A Witch by Starlight
November 1, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
By starlight this eerie visage shines in the dark, a crooked profile evoking its popular name, the Witch Head Nebula. Happy Halloween!
Ten things you don’t know about black holes
November 1, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
Ah, black holes. The ultimate shiver-inducer of the cosmos, out-jawing sharks, out-ooking spiders, out-
scaring
… um, something scary. But we’re fascinated by ‘em, have no doubt — even if we don’t understand a whole lot about them.
The Tesla’s Lightning Competition
November 1, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
Americans have the Tesla Roadster, the electric car which does zero to sixty in four seconds. The British now have the Lightning, the electric car which does…you guessed it, zero to sixty in four seconds.
Robotic ants building homes on Mars
October 22, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
Recent discoveries of water and Earth-like soil on Mars have set imaginations running wild that human beings may one day colonise the Red Planet. However, the first inhabitants might not be human in form at all, but rather swarms of tiny robots.
India Moon probe ready for launch
October 22, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
India is counting down to the launch of its first mission to the Moon. On Wednesday, the unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft will blast off from a launch pad in Andhra Pradesh to embark on a two-year mission of exploration.
Bubbletecture H by Shuhei Endo
October 16, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
Endo Shuhei’s Bubbletecture H is constructed almost entirely from locally-sourced Japanese cypress trees - an exceptionally durable and lightweight wood. The bubble’s exterior is shielded with a 1.2mm layer of steel that acquires a thin layer of rust-red coloring as it ages, and up top it features a partial green roof made with local moss.
Prescription drugs increasingly used as ‘cognitive enhancers’
October 13, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
Up to a fifth of adults, including college students and shift workers, may be using cognitive enhancers, a poll of 1,400 by Nature journal suggests.
Many of these enhancers include prescription drugs like Ritalin, the drug used to treat hyperactive children. Users say the drug is helpful in boosting alertness and concentration.
Neuropsychologist Professor Barbara Sahakian of Addenbrooke’s Hospital said safety evidence is urgently needed.
Read more in this article from the BBC.
Green Collar Jobs to Fuel Future Economy
October 3, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
With the economic downturn, many job markets seem in peril. However, investment in energy efficiency and renewable-energy strategies could create 2 million jobs in two years, economists claim.
Ultrasound machine turns cheap plonk into fine wine ..
October 3, 2008 by UltraFuture · 1 Comment
.. in 30 minutes. Inventor Casey Jones says the £350 gadget uses ultrasound technology to recreate the effects of decades of ageing by colliding alcohol molecules inside the bottle.
Skype security flub leads to discovery of Chinese monitoring
October 3, 2008 by UltraFuture · Leave a Comment
Researchers have found evidence that Skype and Chinese partner TOM Online are monitoring text communications online for “sensitive” topics, and storing extensive logs on publicly-accessible servers. Not only is this a major security risk, it also raises questions as to what level Skype is complying with the requests of the Chinese government.
