The Xfire Safety Light creates a laser-generated bike lane for safer night cycling (video)

Credit: Xfire/ Inhabitat

It doesn't take much thought to realize that riding a bicycle at night is much more dangerous than riding in daylight. A 2009 study quantified the risk at 2 to 5 times. Being visible is the trick. Uniquely, the Xfire Safety Light creates a virtual bike lane.

http://inhabitat.com/xfire-safety-light-lets-you-create-your-own-laser-generated-bike-lane-for-safer-night-cycling/

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix2sNGhXJ2c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRnH1T_sZlY&feature=youtube_gdata_player / dangers riding cycle bike bicycle dark night visibility vision see Xfire Bike Lane Safety Light security battery powered power battery-powered safety light clamps bike frame project projects highly visible red laser images line lines ground on either side simulating instant bike lane that helps alert drivers presence intense laser markers visible over a mile away under headlights streetlights research lights reflectors value night cycling 2009 study researchers Irene Kwan James Mapstone The Cochrane Collaboration Night-time cycling is two to five times more dangerous than cycling in daylight Forty per cent of cyclist fatalities occuring occur during the hours of darkness most important factors collisions kinds is simply late detection of other road users value visibility devices safety lights alert drivers earlier presence of the cyclist shockproof weather-resistant weather resistant polycarbonate attaches bicycle seat post universal bracket included device includes LED flashing taillight extra visibility AAA batteries cells  light burning for 20 hours Xfire bike safety lighting systems /

Walk, or run, to lower heart disease risk: benefits are similar

Running carries risks of back, knee, ankle & other injuries.  If health benefits are similar, the choice seems clear.

http://healthland.time.com/2013/04/05/walk-or-run-to-lower-heart-disease-risk-benefits-are-similar/ / cardiovascular cardio vascular heart rate  loos pressure heart attack stroke risk fitness protective Alzheimer's disease cognitive ability quality of life meditation /

Analysis: Is there a smartwatch in your future? • Updated 00:39 09 April 2013 GMT

Credit: Sony/ Business Insider Australia

Smartwatches may be the next big thing.  Samsung, Apple & Google are claimed to have smartwatches in development.

Most existing smartwatches are essentially Bluetooth connected peripherals of smartphones. At first glance, it's hard to see such a peripheral ever being more than a technophile niche product.  However, smartphone screen sizes are increasing.  Soon to be available, the mainstream Samsung Galaxy S 4 has a 5 inch screen.  Six inches (or even 6.3) is rumoured for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, expected later this year.  Big screens are great for visibility, but make a phone heavier & harder to hold or remove from a pocket or bag.  Perhaps combined with a headset, a Bluetooth connected smartwatch which allowed checking of SMS, email & calendar could overcome the disadvantages of a large screen smartphone.


Google Glass
Credit: Google/ TechRadar

Another possibility is a smartwatch which incorporates microphone & speaker, reducing the need for a separate headset. It's not a watch as we traditionally think of it, but Google Glass could do all of the above with the added advantage that, worn like a pair of "glasses", it is better positioned than a conventional watch to provide mike & speaker.

Just today, I discovered another use of a smartwatch: detecting a phone ring in a noisy environment.  In a not very noisy shopping centre, didn't hear the ring, but felt the vibration of my Pebble smartwatch.  Listened for the ring.  Still couldn't hear it.  Took out the phone & sure enough, it was ringing.  Important call too.

Will iCloud allow Apple to produce a smart watch (iWatch?) with capabilities that other manufacturers can't match?

http://bgr.com/2013/04/04/apple-iwatch-analysis-samsung-410431/?utm_source=hitlist-sb&utm_medium=home

Some existing smartwatches
http://au.businessinsider.com/best-smartwatches-2013-1?op=1#metawatch-strata-1

Also see Evolution of the smartwatch Part 1 & Part 2 / Smartwatch smart watch wrist band Bluetooth link to smartphone phone mobile cell battery charge recharge copy Apple products patent copyright iPhone iPad Android Galaxy rumored rumor rumour MetaWatch Strata Leikr Cookoo Touch Time Sony I'm Apple iWatch analysis: Apple ready to go where Samsung can’t follow /

A high-fiber diet may make a stroke less likely, study says

Credit: Washington Post

Nothing really new here, just filling in the details: everybody knows that a healthy diet includes lots of fruit & vegetables.

Detail: one more advantage of a diet with lots of fruit & vegetables is that the fibre content is protective against strokes.

http://m.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-high-fiber-diet-may-make-a-stroke-less-likely-study-says/2013/04/01/b8005a14-9708-11e2-97cd-3d8c1afe4f0f_story.html / antioxidant anti-oxidant anti oxidant vitamin vitamins minerals nutrient /

Memory that never forgets: non-volatile DIMMs hit the market

Credit: Viking Technology/ Ars Technica

There are many ways to speed up a server.  One is fewer writes to disk.  If transactions are carried out in RAM memory, operation is faster.  Where this falls down, is if power suddenly fails.  Because RAM is volatile, all transactions not written to disk are lost.  Non-volatile RAM would remove this risk, & this is the purpose of Viking's new non-volatile RAM modules.

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/04/memory-that-never-forgets-non-volatile-dimms-hit-the-market/ / DDR4 next generation dynamic memory memory boards squeeze more performance server servers faster memory safer keep more memory disc solid state drive SSD supply supplying dual in-line memory modules DIMM DDR3 dynamic memory NAND flash memory non-volatile RAM servers storage arrays modules memory systems lose power shut down ArxCis-NV DIMM Storage Networking Industry Association's SNW Spring conference Orlando plugs standard DIMM memory slots RAID controller cards  Micron Technology AgigA Tech NVDIMM first to market shipping /

Sim-CEL has Tesla-quick performance, lasers for high beams, slug-like looks (photographs & video)

Credit: SIM-Drive

+ 324 km (201 mile) range
+ drag coefficient 0.199
+ 4 wheel drive
+ 0-100 km (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds 

- 2 seats
- non existent rear three quarter vision 
- carbon fibre & space frame chassis in this prototype will not translate economically into production
- excellent aerodynamics are unlikely to be compatible with a four door body
- excellent range is measured under the Japanese standard.  When measured under other standards, such as USA, British or Australian, results are unlikely to be as good.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1083389_sim-cel-electric-concept-quicker-than-slug-like-looks-suggest

http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/sim-cel-has-tesla-quick-performance-lasers-for-high-beams/ / EV electric vehicle car automobile auto LiIon lithium ion Cool Energy Link Sim-Drive space frame construction carbon fibre range anxiety charge recharge battery cell two 2 seat seater  prototype development aerodynamics cD drag coefficient aerodynamic /

Insulair is a stylish breath of relief for diabetics

Credit: Bang & Olufsen/ Dvice

Insulin injections are one more problem for diabetics.  What if injections could be replaced with an inhaler?

http://www.dvice.com/archives/2008/07/insulair-is-a-b.php

https://prezi.com/7mfvsqdzl4ex/copy-of-insulair-inhalible-insulin-by-theroutes-company/

http://www.cmocro.com//news_detail/Insulair+pMDI+evaluated+very+positively/26819/faq.php / Designed Bang & Olufsen Medicom Insulair attractive design inhalers diabetics treatment treat syndrome medicine delivered spray technology dose measured medicine  track meter distinct shape inhalers disposable unit mechanical counter fancier reusable digital inhaler display instructions medical warnings /