Clipmarks | Resembles Clips

‘Robot Suit’ Helps Paralyzed People Walk

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:22:03 GMT

clipped by: Fast T friend
clipper's remarks: ReWalk is expected to be sold in 2010 with a price tag of about $20,000. It is currently in clinical trials in Tel Aviv’s Sheba Medical Centre and more trials are expected to take place at the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute in Pennsylvania.

Clip Source: www.redorbit.com

Many paralytic patients are getting the chance to walk again, thanks to a newly developed electronic exoskeleton.

The so-called ReWalk device was developed by Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies, a small Israeli high-tech company. Goffer was paralyzed in 1997, but is unable to use his own invention because he doesn’t have full function of his arms.

ReWalk resembles a combination of the exoskeleton of a crustacean and the suit worn by comic hero Iron Man. It allows paraplegics to stand, walk and climb stairs.

"I never dreamed I would walk again. After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like," said 41-year-old Radi Kaiof, who was injured while serving in the Israeli military in 1988.

"Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below."

Through using a wristband, patients can choose from a setting – stand, sit, walk, descend or climb

Tags: robot, paralytics, walking

The key to oil independence is a new electrical grid

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:17:49 GMT

clipped by: egoldstein
clipper's remarks: It seems that with alternative sources of energy, such as wind and solar, the United States has the potential means to substantially reduce our dependence on oil - especially once plug-in cars are on the market.

But until we substantially upgrade our nation's electrical grid with modern technology that will enable the energy created by these sources to be transmitted intelligently around the county, their impact will be limited.

It's going to take a greater commitment from Congress to jump start this. Making it happen will provide a huge boost to our economy, environment and political leverage with the Middle East, Russia, Venezuela and more.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

The dirty secret of clean energy is that while generating it is getting easier, moving it to market is not.

The grid today, according to experts, is a system conceived 100 years ago to let utilities prop each other up, reducing blackouts and sharing power in small regions. It resembles a network of streets, avenues and country roads.

“We need an interstate transmission superhighway system,” said Suedeen G. Kelly, a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“The windiest sites have not been built, because there is no way to move that electricity from there to the load centers,” he said.

Tags: alternative energy, grid, electricity, wind, solar

Virus on virus

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:11:59 GMT

clipped by: steve670

Clip Source: news.nationalgeographic.com

The discovery of a massive virus that suffers from another virus has reignited debate over whether the microscopic agents of infection should be considered living things rather than bags of genes.

Earlier this month scientists reported a new strain of giant virus called mamavirus, which was first detected in amoebas from a water-cooling tower in Paris.

In a recent study, electron microscopy revealed a much smaller virus attached to the mamavirus, which the study authors say made the host virus grow abnormally and damaged its ability to replicate.

The tiny satellite virus, dubbed Sputnik, is the first described virophage—so named because its behavior resembles that of bacteria-targeting viruses known as bacteriophages.

Classic definitions hold that viruses are not life-forms, because they lack living cells of their own and must hijack those in animals, plants, and bacteria. (Test your virus smarts with an infectious diseases quiz.)

Tags: 100

Michael Phelps' victory dance is innate, scientists say

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:50:47 GMT

clipped by: Kelika

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

A study finds that blind athletes strike the same exuberant poses as their sighted counterparts -- as do other primates.

The exuberant dance of victory -- arms thrust toward the sky and chest puffed out at a defeated opponent -- turns out to be an instinctive trait of all primates -- humans included, according to research released Monday.

The images of the 140 blind and sighted athletes from 37 countries revealed that Paralympic athletes blind from birth struck the same triumphant stance as sighted Olympic athletes. Since the blind athletes could not have learned the victory dance by watching others, the scientists concluded that the behavior was innate.

They found that the dance was the same for all, regardless of what culture or country they came from.

closely resembles the dominance displays of chimps and monkeys, which also feature outstretched arms and exaggerated postures, researchers said.

Rice Arrives in Georgia With Cease-Fire Concessions

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:34:00 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Meanwhile, a flurry of international diplomacy was set in motion, even as regional tensions escalated dramatically over a missile defense deal between the U.S. and Poland — with a top Russian general saying the pact exposes Poland to attack.

Gori, about 45 miles west of the capital Tbilisi, is key to when — or if — Russia will honor the terms of a cease-fire that calls for both sides to pull their forces back to the positions they held before fighting broke out last week in the separatist region of South Ossetia.

By holding Gori, Russian forces effectively cut the country in half because the city sits along Georgia's only significant east-west highway. Russian military vehicles were blocking the eastern road into the city on Friday, although they allowed in one Georgia bus filled with loaves of bread.

President Bush video statement

Clip Source: www.foxnews.com

Breaking News >> Bush Makes Statement on Situation in Georgia at 8:15 a.m. EDT: Watch Live

Rice Arrives in Georgia With Cease-Fire as Russian Blockade Continues

Russia Invasion of Georgia Sparks New Cold War Rhetoric

FOX FACTS: 6 Points in Russia-Georgia Cease-Fire Pact

Senator: Georgia Fighting Could Shut Down U.S. Space Program

Russia, Georgia Trade Ethnic Cleansing Accusations as Bodies Burn in Streets

Georgian Ambassador to U.S.: Russian Attack Resembles Past Soviet Invasions

Georgia Files Suit Against Russia for Alleged Ethnic Cleansing

Georgia's Kodori Gorge Virtually Cut Off

Commander: Georgia to Remove All Troops in Iraq to Join South Ossetia Conflict

RAW DATA: Russian President Medvedev's Statement on Georgia Crisis

FAST FACTS: South Ossetia at a Glance

Video

Dangerous Situation

'Get Out Now’

Russia Calls Halt to Fighting

Border Battle

Urging Restraint

Breakaway Battle

Photo Essays

Georgia Conflict Grinds On

Violence in Georgia

Tags: secretary of state rice, president saakashvili, tbilisi georgia, gori blockage

the ultimate trim-spa (baby)

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:59:29 GMT

clipped by: careeza

Clip Source: www.nypost.com

Phelps' diet - which involves ingesting 4,000 calories every time he sits down for a meal - resembles that of a reckless overeater rather than an Olympian.

Phelps lends a new spin to the phrase "Breakfast of Champions" by starting off his day by eating three fried-egg sandwiches loaded with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayonnaise.

He follows that up with two cups of coffee, a five-egg omelet, a bowl of grits, three slices of French toast topped with powdered sugar and three chocolate-chip pancakes.

At lunch, Phelps gobbles up a pound of enriched pasta and two large ham and cheese sandwiches slathered with mayo on white bread - capping off the meal by chugging about 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.

For dinner, Phelps really loads up on the carbs - what he needs to give him plenty of energy for his five-hours-a-day, six-days-a-week regimen - with a pound of pasta and an entire pizza.

He washes all that down with another 1,000 calories worth of energy drinks.

Must-Have Accessories Under $35

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:12:07 GMT

clipped by: pitim

Clip Source: myitthings.com

We firmly believe a good repertoire of fashionable accessories can keep you looking fresh and chic, even if you wear basic jeans, tees, or wrap dresses everyday. That’s because accessories are the final touches to your appearance. Without them, you look incomplete. Keep each of the following affordable accessories on hand, and you’ll always look pulled together and polished -- while still being able to afford your extremely necessary morning double shot cappuccino.

First and foremost, you need a cool handbag. You carry one around all day, every day, so we think it deserves a bit of attention. We’re all about buying bags that appear to be far more expensive than they are, perhaps with designer details or realistic-looking faux leather. We love this Soho Handbag ($34, Lulu’s Fashion Lounge) because it strongly resembles the Chloé style, while the Parker Quilted Handbag ($32.80, Forever 21) -- with its quilted material and chain strap -- taps into the classic Chanel aesthetic.

Tags: handbags, sunglassses, shades, jewelry

Bureaucrats Try to Quash Blues Prodigy's Talents

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:49:41 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Well, the law prohibits it, and the Legislature enacted the laws to protect the health, safety and welfare of all children.

"T-Man" Latz has a reason to sing the blues

http://www.comcast.net/articles/music/20080812/Blues.Kid/

Clip Source: www.moonbattery.com

We don't quite have enough government to have reached the socialist ideal, whereby society resembles a well-manicured lawn, with no blade of grass allowed to grow any higher than the others. An example is 8-year-old guitar prodigy Tallan "T-Man" Latz, who seems to have gotten on older players' nerves by outperforming them.

But we do have enough government so that virtually all human activity violates one regulation or another, permitting those who excel to be brought down to size. Jealous musicians have apparently ratted out T-Man for violating child labor laws, so that he's not allowed to play the blues in clubs anymore.

Intones bureaucretin Jennifer Ortiz of Wisconsin's Equal Rights Division:

Don't forget, as the government boot stamps down on your face: it's for your own health, safety, and welfare.

On a tip from V the K.

Tags: tallan "t-man" latz, guitar prodigy, violating child labor laws, bureaucretin jennifer ortiz, wisconsin's equal rights division

Chavez - More Like Castro Everyday

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:44:36 GMT

clipped by: Rustee
clipper's remarks:

Nevertheless, Mr. Chávez appears pleased with the circumstances, illuminating another way in which he resembles Castro: Both men are narcissists above all else, and both have been driven by an intense desire to rule as the omnipotent caudillo. The welfare of the nation is beside the point.

Clip Source: online.wsj.com

It is no secret that Hugo Chávez wants to be just like Fidel Castro someday. And last week he took a step closer to that goal by laying down 26 new decrees designed to eviscerate property rights and further consolidate economic power in the presidential palace. He also nationalized the third-largest bank in the country.

What has been less publicized is the Venezuelan president's expanding collection of political prisoners, and his other sinister methods of neutralizing opponents.

Last week, his handpicked supreme court ruled that 260 aspiring candidates for the November municipal and gubernatorial elections -- most of whom oppose him -- will be barred from the ballot because they have been accused of corruption

Of course this doesn't quite work under Venezuelan law, because an individual may only be barred as a candidate if he is convicted. But the Chávez government got around that problem: None has been tried but the National Controller -- a chavista -- has declared them guilty by fiat.

Tags: venezuela, government

Nazca-like lines in India?

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:50:54 GMT

clipped by: cakebelly

Clip Source: www.forteantimes.com

Nazca-like lines in India?

Newly discovered glyph resembles the Roman numeral “VI”

A geometric ground-marking 328ft (100m) long has been discovered on a hillside near Khavda, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The feature comprises a set of trenches that form a figure like the Roman numeral “VI”. Its Indian investigators liken it to geoglyphs in Peru’s famous Nazca lines, but they haven’t ruled out the (unlikely) possibility that it is some bizarre geological feature.

Creative Wanted Poster Pure Wizardry

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:52:53 GMT

clipped by: tebvox

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

A wanted poster featuring Robbie Coltrane is being used by police in New Zealand to try to catch a teenage burglar who resembles the actor.

Detectives stressed the Cracker and Harry Potter star is not suspected of any crimes, but said the thief looks like a 16-year-old version of him.

The poster has been distributed to homes in the Christchurch area of the South Island.

New Zealand law bans the publication of pictures of juvenile criminals.

"He is 16-years-old, lives locally, travels by bicycle and burgles houses in your street.

"He will break windows to gain entry and ransack the property targeting electronic items, cash and jewellery."

"Because of the Children and Young Persons Act 1989 Police cannot show you a picture of the 16-year-old burglar operating in your neighbourhood," it states.

Residents reportedly welcomed the leaflets and praised the ingenuity of the police. Coltrane was unavailable for comment.

Face to Face With our Own Perceptions

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:55:31 GMT

clipped by: balthazarus
clipper's remarks: It only takes tenth of a second to build an impression, and then a lifetime sometimes to undo it...

Clip Source: www.popsci.com

Face to Face With our Own Perceptions

A computer program that provides better analysis of facial expressions reveals inner workings about how we make judgments

Psychology researchers from Princeton University have created a computer program that provides better analysis of facial expressions and helps scientists determine what makes a face seem trustworthy or threatening.

Using the computer program, researchers determined that an untrustworthy face has an angry expression, with mouth edges curled down and eyebrows pointing down at the center. The least dominant face resembles the face of an infant, but with a larger distance between the eyes and the eyebrows.

Earlier research has found that people make snap judgments—within a tenth of a second—whether or not a person can be trusted solely on the appearance of the person’s face. Based that finding, Princeton researchers tried to quantify and define which characteristics a face must have to for people to reach a conclusion about that person.

Tags: perception, personality, neuroscience

Barack Obama is Mr Darcy --Maureen Dowd

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:27:07 GMT

clipped by: readforpleasure
clipper's remarks: Dowd reports that some women won't vote for Obama because he's skinny, some because he seems haughty. That's no sillier than voting for him because he resembles Jane Austen's most popular hero, Mr Darcy. I'm not wild about the train of thought that says women vote based on fictional heroes. However, it may be an uncomfortable truth, and not only about women. Much of voter opinion is based on looks, style, and media hype--not content.

I do give Dowd credit for making an unusual analogy. The "Pride & Prejudice" title fits the current politics in some ways, and Dowd correctly points out that the success of the Austen novel rests of changing the views of *both* sides.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Obama bears a distinct resemblance to the most cherished hero in chick-lit history. The senator is a modern incarnation of the clever, haughty, reserved and fastidious Mr. Darcy.

The master of Pemberley “had yet to learn to be laught at,” and this sometimes caused “a deeper shade of hauteur” to “overspread his features.”

If Obama is Mr. Darcy, with “his pride, his abominable pride,” then America is Elizabeth Bennet, spirited, playful, democratic, financially strained, and caught up in certain prejudices. (McCain must be cast as Wickham, the rival for Elizabeth’s affections, the engaging military scamp who casts false aspersions on Darcy’s character.)

Can America

move past its biases to figure out if Obama’s supposed conceit is really just the protective shield and defense mechanism of someone who grew up half white and half black, a perpetual outsider

Can Miss Bennet teach Mr. Darcy to let down his guard, be more sportive, and laugh at himself?

Tags: rfp, politics

3

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:41:38 GMT

clipped by: ddchance79

Clip Source: www.mcwilliams.com

It's often been observed that, from afar, the doing of humans resembles the bustling of ants. We must occasionally wonder, "What is the purpose of all this doing?" We are not, after all, rocks, which don't seem to do much at all. We have the ability to do, but why?

We must, of course, do in order to meet our bodily needs (which would not be as great if we did not do as much), but even after these needs are met, we keep on doing. Why?

My suggestion:

Our doing allows for more learning.

New Search Engine

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:52:30 GMT

clipped by: fuordigital

Clip Source: online.wsj.com

A startup founded by engineers from Google Inc. and other tech giants is launching a search engine that claims to cover three times as many Web pages as Google.

The startup, Cuil Inc., plans to launch its product (www.cuil.com) Monday and aims to deliver better results than other major search engines by searching across more Web pages and studying them more accurately. The site's results page resembles an online magazine -- a different look and feel from search juggernaut Google's.