Happy Pi Day, everyone!
Early-warning test for Alzheimer’s is 100% accurate
Researchers at Neurotrack have developed a computer-based cognitive test that can predict, with 100% accuracy, whether someone is likely to develop Alzheimer’s within six years. Being given such advanced warning is a huge benefit, as it opens up possibilities for slowing the onset of this crippling disease. Despite that 100% accuracy claim, it sounds like there IS a bit of uncertainty in the test. If you score below 50, that’s where the 100% chance of Alzheimer’s applies. Score about 67 and you’re in the clear (well, for six years at least). It’s those people who score between 50 and 67 that are in a gray area…I suspect the diagnosis there would be to repeat the test every year. Considering that it’s a fairly simple test to take, I don’t think that would be a big burden at all, just a minor inconvenience and part of growing old. They’re even looking at adapting this test for iPads, something that people could then self-test at home!
You can read more over at Counsel&Heal.
The death of Google Reader
Google Reader is going away! For I don’t know how many years, Reader has been a part of my daily routines and the tool I’ve most used to keep track of approximately one gazillion RSS feeds. As of July 1st, 2013, it will be no more. This also means that my favorite RSS reader for the iPad, Reeder, will no longer work either (it syncs with your Google Reader account).
This feels…weird. It’s hard enough when I go camping in places without cell coverage and can’t keep up with my RSS feeds. Apart from those instances…RSS is a part of my life. I have only a few months to find new solutions for this…yikes! Ok, ok, gotta stop freaking out here…
Fortunately I’m not alone, and have joined a support group for people facing this transition. Just kidding about the support group, but there ARE others out there facing this problem and writing stories about alternatives. I came across this one at Siliconangle (they saw this coming; the article is dated 2/11). NewsBlur sounds the most promising so far, as I need something that’s in sync across browsers AND iOS apps.
In the meantime, I’ve already backed up my Reader data (which thankfully includes starred items) using the Google Takeout tool.
I hate it when people MOVE MY CHEESE… >:<
iSchool pilot program in Idaho using iPads
Paul Elementary School in Idoha is the pilot school in a test by iSchool Campus, which deploys iPads to all teachers and students (there are also more traditional Mac desktops used as part of this system). Lots of schools are incorporating iPads into their curriculum, though I’m not sure any have done so quite to this extent. The feedback from teachers at the school sounds really great, though promotional videos like this usually are. 😉 Check out the video below.
(via Appleinsider)
Possible fossils from space?
Scientists have found what appear to be fossils resembling plankton inside of a meteorite that landed in Sri Lanka in 2012. It’s certainly not conclusive, as there’s even the possibility this meteorite was ejected from this planet in some larger impact long ago and just now fell back…but it’s an intriguing possibility. I think we’ll need many, many more examples of this before it starts to gain scientific credibility.
(via Extremetech)
No, that wasn’t a new type of bacteria found in Antarctica
Remember the new type of bacteria Russian scientists found in a sub-glacial lake in Antarctica? Turns out someone jumped the gun on the announcement and they’re now saying it was actually contamination. Whoops. Though I still wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually discover something like this in one of the many sub-glacial lakes currently being explored down there.
Gigabot – large-scale 3D printing
3D printing is taking a big step forward with the Gigabot, a Kickstarter project that aims to produce a 3D printer with a massive 24x24x24″ build envelope! Ready-to-assemble kits cost $2500 (pay more if you want it assembled for you). Cool stuff, though I’m not quite sure the market is ready for this (apart from those people wishing to print cool lamp shades…).
Good news for sharks
Good news for sharks! After years of being killed in unsustainable levels, they’ve finally received international recognition of their threatened numbers and a degree of protection in the form of fishing permits to limit catches (manta rays also received some protection). While on the surface this is encouraging news, keep in mind that catch limits have applied to tuna for years, and been routinely ignored by all but the Sea Shepherds who took it upon themselves to document and stop illegal fishing activities. So, forgive me a bit of pessimism about this latest move to protect sharks. It’s a step in the right direction, but in no way can we consider this matter resolved. Note too that this protection applies to only six species of sharks, out of an estimated 450 (of which about one third are endangered).
The cost of climate change
People are so incredibly focused on what fighting climate change would cost then, now, that they tend to overlook the cost of inaction. Sure, most of this cost will be borne by future generations, but what gives us the right to burden them with this? They deserve the same, or better, quality of life as us. So, what is the cost of climate impacts due to human-caused CO2 pollution? A recent study (link) finds the worst case cost, which is based on our current course of action, at about $1240 trillion, a number so large that I have a hard time comprehending it (the timeframe of this is a bit unclear, but they do say the annual impact is about $1.5 trillion so this cost looks like a long-term one, not to downplay its significance any!). What’s more important is that they also estimate that, if we can stabilize CO2 levels at 450ppm, the impact is only about $110 trillion, a substantial savings. Given the obvious cost savings here, and our current inaction, I fear our generation will do nothing more than teach future generations to not be so greedy. Which is not all bad, assuming future generations can manage to still have a cohesive, productive society in the changing ecosystem we’re creating for them. Read more here.
Jumping now to this infographic, obtained from grist. It lays out the expected impact of climate change, taking into account different CO2 emission scenarios (we’re on track for the worst case scenario as laid out here…scary). Click the thumbnail below for the full image.
VTOL rocket
SpaceX showed off a video of a recent test of their ‘grasshopper’ rocket, one that has the ability to land vertically (it takes off vertically too, but that’s kinda taken for granted with a rocket, ya know?). This is fantastic technology for it may lead to truly reusable rockets, which should dramatically lower the costs of getting into orbit, or even landing on the Moon or Mars. Check out the video below. It’s impressive, for the rocket gained some significant altitude for a test like this (~300′?) before coming back down for a landing.