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Thread: Science and technology updates from rinselberg™

  1. #51
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    AL Gore is no a climate Scientist!

    You might take note that the earth has cooled in the last year more than the one degree it wamed the year before. This was the coolest year on record! The ice cap is thickening again.
    Global cooling is coming, new Ice Age an all that! The Sky is Falling, the Sky is Falling.

    Chip

  2. #52
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Well Chip, you're right about Al Gore: He's not a scientist. Just for the record, the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 was awarded jointly to Al Gore and the International Panel on Climate Change--a scientific panel staffed by climate scientists.

    My gripe isn't with Michael Crichton, per se, but with the occasional OptiBoard poster (it's happened at least once) who holds Crichton up as a scientific authority, simply because he uses a literary technique of indexing his fictional works with footnotes to the scientific literature. That's not scientific method, which requires peer-review by other scientists, among other criteria.

    As far as 2007 having been a colder year overall than 2006.. I wouldn't dispute it.

    Meteorology is the science of near-term weather prediction.

    Climatology is the science of long-term weather prediction.

    One (or even one more) colder than expected year doesn't detract from the credibility of the science behind global warming predictions.

    Climatologists are looking into what's coming over the next hundred years.

    I wasn't trying to reignite the climate debate on OptiBoard in all of its previous vigor. I did think that RealClimate posting that I referenced on the global cooling fairy tale was worth sharing. And I wanted to post this picture that I made of the "chalkboard" with the handwriting on it.. the idea just came to me late last night.




    Click the "chalkboard" for more..

  3. #53
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    The press likes to call it the search for the "God" particle.

    The biggest experiment in particle physics, the Large Hadron Collider, starts this summer in Switzerland. The goal is to find signs of an elusive particle called the Higgs boson—also known as the "God" particle because it might ultimately lead to a grand theory of the universe. What impact will the experiments have on our ideas of the cosmos and our place in it? To find out, NEWSWEEK's Ana Elena Azpurua spoke about science and religion with theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate Steven Weinberg at the University of Texas in Austin.

    Weinberg's comments deflate the idea that this latest scientific quest will change the direction or focus of any of the current scientific and theologic discussions among believers and atheists.

    http://www.newsweek.com/id/128877



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    Last edited by rinselberg; 03-26-2008 at 08:14 AM.

  4. #54
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    "This is the End.."


    This background audio track is offered as a fully optional "post enhancement". The post is complete, even without it. Your download time will depend on your Internet access and browser software configuration. If you have broadband or DSL you may see a download time of about two or three minutes at most. If you have dial-up you may do better to omit this option. (I wonder how long it would take on dial-up to download a 5.4 MB audio file..) Selecting the download does not impact other OptiBoard users.


    The world's biggest scientific experiment--the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)--is counting down to the start of its science program, which is expected to begin, at the very latest, shortly before the end of this year, and probably sooner. Everything up until this point has just been engineering: Design and construction of the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator, taking the form of a massive below-ground tunnel containing the accelerator ring. It's located in the countryside spanning the international border between France and Switzerland. And thanks (I presume) to the European Union, LHC staff and visitors will not need to present passports, make customs declarations or exchange currencies to walk or drive from the Swiss side of the facility to the French side, or vice-versa.

    Not everyone is pleased, however.

    Retired nuclear safety specialist Walter Wagner and science writer Luis Sancho have filed a lawsuit in Hawaii's U.S. District Court to delay the start of scientific experiments until another safety review is completed.



    Why it's called the world's "biggest" scientific experiment: A construction engineer is dwarfed by the ATLAS detector, only one part of the gi-normous Large Hadron Collider.


    Wagner and Sancho aren't worried in particular about what might happen to anyone who is at or near the facility. And they're not concerned about routine accidents such as electrocution or radiation exposure, which would only pose a risk to the staff and visitors at the facility.

    Their lawsuit raises the possibility--or speculation, if you will--that the particle reactions inside the LHC will get out of control and bring Doomsday to the entire planet.

    They're worried (or so they say) about microscopic black holes coalescing to form a massive black hole that would devour the planet. Quarks self-assembling into "strange matter", starting a chain reaction that would convert the Earth into something similar to a neutron star. Or magnetic monopoles that would have the same effect.

    A psychology professor named Paul Dixon, who is on record for warning that particle experiments at the Illinois-based Fermilab's Tevatron Accelerator could someday convert the Earth into a white hot supernova--a kind of global warming scenario to the max(!)--has filed a supporting affidavit in the Wagner-Sancho lawsuit.

    Many prominent physicists are voicing their belief that knowledge already gleaned from observations of stars and cosmic rays and from previous particle accelerator experiments and other physics experiments provide the confidence to conclude that the Doomsday scenarios cited in the lawsuit are--to the absolute limit that science can determine--completely impossible.

    To read more, including comments from bloggers at large:
    http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archi...27/823924.aspx


    Last edited by rinselberg; 03-29-2008 at 12:51 AM.

  5. #55
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    How does a hare overtake a tortoise in a foot race when the tortoise has the advantage of a head start? A head start of a mile? A foot? An inch? As arbitrarily small a head start as you care to imagine? That's Zeno's paradox. And if it's not still familiar to you from your childhood days, here is a brief refresher.



    Cosmologist Peter Lynds made news not so long ago when he offered a modern solution to Zeno's famous paradox.
    It is postulated [that] there is not a precise static instant in time underlying a dynamical physical process at which the relative position of a body in relative motion or a specific physical magnitude would theoretically be precisely determined. It is concluded [that] it is exactly because of this that time [as we experience it] and the continuity of [all physical processes] are possible, with there being a necessary tradeoff of all precisely determined physical values at a time, for their continuity through time. This explanation is also shown to be the correct solution to the motion and infinity paradoxes [excluding the Stadium paradox] originally conceived by the ancient Greek mathematician Zeno of Elea. Quantum Cosmology, Imaginary Time and Chronons are also discussed, with the latter two appearing to be superseded on a theoretical basis.
    Lynds treatise, which is actually brief, is available on line under the title of Time and Classical and Quantum Mechanics: Indeterminacy vs. Discontinuity.

    Recently I posted something that contains within it (so I believe) another approach to unravelling the impossible conclusion of Zeno's paradox, which if taken at face value, leads to the startling observation that the hare never overtakes the tortoise! Does anybody really know what time is?

    Peter Lynd's has also theorized that "nature" resolves conflicts involving singularities like the Big Bang (and its theoretical counterpart, the Big Crunch; also Black Holes) and the Second Law of Thermodynamics by reversing the flow of time, leaving us with a cyclic universe: A universe in which time is finite, but a universe without beginning or end. Read more here.



    Originally posted courtesy of Laramy-K Optical : Come for the discussions.. stay for the products and lab services!
    Last edited by rinselberg; 04-17-2008 at 12:41 AM.

  6. #56
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    How to defrost 900 pounds of frozen squid..

    Oh, did I mention that it's not just 900 pounds of squid--it's a 900 pound squid. And they're not going to eat it, they're going to put it on display at an aquarium.

    It's eyes are the size of dinner plates--the largest eyes on the planet.

    http://www.newsweek.com/id/134482

    Are you reading more posts and enjoying it less? Make RadioFreeRinsel your next Internet port of call ...

  7. #57
    Cape Codger OptiBoard Gold Supporter hcjilson's Avatar
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    Shift happens....Stay in school!

    A friend of mine sent this link to me today and the first person I thought of was Rinselberg. What better place to post it! This is unbelievable!

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=FqfunyCeU5g
    "Always laugh when you can. It is a cheap medicine"
    Lord Byron

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  8. #58
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hcjilson View Post
    Time to wake up and smell the coffee..



    "Granny's gone but the coffee's on.."
    Last edited by rinselberg; 04-28-2008 at 08:39 PM.

  9. #59
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    But.. are "they" Catholic..?

    VATICAN CITY (AP) — Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday.

    The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones . . .

    In the interview by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Funes said that such a notion "doesn't contradict our faith" because aliens would still be God's creatures. Ruling out the existence of aliens would be like "putting limits" on God's creative freedom, he said . . .

    Funes said science, especially astronomy, does not contradict religion, touching on a theme of Pope Benedict XVI, who has made exploring the relationship between faith and reason a key aspect of his papacy.

    The Vatican Observatory, which has an observational branch at the University of Arizona, cooperates with other world-class observatories and contributes to research involving cosmological models, spectral classification of star types, the distribution of metal-rich stars, binary stars and exchanges of matter, the composition of dark clouds from which new stars are born, particles surrounding young stars and last but not least, the history of astronomy and issues involving the relationship between science and theology.

    For the complete AP report:
    http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j...CvwawD90KV2VG0
    Last edited by rinselberg; 07-03-2008 at 11:11 PM.

  10. #60
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Northrop To Develop "Mind-Reading" Binoculars for Defense Department

    The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has tapped Northrop Grumman to develop binoculars that will tap the subconscious mind.

    The Cognitive Technology Threat Warning System program ... combines advanced optics with electro-encephalogram electrodes that can, DARPA believes, be used to alert the wearer to a threat before the conscious mind has processed the information.


    DARPA says a soldier's brain can be monitored in real time, with an EEG picking up "neural signatures" that indicate target detection.

    While they were considering a number of technologies for neural detections, it appears DARPA has settled on EEG. "HORNET will utilize a custom helmet equipped with electro-encephalogram electrodes placed on the scalp to record the user's continuous electrical brain activity," says Northrop. "The operator's neural responses to the presence or absence of potential threats will train the system's algorithms, which will continue to be refined over time so that the warfighter is always presented with items of relevance to [the] mission."


    For more:
    http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/0...op-to-dev.html

    And:
    http://www.wired.com/gadgets/miscell.../05/binoculars
    Last edited by rinselberg; 07-18-2008 at 09:26 PM.

  11. #61
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    New solar concentrator may boost solar energy production


    An artist's representation shows how a cost effective solar concentrator could help make existing solar panels more efficient. The dye-based luminescent solar concentrator functions without the use of tracking or cooling systems, greatly reducing the overall cost compared to other concentrator technology. Dye molecules coated on glass absorb sunlight, and re-emit it at a different wavelengths. The light is trapped and transported within the glass until it is captured by solar cells at the edge. Some light passes through the concentrator, and is absorbed by lower voltage solar cells underneath. Graphic not to scale. Credit: Nicolle Rager Fuller, NSF.

    For more:
    http://www.livescience.com/technolog...r-windows.html

  12. #62
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Why take a rocket into space when you could just use the elevator--the "Space Elevator"..?

    MSNBC's Cosmic Log reports on the Space Elevator Conference taking place this weekend in Seattle, at the Microsoft campus. Includes video.

    http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archi...8/1206845.aspx
    Last edited by rinselberg; 08-23-2008 at 11:38 PM.

  13. #63
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    I saw that covered on one of the Science channels. Very cool idea.


    OptiBoard Administrator
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  14. #64
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter DragonLensmanWV's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Machol View Post
    I saw that covered on one of the Science channels. Very cool idea.
    Yeah, Larry Niven has been expousing the virtues of these for more than 20 years.
    DragonlensmanWV N.A.O.L.
    "There is nothing patriotic about hating your government or pretending you can hate your government but love your country."

  15. #65
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Miniature eye-shaped digital camera yields enhanced sharpness across the entire field of view. Device mimics geometry of human eye. Said to be a step towards the development of a "bionic eye".

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26058749/
    Last edited by rinselberg; 08-23-2008 at 11:32 PM.

  16. #66
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Another milestone in the development of "metamaterials" with a negative index of optical refraction..

    http://www.scientificcomputing.com/I...ep-Closer.aspx

    The report is accompanied by an illustration of how negative refraction works.
    Last edited by rinselberg; 01-07-2009 at 12:05 PM.

  17. #67
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    A Pacific fish uses mirrors as well as lenses to help it see in the murky ocean depths, scientists have revealed.

    The brownsnout spookfish has been known for 120 years, but no live specimen had ever been captured.

    Last year, one was caught off Tonga, by scientists from Tuebingen University, Germany.

    Tests confirmed the fish is the first vertebrate known to have developed mirrors to focus light into its eyes, the team reports in Current Biology.

    "In nearly 500 million years of vertebrate evolution, and many thousands of vertebrate species living and dead, this is the only one known to have solved the fundamental optical problem faced by all eyes - how to make an image - using a mirror," said Professor Julian Partridge, of Bristol University, who conducted the tests.

    For the complete BBC report with photographs:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7815540.stm


    You've just experienced the perfect balance of information and entertainment.. the Great American Post

  18. #68
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    "Star Wars" laser used to zap mosquitoes

    The war on malaria-carrying mosquitoes turns to mosquito-zapping laser guns..

    Brief summary:
    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...SS&attr=797093

    Longer article:
    http://www.comcast.net/articles/fina...0870885500701/


    People who read this post also read..

  19. #69
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Move over, Tyrannosaurus rex...

    Paleontologists have been piecing together a skeleton of an ancient marine predator dubbed "Predator X". Estimated to approach 50 feet in length and 45 tons, the monster makes "T. rex" look like a harmless pup, in comparison. Predator X is quite possibly the largest predator that ever lived.



    For more:
    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509484,00.html

    Predator X premieres on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on The History Channel.
    http://www.cinemablend.com/televisio...nth-16210.html
    Last edited by rinselberg; 03-20-2009 at 12:56 AM.

  20. #70
    OptiWizard ksquared's Avatar
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    How Low Can It Go?


    ScienceDaily (Apr. 3, 2009) — The sunspot cycle is behaving a little like the stock market. Just when you think it has hit bottom, it goes even lower.

    The year 2008 was a bear. There were no sunspots observed on 266 of the year's 366 days (73 percent). To find a year with more blank suns, you have to go all the way back to 1913, which had 311 spotless days. Prompted by these numbers, some observers suggested that the solar cycle had hit bottom in 2008.

    Maybe not. Sunspot counts for 2009 have dropped even lower. As of March 31st, there were no sunspots on 78 of the year's 90 days (87 percent).

    It adds up to one inescapable conclusion: "We're experiencing a very deep solar minimum," says solar physicist Dean Pesnell of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. In a way, the calm is exciting, says Pesnell. "For the first time in history, we're getting to observe a deep solar minimum."

    Modern technology cannot, however, predict what comes next. Competing models by dozens of solar physicists disagree, sometimes sharply, on when this solar minimum will end and how big the next solar maximum will be. The great uncertainty stems from one simple fact: No one fully understands the underlying physics of the sunspot cycle.

    Debt Crisis 2011: All the ostensible nobility in the world notwithstanding, we have run out of other people's money to spend.

  21. #71
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    [youtube]-WEdX_RIRw8[/youtube]

    The BBC reports..
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8330424.stm
    Last edited by rinselberg; 12-10-2009 at 08:52 AM.

  22. #72
    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    Spying on Iran?


    RQ-170 "Sentinel".
    Photo credit: http://gizmodo.com/5419363/usaf-conf...-stealth-plane


    U.S. acknowledges "The Beast of Kandahar".

    The U.S. Air Force has acknowledged that it is developing and testing a new, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) — a drone with a sleek, stealth design that will be deployed for military reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

    Aeronautics fans have nicknamed the aircraft "The Beast of Kandahar," as it was apparently spotted over the skies of Afghanistan. Industry observers speculate it is sophisticated enough to gather aerial intelligence over Iran without detection, perhaps keeping track of the Islamic Republic's emerging nuclear program.


    For more:
    http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2009/...est=latestnews

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