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Sunday June 27, 2010
The Measure of a Man:
Quantifying Human Behaviour Using Motion Capture
by Sir Thomas More
An unusual partnership between artists and engineers has led to an intensive study of human behaviour using motion capture technology.
Motion capture is commonly used in the film industry to digitise human movement to create computer-generated imagery.
But researchers believe their work could have many diverse applications.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 10:38 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday June 26, 2010
Test the Best:
Investigating the Best Theory of Nature
by Simon Magus
The best theory for explaining the subatomic world was developed in when theorist Paul Dirac combined quantum mechanics with special relativity to explain the behaviour of the electron.
Dirac's work resulted in relativistic quantum mechanics, which became a major ingredient in quantum field theory, and was later integrated into the Standard Model of particles and forces.
Researchers have now conducted a 'table-top experiment' to investigate the theory at a fraction of the cost of previous studies.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 02:35 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Sunday June 20, 2010
Bushwhacked:
Illegal Bushmeat Trade Booming in Europe
by Sir Thomas More
A new study shows than five tonnes of illegal bushmeat is being smuggled in personal luggage each week through one of Europe's busiest airports.
Researchers worked with customs officers at France's Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport to identify eleven bushmeat species from confiscated luggage, including species of primate, crocodiles and pangolins.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 07:24 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday June 19, 2010
Play On:
Ballads Make Women More Open to Dating
by Simon Magus
French researchers have offered hope to average-looking men wanting to ask women out on dates.
They have shown that playing romantic ballads as background music makes women more likely to give their number out.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 11:55 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Sunday June 13, 2010
Take The Strain:
New Bacterial Strain Could Clean Up Oil Spills
by Sir Thomas More
A newly discovered strain of bacteria produces non-toxic, comparatively inexpensive 'rhamnolipids' that help degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) -- environmental pollutants that are one of the most harmful aspects of oil spills.
Because of these unique characteristics, the bacterium could be of considerable value in the long-term cleanup of the disastrous Gulf Coast oil spill.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 11:59 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday June 12, 2010
Let's Spit On It:
Saliva Beading Has Practical Applications
by Simon Magus
Researchers have discovered why strands of fluids such as saliva containing long molecules called polymers form beads when stretched.
These findings that could be used to improve industrial processes and for administering drugs in 'personalised medicine.'
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 11:25 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Sunday June 06, 2010
Breast is Best:
Probiotic Found in Breast Milk Aids Digestion
by Simon Magus
Researchers have discovered that a probiotic found in breast milk reduces or eliminates painful cramping in the gut.
Tests on mice to showed that a specific strain of Lactobacillus reuteri decreases the force of muscle contractions in the gut within minutes of exposure.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 08:43 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday June 05, 2010
Bad News Travels Fast:
How the Internet is Outpacing Old Media
by Spike Spiegel
The old adage states that bad news travels fast. Recent tragedies illustrate this point all too easily.
I am an avid consumer of news and check myriad sites all day for the latest headlines. My media consumption also includes around one to three hours of news and current affairs TV programmes every day.
Yet I first heard the news of Alexander MacQueen's death on Facebook. The first rumours of a massacre in Cumbria came to my attention initially on Twitter.
Posted in: Net by bubblejam at 11:59 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry