Horizontal Perspective 横顾天下

Scientists from the University of York have come up with a new recycling technique that extracts PVA (more commonly known as wood glue) from used LCD panels to create a ‘a bioactive sponge.  The technique could allow recovered PVA to be used in pills, wound dressings and tissue scaffolds that aid human tissue regeneration. It could also keep waste LCD screens from incineration or landfill altogether.

When the research project is completed, the technology will be made available to recyclers worldwide, though the work already receives three to four enquiries from recyclers each week.

Source : IT News – Scientists turn used LCDs into medicine

Computerworld has an article about two Australian engineers who have invented ‘Circuits in Plastic’ technology. CIP designs aim to be more environmentally friendly than traditional circuits as they can be made from recycled plastic, don’t contain any hazardous substances, and since packaging is part of the base circuit board, there is no need for additional packaging material. As an added bonus, different 3D shaped circuits can be made using CIP, which are also waterproof.

No more ruining cell phones by getting them wet! The hope is that the technology will reduce the amount of toxic electronic waste in landfills, as even with lead-free technology, etching of existing printed circuit boards (and disposal of the chemicals) is a significant issue during manufacturing.

Plastic circuits to make tougher, greener computers

Dropping expletives may not only be an expression of agony, but also a means to alleviate it. Scientific American reports that although cursing is notoriously decried in the public debate, swearing may serve an important function in relieving pain.

Swearing is such a common response to pain that there has to be an underlying reason why we do it,

A study measured how long college students could keep their hands immersed in cold water. During the chilly exercise, they could repeat an expletive of their choice or chant a neutral word. When swearing, the 67 student volunteers reported less pain and on average endured about 40 seconds longer. How swearing achieves its physical effects is unclear, but the researchers speculate that brain circuitry linked to emotion is involved. Earlier studies have shown that unlike normal language, which relies on the outer few millimeters in the left hemisphere of the brain, expletives hinge on evolutionarily ancient structures buried deep inside the right half like the amygdala, an almond-shaped group of neurons that can trigger a fight-or-flight response in which our heart rate climbs and we become less sensitive to pain.

Source: Scientific American - Why the #$%! Do We Swear? For Pain Relief

UCLA researchers made a startling discovery: genetic alterations enable mice to convert fat into carbon dioxide. Mammals digest fats differently than bacteria — so researchers introduced bacteria genes into mouse livers, and ‘the excess fat was literally released into thin air.  The research potentially could help treat serious medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease — and of course, obesity.

via Technology Review: Making Fat Disappear.: Engineering mice with a fat-burning strategy from bacteria keeps the animals thin. The genetic alterations enabled the animals to convert fat into carbon dioxide and remain lean while eating the equivalent of a fast-food diet.

IronKey has released a USB flash drive with self-destruct capability. Specializing in “secure flash drives,” IronKey has launched the S200 aimed at government and enterprise customers, “featuring hardened physical security, the latest Cryptochip technology, active anti-malware and enhanced management capabilities. It’s the ‘first and only USB storage device to achieve FIPS 140-2, Level 3 validation’ and delivers advanced Cryptochip featuring AES-256, tamper-resistance and self-destruction circuitry.

Source: ZDNet – IronKey unveils enterprise USB flash drive with crypto, self-destruct security

It would be a shame if an engineer on a recent Thomas Cook Airlines flight doesn’t get a complimentary first class upgrade every time he flies. He was on flight TCX9641 when it was announced that the trip would be delayed while a mechanic was flown in to fix a problem. He identified himself and was allowed to look at the fault. After about 35 minutes the man fixed the problem and the flight was on its way.

A spokeswoman for Thomas Cook said, “When they announced there was a technical problem he came forward and said who he was. We checked his licence and verified he was who he said he was, and he was able to fix the problem to avoid the delay. We are very grateful that he was on the flight that day.”

It was reassuring to know the person who had fixed it was still on the aeroplane.

Ahmen to that!!

According to the US National Institute for Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland, scientists have discovered a remarkable similarity between the genetic faults behind both schizophrenia and manic depression in a breakthrough that is expected to open the way to new treatments for two of the most common mental illnesses, affecting millions of people. Previously schizophrenia and depression were assumed to be two separate conditions, but the new research shows for the first time that both have a common genetic basis that leads people to develop one or the other of the two illnesses.

Source:-

1. NIMH -Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Roots
   Chromosomal Hotspot of Immunity/Gene Expression Regulation Implicated
2. The Independent – Unlocked: the secrets of schizophrenia
   Scientific breakthrough offers hope of new treatments for mental condition

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Singapore will participate in a global clinical trial program to develop a vaccine for dengue. The phase II trial will test the safety and immunogenicity of a candidate dengue vaccine.

Source : MIMS Online.

More than 500 workers at Japan’s, Keihin Electric Express Railway face enforced “smile scans” every morning in a bid to boost their customer services, reports The Telegraph.

The “smile scan” software from Omron (which pioneered Fuzzy Logic back in the 1980s) analyzes a smile based on facial characteristics, from lip curves and eye movements to wrinkles to determine their optimum smile. After the scan, it produces a smile rating that ranges from zero to 100. Only staffs with an adequate may proceed with their work. They also receive a print out of their daily smile score which they will be expected to keep with then throughout the day to inspire them to smile at all times.

A growing number of service industries are reportedly using the new Omron Smile Scan system for “smile training” among its staff.

The Telegraph reports that Japanese scientists hope to be breeding a so-called ‘Super Tuna’ within the next decade or so. They have about 60% of the genome mapped and expect to finish it in the next couple months. The new breed will grow faster, taste good, have resistance to disease and will totally kick your ass if you cross them.
Source : The Telegraph – Japanese scientists to breed ’super tuna’