If you're looking to attack a pirate ship, forget cutlasses and cannon balls. Go full speed ahead with an MP3 sonic blast. At least that's the latest method being used in sea warfare, as highlighted last week when a sonic blast was used to scare away Somali pirates from attacking a chemical tanker close to the Horn of Africa.
The technology described in this article is truly interesting. This technology uses sound waves for a very unique purpose. Not many people would think of defending their tankers with MP3 players, which is basically what is being done in the Gulf of Aden. This is a very clever way to ward off pirates, and it is exciting that there is more use for MP3 players than listening to music. Also, the most amazing part is that teams in the Gulf of Aden would not have to use lethal means of fighting pirates. There is a chance that permanent deafness may occur, but from what this article states, it does not seem that anyone would get close enough to the blast without proper ear protection. If it comes down to shooting the pirates with deadly guns or scaring them away with an extremely loud sonic blast, the latter should be chosen. Overall, this is a very interesting use for MP3 players, and this research is really great.
If you're looking to attack a pirate ship, forget cutlasses and cannon balls. Go full speed ahead with an MP3 sonic blast. At least that's the latest method being used in sea warfare, as highlighted last week when a sonic blast was used to scare away Somali pirates from attacking a chemical tanker close to the Horn of Africa.
The technology described in this article is truly interesting. This technology uses sound waves for a very unique purpose. Not many people would think of defending their tankers with MP3 players, which is basically what is being done in the Gulf of Aden. This is a very clever way to ward off pirates, and it is exciting that there is more use for MP3 players than listening to music. Also, the most amazing part is that teams in the Gulf of Aden would not have to use lethal means of fighting pirates. There is a chance that permanent deafness may occur, but from what this article states, it does not seem that anyone would get close enough to the blast without proper ear protection. If it comes down to shooting the pirates with deadly guns or scaring them away with an extremely loud sonic blast, the latter should be chosen. Overall, this is a very interesting use for MP3 players, and this article is research is really great.
Embryonic stem cells, which can be coaxed to turn into any kind of cell type, have been hailed as a 21st-century panacea. But they are fraught with ethical problems because they come from embryos. Last November, two teams of scientists turned ordinary adult skin cells into pluripotent stem cells—capable of becoming any kind of tissue—a feat that could solve the ethical problem forever. Here’s how one group did it.
This is a really great development. Stem cells should be the future of science, and I am really excited that scientists have found a way to continue research without the question of ethics. Stem cells will be a huge help to most people in the world after they become widely used and now we do not have to use embryos to get them. I hope scientists keep studying stem cells and ways that we can benefit from them. In my opinion most of the resources in science should be dedicating to researching things that will help people out. That is why this makes me happy. Way to go!
Stay up to date on the latest news of the future of science and technology from your iPhone with full articles, images and offline viewing
Featuring every article from the magazine and website, plus links from around the Web. Also see our PopSci DIY feed
Share links with friends, comment on stories and more
In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.
Check out the best of what's new here.