Thursday, October 22, 2009

10-22-09

TV News:
* Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) will be replacing Maura Tierney on Parenthood. Sources: Zap2It, Ausiello Files (includes interview)
* Doctor Who is not just replacing the showrunner and The Doctor, they are also changing the logo and the design of the Tardis. Sources: SciFi Wire and Zap2It (logo), io9 (Tardis)
* FlashForward no longer has 2 show runners. Marc Guggenheim, who joined the show at ABC's insistance, is leaving. Co-creator David Goyer will now be the sole show runner. Sources: SciFi Wire, Zap2It
* Katee Sackhoff will be guest starring in Big Bang Theory in November. Sources: Zap2It, SciFi Wire
* Glee will be coming to DVD in December (with 13 episodes, the other 9 presumably coming later). Sources: Zap2It, Futon Critic
* Madonna is apparently a fan of Glee. She has given the show rights to her catalog. Source: Zap2It
* Nathan Fillion is going to appear as in his Browncoat outfit again (as a Halloween costume on Castle). Sources: io9, SciFi Wire

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

10-21-09

Continuing to catch up on stories from the past month.

Technology:
* Barnes & Noble has released an ebook reader called Nook. It has some distinct advantages over some of the previous ones (at least to me). Features: AT&T 3G and WiFi support, any ebook is free while you are in B&N, you can lend a book to a friend for 14 days, it supports PDF and the open ePub formats (which includes Fictionwise multi-format books), you can sync with an iPhone or PC with eReader software, and it can hold 2GB with a card reader to add more. Sources: CNet Crave, CNet News, Wired Epicenter, Wired Gadget Lab, Slashdot, SF Signal, SF Gate
* Google is launching Google Editions, which will sell ebooks that can be read by anything with a web browser. Books will come from the Google Books project, as approved by copyright holders. Sources: Wired, Google, Locus, CNet
* CNet has an article on the Internet Archive's BookServer project.
* HP and Amazon are teaming to produce Print on Demand paperbacks of ebooks.
* Wireless charging of devices may be coming as soon as next year.

Astronomy:
* The GigaGalaxy Zoom Project has produced a 360 degree zoomable image of the night sky. Source: Slashdot (with links to more)
* Hubble image of a galactic merger in the constellation of Cancer. Source: Space.com
* The European Southern Observatory in Chile captured a great image of Barnard's galaxy. Sources: Space.com, io9
* NASA's Swift satellite has some amazing images of the Andromeda galaxy. Source: SciFi Wire
* 32 new exoplanets have been discovered.
* A reusable rocket flew a test flight out of New Mexico's Spaceport America. Source: Space.com Spaceflight, Space.com Technology

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

10-20-09

Still more catch up from the month when I didn't post. This will probably continue all week while I migrate to a new newsreader.

Health & Science news:
* Researchers have found a genetic link to patients who can recover from Hepatitis C without treatment. Along similar lines, a genetic link was also found for patients who respond better to Diabetes treatment. Hopefully this will help them develop treatments that works for the rest.
* Researchers are working on an injectable stem cell paste for bone repairs.
* Nanomedicine: A microchip has been developed that can detect and identify early-stage cancer. Another article on the same lines from Stanford researchers, and a Computerworld article on the Stanford research.
* Fat cells harvested by liposuction are apparently easier to change into stem cells than other cells (such as skin).

History:
* A huge collection of Anglo-Saxon treasure has been found, giving some insights to the Dark Ages. Sources: BBC Photogallery, BBC Article
* A 5,000 year old underwater town off the coast of Greece is being explored by an international team. Source: BBC
* A primate fossil has been found that pre-dates Lucy. Sources: Slashdot(with links to others), Wired
* A mini Roman Coliseum has been found by archeologists. Source: CNN
* For something a little more recent, Life Magazine has put their complete archive online for free viewing in the original layout.

Monday, October 19, 2009

10-19-09

I'm sorry I've let it go so long between blog entries. I'll try to do some catching up here.

TV news:
* Joss Whedon will be directing an episode of Glee later this season. Is it too much to hope that he'll include one of his songs? Also reported at Zap2It.
* Jorja Fox is extending her return to CSI indefinitely. Also reported by Zap2It.
* Full season pick ups have been announced for FlashForward, Glee and Cougar Town. Sources: Ausiello Files, Zap2It (FlashForward), Zap2It (Glee), Futon Critic
* There are indications & rumors that Chuck may return early, but there have been some recent denials, and I haven't seen an official confirmation yet. Sources: Ausiello Files, What's Alan Watching, Zap2It
* Wil Wheaton guest stars as (the evil version of) himself on tonight's Big Bang Theory. Sources: SciFi Wire, Wil Wheaton's blog
* JJ Abram's next TV show (about husband and wife spies) will be for NBC.
* Kyle XY will have a wrap up on the DVD. Source: TVshowsondvd

Those we lost:
* RIP Patrick Swayze. The actor died of cancer at 57. Sources: Zap2It, MSNBC, CNN, NY Times, Mercury News
* RIP Mary Travers. The singer who was the Mary of Peter, Paul & Mary died of leukemia at 72. Sources: SF Gate, NY Times, BBC


DVR settings for the week:
IFC is airing a six-part documentary on Monty Python (part 1 was last night). It will continue at 6 and 9pm each night this week. There is a review at NJ.com.
Mon 6pm Greek
Mon 8pm Heroes, House, How I Met Your Mother
Mon 930 Big Bang Theory
Mon 10p Castle (people keep telling me to give this a chance)
Wed 9pm Glee
Wed 930 Cougar Town
Wed 10p CSI:NY
Thu 8pm FlashForward
Thu 10p Private Practice (need to decide if I still want to watch)
Fri 6pm Stargate Universe & Monk
Fri 7pm Sanctuary
Fri 8pm Ghost Whisperer
Fri 9pm Dollhouse & Medium
Fri 10p Numb3rs & White Collar (premiere)