10 breakthrough technologies 2014

Credit: SPL/simplycells.com

1 agricultural drones

2 brain mapping

3 neuromorphic chips

4 ultraprivate smartphones

5 microscale 3-D printing

6 mobile collaboration

7 oculus rift

8 genome editing

9 agile robots

10 smart wind & solar power

Can't wait!

http://www.technologyreview.com/lists/technologies/2014/ / create powerful new ways of using technology breakthrough breakthroughs relatively cheap drones advanced sensors imaging capabilities farmers increase yields reduce crop damagebuilt security privacy priority prioritized new map structures of the brain greater detail neuroscientists guide immense complexity microprocessors configured more like brains traditional silicon chips computers more astute sensors create primates intentional mutations powerful new ways study complex genetically baffling brain disorders inks ink printed smartphone era productivity software virtual reality goggles immersive virtual worlds technology widespread use computer scientists created machines balance agility walk run across rough uneven terrain useful navigation navigating navigate human environments big data AI artificial intelligence ultra accurate forecasts integrate more renewable energy into the grid /

Now your smartphone’s backup battery can jump start your car too — UPDATED

Credit: Junopower/The Gadgeteer

Take a careful look at the leads coming out of the JUMPR. Compare them with the leads connected to the battery in your car or motorcycle, or a set of jumper leads. I don't believe the leads pictured will pass enough current to start a car or motorcycle in the way that you may have done between two motor vehicles with jumper leads.

What the JUMPR is probably intended to do is, "in minutes" (as it says on the Junopower web site), charge the battery of the vehicle to a level where it can start the vehicle.

UPDATE Saturday 28 April: I have an eye witness account from an electronic technician: "I've seen one actually crank over a V8 engine with no other car battery connected. It was a little bigger than this, but not much bigger. It was rated for 200Amps. It had a 12v (3s) lipo. Hard to argue when you see it able to crank a big car."

No word on the wires/cables used, which is the part of the original story I queried. I've asked for clarification, so check back soon.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/04/24/now-your-smartphones-backup-battery-can-jump-start-your-car-too/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheGadgeteer+%28The+Gadgeteer%29&_m=3n.002i.681.bg0ao004ub.w4j

Junopower web site:
http://junopower.com/collections/automobile/products/jumpr-cars-best-friend-jumpstart-cars-on-the-go / portable backup batteries battery smartphone smart phone tablet USB devices device backup battery jump start car backup battery provide 12 Volts peak power 300 Amps 4 cylinder 6 cylinder engines automobiles restarted dead car battery minutes JUMPR 6000 6,000 mAh lithium polymer battery  5V 2.1 Amp USB output mobile devices built in flashlight electric torch /

115-year-old woman's blood hints at limits to longevity

Credit: Discovery Magazine
Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper (1890-2005) was at one time, the oldest woman in the world.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2014/04/24/115-year-old-womans-blood-reveals-limits-on-longevity/#.U1m-pNB_W2c

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25458?cmpid=NLC%7CNSNS%7C2014-2404-GLOBAL&utm_medium=NLC&utm_source=NSNS&#.U1m_U9B_W2c / death is the one certainty in life analysis blood old world world's oldest healthiest women clues 1890 Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper oldest woman in the world health crystal clear cognition death blood circulatory system free of disease died 2005 bequeathed her body to science living relatives outcomes of scientific analysis made public researchers examine examined blood tissues affected by age lifespan limited capacity stem cells keep replenishing tissues stem cells reach state of exhaustion imposes a limit on their own lifespan body's capacity body regenerating vital tissues cells blood twilight of her life white blood cells stem cells blood stem cells stem cell divisions limit to human life Henne Holstege VU University Medical Center Amsterdam the Netherlands research team replenishment cells saved from earlier in your life evidence stem cell fatigue observations worn down telomeres telomere chromosomes burn down like wicks each time a cell divides division brain cells replicate life team white blood cell generating stem cells pattern of mutations blood cells cell researchers conclude mother stem cells born 20,000 blood stem cells active to replenish blood telomeres stem cell exhaustion mutations blood cells lifetime somatic mutations studied old healthy person disease cancer suggest repair abort repairing aborting cells dangerous mutations study investigate accumulation somatic mutations tissues old individual Chris Tyler-Smith Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Hinxton UK germ line mutations birth studies selection somatic mutations cancer Tyler-Smith normal non-cancerous tissues health consequences Holstege results rejuvenating ageing bodies injections stem cells saved birth early life long telomeres genes protect against Alzheimer's disease genome succumb abnormally early disease /

First it was, "Who Killed The Electric Car?", now it's, "Who Drove The Electric Car* Across The United States?" (video)

* + electric motorcycle + electric scooter + electric bicycle

Answer: These guys:


Credit: Kick Gas/Jonathan Becker

And these guys:


Credit: Kick Gas/Jonathan Becker/Green Car Reports

http://kickgas.vhx.tv/

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1091568_kick-gas-movie-driving-across-u-s-in-electric-cars-motorcycles

Kentucky - New York - Los Angeles & New York - Florida, have both been done in Teslas. / Nissan Leaf Zero Motorcycles electric vehicle EV motorcycle scooter bike bicycle LiIon lithium ion battery charge recharge range Zero S electric motorcycle, a Xenon electric scooter A2B Alva electric bicycle Guinness World Records longest trip spread the word traveled Charleston South Carolina Google Headquarters Mountain View California batteries charging vehicles 240 Volt Level 2 charging stations wall outlet South Carolina Georgia Tennessee Mississippi adapters Aerovironment charging cord to air conditioner outlet 50 Amp connections 120 Volt outlet Grand Canyon Las Vegas Terrapin Brewery Big Bear Pacific Coastal Highway Newport Beach people we met journey drivers /

This backup battery will let you use a USB keyboard with your tablet

Credit: Cerevo/The Gadgeteer

Image above largely tells the story:

● 6000 mAh battery with a clamp to hold tablet (almost all fit)
● high output USB port for charging tablet or other device
● low output USB port to connect USB keyboard
● Bluetooth to connect tablet to keyboard
● micro USB port for charging battery

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/04/02/this-backup-battery-will-let-you-use-a-usb-keyboard-with-your-tablet/

http://enebrick.cerevo.com/en/ / EneBRICK Cerevo 6000 mAh internal battery two USB ports charging mobile devices stand smartphone smart phone tablet pad adjustable clamp adjusters hold 70 degree angle comfortable viewing Bluetooth transmitter USB keyboard full size cramped undersized key layout /

Health Check: when is "the flu" really a cold?

Credit: Chris Bickel/Science/IFPMA

For many people, a severe cold is "the flu", i.e. infuenza.

In fact, a cold & influenza are quite different:

Cold
● a cold & influenza are caused by different viruses
● just to complicate things, colds are caused by over 200 different viruses
● colds are characterised by upper respiratory tract symptoms — some or all of: sneezing, running &/or blocked nose, sore throat, cough, slight fever, headache
● on average, expect to have 3 colds per year
● no immunisation available

Influenza
● much more serious disease
● upper respiratory tract symptoms are less prominent
● high fever, chills, shaking, muscle & joint pain, lack of energy, headache, cough
● may lead to pneumonia
● frequency is more like 3 cases of influenza in a lifetime

No immunisation is available against colds — seasonal immunisation is available against influenza. Immunisation provides protection against the 3 influenza viruses which are most likely to be causing infections in that season. I.e. immunisation is required each year.

Contrary to common expectation, a "flu shot" (i.e. influenza immunisation) provides no protection against colds.

https://theconversation.com/health-check-when-is-the-flu-really-a-cold-25150?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+22+April+2014&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+22+April+2014+CID_7292b5082a3d522480d894271b5512ad&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=But%20as%20Frank%20Bowden%20points%20out / flu cold mild illness resolves without treatment sneeze sneezing runny running blocked nose sore scratchy throat cough low-grade fever headache malaise lack of energy doctors doctor upper respiratory tract infection URTI common 200 different viral subtypes cause colds rhinovirus coronavirus respiratory syncytial virus RSV metapneumovirus parainfluenza bronchus bronchiole small airways lungs hyper-reactive trigger asthma attack post-viral cough whooping cough complication complicated ear infection sinusitis viral antibiotics illness influenza virus less common severe disease nasal symptoms sore throat sicker high fever chills shaking severe muscle aches malaise headache cough /

Marvel selfies

Credit: Butcher Billy

https://www.behance.net/gallery/Marvel-Selfies-Avengers-Project-by-Butcher-Billy/15782791 / Marvel comics self image photograph portrait Captain America Hulk Thor Spider Man Spidey Iron Man Avengers arrow /