ‘world’s first church’

Archaeologists in Jordan have unearthed what they claim is the world’s first church, dating back almost 2,000 years, The Jordan Times reported on Tuesday.
Conn. police find pipe bomb stuffed inside chicken

Authorities in Connecticut are wondering who stuffed a raw roasting chicken with a pipe bomb and left it on a roadside.
Sun Goes Longer Than Normal Without Producing Sunspots

The sun has been laying low for the past couple of years, producing no sunspots and giving a break to satellites.
Phoenix diary: Mission to Mars

Nasa’s Phoenix lander has touched down safely on the northern plains of Mars after a 10-month journey from Earth.

‘Finishing touches’ delay world’s tallest building

Construction of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai, has been delayed and will be completed only in September next year, the developer was quoted on Tuesday as saying.
WWDC 2008 coverage roundup: the iPhone 3G has landed

Holy crap, that’s a lot of iPhone news. We’ve collected every meaningful detail below, and now we’re pretty stoked to have our site back. Game on!
Underwater communication: Robofish are the ultimate in ocean robots, keeping in touch without scientists’ help

In the world of underwater robots, this is a team of pioneers. While most ocean robots require periodic communication with scientist or satellite intermediaries to share information, these can work cooperatively communicating only with each other.
An Interesting Update On The New MUPPET Movie…

A while back, we learned that Jason Segel and Nick Stoller had teamed with Disney to bring The Muppets back to the big screen. Which, to many (including myself), is pretty rockin’ news.
Schools below 30% GCSE target

This table lists the 638 secondary schools in England below the government’s “floor target” of 30% of 15-year-old pupils getting at least five good GCSEs including English and maths, in last year’s results.
Austria cellar daughter conscious

Kerstin Fritzl, the 19-year-old woman whose illness in April alerted Austria’s authorities to a major incest scandal, has regained consciousness.
Risk of US downturn ‘diminishes’

The US economy may have avoided a major decline, US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-05

NBEHTM — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:30:41 +0000

Alcohol cuts risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis

People who drink alcohol are less prone to the sometimes crippling disease called rheumatoid arthritis compared with non-drinkers, according to a Scandinavian study published on Wednesday.
Study secretly tracks cell phone users outside US

Researchers secretly tracked the locations of 100,000 people outside the United States through their cell phone use and concluded that most people rarely stray more than a few miles from home.
Sheep flatulence inoculation developed

New Zealand scientists claim to have developed a “flatulence inoculation” aimed at cutting down on the massive amount of methane produced by its sheep and cows.

In other news… Jackie Chan sells Segways?!

Yes, it’s hard to believe, but we assure you there were no special effects used to create this image. Here’s beloved action movie star Jackie Chan once again doing his own stunts — the most embarrassing one he’s ever done.
AIST Makes Tree With Solar-cell Leaves

A Japanese institute and firms prototyped a foliage plant-like solar cell module by using organic thin-film solar cells.
Archer Quinn calls it quits: “You may have been able to prevent the straw from falling, maybe not.”

With another steaming pile of cryptic sayings, Archer Quinn is officially bidding his all-too-entertaining free energy project farewell. From what we can gather, he’s decided that the problem of free energy is really too simple to warrant his time and…
Multiple Reader Reviews for THE INCREDIBLE HULK!!!

Hey folks, Harry here… I know I’m a crazed geek that can’t be trusted… but here’s the responses we’ve gotten thus far from our screening as well as other screenings. Enjoy…
Guantanamo 9/11 suspects on trial

The alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks on the US is appearing at a military tribunal in Guantanamo Bay.
Plan for quake ‘warning system’

Nasa scientists have said they could be on the verge of a breakthrough in their efforts to forecast earthquakes.
Mobile phones expose human habits

The whereabouts of more than 100,000 mobile phone users have been tracked in an attempt to build a comprehensive picture of human movements.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-04

NBEHTM — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:30:17 +0000

Expect new drugs to treat aging, researchers say

Resveratrol, substance found in red wine, benefits health
New hints seen that red wine may slow aging

Red wine may be much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan, researchers say in a new report that is likely to give impetus to the rapidly growing search for longevity drugs.
Gas Thieves Targeting Truckers

Thieves with some type of pumping mechanism are targeting truckers, stealing hundreds of dollars worth of fuel.
Leaders at UN food summit tone down menu over fears of hypocrisy

Six years ago, at another Food and Agriculture Organisation summit in Rome, The Times got hold of the menu for the sumptuous opening day lunch. Its publication caused a scandal.
Tom Cruise Dons His Eye Patch and Starts Shooting Again

Tom Cruise is going back to work. No, not on a new film: He’s going to shoot the three final scenes on “Valkyrie,” the movie that began production one year ago in Germany.
Antibacterial wipes can spread superbugs: study

Disinfectant wipes routinely used in hospitals may actually spread drug-resistant bacteria rather than kill the dangerous infections, British researchers said on Tuesday.

Samsung’s YP-S2 pebble skips out in Korea

They are here. Samsung’s satisfyingly bulbous S2 “pebble” MP3 player was just released in S.Korea. DNSe audio processing, five colors, and MP3, WMA, and OGG support now yours in 1GB ₩49,000 (about $54) or 2GB for ₩59,000 (about $65) models. Neato.
Nearly all returned gadgets still work

A STAGGERING 95 PER CENT of electronic goods which are taken back to the shop are not actually broken, according to consulting and outsourcing firm Accenture.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-03

NBEHTM — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:30:18 +0000

Putin’s opponents are made to vanish from TV

On a talk show last autumn, a prominent political analyst named Mikhail Delyagin offered some tart words about Vladimir Putin. When the program was televised, Delyagin was not.
Chávez decree tightens hold on intelligence

President Hugo Chávez has used his decree powers to carry out a major overhaul of this country’s intelligence agencies, provoking a fierce backlash here from human rights groups and legal scholars who say the measures will force citizens to inform on…
Windows 7 Testing Must Start ASAP, Microsoft Warns Hardware Makers

Hardware makers that don’t comply with the edict won’t qualify for Microsoft’s Windows Logo certified compatibility program for Windows 7 or Windows Vista.

Capone Hugs KUNG FU PANDA!!

This time, I was sure Jack Black has gone too far. How could a movie about a cuddly, oversized black-and-white bear attempting to learn kung fu be any damn good? And once again, I have short changed Black and the creative team he is working with on this..
Many children ‘brush teeth alone’

Parents have been accused of failing to help their children look after their teeth properly.
Iran ‘not seeking’ nuclear arms

Iran’s supreme leader has insisted it will continue its nuclear activities for civilian purposes only and will not manufacture nuclear weapons.
New documents illuminate Yahoo-Microsoft saga

Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) (YHOO) Chief Executive Jerry Yang pushed for an employee severance program that made it more expensive for Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) (MSFT) to engineer a takeover even after an outside consultant questioned the plan’s generous benefits,…
US captures suspects in separate Iraqi raids

The U.S. military captured two al-Qaida in Iraq bombing suspects and a Shiite militia leader in separate raids Tuesday north and south of Baghdad, the military said.
Remains of 5 Israeli soldiers identified

The Israeli military says it has identified the remains of five soldiers transferred from Lebanon earlier this week.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-06-02

NBEHTM — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:30:22 +0000

Robotic arm of Mars spacecraft leaves ‘footprint’

NASA’s new robot on Mars has reached out and touched the soil for the first time, leaving behind a striking footprint-like impression, scientists said Sunday.
MIT develops a ‘paper towel’ for oil spills

Nanowire mesh can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil

The firebreathing wheelchair is the best worst idea on four wheels this year

Now that our wheelchair-ridin’ pals can rock the virtual drums, the natural next step is fire breathing electric conveyances. Built by Lance Greathouse out of golf cart parts, a Marine rescue helicopter seat and, of course, a flame thrower…
Homeless woman lived in man’s closet for year

A homeless woman who sneaked into a man’s house and lived undetected in his closet for a year was arrested in Japan after he became suspicious when food mysteriously began disappearing.
Colossal overhead clock tells time, replaces boring light fixtures

..a gigantic timepiece such as the one seen above counted down the show’s start. Without getting too reminiscent up in here, the artistsspace commissioned project not only keeps track of time impeccably well, but it also replaces those mundane fixtures…
Sharp Provides Photovoltaic Panels for Winery’s ‘Flotovoltaic’ Solar Array in Napa Valley

SHARP PROVIDES PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS FOR FAR NIENTE WINERY’S ‘FLOATOVOLTAIC’ SOLAR ARRAY IN NAPA VALLEY
The joy of pottering

Gardener Monty Don says he is spending his time recovering from a stroke “pottering around and having a nice time”. It might not be glamorous, but it’s a simple pleasure, and it could be better for you than you think.
Adobe launches Acrobat community

Adobe has made a move into online document sharing with the launch of the Acrobat.com community site.
Universal Studios due to re-open

The world-famous Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California, are expected to re-open to visitors, a day after a blaze tore through sets and exhibits.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-05-30

NBEHTM — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:30:24 +0000

U.S. Cites Big Gains Against Al-Qaeda

Less than a year after his agency warned of new threats from a resurgent al-Qaeda, CIA Director Michael V. Hayden now portrays the terrorist movement as essentially defeated in Iraq and Saudi Arabia and on the defensive throughout much of the rest of…

US chain drops ‘terror scarf’ ad

The US chain Dunkin’ Donuts has pulled an advert following complaints that the scarf worn by a celebrity chef offered symbolic support for Islamic extremism.
Europe fuel protests spread wider

Fuel protests triggered by rising oil prices have spread to more countries across Europe, with thousands of fishermen on strike.
Man accused of spraying woman’s shoes with water

A woman told Cincinnati police that she heard a noise and then felt something cold on her feet. Police said a man crawled under a table at a University of Cincinnati library and used a syringe to spray saltwater onto the woman’s shoes.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-05-29

NBEHTM — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:30:21 +0000

Monkeys control a robot arm with thoughts

Two monkeys with tiny sensors in their brains have learned to control a mechanical arm with just their thoughts, using it to reach for and grab food and even to adjust for the size and stickiness of morsels when necessary, scientists reported on Wednesday
New breed of robots could soon wander Antarctica

Robotic rovers have patrolled deep space and the deepest seas, but scientists are still struggling to create drones that can overcome the multiple challenges of exploring Antarctica.
Workers race to drain threatening ‘quake lake’ in China

Between two fractured mountains, engineers, construction workers and soldiers raced Wednesday to relieve pressure on a dammed river that threatened millions of people who live downstream, most of them survivors of the May 12 earthquake that already…
Opec Cartel Answers Calls To Tackle Soaring Oil Prices Says Too High

Gordon Brown has pledged to review a planned increase in fuel tax amid soaring oil prices.
Phone home: Purported UFO video to be shown Friday

A video that purportedly shows a living, breathing space alien will be shown to the news media Friday in Denver.

Special Needs Kid Voted Out Of Class By Fellow Kindergartners

Melissa Barton says Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo had her son’s classmates say what they didn’t like about 5-year-old Alex. She says the teacher then had the students vote, and voted Alex, who is being evaluated for Asperger’s syndrom…
Citizenship figures fuel debate ahead of vote

A debate is raging over Switzerland’s naturalisation rate in the run-up to a nationwide ballot on citizenship procedures early next month.
House price falls at new record

UK house prices have recorded their largest monthly fall since 1991, says the Nationwide building society.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-05-28

NBEHTM — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:30:46 +0000

Terrorist Tape to Call for Use of WMDs

Authorities: New Tape to Urge Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction on Civilians
Czech President Klaus ready to debate Gore on climate change

Czech President Vaclav Klaus said Tuesday he is ready to debate Al Gore about global warming, as he presented the English version of his latest book that argues environmentalism poses a threat to basic human freedoms.
Apple raises prospect of solar-powered iPhone

A patent application suggests that Apple is working out a way of powering portable devices with the sun
Mars lander to get arm-moving order a day late

A day after an orbiter’s radio shutdown blocked NASA from telling its newly planted Phoenix Mars lander what to do, orders were on the way to get its robotic arm moving.
Microsoft demos future Windows with touch-screen

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) (MSFT) said its next operating system will be made for touch-screen applications, an alternative to the computer mouse, and its top executives reaffirmed interest in joining forces with Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) (YHOO)
Japan urges limiting kids’ cell phones

Japanese youngsters are getting so addicted to Internet-linking cell phones that the government is starting a program warning parents and schools to limit their use among children.
iDealsChina - The Art Of The Deal

iDEALS CHINA INSIDER has taken photos which should once and for all verify the iPhone 3G size and the position of the new camera and sensors.

‘Biggest drawing in world’ revealed as hoax

A Swedish artist who claimed to have drawn the biggest picture in the world using a GPS device stuffed inside a briefcase has been exposed as a hoaxer.
Call for Israel PM to stand down

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to take a leave of absence or resign as he battles allegations of corruption.
Massive diamond under the hammer

A 101.27 carat diamond, the size of a ping pong ball, has been sold at auction in Hong Kong for more than $6m (£3m).

Avcen Jetpod T-100 City Flying Taxi says “naught” to highways

No, that’s not a scene from The Fifth Element II. What you see here is the Avcen Limited Jetpod T-100 City Flying Taxi, a VQSTOL (Very Quiet Short Take-off and Landing) vehicle that the company says could be in the air by 2010.

Interesting Interestings, 2008-05-27

NBEHTM — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:30:18 +0000

Nuclear agency accuses Iran of willful lack of cooperation

The International Atomic Energy Agency, in an unusually blunt and detailed report, said Monday that Iran’s suspected research into the development of nuclear weapons remains “a matter of serious concern” and continues to need “substantial explanations.”
China Prepares to Blast Quake Lake to Stop Flooding

May 27 (Bloomberg) — Chinese troops prepared to blast barriers caused by the country’s deadliest earthquake in 32 years to drain lakes that are threatening to burst and inundate towns trying to recover from the disaster.
Mars lander completes first day on Red Planet

Fresh images sent back by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander during its first full day operating in the Martian northern polar region showed most of its science instruments in good health, mission scientists said.
Obama says fuel prices will change car habits

Barack Obama said on Saturday Americans would start changing the kinds of cars they drive if gasoline prices continue to climb and said he owned a hybrid vehicle, though he doesn’t drive it much.
The transcript is in from Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro’s HOBBIT webchat!

Ahoy, squirts! Quint here. I had a last minute lunch here in Austin… the amazing BBQ of the Salt Lick… and when I got home I realized I missed the Hobbit chat at the Weta website with Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro. I signed up and everything…
Wanna Know When The Next SPIDER-MAN Movie(s?) Should Be Coming Our Way??

Further evidence the mighty Sony machine is lumbering into motion on another SPIDER-MAN film (or more).
This comes from IESB’s recent interview with Marvel Vice Chairman Peter Cuneo.
Ugly Doggy: Is This a Green Idea?

An Australian government funded initiative, the VEIL solar-shade is a future possibility for the integration of solar-energy harvesting technologies into a form that is pragmatic (providing shade & energy), evocative and educational.
Cold-fusion demonstration “a success” (physicsworld.com Blog)

On 23 March 1989 Martin Fleischmann of the University of Southampton, UK, and Stanley Pons of the University of Utah, US, announced that they had observed controlled nuclear fusion in a glass jar at room temperature, and — for around a month — the…
Ford Flex gets fridge

The move to make your car a rolling house makes takes another step. Ford has included a refrigerator option on the all new Flex, and in doing so has provided something better than what you’ll find on many luxury cars. The rear seat gadget doesn’t…
Apple files patent for “solar cells on portable devices”

While we wait, and wait… and wait for manufactures to perfect long-lasting fuel cells, Apple and others are pursuing at least one other approach: solar augmentation. In a patent application dated April 24, 2008 and titled “Solar cells on portable…

World’s biggest drawing created with the help of GPS and DHL

There are all sorts of creative uses for GPS, but here’s a fellow who says he sent a self-designed GPS “device” in a briefcase to DHL with express travel instructions. He plotted the shipment’s movement and ended up with the drawing you see above. …
Wrightspeed “SR-71″ will deliver 0-60 in 2.5 seconds

Ian Wright is a name familiar to many electric car enthusiasts as the man who turned an Ariel Atom into the Ferrari-beating Wrightspeed X1 prototype. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Mr. Wright, who has been working on engineering a hybrid…
Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

A group in Santa Fe says the city is discriminating against them because they say that they’re allergic to the wireless Internet signal. And now they want Wi-Fi banned from public buildings.
Suu Kyi’s house arrest extended

Burma’s ruling junta has renewed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest.
The best way to find meaning at work? Don’t look for it

It pays the mortgage and gets you up in the morning, but these days workers want more from a job - they want meaning. Just don’t go looking for it, says Lucy Kellaway.