Monthly Archives: February 2010

NCBI ROFL: I scream! You scream! We all scream…from ice-cream headaches. | Discoblog

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It’s BMJ week on NCBI ROFL! Each day this week we will feature a fun article from a British Medical Journal holiday issue. Enjoy!

Ice cream evoked headaches (ICE-H) study: randomised trial of accelerated versus cautious ice cream eating regimen

“Cold stimulus headache, also known as ice cream headache, is a common problem and is reported to occur in about a third of a randomly selected population. It was further suggested that the ice cream headache could be induced only in hot weather… we compared the effect of two ice cream eating regimens on the incidence of ice cream induced headaches in a prospective randomised manner. The study was carried out during the winter to test whether this phenomenon was restricted to hot weather only…Participants who received green dot questionnaires were given 100 ml of ice cream and were told to eat it in >30 seconds. They were further instructed to have about half their ice cream left after 30 seconds and then to continue at their own pace. Participants who received red dot questionnaires were given 100 ml of ice cream but were instructed to eat it in <5 seconds. The temperature of the ice cream was not formally regulated throughout the study… Twenty (27%) of 73 students in the accelerated eating group reported ice cream headache compared with 9 (13%) of 72 students in the cautious eating group.”

Read the full article here.

ice_cream_headache

Image: flickr/HurleyFamily

Related content:
Discoblog: NCBI ROFL: A moment on your lips, forever in your intestine.
Discoblog: NCBI ROFL: Competitive speed eating: truth and consequences.
Discoblog: NCBI ROFL: eat me.


Nothing Says “I Love You” Like a Non-Orientable Surface | Cosmic Variance

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Feeling like Valentine’s Day is a little too cutesy for an intellectual heavyweight such as yourself? Nonsense; the heart may have its reasons, but reason can certainly figure them out, given sufficient grant funding and some diligent graduate students. Jennifer Ouellette points to a talk by Mary Roach that is safe for TED but arguably not safe for work, and shares some brain scans to prove that love is really blind.

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fourthheartcurveIf all that biology is a bit too squishy, Sarah Kavassalis does the math. Here you will find the right functions to use to draw hearts — my favorite is the fourth heart curve from Wolfram|Alpha, shown at right — and how to construct topologically nontrivial versions out of construction paper and scissors. Who says mathematicians aren’t practical? Nor are they above venturing into the realm of the literary.

Roses are red.
Violets are approximately blue.
A paracompact manifold with a Lorentzian metric,
can be a spacetime, if it has dimension greater than or equal to two.

Shakespeare, maybe not. But the course of true science never did run smooth.


Poke Two Jedi’s Eyes Out at the Same Time With General Grievous’s Insane Spinny Lightsaber [We Love Toys]

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There's a badass scene in the Clone Wars cartoon where General Grievous cuts down six Jedi, by himself, using some insane spinning saber techniques. This twirling dual-bladed Grievous lightsaber will let you do that to your friends.

In other toy lightsaber news, with the next releases, the blades will actually screw off, meaning when you're not deflecting Nerf darts, you can hang the lightsaber on your belt. Screwing the blade on does kind of kill the magic though—at least Luke coulda used the Force to do it.

STAR WARS GENERAL GRIEVOUS LIGHTSABER
(Approximate Retail Price: $34.99; Ages: 6 & up; Available: August 1, 2010)
JEDI warriors have long recognized the prowess of GENERAL GRIEVOUS as a highly skilled, elusive and often multiple-LIGHTSABER-wielding adversary. Now, kids can engage in LIGHTSABER battles just like this powerful cyborg with the new STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS GENERAL GRIEVOUS LIGHTSABER. Battle with the power of GENERAL GRIEVOUS by spinning the two LIGHTSABERS simultaneously in one hand, take out the spinner and connect the two LIGHTSABERS for double-bladed LIGHTSABER action, or use the two separately to ward off an opponent. Both LIGHTSABERS include electronic lights and battle sounds!

STAR WARS LIGHTSABERS?(Approximate Retail Price: $9.99 to $19.99 to $34.00 up to $119.99; Available: August 1, 2010)
2010 is the year of the LIGHTSABER! Hasbro is offering its widest range ever of
STAR WARS LIGHTSABERS – the quintessential battle weapon for JEDI and SITH across the galaxy. From the BASIC and ELECTRONIC LIGHTSABERS, to the all-new spinning GENERAL GRIEVOUS LIGHTSABER, to the line of authentic high-end replica FORCE FX LIGHTSABERS, Hasbro offers STAR WARS fans of all ages a variety of ways to engage with the noble weapon of the JEDI. The new ELECTRONIC LIGHTSABERS even offer a DVD featuring the greatest lightsaber battles ever, including epic duels from the animated television series and the live action battles between the most famous JEDI and SITH. (Each sold separately.)

Toy Fair is the annual event where we get to completely regress back to childhood and check out all of the awesome toys coming out for the rest of the year. And well, we love toys.


Notion Ink Adam Tablet Caught On Video, Specs Finalized [Notion Ink]

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We saw impressive renders of Notion Ink's Adam last week, along with some speculation, but today we're getting what's probably the best look yet at this ambitious play into the tablet space.

The following specs, to be unveiled officially at MWC, are listed as "final" by the folks at Notion Ink. Take some of it with a grain of salt, as they are grossly incorrect about items like accelerometer and touchscreen (chart provided by Notion Ink):

The Technoholik video, filmed this weekend before the big reveal at MWC, follows here:

What you see in the video is essentially the final build. The camera position could move, and there was a screen cover removed because it was loose during the demo, but in the end this is the 1080p tablet Notion Ink will put up against the iPad (and the multitude of other tablets that arrive this year and beyond). Looks pretty sharp, especially in sunlight, although the trackpad location will definitely take some getting used to. [ADAM on Flickr, Technoholik]


SEW: Seamstress Tool by Day, Illuminating Lamp by Night [Sewing]

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If there's one thing the seamstress community needs, it's a sewing machine that turns into a lamp.

Unfortunately, the bad news is such a device still doesn't exist (I think?), but the good news is there's a concept floating around the Internet that purports to do illuminating tasks that are currently beyond the sewing machine industry understanding (or, in this case, desire).

The concept, called SEW, arrives by way of Baita Design. Let no seamstress live in the dark ever again. Thanks? [Baita Design via Design Blog]


This Incredibly Massive AT-AT Walker Holds 20 Figures and Crushes Pet Rebellions [We Love Toys]

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This two-foot tall AT-AT Walker is very possibly the most ridiculous boys' dollhouse ever constructed. It is goddamn enormous. It holds over 20 figures; Luke Skywalker even dangles between its legs. You have to see this thing up close:

It's the largest toy AT-AT Hasbro's ever produced, and amazingly, it's only $100.

STAR WARS AT-AT
(Approximate Retail Value: $99,99; Ages: 5 & up; Available: August 1, 2010)
In space, size does matter, and Hasbro certainly kept that in mind when creating its all-new, highly detailed STAR WARS AT-AT. The AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) played a significant role in the Empire's military assault in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and it will play an equally important role in every fan's toy collection this year! Measuring more than 24 inches tall, nearly 28 inches long, and 12 inches wide, this colossal vehicle holds up to 20 STAR WARS figures – 6 of which can fit in its head alone! – and includes so many play and electronic features true to its on-screen counterpart that it's hard to believe! From the zip-line in its body and articulated legs for superb poseability, to its LED lights and authentic movie sounds and phrases, this is the must-have addition for STAR WARS fans of all ages. Includes a 3 ¾ inch AT-AT driver action figure and a pop-out speeder bike.

Toy Fair is the annual event where we get to completely regress back to childhood and check out all of the awesome toys coming out for the rest of the year. And well, we love toys.


Great Sexts Through History [Humor]

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Sexting may seem like a relatively recent phenomenon, but in truth it's as old as mankind itself. Here's a walk back through the illustrious history of the SMS booty call:

Marilyn Monroe to JFK
Pierre Curie to Marie Curie
Elizabeth Bennet to Mr. Darcy
Anon. to the Marquis de Sade
Romeo to Juliet
Guinevere to Lancelot
Marc Antony to Cleopatra
Adam to Eve

Bad Valentine is our own special take on the beauty—and awkwardness—of geek love.


Pink Pentax K-x DSLR Debuts, Unsurprisingly, On Valentine’s Day [Pentax]

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What a complete, utter surprise this is: On Valentine's Day, a holiday associated closely with gift-giving and things that are red, white and pink, we receive word that Pentax is going to sell a pink version of their K-x DSLR.

The pink version joins the current color lineup, which consists of red, white, navy blue and black. To go pink, you'll need to pony up about $770 and import it from China (for now). [Engadget]


MIT Wireless Power Discovery Proves Two Is Better Than One [Wireless Power]

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Wireless power? Nothing new. It's been around for at least 100 years, although only recently has it reached the point where a completely wireless future was believed possible. Now, an update of sorts from MIT WiTricity means it's even closer.

Previously, an MIT WiTricity team, led by physicist Marin Soljacic, powered a 60-watt light bulb from across the room using a magnetic coil. That was 2007.

Today, that MIT team has shown it is possible to power two devices, wirelessly, when the are placed on either side of a single 1-sq. meter coil. The effective distance from coil to device was anywhere between 1.6 to 2.7 meters. Cooler still, the researchers discovered that by using two devices the power transfer was 10% more effective than using just one. Additionally, the researchers' models suggest that the efficiency would increase even more should they try and introduce more devices into the mix. The New Scientist article detailing the technology says this occurs because "more of the broadcasting coil's field falls on receptive receivers."

The end game is a wall or ceiling-mounted coil that would wirelessly power an entire room of gadgets. One remaining issue is distance: When the devices are moved outside the 1-2 meter range, the signal deteriorates rapidly, as would be expected. Fortunately for wireless power buffs, MIT is working on a specialized antenna to counter the weakening signal.

Note: Image is Intel's similar wireless tech. [New Scientist]


Samsung to Debut I8520 "Halo" Android 2.1 AMOLED Projector Phone [Samsung]

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Buried at the bottom of Samsung's MWC press kit was mention of an I8520 "Halo" projector phone. Sporting Android 2.1, a 3.7-inch Super AMOLED screen, and 720p video (to name a few), the phone will be officially revealed tomorrow.

The phone will also support an eight megapixel camera, with flash; DivX/Xvid playback; Bluetooth 2.1; 802.11b/g/n WiFi; GPS; and 16GB storage.

There's a "Specialized Projector UI" feature in there too, hinting at the projector functionality to come. The European release date period is Q3 2010, with no word on a U.S. release date at this time. [Samsung via Engadget]


Counterpoints to the FUD

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There is a lot of FUD – fear, uncertainty, and doubt – being thrown up in the nascent debate over NASA’s new direction.  Some people are saying that commercial providers aren’t ready to be trusted with America’s astronauts and won’t be for some time.  Others suggest that it calls for the wholesale commercialization of NASA.  Still other sources insinuate that we are facing the elimination of the astronaut corps.  From where I sit, none of it is accurate.

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden has repeatedly reiterated that he believes there will continue to be a role for a professional NASA astronaut corps.  Deputy Administrator Lori Garver said at last week’s Commercial Space Transportation Conference that the “wonderful people working Constellation did not fail,” but that they were not given the resources they needed and that it did not make sense to continue developing a system that would not even be ready to arrive at the ISS until after its planned de-orbit.  There will still be a need for specially-trained scientists and engineers for on-orbit operations, probably even more so as the number of “spaceflight participants” increases.

With regards to the commercial launchers themselves, SpaceX has launched a paying customer on their Falcon 1 (after sorting out their initial test issues) and will begin testing Falcon 9 in the spring.  Their Dragon vehicle is on schedule to begin deliveries to the station next year. Orbital has launched a multitude of vehicles from Wallops and for the Air Force and has partnered with the Italians to base their cargo module off the MPLM, a proven flight technology.  I’ll also note that both companies have former astronauts, Ken Bowersox and Frank Culberston, respectively, as senior company officials responsible for safety and mission assurance.

Boeing is leading one of the CCDev proposals – in a partnership with Bigelow Aerospace – for a new crew vehicle capable of being launched on either a Delta IV, Atlas V, or Falcon 9 rocket.  One can hardly say that the prime contractor for the ISS and half-owner of both United Space Alliance and United Launch Alliance isn’t capable of sending crew to the Station.

Mark Geyer himself said at the Orion all-hands last week that there is nothing in the new proposal that precludes Lockheed or Boeing from being commercial crew providers. I also heard the commanding general of the US Air Force Space Command say last week that they already depend on commercial providers for small and medium launch vehicles and that he sees commercial space development as essential to national security.  To achieve their goal of Operationally Responsive Space access, they need higher flight rates and lower costs than can be accomplished with monolithic, centrally-planned programs.

Also, no one is proposing a wholesale privatization of NASA.  The commercial space industry fully expects NASA to take the lead on manned and unmanned solar system exploration beyond LEO.  They are committed to enabling that by providing as many services as they can to LEO – and safety is as much a priority for them as it is for the rest of us.  DARPA, Space Command, the National Space Security Office, and the FAA all expressed their support for these ventures last week.

We must also consider that the passback on the budget was only given to NASA two days before its release.  For whatever reason that happened, the agency simply hasn’t had time yet to turn the broad policy outlines in the budget proposal into actionable program plans.  If we trusted our NASA leadership to make Constellation work, despite the tens of billions of unallocated dollars it would need, then we should at least give them the time they need to get this initial planning done.

That way, we can make informed decisions  and conduct a fair debate.  I think those us that are professionals in this field have an obligation to be honest about whatever personal biases we may have, but to also render objective analysis to our stakeholders and provide benefit to our profession, as a whole.

Call me a utilitarian, if you will, but this is what it comes down to for me.  Our focus should be on doing the right things to move the space program forward, honestly and with integrity.  Even when it hurts in the interim.  If we don’t work together to make our profession more inclusive and innovative and to support American industry, we will fall behind.  Everyone I talked to at the AIAA/FAA conference last week said that their foreign counterparts aren’t afraid of NASA continuing to do business as usual.  It’s how far we’ll leap ahead, if we unleash American industry, that concerns them.

I have no doubt that our future is in space and I am more certain of that now than ever before.  I agree with Alan Stern; who said over telecon that this is the best chance we’ve seen yet to build something more like what we all dreamed of when we watched 2001: A Space Odyssey.  There is opportunity in uncertainty, if we are willing to embrace it.

Green Power [Science Tattoo] | The Loom

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chloroplast tattoo440Charlie writes, “I am a scientist at the University of Minnesota. In 1999, as an undergrad on a plant science internship, a friend and I were sitting on our dorm roof, wondering what the best nerdy science tattoo would be. The double helix down the leg or back was suggested, but we concluded that a chloroplast was a better fit for our scientific interests. As the photon-collecting organelle in plants, it’s the source of energy for nearly all plant life and a fascinating biochemical machine. At that point in our careers, we found something that would represent our fascination with plants, no matter what field we chose to pursue. He is in botanical education (and didn’t go through with the tattoo), I’m in horticulture.”

Click here to go to the full Science Tattoo Emporium.


Hubless Zigzain Bicycle Concept Powered by Simple Driveshaft [Bicycles]

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Would a drive shaft work in a bicycle? Possibly, and here's a BMX bike concept that takes the design and runs with it, sans hubs!

The hubless wheels are a cool touch, I'll admit, but I have my doubts about whether the tiny driveshaft will replace today's venerable chain configuration.

Whatever the case may be, you're going to have a hard time convincing me the BMX riders of the future will be using this design to shred the pipe at the Mountain Dew extreme to the MAXX 2020 X-Games. [Falling Pixel via Design Blog]


The Man Who Made Toy Story Becomes One [We Love Toys]

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If anyone deserves a Lego version of himself, it's John Lasseter. Pixar's visionary creative head was in New York today to promote Toy Story 3 and its merchandise when he was honored with this bricktastic commemorative bust. Plus: new toys!

Also on-hand: Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich, Pixar staple voice actor John Ratzenberger, and a whole mess of new toys:

June 18th. Can. Not. Wait.

Toy Fair is the annual event where we get to completely regress back to childhood and check out all of the awesome toys coming out for the rest of the year. And well, we love toys.


Muslim Terrorist female bomber plot, thwarted on the highways of Dallas/Ft. Worth

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From Eric Dondero:

Radical Islamic watchers may recall this incident from 2007 at a Dallas/Ft. Worth airport. From the Dallas Morning News, April 5, 2007:

Dallas police and federal terrorism officials are investigating two women, both dressed in camouflage pants under their traditional Muslim robes and scarves, who were seen conducting what appeared to be surveillance and acting suspiciously at Dallas Love Field.

One of the women, Kimberly "Asma" Al-Homsi, 42, of Arlington, who is on probation for a 2005 Garland road rage incident involving a fake grenade, is said to have long-range assault rifle and explosives training, according to a Dallas police intelligence bulletin issued March 5.

Feds knew of her radical intentions but didn't act

Now, this breaking news...

Asma Al-Homsi has been involved in yet another incident, this time involving live explosives.

From WFAA-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth:

Southeast Loop 820 and East Rosedale Street in Fort Worth were reopened early Sunday morning after being shut down for five hours overnight.

The Fort Worth bomb squad detonated four charges that were found in a pickup truck that spun out following a police pursuit.

Two people are in custody, and one of them is well-known to police.

It all started in Arlington as a road rage incident in the 1000 block of West Abrams Street.

"Someone called to say that there was a person in another vehicle that pointed a weapon at them," said Arlington police spokeswoman Tiara Ellis Richard

The chase continued for 20 minutes. It came to an end when the truck spun out on Rosedale.

Officers took two people into custody: Kimberly Homsi — who is also known as Asma Al-Homsi — and Yasinul Alan Ansari.

News 8 has learned that Al-Homsi has been under government surveillance and was on the federal "no-fly" list after being involved in a road rage incident in December, 2005.

Al-Homsi linked to Al Qaeda

Now even more information is coming out from the Dallas Morning News:

Al-Homsi has also claimed a friendship with Wadih el Hage, a former Arlington resident and former personal secretary of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. He received a life sentence for his part in a bombing conspiracy.

And the name of the second suspect has been released:

Al-Homsi, 45, and Yasinul Alan Ansari, 18, both remain in the Arlington city jail. Bail has been set at $210,000 for Al-Homsi and $100,000 for Ansari.

DMN goes on to describe Al-Homsi as "bumbling," and has a new somewhat frightening mugshot of her with her head shaved. Al-Homsi is claiming that she is being discriminated against, because "of stereotypes about her religion."

Since the incidents occured late Saturday night, outside of metro Dallas/Ft. Worth there's been little if any coverage by the national media.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro: Ultra-Thin HD Recording, Physical Keyboard Join Vivaz Line [Vivaz Pro]

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Fresh from the Mobile World Congress, here's the latest on Sony Ericsson's brand new Vivaz Pro, including white hot rear shots!

The phone is an update on the Vivaz line, adding a QWERTY slide-out keypad, 720p video recording, and a 720Mhz processor. The 3.2-inch screen has touch, and the aforementioned video-capable cam boasts 8.2 megapixels.

SE says the phone, even with the keyboard, is "ultra-thin," with dimensions that are "almost" as thin as the original Vivaz handset. SE claims there's only 2mm's difference between the two.

Release date is a tentative Q2 2010. [SEMCBlog, Infosynch World]

Full release below:

Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro, announced today, adds a QWERTY keyboard to the touch screen offering, delivering a user experience optimised for messaging and entertainment. The full QWERTY keyboard allows consumers to communicate quickly and efficiently via email, SMS or social networking updates.

Just like flagship phone Sony Ericsson Vivaz™, announced in January, Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro allows consumers to produce and broadcast their best experiences in HD video. The open platform also allows users to personalise their entertainment experience by downloading great applications through PlayNow™ and the Symbian Developer Community.

"Having announced Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ in January we are now adding a sister phone that includes a QWERTY keyboard along with the touch screen for a superior messaging and entertainment experience," said Daniel Sandblom Marketing Business Manager, Sony Ericsson. "Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro meets the increased consumer demand for QWERTY devices without compromising on any entertainment features."

Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro features the new design philosophy 'human curvature', which will become a consistent feature of the Sony Ericsson portfolio going forward. Designed to mirror the shape of the human body, and at the same time delivering a precise and compelling way of interacting with the phone, Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro is instantly recognisable.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro
>> Full slide-out keyboard for faster typing
>> Stay in touch through email, Twitter™, Facebook™, blogging and chat
>> View everything on the 3.2" 16:9 wide touchscreen
>> Capture the action in HD resolution – upload to YouTube via Wi-Fi™
>> PlayNow – immediate online access to applications, games and music.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro supports UMTS HSPA 900/2100 and GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100 and GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro will be available in selected markets from Q2 in the colours Black and White.

Sony Ericsson is also unveiling the Hi-Fi Stereo Headset MH710. Enjoy best-in-class clear audio while on the move and handle music and calls with just one touch.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro

Camera
5.1 megapixel camera
4x digital zoom
Auto focus (photos)
Continuous auto focus (video)
Face detection (photos)
Geo tagging
Image stabiliser
Photo light
Send to web
Smile detection
Touch capture
Video light
Video recording (720p HD recording)

Music
Album art
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Media player
Music player
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNow™
TrackID™

Web
Bookmarks
Google™ search (from standby)
Web feeds
WebKit web browser

Voice
Speakerphone
Vibrating alert
Video calling (main camera)

Messaging
Conversations
Email
Handwriting recognition
Instant messaging
Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync®
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)

Design
Auto rotate
Full slide-out keyboard
Picture wallpaper
Symbian OS™
Touchscreen

Entertainment
3D games
Facebook™ application
FM radio
Java
Twitter™ application
Video streaming
Video viewing
YouTube™

Organiser
Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Document readers
Flight mode
Notes
Phone book

Location-based services
A-GPS
Google Maps™
Wisepilot™ turn-by-turn navigation

Connectivity
3.5 mm audio jack
Bluetooth™ technology
DLNA Certified™ (photos and audio)
Micro USB connector
Modem
PictBridge printing
Synchronisation
TV out (VGA resolution)
USB mass storage
USB support
Wi-Fi™

Preloaded applications
Facebook™ – social networking
Google Maps™ – navigation
QuickOffice – Microsoft® Office viewer (trial version)
PDF Viewer (trial version)
Road Sync – synchronisation
SMS Preview – messaging app
Twitter – social networking
YouTube™ – video sharing
Wisepilot™ – navigation
World Mate – clock and weather app
Quadrapop
Rally Master Pro

Screen
>> 16:9 nHD touchscreen (TFT)
>> 16,777,216 colour
>> 3.2 inches
>> 360 x 640 pixels
>> Scratch-resistant

Accessories
In-Box:
>> Sony Ericsson Vivaz™ pro
>> Battery
>> stereo portable handsfree
>> 8 GB microSD™ card
>> micro USB cable for charging and file transfer

Optional:
>> Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600
>> Hi-Fi Stereo Headset MH710

Facts 1)2)
Size: 109 x 52 x 15 mm
Weight: 117 grams

Phone memory: Up to 75 MB
Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™, up to 16 GB

Memory card included: 8 GB microSD™ card

Operating system: Symbian™ S60 5th edition
Processor: 720 MHz

Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 12 hrs 30 min
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 430 hrs

Talk time UMTS: Up to 5 hrs 10 min
Standby time UMTS: Up to 440 hrs

Video call time: Up to 2 hrs 30 min

Availability and versions
Networks
UMTS HSPA 900/2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900

UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
Available in selected markets from Q2 2010

Colour
>> Black
>> White


Happy Valentine’s Day. Love, Rhea | Bad Astronomy

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Same shape, different moon…

An interplanetary dedication of love for all you starry-eyed geeks:

cassini_rhea_heart

This is an image from Cassini. It’s a closeup of a crater on Rhea, a moon of Saturn about half the size of our own natural satellite. I love how the small crater and ridge inside the bigger crater make it look like the heart is winking!

In the full size image you can see what looks like a ridge to the left of the heart, but in fact that’s the edge of a vast crater on the surface of Rhea. You can see it better in this image of the whole moon, where I’ve marked the location of the heart:

cassini_rhea_heartcontext

I don’t know exactly what’s going on with this heart; is it a crater that expanded when the walls collapsed around it, so it’s no longer round? Or is it a sink hole, where the whole thing is a collapse feature? I love pictures like this, showing us the diversity and cool-factor of other worlds in our solar system.

And, of course: Happy Valentine’s Day.

Related posts:
Have a cosmic Valentine’s Day
Scientific Valentines
The beating heart of W5
Have an astronomical Valentine’s Day


CubeStormer Makes This Blogger Feel Even More Inadequate On Valentine’s Day [Rubik’s Cube]

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Hmm. Maybe we should let the robot overlords take over a few things. Like solving our Rubik's Cubes using nothing but Lego. I'm cool with this, especially if they do it as fast as this robot, and with trance music.

The robo solver is run by Lego Mindstorm, just like the ARM-powered one we saw earlier this month, although this one makes that geezer look, well, like a geezer.

But what the heck is up with Rubik's Cube robots solving puzzles to catchy trance music? Both of the ones we've seen this month sounded straight out of some kind of MIT robot club/rave mashup. [Youtube - Thanks, Steve]


Cato VP Dave Boaz: Sarah Palin a "dazzling performer"

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David Boaz, Vice-President of the libertarian Cato Institute, is mostly down on the thought of Sarah Palin running for President. He recently wrote a piece for Cato@Liberty, questioning her possible plans, "President Palin?"

However, included in his remarks disuasive of her potential candidacy, Boaz begrudgingly admitted:

Sarah Palin can be a dazzling performer.

He also went on to compare her to Reagan in some respects, saying:

As for those who compare Palin to Ronald Reagan, yes, there are some similarities. They both lived in the West, they’re both “conservative” in some sense, and they were both dismissed by effete East Coast intellectuals.

But he concluded ultimately Reagan was more experienced and had a more extensive intellectual grounding in economic theory.