Sci-Tech news

• El Niño mystery uncovered: Clouds DOUBLE power of phenomenon

  04-01-2016 23:49 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The finding could lead to a radical rethink in the way the phenomenon is forecast. It comes as the first storms hit America, as forecasters warn more are to come.
  
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• Is it worth giving up alcohol for Alcohol Concern's Dry January?

  04-01-2016 23:41 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Cutting down on alcohol can improve liver function and aid weight loss, but for heavy drinkers it can actually induce seizures, says Ian Hamilton, a lecturer in mental health at the University of York.
  
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• Hoverboard fire destroys family home

  04-01-2016 23:31 via bbc.co.uk
  
  An Australian family of five is left homeless after a hoverboard given as a Christmas gift sparks a major house fire.
  
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• Creativity really IS mind altering

  04-01-2016 23:29 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Creativity can spur a pleasurable outcome in the brain, and it does so using different mechanisms based on your emotions, claims a study from University of California, San Francisco.
  
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• Two of the most dangerous fault lines in the U.S. may be connected in California

  04-01-2016 23:07 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Geophysicist Janet Watt claims the Hayward Fault, the most populated in the world, and the Rodgers Creek Fault are linked underneath the San Pablo Bay by a small strand.
  
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• Loneliness is 'AS deadly as a lack of exercise and diabetes'

  04-01-2016 23:04 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  University of North Carolina scientists found that lonely people are more likely to develop health problems, such as inflammation and high blood pressure - and have a shorter life expectancy.
  
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• Yahoo kills off video service designed to take on Amazon and Hulu

  04-01-2016 23:03 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Yahoo has killed off the video service it once hoped would give Amazon, Hulu and Netflix a run for their money.
  
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• Scientists discover worm Pristionchus borbonicus with FIVE faces

  04-01-2016 22:52 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Max Planck Institute has discovered a new species of nematodes on the Réunion Island. These worms can change the shape of their mouth depending on the food source.
  
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• Microsoft reveals over 200 MILLION machines now running Windows 10

  04-01-2016 22:51 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The firm says it was 'humbled' by the update - but still aims to have the software on a billion devices. Sales have now surpassed all previous versions for speed of adoption.
  
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• New York City to replace disused payphones with free Wi-Fi hot spots

  04-01-2016 22:40 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A 9-foot-tall, narrow structure installed last week on a Manhattan sidewalk is signaling a plan to turn payphones into what's billed as the world's biggest and fastest municipal Wi-Fi network.
  
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• El Niño mystery uncovered: Researchers say clouds DOUBLE the power of phenomenon as Nasa predicts 'weather chaos' for 2016

  04-01-2016 22:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The finding could lead to a radical rethink in the way the phenomenon is forecast. It comes as the first storms hit America, as forecasters warn more are to come.
  
  Read more

• Oculus reveals preorders for Rift VR headset will open on January 6th

  04-01-2016 22:13 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Oculus, the VR firm bought by Facebook, is to begin accepting preorders for its highly anticipated Rift virtual reality this week - but has still not said how much the headset will cost.
  
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• Whirlpool reveals the kitchen of the future

  04-01-2016 22:09 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  This year's lineup of smart dishwashers and washing machines, to be revealed at CES in Las Vegas, will now also be able to order supplies when they are low using Amazon Dash integration.
  
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• Now you can take a nap anywhere for just $49: Hoodie desi has a built-in inflatable pillow

  04-01-2016 22:03 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Hypnos has designed an inflatable pillow that is sewn into a hoodie, which allows the wearer to take a nap no matter where they are. Company is raising $30,000 through a Kickstarter campaign.
  
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• Creativity really IS mind altering: Musicians’ brain areas are significantly altered when playing happy or sad music

  04-01-2016 21:41 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Creativity can spur a pleasurable outcome in the brain, and it does so using different mechanisms based on your emotions, claims a study from University of California, San Francisco.
  
  Read more

• Is it worth giving up alcohol for a month as part of 'Dry January'?

  04-01-2016 21:26 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Cutting down on alcohol can improve liver function and aid weight loss, but for heavy drinkers it can actually induce seizures, says Ian Hamilton, a lecturer in mental health at the University of York.
  
  Read more

• Gigantopithecus, the real-life King Kong was killed off by climate change

  04-01-2016 21:21 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Scientists in Germany believe that like many other megafaunal species, the vegetarian forest-dwelling animal died out due to its inability to adapt to changing conditions.
  
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• Volvo wants you to binge on Netflix in its autonomous cars

  04-01-2016 21:19
  
  Volvo is teaming up with Ericsson to develop new media streaming technology for self-driving cars.By: James Temperton, Continue reading...
  
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• Yahoo shuts down its screen: Troubled firm kills off video service designed to take on Amazon and Hulu

  04-01-2016 21:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Yahoo has killed off the video service it once hoped would give Amazon, Hulu and Netflix a run for their money.
  
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• Researchers find up to 67 types of bacteria in office coffee machine drip trays

  04-01-2016 21:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The University of Valencia analyzed drip trays of Nespresso machines fromand found 35 to 67 types of bacteria - and say most coffee pod machines are covered with bacteria.
  
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• Why YOU crave junk food when you're drunk

  04-01-2016 21:13 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Scientists at the University of Liverpool found people who drank alcohol ate more cookies than those given a placebo drink, suggesting alcohol impairs self control and causes people to eat more.
  
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• Oxygen study raises new questions about what drove animal evolution on Earth

  04-01-2016 21:01 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark said their findings have raised new questions about what first drove animal evolution on Earth 600 million years ago.
  
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• When being two faced isn’t enough: Scientists discover worm with FIVE faces

  04-01-2016 20:47 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Max Planck Institute has discovered a new species of nematodes on the Réunion Island. These worms can change the shape of their mouth depending on the food source.
  
  Read more

• Windows everywhere: Microsoft reveals over 200 MILLION machines now running its Windows 10 software

  04-01-2016 20:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The firm says it was 'humbled' by the update - but still aims to have the software on a billion devices. Sales have now surpassed all previous versions for speed of adoption.
  
  Read more

• Greenland's ice cap is releasing water FASTER than first thought

  04-01-2016 20:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The new study, from a team of Danish, American, and Swiss scientists, shows that current atmospheric warming is changing the firn layer - made from compacted snow.
  
  Read more

• Climate change could lead to an energy crisis

  04-01-2016 20:14 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  World energy production could be significantly affected by the impacts of climate change, a study by researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands has claimed.
  
  Read more

• LG to unveil flexible screens that can be used in everything from smartphones to cars

  04-01-2016 20:09 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The 18-inch rollable display, which is believed to be a world first, was announced by the Korean giant ahead of the CES technology show taking place in Las Vegas this week.
  
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• Oculus reveals preorders for Rift VR headset will open on January 6th - you'll probably need an expensive new PC to run it (and it could even harm your health)

  04-01-2016 19:51 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Oculus, the VR firm bought by Facebook, is to begin accepting preorders for its highly anticipated Rift virtual reality this week - but has still not said how much the headset will cost.
  
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• Is your email inbox making you SICK?

  04-01-2016 19:47 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The London-based Future Work Centre asked nearly 2,000 working people across a variety of industries, sectors and job roles in the UK about their experience of using email.
  
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• The $150 smart bra that can monitor your every breath: Sewn in sensors send wearer's vital signs to an app

  04-01-2016 19:23 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A new wearable tech design can track your fitness activity through a sports bra. Smart bra by San Francisco company OMsignal records biometrics and streams them to an iOS device.
  
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• What's lurking in YOUR office coffee machine? Researchers find up to 67 different types of bacteria in drip trays

  04-01-2016 19:10 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The University of Valencia analyzed drip trays of Nespresso machines fromand found 35 to 67 types of bacteria - and say most coffee pod machines are covered with bacteria.
  
  Read more

• Facebook post sparks S Africa race row

  04-01-2016 19:08 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Comments by a white South African woman calling black people "monkeys" spark widespread outrage and are now being investigated by the country's human rights commission.
  
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• Easy-to-use ransomware uncovered

  04-01-2016 19:08 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Cyber-thieves have used the Javascript programming language to create ransomware that is cheap and easy to use.
  
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• Real-life King Kong was killed off by climate change: Huge 10ft Gigantopithecus apes became extinct 100,000 years ago when trees were replaced by savannahs

  04-01-2016 19:01 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Scientists in Germany believe that like many other megafaunal species, the vegetarian forest-dwelling animal died out due to its inability to adapt to changing conditions.
  
  Read more

• Pre-orders for Oculus VR to start

  04-01-2016 19:01 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Pre-orders for the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset will be open from 6 January, says the Facebook-backed company.
  
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• Nvidia reveals minimum-but-pricey VR system specs

  04-01-2016 18:22
  
  Graphics card manufacturer Nvidia has revealed its minimum specs for running virtual reality on PC, along with a new scheme to highlight which of its products can handle the heavy processing workload.By: Matt Kamen, Continue reading...
  
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• Microsoft's strangest laptop is finally coming to the UK

  04-01-2016 18:08
  
  Microsoft makes an early 2016 announcement for the UKBy: Michael Rundle, Continue reading...
  
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• Greenland's ice cap is releasing water FASTER than first thought: Experts fear loss of ice 'sponge' could lead to more meltwater flowing into the oceans

  04-01-2016 18:05 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The new study, from a team of Danish, American, and Swiss scientists, shows that current atmospheric warming is changing the firn layer - made from compacted snow.
  
  Read more

• Climate change could lead to an energy crisis: Water needed to produce electricity will become scarce as power demand soars

  04-01-2016 17:55 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  World energy production could be significantly affected by the impacts of climate change, a study by researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands has claimed.
  
  Read more

• E-cigarette licensed as quit-smoking medication

  04-01-2016 17:48
  
  Drug regulators have granted a licence for an e-cigarette to be used as a quit-smoking medicine, the first time such a product has been given a drug license in the UK. By: Emily Reynolds, Continue reading...
  
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• GM and Lyft to develop driverless cars

  04-01-2016 17:14 via bbc.co.uk
  
  US car giant General Motors is teaming up with car sharing service Lyft to develop a fleet of driverless vehicles.
  
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• The perfect car for movie buffs! Self-driving Volvo system automatically changes its driving style and route so passengers can finish films before reaching their destination

  04-01-2016 16:58 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Gothenburg-based car maker is working on a system that will let a car choose a route to match the length of a film, meaning passengers could finish it as they arrive at their destination.
  
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• Toyota and Ford join forces to take on Apple and Google with SmartDeviceLink

  04-01-2016 16:52 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The new agreement will see Ford and Toyota using the same software to link apps to their car's smart dashboard, in a bid to fend off Apple and Google.
  
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• Uber boss Travis Kalanick explains why taxis are almost never on time

  04-01-2016 16:20 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  San Francisco-based boss, Travis Kalanick, wrote that the times are estimated before a user’s request is made and in rural areas cars are further apart so wait times can be longer and less accurate.
  
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• Tiniest chameleons deliver the most powerful tongue-lashings at 60mph

  04-01-2016 16:20 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A biologist from Brown University, Rhode Island, has found that smaller chameleons, such as thumb-sized rosette-nosed chameleon (stock image) have faster tongues than larger varieties.
  
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• How much would you weigh if you stood on the sun? Astronomers discover how to measure the pull of gravity on distant stars

  04-01-2016 16:13 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The research was led by the University of Vienna. It allows scientists to measure surface gravity with an accuracy of about four per cent, for stars too distant and too faint to apply current techniques.
  
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• Lyft and General Motors to develop network of self driving cars to take on Google

  04-01-2016 16:11 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  GM and Lyft announced an alliance to develop an on-demand network of autonomous vehicles as well as a $500 million investment by the automaker in the transport app.
  
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• Scalebound slips into 2017 as Final Fantasy VII 'prepares'

  04-01-2016 15:58
  
  The new year starts is off to a poor start for gamers awaiting Japanese action JRPG Scalebound and the remake of Final Fantasy VII -- the former is confirmed as delayed until 2017, and the latter may be following it.By: Matt Kamen, Continue reading...
  
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• Virtual reality is the future of TV: Facebook's Oculus Rift headset could give sport fans 360-degree views of games

  04-01-2016 15:42 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Consumer models of Facebook's Oculus Rift, which is to go on sale later this year, and Sony's PlayStation VR headset are being showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
  
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• Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg unveils 2016 plans for artificially intelligent butler

  04-01-2016 15:40 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  California-based Mark Zuckerberg (pictured) made the announcement in a Facebook post on his profile. He said building the AI 'butler' would be his personal challenge for 2016.
  
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