Science digest-2

Here's my next science digest post. This week was a bit slower in terms of science news stories, but still there are a few interesting ones and these ones should have impact a lot sooner than the life-changing ones of last week!

But before we get into science, here's something a little more fun, especially for LOTR fans...enjoy!
http://www.thehuntforgollum.com/

As for the science stories..

1. Telekinesis-moving objects with your mind-is here!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/22/AR2009042204036.html?hpid=topnews/

My comment- This stuff is really awesome, but on a very basic level right now. Give it ten years, and then we’ll really have a lot of mind-controlled stuff on the market.

2. Self printing of books!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/apr/24/espresso-book-machine-launches/print

My comment-They call it the next biggest thing after the printing press, but there are numerous economic and social challenges that it has to overcome before that becomes true.

By the way, a similar idea, launched by two of my IITK seniors, can be seen here.

www.pothi.com

3. Human-computer interface that works without touching

http://vimeo.com/4366452

My comment- Coming up next, IPod No-Touch!

4. Stems cells are curing diseases-right now!

http://hplusmagazine.com/articles/bio/stem-cell-therapy-today-peoples-republic

My comment- This is one technology that is coming on much faster than expected and has the potential to cure many diseases that are considered incurable just because of its unique nature. And the sooner the US realizes this and stops its moralistic and religious blabber, the sooner we can get round to saving lives. Obama has taken the first right steps though…

5 . Chemical caterpillar

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16910-chemical-caterpillar-points-to-electronicsfree-robots.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

My comment- the blob is here!

6. The bulb at the edge of classical and quantum physics

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17058-worlds-tiniest-lamp-spans-quantum-and-classical-physics.html

7. Models that predict that swine flu will become a pandemic next week..

http://nextgenlog.blogspot.com/2009/05/algorithmschips-lab-models-swine-flus.html

My comment- I initially thought that all this hoopla about the swine-flu was just fear mongering by news media to garner more revenue, but a little bit of doubt is creeping in now. Maybe its just them getting to me. Or maybe I just trust science more than people!

8. Unmanned miniature helicopters that can sniff out drugs being used by the Dutch police!

http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/zijlijn/6277434/Dwarf-helicopter-sniffs-out-cannabis-plantations

My comment- really cool! Though this thing has the potential to raise the old big-brother-is-watching fears, I think that for better or worse, surveillance is going to be a big part of our future. And if it is, I would really like something nifty like this spying over me rather than just a big camera!