Google password pill & tattoo research projects

Passwords have a number of problems, not least of which are bad choices made by users. 

A number of initiatives exist to replace the password, some of which have been reported on these pages.  

One of the most recent to appear are research projects initiated by Google to explore the possibility of using a computer readable pill which is swallowed to facilitate user authentication.  Presumably, the pill would have to be replaced after it exits the body.

More permanent, would be a computer readable tattoo.  Here the potential problem would be replacing the tattoo if its security is compromised.

http://bgr.com/2013/05/30/google-password-pills-tattoos/#more-631772 / password pills.” AllThingsD Regina Dugan former chief of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA head of Motorola special projects division ingested battery powered battery-powered stomach acid 18 bit 18-bit internal signal transforms swallower swallow whole body D11 conference Google Motorola partner partnering company MC10 design electronic tattoo authenticate user traditional seriously thinking outside the box eliminate passwords make accessing content Web easier permanent security hack hacker hacking /

Facebookers, beware: That silly update can cost you a job

Credit: On Device Research/ Cnet

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57586767-93/facebookers-beware-that-silly-update-can-cost-you-a-job/ / festive photo pint of beer glass red wine post posted image Facebook profile parent complained school officials resignation resign resigning suspend suspended suspension resigned officials hiring hire candidate the social Web interview employee turning down young job candidates post social media commonplace report On Device Research photos comments Facebook Twitter Pinterest other social networking sites persons young people rejected employment social media profiles profile marketing manager Sarah Quinn career prospects education career careers /

Mucus found to harbor a previously unknown human immune system

Credit: San Diego University/ Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/mucus-new-human-immune-system/27658/ / protective barrier underlying tissues moist trap traps bacteria foreign organisms researchers at San Diego State University SDSU discovered surface site independent human immune system infectious agents tissue lines inner surfaces body outer environment mouth nose sinuses throat lungs gastrointestinal tract protection passive research team biology post-doc Jeremy Barr immune system surface mucus layer bacteria-infecting bacteria bacterium virus viruses bacteriophage actively attack kill infectious harmless bacteria multiply adheres immunity invading bacteria surface layer bond sugar molecules E. coli bacteria attacked killed powerful anti-microbial anti microbial barrier protects animals infection disease hypothesis cells coated coated cells varieties bacteriophage collected defend infection killing infectious intruders comfortable living conditions food hosts replication proposes new immune system demonstrates symbiotic relationship phage animals /

Your brain could be your new password

Credit: Wiki Commons/ Dvice

Really?  Could be some resistance to the headwear.

http://www.dvice.com/2013-4-16/your-brain-could-be-your-new-password / security gatekeeper gate keeper remembering remember forget forgotten multiple passwords technology software solutions lock out data records information university California UC Berkeley School of Information brainwave signals performing set repeatable tasks subjects students thoughts preferences favorite songs brainwaves  Bluetooth headset records Electroencephalographic EEG activity software analyze activity scientists discovered system accurately match brain signals 99% accurate Professor John Chuang study accurately authenticate users unique thoughts individual brain wave patterns identify /

Reversing Alzheimer's

A new drug has been shown to halt & reverse the effects of Alzheimer's in mice.  Not time to start celebrating just yet, but this looks like real progress.

http://www.gizmag.com/tspo-ligands-alzheimers-mice/27618/ / cure disease research conducted University of Southern California drug drugs TSPO translocator protein ligands scientists successful successfully halted reversed effects male genetically engineered to develop progress tested elderly steroid hormones animals testing existing testosterone levels kept low before beginning treatment aging castration castrated level treatment treatments improvements pathology improvements memory behavior /

Keyprop™: Simplest stand + clap-to-snap app by Integral Design (video)

Credit: Integral Design/ Kickstarter

It fits on your keyring!  It fits in your headphone jack!  It fits in your Lightning dock!  It props up your smartphone for comfortable viewing or taking photographs!  It comes with a free self timer app!  It's a Kickstarter project!

It's Keyprop!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alisonw/keyprop-simple-smartphone-stand-self-timer-app / viewing angle tripod bulb timer photograph selftimer photograph photography /

NSW Police test the "Liberator" 3D-printed gun (video)

Risk to the shooter is almost as great as the target.  Gives a whole new meaning to the words, "single shot pistol".

Interesting comments too.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/05/watch-the-nsw-police-test-the-liberator-3d-printed-gun/ / gun firearm 3D printer cheap download public domain file data danger to operator shoot fire Liberator New South Wales Australia /