Britain plans to install 7,000 offshore wind turbines as part of a goal of having 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
Solar thermal power development in California is stalled while waiting to see if a property tax exemption will be extended.
Fark.com filed for a trademark for the phrase NSFW (not safe for work). Even if the trademark were granted, I don't see how it could possibly be enforced.
Life is listing the top 10 scientific discoveries of 2007: stem cell breakthroughs, DNA mapping, brightest supernova recorded, hundreds of new species identified, building a human heart valve from stem cells, "hot Jupiters" discovered, large birdlike dinosaurs found, evidence of the time period early man migrated out of Africa, the world's oldest animal (a 405 year old clam) was found, and a mineral with the chemical makeup imagined for kryptonite was found in Serbia (unfortunately they can't name it kryptonite because of krypton gas).
Somebody else discusses the trials and tribulations of cataloging their personal library. Unlike us, they only had to deal with about 3,500 books, but it is nice to occasionally see someone else going through some of the same issues.
JPL has an interesting article on the discovery of a silica patch by the Mars rover Spirit as it prepares to find a safe spot for the winter.
Hubble has observed its first extra-solar sunset, as a Jupiter-like planet passed in front of its star, giving hints as to the atmosphere.
Umbilical cord blood is saving the lives of babies born with metabolic disorders at Duke University.
The House has voted to make the Do Not Call registry permanent, so we wouldn't have to re-register every 5 years. The Senate still has to approve it.
A new genus and species of dinosaur has been found in Antarctica. It is a massive plant-eating primitive sauropodomorph (like Apatosaurus) from the early Jurassic. There is a brief article here, or the full scientific paper can be read here in PDF.
Scientists think they have found the energy source for the northern lights.
Showing posts with label cord blood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cord blood. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
11-26-07 Science/Tech
A German heavy-freight ship launching next month will be using a football field sized kite to provide most of their power. It should reduce fuel consumption by 50% and greenhouse gas emissions by 10-20%. Kites have been used before for yachts, but this is the first cargo vessel to use one. The company that makes the kites aims to equip 1500 ships with kites over the next 8 years.
China's moon probe has started to send back pictures. There's an article here, but the pictures only seem to be available on Chinese-language sites for now.
2 Australian firms are going to be making algae (for biodiesel fuel, to burn for power generation, or use as fertilizer) from coal mine emissions. A similar program set up in Arizona had to suspend operations earlier this year because it was generating more algae than it could harvest. I hope they both can get operations going so we can reduce carbon dioxide while generating something useful.
The AMA has adopted new guidelines for talking to pregnant patients about cord blood donation. There will be a greater promotion for public cord blood banking. This should help a lot of people.
Researchers have made advances in transforming adult cells into embryonic stem cells, which allows them to use the patient's own cells to cure them of disease or make new non-rejecting tissues.
One last stem cell article: Stanford researchers are developing a treatment that may allow stem cells to treat immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. An injection of antibodies specifically takes out blood-forming cells, which can then be replaced by new blood-forming stem cells. This would eliminate the need (and the dangers) of using chemotherapy and radiation to completely destroy all the original stem cells before a transplant and make it safe enough to use for non-life-threatening diseases. So far, it has only been tested on mice, but this holds great promise.
A Georgia professor is working on curing disease in mosquitoes. Rather than just kill the mosquitoes to prevent them from passing on diseases such as malaria and West Nile virus, he is putting medicines in feeders to stop them from developing pathogens, so even if they bite they won't pass on the diseases. Is it wrong that I'd prefer they were just dead? I hate mosquitoes, disease carrying or not, but I guess this is better for the bats and the environment.
A new company has formed to produce what amounts to a nuclear battery. It is a closed system with no moving parts the size of a hot tub, enclosed in cement, and doesn't require operators. It would be trucked to a site, hooked up, buried underground, and could power 25,000 homes for at least 5 years. I want to know what happens after the 5 years.
China's moon probe has started to send back pictures. There's an article here, but the pictures only seem to be available on Chinese-language sites for now.
2 Australian firms are going to be making algae (for biodiesel fuel, to burn for power generation, or use as fertilizer) from coal mine emissions. A similar program set up in Arizona had to suspend operations earlier this year because it was generating more algae than it could harvest. I hope they both can get operations going so we can reduce carbon dioxide while generating something useful.
The AMA has adopted new guidelines for talking to pregnant patients about cord blood donation. There will be a greater promotion for public cord blood banking. This should help a lot of people.
Researchers have made advances in transforming adult cells into embryonic stem cells, which allows them to use the patient's own cells to cure them of disease or make new non-rejecting tissues.
One last stem cell article: Stanford researchers are developing a treatment that may allow stem cells to treat immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. An injection of antibodies specifically takes out blood-forming cells, which can then be replaced by new blood-forming stem cells. This would eliminate the need (and the dangers) of using chemotherapy and radiation to completely destroy all the original stem cells before a transplant and make it safe enough to use for non-life-threatening diseases. So far, it has only been tested on mice, but this holds great promise.
A Georgia professor is working on curing disease in mosquitoes. Rather than just kill the mosquitoes to prevent them from passing on diseases such as malaria and West Nile virus, he is putting medicines in feeders to stop them from developing pathogens, so even if they bite they won't pass on the diseases. Is it wrong that I'd prefer they were just dead? I hate mosquitoes, disease carrying or not, but I guess this is better for the bats and the environment.
A new company has formed to produce what amounts to a nuclear battery. It is a closed system with no moving parts the size of a hot tub, enclosed in cement, and doesn't require operators. It would be trucked to a site, hooked up, buried underground, and could power 25,000 homes for at least 5 years. I want to know what happens after the 5 years.
Monday, October 29, 2007
10-29-07
They are going to have a half hour Shrek Christmas special on ABC on 11-28. Timing is to promote the DVD coming out 11-13.
Cute story of a couple who spent their 60th anniversary at the same hotel they honeymooned at for $10 (paid by their 12-year-old grandson) instead of the current $1600 because of an offer for people returning after 50 years with their original receipts.
Two Canadian astronomers have said that they don't think dark matter exists, and they have an alternate theory for how gravity works that explains the observations that have been cited as evidence of dark matter.
The Governor has signed the cord blood bills.
DVRs for tonight:
8pm Chuck & How I Met Your Mother
830 Big Bang Theory
9pm Heroes & 2.5 Men
Cute story of a couple who spent their 60th anniversary at the same hotel they honeymooned at for $10 (paid by their 12-year-old grandson) instead of the current $1600 because of an offer for people returning after 50 years with their original receipts.
Two Canadian astronomers have said that they don't think dark matter exists, and they have an alternate theory for how gravity works that explains the observations that have been cited as evidence of dark matter.
The Governor has signed the cord blood bills.
DVRs for tonight:
8pm Chuck & How I Met Your Mother
830 Big Bang Theory
9pm Heroes & 2.5 Men
Monday, September 24, 2007
Roundup for 9-24-07
TV for tonight:
DVR1:
Chuck (geek gets download of spy knowledge - sounds like Jake 2.0 - worth a pilot)
Heroes (finally back!!!!!)
Journeyman (time travel - worth a pilot)
DVR2:
How I Met Your Mother
Big Bang Theory (giving this a pilot basically because it comes between 2 shows I'll watch although I doubt it will be worth a second episode)
2.5 Men
More writer/directors named for Heroes: Origins. Eli Roth ("Hostel") and Michael Dougherty ("Superman Returns") join Kevin Smith ("Clerks", etc.).
TVShowsonDVD is taking a REALLY in depth look at the new Young Indy dvd sets. I would like to rewatch some of these, but it might seem a bit strange to see Sean Patrick Flannery play a good guy. ;) Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Cute story of geeks meant for each other: Marriage proposal in a crossword puzzle.
RIP Marcel Marceau (the most famous mime ever) and Alice Ghostley (Esmerelda from Bewitched, etc.).
Article about all the geeks on TV this fall (or shows aimed for geeks).
Article listing the best geek TV of our generation (#1 is Buffy). As usual with any list, I have problems with the order and omissions, but it is better than some.
New version of Gmail being tested according to ZDNet.
Wikipedia is making changes to become more trustworthy.
Really fascinating article on the top 10 transhumanist technologies (basically future technologies to change the way we live approached from a "we will definitely get this and this is why and how" sort of approach).
Article on Heroes (not to be read until tomorrow because it warns of spoilers).
Cord blood transfusions from siblings cures sickle cell disease and Thalassemiain in 90% of cases.
Low cost, high-efficiency solar panels nearing mass production.
Astronomers have modeled 14 planet types to help them spot an Earth-like planet elsewhere.
New studies show that the Amazon rainforest recovers better from drought than previous models suggested. I guess that gives us some hope.
Arthur C. Clarke comments on the Google X Prize award.
DVR1:
Chuck (geek gets download of spy knowledge - sounds like Jake 2.0 - worth a pilot)
Heroes (finally back!!!!!)
Journeyman (time travel - worth a pilot)
DVR2:
How I Met Your Mother
Big Bang Theory (giving this a pilot basically because it comes between 2 shows I'll watch although I doubt it will be worth a second episode)
2.5 Men
More writer/directors named for Heroes: Origins. Eli Roth ("Hostel") and Michael Dougherty ("Superman Returns") join Kevin Smith ("Clerks", etc.).
TVShowsonDVD is taking a REALLY in depth look at the new Young Indy dvd sets. I would like to rewatch some of these, but it might seem a bit strange to see Sean Patrick Flannery play a good guy. ;) Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Cute story of geeks meant for each other: Marriage proposal in a crossword puzzle.
RIP Marcel Marceau (the most famous mime ever) and Alice Ghostley (Esmerelda from Bewitched, etc.).
Article about all the geeks on TV this fall (or shows aimed for geeks).
Article listing the best geek TV of our generation (#1 is Buffy). As usual with any list, I have problems with the order and omissions, but it is better than some.
New version of Gmail being tested according to ZDNet.
Wikipedia is making changes to become more trustworthy.
Really fascinating article on the top 10 transhumanist technologies (basically future technologies to change the way we live approached from a "we will definitely get this and this is why and how" sort of approach).
Article on Heroes (not to be read until tomorrow because it warns of spoilers).
Cord blood transfusions from siblings cures sickle cell disease and Thalassemiain in 90% of cases.
Low cost, high-efficiency solar panels nearing mass production.
Astronomers have modeled 14 planet types to help them spot an Earth-like planet elsewhere.
New studies show that the Amazon rainforest recovers better from drought than previous models suggested. I guess that gives us some hope.
Arthur C. Clarke comments on the Google X Prize award.
Friday, August 24, 2007
8-24-07
I mentioned the new Google Earth the other day, and today it featured on MyStanford's home page. Stanford was 1 of 7 winners (out of 300 schools competing) of a Google prize for 3D mapping of the campus.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2007/august22/google-082207.html
Subterranian Press has started putting their latest magazine online for free. I've never checked these out before, but they include stories by Charles deLint, John Scalzi, etc. and most issues have an audiobook.
http://subterraneanpress.com/magazine
Paul Reubens will have a recurring role on Pushing Daisies.
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=43513
The report of JK Rowling writing a detective story was part of a joke reported as fact. Nobody knows what her next project will be yet.
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=5&id=43515
A Torchwood producer talks about the origins for the idea of the show (US shows like Buffy, X-Files & BSG among others).
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=43570
John Williams will be doing the music for the final Harry Potter movie and Indy 4.
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=43552
Astronomers have found a huge empty hole in the universe.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070823_huge_hole.html
Fairly interesting article about all the fighting going on about setting up high speed rail from LA to SF (the argument being the route and the funding).
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_6706923?source=rss
Great article on cord blood. If you've been paying attention, you know I think this is a medical marvel being thrown away far too often. This covers pretty much all the issues.
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2007-08-22/news/a-cure-for-all-that-ails-you
Stargate full series box images are at TVShowsonDVD:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7927
Stanford Shopping Center is planning to expand.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_6706360?source=rss
Sony has developed a bio-battery that runs on sugar. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have ecologically-friendly batteries?
Any DVD that comes packaged with a barf bag is clearly not trying to sell to my demographic. Am I the only one who finds this disturbing?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070824/film_nm/dirtysanchez_dc_1
Tor books is going to podcast from the Worldcon in Japan next week.
http://www.tor-forge.com/podcasts
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2007/august22/google-082207.html
Subterranian Press has started putting their latest magazine online for free. I've never checked these out before, but they include stories by Charles deLint, John Scalzi, etc. and most issues have an audiobook.
http://subterraneanpress.com/magazine
Paul Reubens will have a recurring role on Pushing Daisies.
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=43513
The report of JK Rowling writing a detective story was part of a joke reported as fact. Nobody knows what her next project will be yet.
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=5&id=43515
A Torchwood producer talks about the origins for the idea of the show (US shows like Buffy, X-Files & BSG among others).
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=43570
John Williams will be doing the music for the final Harry Potter movie and Indy 4.
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=43552
Astronomers have found a huge empty hole in the universe.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070823_huge_hole.html
Fairly interesting article about all the fighting going on about setting up high speed rail from LA to SF (the argument being the route and the funding).
http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_6706923?source=rss
Great article on cord blood. If you've been paying attention, you know I think this is a medical marvel being thrown away far too often. This covers pretty much all the issues.
http://www.eastbayexpress.com/2007-08-22/news/a-cure-for-all-that-ails-you
Stargate full series box images are at TVShowsonDVD:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7927
Stanford Shopping Center is planning to expand.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_6706360?source=rss
Sony has developed a bio-battery that runs on sugar. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have ecologically-friendly batteries?
Any DVD that comes packaged with a barf bag is clearly not trying to sell to my demographic. Am I the only one who finds this disturbing?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070824/film_nm/dirtysanchez_dc_1
Tor books is going to podcast from the Worldcon in Japan next week.
http://www.tor-forge.com/podcasts
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