We already knew cephalopods are amazing creatures—how many of us can go from colored to invisible in a blink? Hell, octopuses can even operate cameras. Still, sensing light with one’s skin is a pretty impressive trick, even for the rock stars of the invertebrate world.
… Read More → "Octopus senses light with its skin, no eyes required"
… Read More → "Breakthrough bionic leg prosthesis controlled by subconscious thoughts"Biomedical engineering company Össur has announced the successful development of a thought controlled bionic prosthetic leg. The new technology uses implanted sensors sending wireless signals to the artificial limb’s built-in computer, enabling subconscious, real-time control and faster, more natural responses and movements.
via Gizmag
Could an IBM mainframe from the 1960s mine Bitcoin? The idea seemed crazy, so I decided to find out. I implemented the Bitcoin hash algorithm in assembly code for the IBM 1401 and tested it on a working vintage mainframe. It turns out that this computer could mine, but so slowly it would take more than the lifetime of the universe to successfully mine a block. While the beste trading app reports … Read More → "Bitcoin mining on a 55 year old IBM 1401 mainframe: 80 seconds per hash"
One of the US Air Force’s most high-tech weapons is a tool that can’t hurt people — but it kills electronic devices.
The CHAMP (Counter-Electronics High-Powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project) is a computer-frying device that emits a strong blast of targeted microwave energy that can take down enemy data centers and infrastructure without blowing … Read More → "The Air Force can use an electromagnetic pulse to kill enemy computers"
Curiosity rover recently received a patch that improved the autofocus of its “ChemCam” telescope. Over the air. On Mars. Before the update, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory would take nine pictures of a subject (each at a different focus) to get one usable close-up image of any of the Red Planet’s rocks and soils, and send them back home. Same goes for any sample analyses … Read More → "NASA patched Curiosity rover’s autofocus problem over the air"
This organ is 110 years old, but with new programming (on paper strips), it can play the relatively modern “Bohemian Rhapsody” in a uniquely majestic way.
The instrument is a Marenghi Organ with 81 keys and 350 pipes, from the collection of Bill Nunn. It was used in a dance hall in Antwerp, Belgium, for the first half of its life.
via Neatorama</ … Read More → "Bohemian Rhapsody on played on a 110 year old fairground organ"
A man from Canada has broken the world record for the furthest hoverboard flight.
Catalin Alexandru Duru’s propeller-based prototype managed to travel a total distance of 275.9m (905ft 2in) along the edge of Lake Ouareau in Quebec.
The inventor claims the machine, which he built and designed over 12 months, can be used anywhere and can reach “scary heights” … Read More → "Canadian Catalin Duru breaks world record for furthest hoverboard flight"
With summer coming, chances are that you’ll be spending a little more time outside at night than usual. Which means you’ll need artificial sources of illumination.
I just came across one such glowing goodie that I needed to share with Crave readers.
It’s called the “New LED Design Renovation Credit Card Size Ultra-slim Fold-up LED Pocket Wallet/Purse Lamp/Light,” which is truly an unfortunate name for something so cool. I think “Pocket … Read More → "This light bulb costs less than $1 and fits in your wallet"
The land speed record for a regular bus has been shat on. “Bus Hound,” powered by biomethane derived from cow manure, clocked 76.785mph in speed trials in England.
Operated by Reading Buses, the vehicle was painted black and white in honor of the Frisian cows whose excrement powers its mighty engines. It was designed to advance the “power and credibility of buses fuelled by cow poo,” reports the BBC.
“CyberHeart” sounds more like something we’d come across in a Terminator movie, but the new virtual heart platform, led by computer scientists at Stony Brook University, is very much tooled toward humans. CyberHearts will specifically be used to test and validate new medical devices early on during their design phase. By detecting flaws in such devices before animal and human trials begin, CyberHeart, researchers hope, will speed the development process along, while helping to prevent the … Read More → "In the future, a virtual heart may test your medical device for you"
