Visualized: life's most basic patterns displayed as color-coded charts

Visualized: life's most basic patterns displayed as color-coded charts: "

You wake. You eat. You work. You read a few articles on Engadget. You sleep. You attempt to repeat. Life's not always quite so simple, but the mesmerizing image shown above does a great job of showcasing the patterns that seem to keep us all on track. This particular piece is entitled Sleep Patterns, crafted by one Laurie Frick, and was created by converting EEG traces into watercolor. There's plenty more where this came from in the source link below, but we'd caution you not to fall into some sort of eternal loop of checking back daily -- unless, of course, you're looking to disrupt your own patterns for the sake of art.

Visualized: life's most basic patterns displayed as color-coded charts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 12:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink New Scientist | Edward Cella | Email this | Comments"

Engineers create 3D microscope lens, see the tiny elephants in your ear

Engineers create 3D microscope lens, see the tiny elephants in your ear: "

The ability to view tiny images in the third D has been made possible by Lei Li and Allen Yi of Ohio State University. The two have crafted a one-of-a-kind 3D lens that, unlike other three-dimensional microscopes that capture images by circling around the subject, sees teeny objects while stationary. Although the engineers crafted the lens on a precision cutting machine using a diamond blade themselves, they say it can be produced using traditional molding methods. At the size of a fingernail, the thermoplastic material, aka acrylic glass, was cut with 10 nanometer spacing (that's tiny) to ensure a flat plane. The top is surrounded by eight facets -- sort of like a gem stone, but not symmetric -- allowing the viewer to see 9 different angles at once. This should pave way for scientists to get better angles of microscopic objects, but they can always try using the 3DS and some DIY lens attachments, right?

Engineers create 3D microscope lens, see the tiny elephants in your ear originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PhysOrg | Ohio State University | Email this | Comments"

Monirobo measures radiation following nuclear crisis at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi power plant

Monirobo measures radiation following nuclear crisis at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi power plant: "

According to a report by a Japanese news agency, a radiation monitoring robot, aptly named Monirobo, is the first non-human responder to go on-site following the partial meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The machine, which was developed by Japan's Nuclear Safety Technology Centre to operate at lethal radiation levels, reportedly began work Friday, enlisting a 3D camera, radiation detector, and heat and humidity sensors to monitor the extent of the damage. A second Monirobo, used to collect samples and detect flammable gases, is expected to join its red counterpart soon -- both robots are operated by remote control from distances up to one kilometer away. They join the US Air Force's Global Hawk drone in unmanned surveillance of the crisis.

Monirobo measures radiation following nuclear crisis at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi power plant originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 01:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Boing Boing, NewScientist | getnews.jp | Email this | Comments"

ComScore: Microsoft becomes second for online video in one month

ComScore: Microsoft becomes second for online video in one month: "

Earlier this month, we got word that Bing had surpassed Yahoo! as the world's second most used search engine, and now Microsoft's solidifying its place as runner-up, coming in behind YouTube as the internet's number two provider of streaming video, with 48 million unique viewers in February. According to ComScore's latest ranking of online video providers, the software giant went from number seven to number two in just one month, bumping Yahoo! down to third place. Of course, YouTube is still way out in front, with over 140 million visitors, but given the speed with which it leaped ahead, we'd say Bing is doing something right. Check out more online video results after the break.

Continue reading ComScore: Microsoft becomes second for online video in one month

ComScore: Microsoft becomes second for online video in one month originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 22:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink PCWorld | Comscore | Email this | Comments"

Boeing's biggest jet takes flight, promises lowest 'seat mile' cost of any commercial airliner

Boeing's biggest jet takes flight, promises lowest 'seat mile' cost of any commercial airliner: "

Boeing took a huge -- both literally and figuratively -- step in the development of the largest commercial jet in its history when the 747-8 took to the skies for the first time. Granted, the airframe's cargo version has already logged over 1,600 hours up in the air, but putting the 250-foot passenger plane with a 224-foot wingspan -- 19 feet longer and 13 feet wider than the gargantuan 747-400 -- through its first few paces without incident is no small feat. The 747-8 borrows some of the 787 Dreamliner's weight-trimming tech for better fuel efficiency and lower operational costs than older 747s and jumbo jet competition from Airbus. We just hope it didn't inherit the 787's penchant for delays as well. If all goes according to plan, the new jetliner should complete the 600 test flight hours needed for FAA certification in time to deliver the first 747-8s to customers by the end of the year. We doubt airlines will use the plane's extra space to give us shlubs riding coach any more legroom, but at least its improved all-around efficiency should make flying a little cheaper. PR's after the break.

Continue reading Boeing's biggest jet takes flight, promises lowest 'seat mile' cost of any commercial airliner

Boeing's biggest jet takes flight, promises lowest 'seat mile' cost of any commercial airliner originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Wired | | Email this | Comments"

Energizer makes single-device Inductive charger for singles looking to wirelessly mingle

Energizer makes single-device Inductive charger for singles looking to wirelessly mingle: "

Standardized inductive charging with the Qi standard is a beautiful thing, but previously Energizer's only charging pad had room for not one but two devices. If your independently-minded smartphone just still isn't ready for that kind of commitment, the pink bunny has you covered with a new single-pad Inductive charger. Like before it supports the Qi standard and offers compatibility with a variety of devices -- if you don't mind using a variety of goofy sheaths and backpacks. No word on price or availability, but really it shouldn't take long to get this to stores.

Energizer makes single-device Inductive charger for singles looking to wirelessly mingle originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | SlashGear | Email this | Comments"

Contour launches Viewfinder App, lets your iPhone talk to your ContourGPS (video)

Contour launches Viewfinder App, lets your iPhone talk to your ContourGPS (video): "

Helmet cam aficionado? Contour's ContourGPS currently has the greatest range of connectivity options, and one of those options, Bluetooth, is finally good for something. The company has just flipped the switch and deployed its Viewfinder app that we last saw at CES, which allows iOS devices to pull live video from the camera, even if it's still stuck to the side of your head and covered in mud. Users can also tweak camera settings in real-time, which is a huge step forward over the previous process that required tethering the cam and booting up some software. However, there is a catch: to use the device you have to install a little card, called a ConnectView, into your camera. This sucker will set you back $29.99, though we're told the upcoming Android release of the app will be able to do without. Unfortunately, that version won't be along until an unfortunately vague 'Spring,' but the iOS flavor is a free download right now in the App Store.

Continue reading Contour launches Viewfinder App, lets your iPhone talk to your ContourGPS (video)

Contour launches Viewfinder App, lets your iPhone talk to your ContourGPS (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Contour | Email this | Comments"

12-year-old genius challenges the Big Bang

12-year-old genius challenges the Big Bang: "At 12 Jacob Barnett seems like any other kid - but there's a lot more to him than meets the eye. With an IQ of 170 Barnett taught himself calculus, al..."

Family capture ghost on home video

Family capture ghost on home video: "A young family being terrorised by a poltergeist have been advised by a priest to wear crucifixes. Lisa Manning and her two children have fled their h..."