Archive for June, 2008
If it’s hard to read, is it hard to do?
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
Marketers and designers would do well to choose easy-to-read fonts
Study Seeks to Understand Link Between Visual Cues, Motor Skills
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
Because what you see often affects what you do, a research team thinks a better understanding of the neurological processes involved could lead to improved treatment for stroke and brain injuries.
Shock detecting camera
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
Severe bleeding and the subsequent collapse of the circulatory system known as shock is typically caused by severe physical trauma, such as a car crash.
It also accounts for about 50% of deaths on the battlefield, a statistic that has change little since the first world war.
Part of the problem is the difficulty in recognising patients that are suffering from shock in time to make a difference.
But Svetlana Panasyuk and colleagues funded by the US Army's Combat Casualty Care Research Program say that such a diagnosis is possible using a camera able to see in the infrared as well as visible spectrum.
They say that blood flow beneath the surface of the skin is a measure of a patient's degree of shock. And that by looking for the combined visible and infrared signatures of oxygen and water a "hyperspectral" camera can measure that flow.
Panasyuk says the images can be quickly and easily taken by photographing the patient's forearm with a camera fitted with a tunable light filter and LEDs that produce infrared and visible light.
Computer analysis of the hyperspectral images can then determine which patients are threatened by shock and need most urgent attention.
Read the full shock detector patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
It also accounts for about 50% of deaths on the battlefield, a statistic that has change little since the first world war.
Part of the problem is the difficulty in recognising patients that are suffering from shock in time to make a difference.
But Svetlana Panasyuk and colleagues funded by the US Army's Combat Casualty Care Research Program say that such a diagnosis is possible using a camera able to see in the infrared as well as visible spectrum.
They say that blood flow beneath the surface of the skin is a measure of a patient's degree of shock. And that by looking for the combined visible and infrared signatures of oxygen and water a "hyperspectral" camera can measure that flow.
Panasyuk says the images can be quickly and easily taken by photographing the patient's forearm with a camera fitted with a tunable light filter and LEDs that produce infrared and visible light.
Computer analysis of the hyperspectral images can then determine which patients are threatened by shock and need most urgent attention.
Read the full shock detector patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
All-seeing garbage sorter
Friday, June 20th, 2008
Sorting household waste helps maximise the amount that can be recycled. But all the techniques used today involve an element of hand-sorting by humans.
Parts of the process that can be automated are very specific – for example, rotating drums with holes can separate paper and film waste from containers, and electromagnets can pick out certain types of metal.
Now two inventors say they can build a single system able to sort all waste, using a "hyperspectral" camera able to see more than just visible light.
Humans classify objects by colour by dividing up the visible electromagnetic spectrum into chunks. Hyperspectral cameras use the same approach to make "colours" from the UV and infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum too.
Hyperspectral cameras are mainly developed for military use. But Donald Cowling and Neil Randall from the military research company Qinetiq say one such camera could discriminate all types of plastic, metal and glass.
It could also determine the location and orientation of objects and direct, for example, robot pickers to grab and sort garbage.
Doing that today would require several automatic and manual separating tasks.
Read the full all-seeing garbage sorter patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
Parts of the process that can be automated are very specific – for example, rotating drums with holes can separate paper and film waste from containers, and electromagnets can pick out certain types of metal.
Now two inventors say they can build a single system able to sort all waste, using a "hyperspectral" camera able to see more than just visible light.
Humans classify objects by colour by dividing up the visible electromagnetic spectrum into chunks. Hyperspectral cameras use the same approach to make "colours" from the UV and infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum too.
Hyperspectral cameras are mainly developed for military use. But Donald Cowling and Neil Randall from the military research company Qinetiq say one such camera could discriminate all types of plastic, metal and glass.
It could also determine the location and orientation of objects and direct, for example, robot pickers to grab and sort garbage.
Doing that today would require several automatic and manual separating tasks.
Read the full all-seeing garbage sorter patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
Performance-enhancing peel pills
Thursday, June 19th, 2008
Sucking oranges has long been a preferred recovery method for amateur sports men and women. But it may turn out that they would have been better off chewing the peel.
A team funded by the US Army Natick Soldier System Center in Massachusetts, US, says plant metabolites called polymethoxylated flavones found in the peel of sweet oranges such as the Valencia and Hamlin varieties can decrease post-exercise recovery time.
In tests on horses, the team measured the time it took for post-exercise oxygen consumption levels to return to normal.
The inventors claim that in a test where horses not given any treatment took about 110 seconds to recover, those that were treated with the flavones were ready to go again after about 85 seconds – 23% quicker.
The group says that the extract could also be used to delay the onset of fatigue in sporting competitions in a way that does not require banned performance enhancing drugs. Their patent covers products made from one or more flavones packaged to enhance recovery.
The same orange-peel compounds are being studied by other groups for their potential anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties.
Read the full performance-enhancing orange peel patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
A team funded by the US Army Natick Soldier System Center in Massachusetts, US, says plant metabolites called polymethoxylated flavones found in the peel of sweet oranges such as the Valencia and Hamlin varieties can decrease post-exercise recovery time.
In tests on horses, the team measured the time it took for post-exercise oxygen consumption levels to return to normal.
The inventors claim that in a test where horses not given any treatment took about 110 seconds to recover, those that were treated with the flavones were ready to go again after about 85 seconds – 23% quicker.
The group says that the extract could also be used to delay the onset of fatigue in sporting competitions in a way that does not require banned performance enhancing drugs. Their patent covers products made from one or more flavones packaged to enhance recovery.
The same orange-peel compounds are being studied by other groups for their potential anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties.
Read the full performance-enhancing orange peel patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
The Healthiest Drink in my World
Thursday, June 19th, 2008In a previous post I wrote about the mental and physiological benefits of drinking adequate amounts of water each day. Our bodies are made up of 75% water and our brains 85%, so it’s a no-brainer (sorry) that we must continuously replenish our stores. Fluid intake, adequate or otherwise, has a big impact on mood. Unfortunately 75% of Americans are suffering from chronic dehydration, and many are suffering the consequences daily.
I have always struggled to drink the quota of 6, 8 or 10 glasses a day (which depends on your source). I have my own target, clear urine by midday, which is equally difficult to achieve. As far as I know this target is not scientifically based, but my own empirical evidence has shown that it’s a good measure of progress part way through the day.
I made a significant personal discovery a couple of weeks ago. I started adding a small amount of Apple juice to each glass of water, about 1 part juice to 4 parts water. My initial motivation was weight loss but I quickly began enjoying the taste and sweetness, and I found it very refreshing and hydrating. No surprises there. It is now the only thing I drink apart from coffee, and for the first time ever I’m meeting my midday target.
I’m Having Anxiety Disorder Symptoms……..by Susan
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
I'm having some anxiety disorder symptoms this week and I know why. This coming Saturday, June 21st, my youngest of three sons is getting married. He will be moving out of our house and I dread the initial empty nest feeling I know I will experience. My oldest son will be coming home for the wedding and I feel a lot of anxiety about that as well. I have no explanation for this other than I am so happy and excited to see him that maybe my feelings are getting all confused inside.
My middle son and my daughter will be coming for the wedding too and this will be the first time all of us have been together for over four years. My husband and I are busy scurrying about getting things ready for the family gathering at our home. Today my husband and I bought, hauled and put away what seemed like tons of groceries. Tomorrow we'll clean house and mow the yard. Not bad for senior citizens.
The anxiety disorder symptoms I'm experiencing are headache, nervousness, sleeplessness and worrying. I'll do much better after the festivities begin......it's the anticipation and preparation that get me all flustered. I just hope I won't be shaking when I have two of my sons walk me down the aisle for the third one's wedding.
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My middle son and my daughter will be coming for the wedding too and this will be the first time all of us have been together for over four years. My husband and I are busy scurrying about getting things ready for the family gathering at our home. Today my husband and I bought, hauled and put away what seemed like tons of groceries. Tomorrow we'll clean house and mow the yard. Not bad for senior citizens.
The anxiety disorder symptoms I'm experiencing are headache, nervousness, sleeplessness and worrying. I'll do much better after the festivities begin......it's the anticipation and preparation that get me all flustered. I just hope I won't be shaking when I have two of my sons walk me down the aisle for the third one's wedding.
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Automated aircraft-carrier landing
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008
Landing on an aircraft carrier is a tricky and dangerous business because the complex movements of both aircraft and ship must be taken into account.For example, an aircraft carrier might be heaving, swaying and pitching at the same time as the aircraft is pitching, yawing and rolling, yet the pilot has to land one neatly on the other.
Handing that difficult task to a computer has proven difficult. One reason is that the signal between ship and aircraft might be lost at any time due to intentional jamming or unintentional interference.
James Waid and colleagues from US firm Honeywell International say that automated landings are possible if the flight computer has access to GPS measurements of both ship and aircraft.
In the event of a loss of signal between ship and aircraft, or between GPS devices and GPS satellites, the system is able to extrapolate the data to determine whether a safe landing solution exists and if not, aborts the landing.
Read the automated aircraft-carrier landing patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
Can Texting Help With Depression?…….by Susan
Friday, June 13th, 2008
Many of us blog about our problems with depression in hopes of helping ourselves and others. Have you ever used texting as an aid in dealing with depression or any other mental health problems? I can't say that I have would be my first response........... but, I do remember sending an occasional text in an effort to solicit support from a love one.
Texting is a great way to stay in touch with family and friends because it's so fast. You can quickly share an interesting idea or picture. Can you also convey your emotions while sending texts? I certainly think so. It only takes a few words to let someone know you need help, support or friendship. I imagine it would be a bit harder to explain the depths of ones feelings in a text. It might also be a little difficult to receive a feeling of empathy from the recipient of our text. Maybe the quality of help depends on those who are doing the texting.
I read a recent article about texting and would like to share it with you. Texting Through Your Grief by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. says texting is a great way to communicate with others when you don’t feel like talking or using some other technology. In my opinion, talking is the best way to communicate our feelings and problems to either a professional or a loved one. However, I think journaling, blogging, telephoning and texting can all be useful tools we can use to help ourselves when we need to reach out to others. I use them all.
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Texting is a great way to stay in touch with family and friends because it's so fast. You can quickly share an interesting idea or picture. Can you also convey your emotions while sending texts? I certainly think so. It only takes a few words to let someone know you need help, support or friendship. I imagine it would be a bit harder to explain the depths of ones feelings in a text. It might also be a little difficult to receive a feeling of empathy from the recipient of our text. Maybe the quality of help depends on those who are doing the texting.
I read a recent article about texting and would like to share it with you. Texting Through Your Grief by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. says texting is a great way to communicate with others when you don’t feel like talking or using some other technology. In my opinion, talking is the best way to communicate our feelings and problems to either a professional or a loved one. However, I think journaling, blogging, telephoning and texting can all be useful tools we can use to help ourselves when we need to reach out to others. I use them all.
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Anti-fraud magnetic banknotes
Friday, June 13th, 2008
There is a continual battle between counterfeiters and banknote manufacturers. But Stuart Eaton and colleagues at UK military research company Qinetiq think they have designed the only technology that makes it possible for anyone to spot a fake by touch alone.
Most anti-counterfeiting techniques use visual cues such as watermarks or holograms, or machine-readable features like markings that only become visible under ultraviolet light.
Qinetiq's idea is to use spots of magnetic inks on a document such as a banknote, with alternating polarity.
To check a note's authenticity, you simply fold the note and rub it to feel the alternate attraction and repulsion as the inks move past each other.
The sensation would make a smooth piece of paper feel rippled, say the group, who think the technology could work on anything from passports to legal letters. Whether the idea would make notes difficult to stack or peel apart, we can only guess.
A touch-based system would have advantages in places where lighting is poor such as pubs and clubs, as well as being a useful aid to the visually impaired.
The public could be educated to learn how to recognise the particular pattern, says the patent, but no mention is made of how easy or difficult it would be for fraudsters to copy the design.
Read the full magnetic banknotes patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant
Most anti-counterfeiting techniques use visual cues such as watermarks or holograms, or machine-readable features like markings that only become visible under ultraviolet light.
Qinetiq's idea is to use spots of magnetic inks on a document such as a banknote, with alternating polarity.
To check a note's authenticity, you simply fold the note and rub it to feel the alternate attraction and repulsion as the inks move past each other.
The sensation would make a smooth piece of paper feel rippled, say the group, who think the technology could work on anything from passports to legal letters. Whether the idea would make notes difficult to stack or peel apart, we can only guess.
A touch-based system would have advantages in places where lighting is poor such as pubs and clubs, as well as being a useful aid to the visually impaired.
The public could be educated to learn how to recognise the particular pattern, says the patent, but no mention is made of how easy or difficult it would be for fraudsters to copy the design.
Read the full magnetic banknotes patent application.
Justin Mullins, New Scientist consultant