• Technology

    The Human Luck of the Draw

    By Posted on 4.18.2008 13 Comments

    We've talked in this space in the past few months about detecting the existence of Earth-like planets in other solar systems, and on the educated guesswork which goes into putting a number on the probability of intelligent life existing out there as well. You may remember that the discovery of terrestrial planets is well on its way as technology improves; and that the Drake equation—with all its assumptions—has proved to be remarkably accurate.

    4.19.2008 at 06:05am - Comment by furrylittleclown

    I hope there is somting out there ,and I hope Just maby it's smarter than us.......stupid humans Matthew T. Gossar

  • The Environment

    New Plastic Bags Biodegrade in Four Months

    By Posted on 4.18.2008 10 Comments

    On the heels of our reporting about Canada's probable move to ban BPA plastics comes a story about researchers working at Missouri University of Science and Technology to develop hybrid plastics that would biodegrade in landfills within four months. As our editor Nicole Dyer pointed out in a comment to the BPA post, the larger and more important issue facing plastics is their propensity to stick around forever.

    4.19.2008 at 05:59am - Comment by furrylittleclown

    Good one keep em common:YAY...Good shopping Matthew T. Gossar

  • Science

    Bacteria to the Rescue

    By Posted on 4.17.2008 3 Comments

    Germophobes and OCDers may want to stop reading now, or at least seriously consider only continuing with a bottle of Purell on hand—for today, were talking about bacteria, those squirmy no-see-‘ems that densely cover just about every surface imaginable here on Earth, including your own skin. However much hypochondriacal hatred the mention of them can bring about, as with other quasi-oxymorons like good cholesterol, wed be in a lot of trouble if it werent for bacteria.

    4.19.2008 at 05:54am - Comment by furrylittleclown

    Good article but it needs editing.........LoL :Matthew T. Gossar

  • The Environment

    Of Plants and Powders

    By Posted on 4.17.2008 5 Comments

    Our most popular and addictive drugs come from plant toxins; caffeine, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, are all derived from what are supposed to be poisons. These toxins were developed by plants to ward off herbivores who would otherwise eat them. So why is it that we not only tolerate them, but have found ourselves in a position of craving them, sometimes desperately? It is a paradox at which researchers are taking a fresh look.

    4.19.2008 at 05:44am - Comment by furrylittleclown

    Good ,comments and questions and id like answers to some of those questions too.:Matthew T. Gossar

  • DIY

    Build a Pocket Theremin on the Cheap

    By Posted on 4.15.2008 23 Comments

    digg_url = 'http://digg.com/general_sciences/Fun_Pocket_Theremin'; Even if you're not familiar with the Theremin itself, it's very likely you've heard its loopy electronic tones before. Remember those spooky sound tracks from 1950s science fiction movies? Well, chances are pretty good that those oscillating noises were generated by a Theremin. Designed by Russian physicist Leon Theremin circa 1919, the two-handed instrument was one of the first ever electronic musical instruments and the first instrument one could play without physically touching it. Thirty years after its invention, the Theremin was popularized by American synthesizer godfather Robert Moog in the 1950s and immortalized in the classic Sci-Fi flick The Day the Earth Stood Still. A full-fledged Theremin will set you back nearly $400, but with the instructions below, you can build a pocket-sized Theremin-like instrument that wont break the bank. Unlike the real McCoy which relies on grounded variable capacitance for changing frequency and volume with the wave of a hand, our Pocket Theremin uses variations in light for producing its unearthly vibrato.

    Article Rating:
    4.13.2008 at 07:11pm - Comment by furrylittleclown

    Very cool but not my thing.Matthew T. Gossar

  • DIY

    Make a Metal Fingerprint

    By Posted on 3.10.2008 2 Comments

    What the heck is an iButton, you ask? Manufactured by MAXIM Integrated Products, Dallas Semiconductor, an iButton is a fingernail-sized computer chip housed inside a stainless steel can. This can acts as a unique conductive connection that enables the enclosed computer chip to form a speedy 1-wire interface with a PC, PDA, or embedded computer. Throw some software into the mix and you have a handy data ID without the messy airborne detection problems that are commonly associated with RFID.

    4.13.2008 at 07:08pm - Comment by furrylittleclown

    Matthew T. Gossar

  • DIY

    The Toolmonger Weekly Five: March 14, 2008

    By Posted on 3.14.2008 4 Comments

    This is the week to measure angles, pick locks and more. Our pals at toolmonger.com break down the week's top tools here.

    4.13.2008 at 06:59pm - Comment by furrylittleclown

    Good overall picks light,flexable and strong as helland lots of torsion wrenches YA.:Matthew T. Gossar



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