Sci-Tech news

• Robots could soon take over the world and wipe out humanity says Martin Rees

  21-05-2015 23:57 via
  
  The British Astronomer Royal believes that we are facing an 'inorganic post-human era' in which robot intelligence will surpass that of people, leading to humanity's ultimate destruction.
  
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• Adult website hack compromises users

  21-05-2015 23:31 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Adult Friend Finder, a casual dating website, has called in police and hacking investigators after a suspected leak of client information.
  
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• Is the world heading towards a post-human future? Sir Martin Rees warns that super-intelligent robots could wipe out humanity

  21-05-2015 23:23 via
  
  The British Astronomer Royal believes that we are facing an 'inorganic post-human era' in which robot intelligence will surpass that of people, leading to humanity's ultimate destruction.
  
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• Air Force bosses reveal they want hypersonic missiles within five years - and technology could see planes travel from New York to London in an HOUR

  21-05-2015 22:47 via
  
  Air Force bosses have revealed they hope to have hypersonic missiles capable of crossing countries in minutes within five years.
  
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• Quadriplegic Erik Sorto uses robot arm controlled his thought to pick up beer

  21-05-2015 22:30 via
  
  Doctors in California implanted tiny chips into the brain of Erik Sorto, a 34-year-old, who was shot in the back 13 years ago. The chips were able to decode his thoughts to control a robotic arm.
  
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• Quadriplegic picks up his own beer for the first time in 13 years - using a robot arm controlled by his THOUGHTS

  21-05-2015 21:51 via
  
  Doctors in California implanted tiny chips into the brain of Erik Sorto, a 34-year-old, who was shot in the back 13 years ago. The chips were able to decode his thoughts to control a robotic arm.
  
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• Science of Instagram: Filtered photos are 21% more likely to be viewed

  21-05-2015 21:44 via
  
  This is according to a study by Yahoo Labs which also found that filtered photos are 45 per cent more likely to receive comments on social networking sites such as Flickr or Instagram.
  
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• Antarctic sheet lost so much ice it changed Earth's GRAVITATIONAL field

  21-05-2015 21:15 via
  
  Researchers at the University of Bristol calculate the ice sheet on the Southern Antarctic Peninsula is dropping by 4m a year and estimate it has lost 300 trillion litres of water since 2009.
  
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• California probes oil spill cause

  21-05-2015 21:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Clean-up crews are working around the clock as investigators look into how tens of thousands of gallons of oil spewed into the sea off Santa Barbara.
  
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• The science of Instagram success: Filtered photos are 21% more likely to be viewed - and warmer tones get more comments

  21-05-2015 20:56 via
  
  This is according to a study by Yahoo Labs which also found that filtered photos are 45 per cent more likely to receive comments on social networking sites such as Flickr or Instagram.
  
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• Apple Maps app to relaunch with travel directions to take on Google

  21-05-2015 20:56 via
  
  Apple is expected to add subway, bus and train route navigation to its Maps app with an update set to be unveiled next month.
  
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• Amazon takes on Seamless with one hour food delivery service

  21-05-2015 20:56 via
  
  Groceries, prepared meals and baked goods from D'Agostino, Gourmet Garage and Billy's Bakery can be ordered through the Prime Now app by Amazon customers in Manhattan.
  
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• Bacon emoji among 38 new images joining the collection with clown and selfie

  21-05-2015 18:59 via
  
  The Unicode Consortium in California has released a list of new emoji. The list was compiled based on popular requests and suggestions, such as bacon (shown) and a pregnant woman.
  
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• Dogs have been man's best friend for 40,000 years: Humans tamed canine ancestors centuries earlier than first thought

  21-05-2015 18:34 via
  
  A team of experts in the US and Sweden analysed the genome of an ancient and extinct Taimyr wolf from a fragment of rib bone, which was radiocarbon dated to 35,000 years ago.
  
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• AdBlock reveals browser for Android

  21-05-2015 18:33 via bbc.co.uk
  
  An ad-blocking web browser for smartphones is being developed by Eyeo, the company behind the popular AdBlock Plus plug-in.
  
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• Large Hadron Collider breaks atom smashing record: Hunt for dark matter can now begin after two-year hiatus

  21-05-2015 18:25 via
  
  Scientists in Geneva have turned the LHC (shown) back on at record levels. It is now capable of energies twice the levels possible in 2013. The £3.74 billion particle accelerator was upgraded for two years.
  
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• 3091307 Dogs have been man's best friend for 40,000 years: Humans tamed canine ancestors centuries earlier than first thought

  21-05-2015 18:25 via
  
  A team of experts in the US and Sweden analysed the genome of an ancient and extinct Taimyr wolf from a fragment of rib bone, which was radiocarbon dated to 35,000 years ago.
  
  Read more

• Land Rover Defender stretch with SIX wheels, stealth paint and racing car seats

  21-05-2015 18:15 via
  
  Leeds-based Kahn Design modified the famous off-road vehicle to create a six wheel drive luxury car that is 4.5ft (1.4 metres) longer than a normal Land Rover Defender and features red leather interior.
  
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• The bacon emoji is coming! Food item is one of 38 new images joining the collection alongside a clown, selfie and Mother Christmas

  21-05-2015 18:06 via
  
  The Unicode Consortium in California has released a list of new emoji. The list was compiled based on popular requests and suggestions, such as bacon (shown) and a pregnant woman.
  
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• DNA hints at earlier dog evolution

  21-05-2015 18:02 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Swedish researchers say that dogs may have been domesticated much earlier than some studies suggest.
  
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• Bronze Age Danish girl 'German-born'

  21-05-2015 18:01 via bbc.co.uk
  
  New research reveals that a girl buried 3,400 years ago in Denmark who became one of the country's best-known Bronze Age relics was probably born in Germany.
  
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• Supernova shockwave hitting a red giant could solve star exploding mystery

  21-05-2015 17:38 via
  
  Astronomers in California say they may have cracked the mystery of how one of the most common types of supernova in the universe occurs, known as type 1a, when a white dwarf explodes (illustrated).
  
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• Google app that gives answers instantly during phone calls and texts patented

  21-05-2015 17:29 via
  
  The patent, which was awarded on 12 May, suggests a piece of software could be embedded in a messaging program to allow users to ask Google’s search engine a question.
  
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• Spyware app admits it has been hacked

  21-05-2015 17:27 via bbc.co.uk
  
  MSpy, a company offering software that lets people to spy on others, admits it has been hacked and had customer records leaked online.
  
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• mSpy admits hacking and data theft

  21-05-2015 17:27 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A company offering software that allows people to spy on others admits it has been hacked and had thousands of customer records leaked online.
  
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• Top 10 new species of 2015 include cartwheeling spiders and 'chicken from hell'

  21-05-2015 17:19 via
  
  The State University of New York's committee of taxonomists selected the top 10 from among the approximately 18,000 new species named during the previous year.
  
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• Pimp my off-road ride: £200,000 stretch Land Rover Defender has SIX wheels, stealth paint and bright red racing car seats

  21-05-2015 17:12 via
  
  Leeds-based Kahn Design modified the famous off-road vehicle to create a six wheel drive luxury car that is 4.5ft (1.4 metres) longer than a normal Land Rover Defender and features red leather interior.
  
  Read more

• Bionic turtles and a flag for Earth: Podcast 219

  21-05-2015 17:10
  
  
  An entertaining weekly 45-minute look at the most interesting technology and science stories from the last seven days, with WIRED.co.uk's Michael Rundle, Katie Collins and Daniel Culpan.By: Katie Collins, Continue reading...
  
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• What happens when a star EXPLODES? Supernova shockwave spotted hitting a red giant could solve cosmic mystery

  21-05-2015 16:21 via
  
  Astronomers in California say they may have cracked the mystery of how one of the most common types of supernova in the universe occurs, known as type 1a, when a white dwarf explodes (illustrated).
  
  Read more

• Google patents a way to win any argument: Proposed tool provides answers instantly during phone calls and text conversations

  21-05-2015 16:21 via
  
  The patent, which was awarded on 12 May, suggests a piece of software could be embedded in a messaging program to allow users to ask Google’s search engine a question.
  
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• Grand Theft Auto sues Daniel Radcliffe film

  21-05-2015 16:15 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The gaming firm's filed a lawsuit against the BBC for trademark infringement over the broadcaster’s upcoming drama Game Changer.
  
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• Octopuses 'see' with their SKIN and this may explain their camouflage ability

  21-05-2015 16:12 via
  
  Biologists at the University of California Santa Barbara found nerves in the skin of two-spot octopuses are packed with light sensitive molecules that may lie behind their camouflage ability.
  
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• Bionic lens could give you SUPER SIGHT: Implant promises vision three times better than 20/20 - and won't deteriorate over time

  21-05-2015 16:12 via
  
  The Ocumetics Bionic Lens (pictured) was created by Canadian Dr Garth Webb. Surgery to implant the lens into the patient's eye takes eight minutes and vision is corrected in 10 seconds.
  
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• Romania acts to save forests from saw

  21-05-2015 15:06 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Romania gripped by tensions over illegal logging
  
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• The mother who 'outed' her daughter's Facebook lie

  21-05-2015 14:51 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A mother berates her teenage daughter in a Facebook film which has been watched more than 11 million times
  
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• Ancient cannibals used chillies and spices to 'marinate' their victims

  21-05-2015 14:25 via
  
  People living near what is now Mexico City, some 2,500 years ago, boiled human flesh in a mixture of chillies and saffron-like spices such as annatto.
  
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• Ancient cannibals used chillies and spices to 'marinate' their victims - and the exotic ingredients stained human BONES

  21-05-2015 13:59 via
  
  People living near what is now Mexico City, some 2,500 years ago, boiled human flesh in a mixture of chillies and saffron-like spices such as annatto.
  
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• The HEADPHONES that detect brain damage by tracking changes in pressure

  21-05-2015 13:51 via
  
  The device (pictured) is currently being used by Southampton General Hospital. In particular, the pressure tests measures fluid via a channel that links the inner ear with the brain.
  
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• El Nino may DOUBLE the cost of our favourite food and drink

  21-05-2015 13:34 via
  
  Scientists have warned that a 'strong' El Nino could be on the way. India, Brazil and western Africa would all be badly affected. This could hamper the production of coffee, rice and soya beans (shown).
  
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• The HEADPHONES that detect brain damage: Pioneering device tracks changes in pressure caused by injury and infection

  21-05-2015 13:15 via
  
  The device (pictured) is currently being used by Southampton General Hospital. In particular, the pressure tests measures fluid via a channel that links the inner ear with the brain.
  
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• US Army makes blast-proof wallpaper

  21-05-2015 13:12 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Wallpaper that can protect soldiers from explosions is being developed by the US Army.
  
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• Top 10 new species of 2015: Cartwheeling spiders, 'chicken from hell' and a giant stick insect celebrated in the year's first official list

  21-05-2015 13:06 via
  
  The State University of New York's committee of taxonomists selected the top 10 from among the approximately 18,000 new species named during the previous year.
  
  Read more

• Third US health insurer hit by hack

  21-05-2015 12:45 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A third US health insurance company is hacked, with over one million customer records stolen
  
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• Hacked billboard shows obscene image

  21-05-2015 12:39 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Hackers manage to make a huge video billboard in Atlanta show an obscene image favoured by internet pranksters.
  
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• XploR cane uses facial recognition to guide user to family's location

  21-05-2015 12:39 via
  
  The 'XploR' mobility cane (stock image) was developed at Birmingham City University. It uses a camera and built-in sensors to scan for faces in a crowd and vibrates when it identifies one.
  
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• El Nino could cause chocolate prices to soar: Extreme weather may DOUBLE the cost of our favourite food and drink

  21-05-2015 12:39 via
  
  Scientists have warned that a 'strong' El Nino could be on the way. India, Brazil and western Africa would all be badly affected. This could hamper the production of coffee, rice and soya beans (shown).
  
  Read more

• XploR cane uses facial recognition to spot friends and family in a crowd - and it guides the blind user to their exact location

  21-05-2015 12:11 via
  
  The 'XploR' mobility cane (stock image) was developed at Birmingham City University. It uses a camera and built-in sensors to scan for faces in a crowd and vibrates when it identifies one.
  
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• LHC smashes collision energy record

  21-05-2015 11:55 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The Large Hadron Collider is smashing protons at the highest energy ever attempted - but they are only test collisions, as the LHC continues to gear up its second run.
  
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• Cashless overtakes notes and coins

  21-05-2015 11:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Payments through electronic transactions, such as debit card, contactless and mobile payments, have overtaken cash for the first time, the Payments Council says.
  
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• Harlequin ladybird that eats seven native species is fastest ever alien invader

  21-05-2015 10:10 via
  
  After first arriving in the UK in Essex in 2004, harlequin ladybirds are now found from Cornwall to the Shetland Islands. It is the fastest alien invasion of the UK on record.
  
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