Sci-Tech news

• Consumer Reports reverses controversial decision not to recommend Apple's MacBook Pro after finding battery tests WERE due to a software bug

  12-01-2017 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  'Our results show that a software update released by Apple on January 9 fixed problems we’d encountered in earlier testing,' Consumer Reportssaid.
  
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• The incredible 'mad max' journey across Antarctica: Stunning satellite image reveals gruelling trek to resupply Earth's most remote research stations

  12-01-2017 22:19 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The satellite image shows a convoy of supplies canon the 1000 km trek from Dumont d’Urville on the Antarctic coast to Concordia research station deep in the Antarctic.
  
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• The force is strong in this botnet: Researchers baffled by 350,000 accounts tweeting Star Wars quotes - and their locations make a strange symbol

  12-01-2017 21:59 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Scientists from University College London have discovered a team of more than 350,000 bots on Twitter they call 'Star Wars bots'- these bots only share random quotes from Star Wars novels.
  
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• Researchers find 77% of Americans now own a smartphone - more than double the number just five years ago

  12-01-2017 21:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  More than three-fourths of American adults now use a smartphone, helping to boost internet adoption to a record level, new figures from Pew have found.
  
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• The X-Files will return for season 11 in 2018

  12-01-2017 21:00
  
  By: Matt KamenContinue reading...
  
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• Kickstarting classical music: Emika on crowdfunding an orchestra for her new album

  12-01-2017 21:00
  
  By: Sophia EpsteinContinue reading...
  
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• Apple to take on Hollywood with its own original movies and TV shows

  12-01-2017 20:35 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A report from The Wall Street Journal suggests Apple is going into show business. Sources say Apple is set to create and release its own original shows and movies by then end of 2017.
  
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• Tortoise is fitted with a pair of wheels after sex left him with severe arthritis

  12-01-2017 20:13 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Bert the randy tortoise has been fitted with a pair of wheels after he developed arthritis following wild sex sessions. He now travels around with the help of heavy duty wheels.
  
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• Not just a fitness monitor: Wearable trackers can spot infections and illness before symptoms appear

  12-01-2017 20:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Scientists from Stanford University School of Medicine, in California, collected data on changes such as heart rate and skin temperature to reveal what is going on inside a person.
  
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• Elon Musk reveals Tesla cars to get 'ludicrous plus' mode allowing what is already the world's fastest production car to go from 0-60mph in just 2.34 seconds

  12-01-2017 19:57 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Elon Musk has revealed the car's special 'ludicrous mode', which already makes it the world's fastest production car, it about to get a speed boost.
  
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• How to talk to your dog: Researchers say using your hands and NOT using baby talk is key

  12-01-2017 19:55 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A study has shown we use a higher pitch when talking to puppies, and this really does help the animals to pay attention more, but the study didn’t find the same effect applied for adult dogs.
  
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• Do YOU have trust issues? Blame your phone: Experts warn technology has led to us distrusting 'friendly strangers'

  12-01-2017 19:50 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Researchers from the University of Virginia found the more we use our phones to get information, the less we trust strangers. This may be linked to the missed opportunities to interact with outsiders.
  
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• Sony closes Guerrilla Cambridge video games studio

  12-01-2017 19:23 via bbc.co.uk
  
  A 19-year-old video games studio based in Cambridge is to close months after releasing a PlayStation VR title.
  
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• Researchers find primates will try to find genetically different mates

  12-01-2017 19:14 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Researchers at Gombe National Park, Tanzania, found that chimps prefer having babies with mates who are most genetically different to them to avoid negative health effects caused by inbreeding.
  
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• Preserved in time: Thousands of 19th century jam jars are unearthed during Crossrail excavation works

  12-01-2017 19:04 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Thousands of jam jars and pickle pots have been unearthed during excavations to at Crossrail's new Elizabeth line station in Tottenham Court Road, London.
  
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• From supercars to a super speedboat: Lexus unveils a stunning 885hp carbon-fibre sports yacht with twin V8 engines and power-adjustable seats

  12-01-2017 19:02 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Japanese manufacturer has unveiled a stunning sports yacht powered by two engines – based on the unit found in the Lexus RC F coupe - that propel the vessel to nearly 50mph.
  
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• Galaxies collide in beautiful Hubble footage

  12-01-2017 19:00
  
  By: Liat ClarkContinue reading...
  
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• Tidal lagoon: £1.3bn Swansea Bay project backed by review

  12-01-2017 18:43 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Plans for a £1.3bn tidal lagoon off Swansea are backed in a government-commissioned review.
  
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• Mice are transformed into aggressive 'zombie' hunters after scientists flick a killer switch in their brains

  12-01-2017 18:40 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Researchers at Yale University in New Haven Connecticut, used optogenetics to ‘switch on’ circuits in the brains of mice and trigger aggressive behaviour.
  
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• Is your FLEECE killing marine life? Washing synthetic fabrics releases toxic microplastics into the sea

  12-01-2017 18:21 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A study by the University of California has found that up to two grams of these fibres are released into the environment every time a fleece goes through the washing machine.
  
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• Orcas reveal the origin of menopause

  12-01-2017 18:04 via bbc.co.uk
  
  By studying the long lives of killer whale families, researchers say they have solved the evolutionary mystery of the menopause.
  
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• Scientists turn mice into fierce hunters by flicking a 'killer switch' in their brains

  12-01-2017 18:00
  
  By: Victoria WoollastonContinue reading...
  
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• Facebook wants to read your THOUGHTS: Secretive division may be developing a mind-reading device

  12-01-2017 17:59 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Facebook posted two adverts on its job site - one for a 'brain-computer interface engineer' and the other for a 'neural imaging engineer', both based at the Menlo Park site in California.
  
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• China launches new electronic intelligence naval ship

  12-01-2017 17:43 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The Kaiyangxing is a Type 815A electronic reconnaissance ship and will conduct 'all-weather, round-the-clock reconnaissance on multiple and different targets'.
  
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• Rudy Giuliani to lead Trump's cybersecurity team

  12-01-2017 17:09 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The former New York mayor previously said he was only interested in being the US secretary of state.
  
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• Will the iPhone 8 be TRANSPARENT? Apple is granted a patent for a see-through display

  12-01-2017 17:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Apple's next iPhone could come with a transparent screen, according to a patent filed by the California-based company. The technology could pave the way for a step into augmented reality.
  
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• Digital trade unions will empower tomorrow's sharing economy employees

  12-01-2017 17:00
  
  By: Gavin KellyContinue reading...
  
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• AI takes on humans in marathon poker game

  12-01-2017 16:57 via bbc.co.uk
  
  An AI program will take on four professional poker players in a 20-day game.
  
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• Britain comes a step closer to a 760mph rail link: Four UK routes make shortlist for Elon Musk's Hyperloop One project

  12-01-2017 16:50 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  In the UK, four routes have been picked, that could see lines built from London to Edinburgh, Liverpool to Hull, Glasgow to Cardiff or a 'Northern Arc'  across a series of northern cities.
  
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• The WIRED-approved winter weather survival kit

  12-01-2017 16:44
  
  By: Chris HaslamContinue reading...
  
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• EU MEPs warn robots must be fitted with 'kill switches' to prevent Terminator-style rise

  12-01-2017 16:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MEPs today passed a resolution urging Brussels to take action on automaton ethics as the role of robots in everyday life becomes more and more significant.
  
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• Rudy Giuliani to head up Donald Trump's cybersecurity team

  12-01-2017 16:35
  
  By: Victoria WoollastonContinue reading...
  
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• Adobe is forcing people to install a Chrome Plugin with its latest Reader update

  12-01-2017 16:30
  
  By: Matt BurgessContinue reading...
  
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• Sales of personal computers plummet as people turn to phones and tablets

  12-01-2017 16:27 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Experts from Connecticut-based Gartner say that there has been a decline in the sales of personal computers since 2012, with only 269.7 million units sold in 2016 globally.
  
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• The most terrifying goose to ever roam the Earth: 5ft bird weighed 50lbs and used its wings to FIGHT

  12-01-2017 16:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Researchers at the University of Turin in Italy found fossils of a giant goose that roamed the Mediterranean between six and nine million years ago.
  
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• Can YOU solve these word riddles?

  12-01-2017 16:15 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Playbuzz has devised a list of infuriating word riddles, otherwise known as dingbats, to put your logistical knowledge to the test.
  
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• Apple’s AirPods are selling surprisingly well

  12-01-2017 16:00
  
  By: Amelia HeathmanContinue reading...
  
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• Xiaomi chief says mobile phone firm grew too quickly

  12-01-2017 15:54 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Chinese mobile phone giant Xiaomi says it grew too quickly and will not disclose its phone sales for 2016.
  
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• Double barrelled GUN Ideal Conceal designed to look like a smartphone goes on sale

  12-01-2017 15:05 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The firearm, called Ideal Conceal, is being advertised as a lightweight one-piece frame with a hammerless firing system that is made with locally produced parts.
  
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• Vampire bats in Brazil are feeding on humans

  12-01-2017 15:00
  
  By: Amelia HeathmanContinue reading...
  
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• US police are on red alert as a double barrelled GUN designed to look like a smartphone goes on sale

  12-01-2017 14:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The firearm, called Ideal Conceal, is being advertised as a lightweight one-piece frame with a hammerless firing system that is made with locally produced parts.
  
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• Drone company Lily shuts down owing $34m

  12-01-2017 14:29 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Customers who pre-ordered a throw-and-shoot camera drone are promised refunds as the company folds.
  
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• Women with high blood pressure are more likely to have a boy - and the reverse is also true

  12-01-2017 14:05 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Researchers from the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto found systolic blood pressure before pregnancy was higher in women who had boys and lower in those who had girls.
  
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• Cemu lets you play Wii U games on your PC in 4K

  12-01-2017 14:03
  
  By: Matt KamenContinue reading...
  
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• Baboons use vowel sounds remarkably similar to those found in human speech

  12-01-2017 14:00
  
  By: James TempertonContinue reading...
  
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• Some of the Milky Way's stars were STOLEN and 'ripped from another galaxy'

  12-01-2017 13:59 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  New research by Harvard astronomers shows half of the furthest stars in our galaxy might have been ripped from another galaxy: the Sagittarius dwarf.
  
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• Tidal lagoon energy could be on its way in the UK: £1.3bn 'world first' Swansea Bay project is backed

  12-01-2017 13:37 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  An independent review has backed the development of a tidal lagoon in Swansea Bay, saying the technology could play 'a cost-effective role' in the UK energy mix.
  
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• Maxine Caulfield out walking her dogs snaps 'sasquatch' in woods in Ireland

  12-01-2017 13:20 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mother-of-one Maxine Caulfield was walking her dogs in the 'haunted' woods of Slieveanorra in Northern Ireland when she said her pets used their 'sixth sense' to spot the mystery 'beast'.
  
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• Woody Harrelson joins cast of Star Wars Han Solo spinoff

  12-01-2017 12:58
  
  By: Matt KamenContinue reading...
  
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• Vampire bats in Brazil have started feeding on HUMANS for the first time

  12-01-2017 12:57 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Researchers from the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil made the find after looking at 70 faeces samples from a colony of hairy-legged vampire bats living in the Catimbau National Park.
  
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