If you want this for your child ...

If you want this for your child, don’t vaccinate.

A Brisbane (Queensland, Australia) woman has been attacked on Facebook, in private messages, by anti-vaccination proponents, after she posted a similar video.

This item on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation site, includes the original video:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-17/brisbane-mother-vaccination-plea-whooping-cough-goes-viral/6946040

What is whooping cough (pertussis)?
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/whooping-cough / Brisbane woman anti-vaxxers targeted private messages Facebook post sharing her son's battle whooping cough went viral Rebecca Harreman's Facebook status short video comforting her four-month-old son rubbed his red eyes small coughing fit viewed more than 475,000 times shared 13,500 uploaded Friday son's 20-plus day battle whooping cough pertussis messages love support friends family strangers those against vaccination personally message me offend my views MY views anti-vaxxers anti-vaxxers share say unreliable have my say share my own personal experience turning a blind eye sharing opinions freedom of speech Ms Harreman video her son good coughing fit watching him turn blue coughing can't take a single breath on duty three weeks wake every single time my baby boy coughs fear he will stop breathing vaccinate yourself and your kids Ms Harreman Facebook post supported her stance appreciate messages love support well wishes Austin anti-vaxxers post public thank you family my son his health doing nothing is just wrong whooping cough highly contagious respiratory infection infection causes severe coughing fits whooping sound on inhaling often vomiting particularly serious children up to two years of age especially infants less than six months can be fatal age range 0.5 and 1 per cent children who catch whooping cough die from the disease outlook improves in older children vaccinations herd immunity side effects I tried to do something to prevent this do nothing /

iPad Pro, Smart Keyboard, Pencil

Apple iPad Pro & Smart Keyboard
Credit: Apple/Express UK

Lots of enthusiasm for the iPad Pro, & the Apple Pencil:

Wired:
http://www.wired.com/2015/11/apple-ipad-pro-review/

TechRadar:
http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/ipad-pro-1269255/review

If not the best, this is almost certainly the most entertaining review:


Some think that Logitech has a better keyboard:

Ars Technica:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2015/11/mini-review-logitechs-create-is-the-ipad-pro-keyboard-case-you-really-want/

Cult Of Mac:
http://www.cultofmac.com/397416/review-logitechs-create-keyboard-case-turns-ipad-pro-into-a-bone-fide-laptop/

But not all:
http://9to5mac.com/2015/11/13/review-logitech-create-ipad-pro-keyboard-case/ / Apple iPad future of computing why would you buy a PC anymore? Tim Cook 80 percent work device Apple store London Steve Jobs tablets laptops Apple IBM Cisco enterprise apps on tablets ill-suited work people do tablet isn’t powerful enough screen isn’t big enough iPad Pro iPad Pro powerful big bigger iPad bigger Apple iPad Pro different tablet can replace outgun laptop more importantly tablet bigger version big smartphone tablet phone laptop can’t do solutions problem best tablet best case tablets iPad iPad Pro gold silver space gray color colour options slightly rounded edges gleaming accents home button power volume buttons sturdy heavy iPad Air lighter thinner Surface Pro 4 big hold one hand two hands 12.9-inch screen tablet thinner battery four speakers more space to resonate loud audio software stereo sound mids highs speakers bass all four speakers battery dozen hours charge A9X chip 4 gigabytes RAM fast huge high-res screen app game processor handle the load 12.9-inch display iPad Pro 2732×2048 panel 264 pixels per inch iPad Air display iMovie library apps optimized analytics tools iPad Pro apps Apple Apple bigger screen bigger iPad three-device ecosystem iPad Pro Apple Pencil Smart Keyboard Pencil accurate fine instrument creation control write draw ink shade side of the Pencil beautiful calligraphy sketch amazing accuracy Pencil special access software set it up plug it into Lightning port iPad detects Pencil touching display doubles screen’s read rate checks for movement 240 times a second pressure sensitivity real-time measuring Pencil’s angle position Pencil much more data any other stylus Pencil special Smart Keyboard many accessories attach new Smart Connector three round contact points provide power data Lightning port hub chargers accessories Apple developers building accessories keyboard fabric Smart Cover triangular stand unroll cover screen stand-up mechanism awkward cover lighter thinner handier keyboard accessories keyboard iPad Pro fabric keys big clicky lap laptop iPad Pro split-screen multitasking Smart Keyboard keyboard shortcuts apps press and hold Command key all available shortcuts Command-Tab switch between apps Command-Shift-H accessories iPad Pro creative folks designers Pencil sketching brainstorming device you want size matters /

Tiny robot powers itself by capturing energy from the environment

Row-bot
Credit: University of Bristol, Bristol BioEnergy Centre & Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Bristol, England/ Boy Genius Report

Proof-of-concept at the moment, but this tiny robot can power itself to row across a body of water, consuming organic matter for energy, with an action similar to a water boatman.


Water boatman, AKA backswimmer
(Family Corixidae, Notonectidae)
Credit: University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

In the future, a fleet of self-powered-bots may help to clean up organically-contaminated water.

https://bgr.com/2015/11/13/row-bot-pollution-cleaning-robot-water/ / tip your hat researchers who work tirelessly further technology better the world around them inventions impressive Row-bot tiny robot scientific breakthrough proof-of-concept environment IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems Hamburg Germany Row-bot fuel cell powered electricity generated bacteria living inside device bacteria-powered fuel cell tiny organisms gut generate electricity Row-bot four tiny buoyant stabilizers stabilisers feet two paddles feet Row-bot afloat paddles skimming across surface water device takes water cavity housing moves electrogenic bacteria digest pollutants within water byproducts digestion carbon dioxide electricity fuels powers Row-bot move moving Row-bot brainchild team researchers University of Bristol Bristol BioEnergy Centre Bristol Robotics Laboratory located Bristol England design energetically autonomous artificial organism two subsystems bioinspired energy source bio-inspired actuation research researchers paper describing covering their work Row-bot work first demonstration energetically energetic autonomy microbial fuel cell-powered MFC swimming robot taking energy surrounding aqueous environment surroundings previous work stacked MFC power sources Row-bot employs single microbial fuel cell artificial stomach uses commercially available voltage step-up hardware produce usable voltages energy generated exceeds energy requirement complete mechanical actuation refuel energy production actuation demonstrated separately results showing combination subsystems produce closed-loop energetic autonomy work shows crucial step development autonomous robots long term self-power self-driving self-powered robot fueled waste pollution polluting pollutes polluted pollution Earth /

Android password-level security without having to type the damn thing it in all the time! – update

Update 01 November 2019: MacroDroid can be used do everything that Llama is used for in the instructions below. The the free version of MacroDroid will suffice. Look for a how-too soon.

Find MacroDroid on the Google Play Store or at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.arlosoft.macrodroid&hl=en_AU

Tested with Pebble Time Steel & Samsung S8 & Note 9.

Update 22 August 2019: Llama app is unreliable under Android 9, & appears to have been removed from the Google Play Store. Another Android automation app, such as IFTTT, Tasker or Automate, can probably be used for the same purpose, but I haven't investigated to-date.

Update 16 April 2018: everything below still works under Android 8.

Prior to Android 5, an app called Pebble Locker provided some useful security & convenience features in conjunction with a Pebble smartwatch. It removed the need to enter a PIN or password when a connected Pebble smartwatch was present, but required a passcode if the watch was not present. Under normal circumstances, this meant that the owner did not have to enter a passcode, but a thief or other unauthorised person would be locked out.

Later renamed Dislock, the app was expanded to provide the same functionality with Android Wear, selected Bluetooth devices, or WiFi networks, under versions of Android up to 4.4.4.

Dislock was disabled by Android 5.0, but the built in Smart Lock feature promised to do the same thing. (Plus Google Maps specified locations (e.g. home, work) & face recognition.)

After the update to 5.0 arrived, I set up Smart Lock. As expected, it allowed me to bypass the need for a passcode.

But … the lock on loss of Bluetooth connection function, was absent. Screen lock did occur, but only after the screen timed out, or operation of the sleep/wake/power button.

Good news is that the lock on loss of Bluetooth connection can be added using the inexplicably named, Llama, app.

How to do it:

1.    install Llama from the Google Play store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kebab.Llama&hl=en

2.    open the Llama app

3.    EVENTS

(Where “EVENTS” means “Press the on-screen word ‘EVENTS’.”)

4.    [ + ]

(Where “[ + ]” means “Press the on screen button with the plus sign.”)

5.    Under “Event name and group”, the event you are creating will have a name of the form

New Event (n)

(Where “(n)” is a sequential number assigned by Llama.)

If you wish, you can change the name to something more descriptive. I called mine, “LockOnBluetoothDisconnect”.

6.    [ Add Condition ]

7.    A list of available conditions will appear. Scroll down & select

“Bluetooth Device Disconnected”

A list of paired Bluetooth devices will appear.

Select the tickbox beside the Bluetooth device you want to unlock your Android.

8.    [ Add Action ]

A list of available actions will appear. Scroll down & select

“Screen Off”

9.    Press the back button.

10.  The “Events” screen will re-appear. Your newly created event will be included in the list.

11.  Testing: new lock on loss of Bluetooth capability can be tested by turning off Bluetooth on the phone. If it locks within a few seconds, all is well.

All of the above has been tested with a Pebble Time Steel, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Android 5.0.1 & 5.1.1, but should work with any Android device with Android 5. x & any Bluetooth device.

Update 16 April 2018: since successfully tested with Pebble 2, Samsung Galaxy S5, S7 & S8 under Android 6, 7 & 8.

How to use Smart Lock under Android 5.0 can be found at:

How To Geek:
http://www.howtogeek.com/202881/use-smart-locks-in-android-5.0-and-never-unlock-your-phone-at-home-again/

Gadget Guide On Line:
http://gadgetguideonline.com/android/lollipop/how-to-use-smart-lock-in-android-lollipop/

Get Llama from Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kebab.Llama&hl=en / home no one else around access your phone unlock it Android 5.0 Lollipop’s Smart Locks solves Pandora Spotify change station thumbs down bookmark song unlock your device look something up OK Google tap out quick text unlocking your phone protective exercise case Smart Locks mitigate frustration you set trusted places within certain range phone tablet won’t lock trusted devices assign Smart Lock paired Bluetooth NFC devices enable trusted face unlocking turn your device on unlock your front-facing camera obscured turning on Smart Locks Smart Locks set up accessing settings pull down top edge your device check your notifications tap gray time date bar tap Settings gear have lock your device before set up Smart Locks pattern unlock device PIN password option settings, tap Security options Smart Lock Smart Lock settings three options trusted devices trusted face trusted places have one other all at the same time Smart Lock allow you have many trusted devices only set up one trusted face home where you don’t have unlock your phone unlimited trusted places convenient tap trusted places turn on home work locations assigned Google Maps add custom place add custom place open your current location add search location address add relies heavily Google location service GPS enabled custom places more precise screenshot choose area trusted place tapping blue bar below map add smaller areas compromise your device’s overall security specific business address location add default home location labeled quickly add variety custom trusted places frequent regularly in range trusted place Smart Lock will engage automatically add Home Work Google Maps locations configure Maps swiping right left screen edge tapping Settings settings pane tap Edit home or work enter home work addresses work home address on and off Smart Locks tapping little green button next setting up using device Smart Locks add trusted device Bluetooth pair them Android Bluetooth settings other devices paired tap add trusted device next screen tap Bluetooth add previously paired device screenshot several other devices paired add connect Smart Lock will activate pair Bluetooth devices notification inform add Smart Lock trusted device Smart Lock NFC tap another NFC enabled device tag Smart Lock Lollipop users nifty feature Android’s face unlock feature previous versions unlock adding trusted face more seamless primary method unlocking device add your face trusted face tap Trusted face button Smart Lock settings initial screen face unlocks aren’t safe other unlock methods someone who looks like you unlock your device tap Set up light just right too bright too dim hold device eye level click Next orange-dotted outline keeping your face inside the dots turn green Android scans stores your face click Next trusted place connected trusted device icon bottom lock screen tablet phone unlocked looking at it icon will change unlocked icon swipe open device lock device tap unlock icon change locked icon unlock device with your face trusted place trusted device conventional unlock method face unlocking doesn’t work well various lighting conditions Smart Lock settings tap trusted face improve face matching Smart Locks coolest security features Android use your phone tablet select locations preferred devices won’t lock repeatedly trusted face feature actually works quite well tests 2013 Nexus 7 unlocking almost instantly turned device on looked at it trusted places only work with Google Maps-based locations home WiFi access point welcome addition Google future release Lollipop Smart Locks trusted places Smart Locks Lollipop Google Play services version 6.5 Google pushing update out download sideload Google Play services APK file /

Why you don’t want to wirelessly charge your smartphone

Why not?

1. it's inefficient

2. harms the battery – part of that inefficiency is due to the receiving aerial in the phone getting hot – which heats the battery – which shortens its life

3. positioning is critical – differences of less than a centimetre (0.4 inch) can substantially reduce the charging current

4. slower

5. more expensive

http://www.howtogeek.com/233205/why-you-dont-want-to-wirelessly-charge-your-smartphone/ / wireless charging overrated current form dream wireless power sounds great current wireless charging technologies plugless wireless less convenient slower less-efficient less efficient just plugging phone in wireless chargers more interesting proof of concept future technologies practical charge your smartphone plug it in cable wireless chargers even more constrained charging cables use wireless charger place your smartphone down charging mat mat plugged in wire sits on table smartphone charging mat wirelessly transmit power phone smartphone mat wireless charging stop wireless technologies wireless Internet freedom move around charging cable better cable smartphone is very short very near a power outlet much longer third-party charging cables Lightning cables iPhones standard USB cables Android phones plug your smartphone into longer cable use while charging smart phone wireless charger smartphone bedside table charging mat use longer cable charging smartphone desk longer cable cheaper buying wireless charger device less convenient smartphone wireless charger a bit finicky lines up starts charging plugging it in wireless chargers charging pad outlet phone charging pad contactless wireless wireless charger takes longer uses more power generates more heat faster more efficient transmit energy over wire wired charging much faster charging overnight quickly top-up your phone wired connection wireless less efficient take more electricity charge phone wirelessly wasted power excess heat destroy your phone heat enemy smartphone’s battery wireless charging extra power electric bill extra heat accelerate battery’s decay downsides less convenient flexible simply plugging your phone in even less efficient even slower more wasteful electricity /

Exercise can reverse dementia

CSL Florey Medal recipient, Professor Perry Bartlett
Credit: Shannons

At least in mice – but CSL Florey Medal recipient, Professor Perry Bartlett, says his team are gearing up to start human experiments next year.

“Too short or too long interestingly, & nothing happens, so there’s a sweet spot of exercise that's able to activate the new neurons & also result in this cognitive improvement.”

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-11/brain-researcher-perry-bartlett-awarded-florey-medal/6932586

https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2015/11/top-brain-researcher-awarded-csl-florey-medal

http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/floreymedal/2015cslrelease

http://discovery.wehi.edu.au/timeline/neuro-immunology-lab / world’s first neuro-immunology laboratory institute headed by Perry Bartlett Professor Perry Bartlett colleagues discover existence stem cells brain produce new neurons new hope patients brain injuries degenerative conditions Alzheimer’s disease Perry Bartlett immunologist neurologist Perry Bartlett medical research PhD immunology work Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Jacques Miller Gus Nossal Sir Macfarlane Burnet immunology neuroscience finishing PhD Johns Hopkins University USA cell biology MHC major histocompatibility complex molecules immune system University College London Professor Martin Raff immunology neurobiology identifying different types brain cells first monoclonal antibodies identified subsets nerve cells brain neuroscience immunological new field of research Gus Nossal Hall Institute world’s first neuro-immunology laboratory Walter and Eliza Hall Institute major discoveries MHC molecules brain immune-response free zone molecules inflammatory processes basic neuroscience understand different types of cells development brain investigating stem cells give rise neurones patients with brain injuries stem cells developmentally adult brain cells able to make new neurones brains having capacity make new nerve cells lose cells with age gain 10 years investigation adult brain did have the capacity to produce new neurons nerve cells hope brain injuries degenerative conditions dementia Alzheimer’s disease scepticism furore capacity meaningful role in the brain remnant development new nerve cells important redefining brain isolated characterised brain stem cells brain capacity make new nerve cells important normal function source regeneration reverse decline of cognition animals further research in humans reverse cognitive decline old mice activating production new nerve cells sweet spot exercise exercise enough but not too much change in the brain’s biochemistry new Queensland Brain Institute University of Queensland heavy-hitting medical research biotechnology sector neuroscience institute thinking techniques commitment long-haul investigation stem cells lineages regulation stem cells neuroscience Metcalf haemopoietic blood system science driven ideas neuroscientists how lineages worked stem cells were important reductionist approach fundamental processes regulate production nerve cells start developmentally adult painstaking narrative /

How to make a boro implosion pendant

Boro Implosion Pendant
Credit: Bill & Rae Grout, Aspen Hot Glass

That's boro, as in borosilicate glass.



More at Aspen Hot Glass. / burner William Grout implosion style pendants borosilicate glass GTT Cheetah torch pressed dot pattern created florist frog craft stores floral department heating edge folding clear around color implosion pendant example design tutorial Flow Magazine hot glass work implodes condensing bubble end of a tube glass work using difference viscosity temperature produce three dimensional fold generates three dimensional look deep floral encasements implosion glass working technique different uses meanings glass artists video display store customer could many versions finished product answer question How do you do that final item briefly photogenic my work beautiful just the way it goes experimenting with color videos finished marbles Etsy store web site glass /