’Earth-Like’ Asteroid Devoured by Dead Star

The Hubble Space Telescope has recorded an intriguing event some 150 light-years from Earth.

A large asteroid was pulled into the White Dwarf star (named ‘GD 61’ by astronomers) and utterly destroyed. This is not an unusual event, as even dead stars still exhibit a very high level of gravity. However, scientists are interested because the chemical signatures left in the star’s atmosphere indicate the presence of water and a rocky surface, both considered to be key building blocks for the creation of life on our planet.

Until this event was observed, water and a rocky surface had never been found together on an object outside our solar system.

The asteroid consisted of the elements magnesium, silicon, iron and oxygen, all of which are usually found in rock minerals, but scientists believe that the abundance of oxygen indicated the heavy presence of H20.

The object was at least 90KM across and as much as 26% of that is thought to have been water. Earth is considered to be just 0.02% water.

This discovery is important because it gives scientists a vindicating glimpse of how inhabitable environments may have been formed, receiving key components (such as water) from outside sources such as meteorites.

It is thought that water first arrived on our planet by similar means and that other planets in the GD 61 system would once have received water this way as well. According to BBC News, scientists consider the presence of rocky planets in the GD system to have been “very likely”.

Scientists have observed over 1,000 planets outside our solar system, but none is thought to contain water.

Closer to home, some planets and heavenly bodies are thought to contain water. Mars is considered by many to once have had liquid water, but if this is still the case, it is a greatly reduced amount.

Elsewhere, Jupiter’s moon Europa raises a tantalizing prospect that there are oceans under its icy surface. This has led to some convincing research into the possible presence of ocean currents there. However, Europa is not alone, its fellow moons Callisto and Ganymede have also been suggested as candidates for liquid water.

In addition, Rhea (moon of Saturn), Titania (moon or Uranus), Oberon (also orbiting Uranus), Triton (moon of Neptune), Pluto (dwarf planet), Eris (dwarf planet), Sedna (possible dwarf planet) and Orcus (another possible dwarf planet) are all speculated to have oceans, some of which may be in contact with the rocky core of the respective body, which would hypothetically result in a steady stream of minerals and salts into the water – an important factor in creating life.

Saturn’s moon Enceladus has geysers, which is seen as proof of the presence of water or at least water vapours. It has even been theorized by some that Neptune contains oceans of liquid diamond.

The heavy presence of water on this asteroid is a vital clue for scientists and their understanding, not only of the cosmos, but also of how our home planet came into being.

 

SOURCES

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24491845

’Earth-Like’ Asteroid Devoured by Dead Star

Stallone To Play ‘Rocky’ Once more

Rumours abound that Sylvester Stallone is going to be playing the character of ‘Rocky Balboa’ once again, in a brand new movie set inside the ‘Rocky’ world.

The incredibly popular character Rocky Balboa formerly appeared in the Oscar-winning 1976 movie ‘Rocky’ and is the central hero in no less than six films to date.

MGM films have basically offered the brand new project, at present identified only as ‘Creed’ to director Ryan Coogler.

The future movie is actually a spin-off as opposed to a direct sequel.

Michael B. Jordan, star of this year’s ‘Fruitville Station’ and also HBO TV drama ‘The Wire’, will play the grandson of recurring series character Apollo Creed. The planned story would call for young Creed to enter the world of boxing, with Stallone’s Balboa playing the function of his mentor.

Director Ryan Coogler, who worked with Jordan on the aforementioned ‘Fruitville Station’ film, is said to be enthusiastic about the concept and is hoping to co-write the screenplay.

Apollo Creed, as portrayed by Carl Weathers, was originally presented as Rocky’s adversary. In the initial role, Creed (who was reportedly similar to a combination of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Joe Louis) was the World Heavyweight Boxing Champ as well as a savvy entrepreneur. When faced with a deficiency of proper opponents, Creed decided to put his championship on the line against a neighborhood, unknown fighter.

The initial film mainly centred around the elected fighter Rocky Balboa as he trained for the biggest fight of his life. In the later movies, Apollo Creed became a adviser and a close pal to Rocky.

Weathers played Creed in each ‘Rocky’ film until ‘Rocky IV’, where the character was killed during a match with Russian boxer Ivan Drago (portrayed by Dolph Lundgren).

In spite of the character’s downfall, he’s significantly mentioned in both follow-up films and remains very popular with fans of this series.

The final film in the original Rocky series, ‘Rocky Balboa’ was released in 2006 to strong critical and commercial reception. In 2010, Sylvester Stallone was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum for his creation and portrayal of Rocky, as well as the many tributes he has paid to boxers and also the sport of boxing in his career.

SOURCES:

http://www.sylvesterstallone.com/stallone-inducted-into-boxing-hall-of-fame/

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/stallone-to-play-rocky-again-in-spin-off-creed-053257511.html

Stallone To Play ‘Rocky’ Once more

Sony 42-Inches of pure brilliance

Similar to lots of people reading this, I take pleasure in the celebration of Christmas a great deal.

 

Though I am not religious (in truth, I’ve frequently described myself like the ‘spiritually inclined’ atheist – even if I have taken to observing all 8 Pagan Sabbats over the course of this year), I still view Christmas as the joyous time being spent with family, friends and people you think as belonging to the closest ring of the ‘inner circle’.

 

My relatives is one with many enduring Christmas traditions, plenty of that will obviously be passed on to my family (should my girlfriend and I ever choose to have any). We bring out similarly decorations year after year (a few of which have always been in the family for over a 100 years).

 

On Christmas Eve, my Mum will still read ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ by Clement C. Moore to my brother and myself (and latterly my girlfriend too), although we are now in our twenties. Until lately, we would move out into the streets and chime the ‘sleigh bells’ for our neighbours’ kids to hear from their window (as their mother and father did for my brother and I when we were kids).

 

Maybe our best family tradition, yet, is the ritual viewing of a Frank Capra Christmas tradition ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’. The flick stars Jimmy Stewart as the perennial ‘nice guy fallen on misfortune’ George Bailey, Donna Reed as his wife Mary, Henry Travers as Clarence, George’s guardian angel and of course, Lionel Barrymore as a truly dastardly ‘Old Man Potter’.

 

No matter what else goes on (or how confused Christmas Eve might be, especially now that travel may be a factor in our coming together), we ALWAYS find time to stream that particular film on that individual evening.

 

When George runs gleefully through the streets of Bedford Falls shouting “Merry Christmas you wonderful old building and loan!” My Father is welling up, by the point George’s brother Harry declares him being “the richest man in town”, I’m right there with him. There’s just a certain, sparkling, honest-to-goodness enchartment to it, the script is wonderful , the direction is miles ahead of its time and the performances, well, (to quote Bernard Black of ‘Black Books’ fame) “Ah, they’d soften your face”.

 

Why am I revealing you this?

 

Well, seeing as there’s no way to enhance upon the film itself, the experience would almost certainly only be bettered if we have a Sony 42-Inch TV. With a jaw dropping ‘X-Reality’ picture, a wireless smartphone link-up element and lots more besides, this brand new 2013 smart tv is a doozy. It could lack some of the more compulsive features of Sony’s other smart TVs, but, after considering the display and glossy, ultramodern design of this Smart tv, it hardly seems to matter.

 

With the brand new Blu Ray edition of ‘It is a Wonderful Life’, a shiny Sony 42-Inch TV with a good speaker, you will never be happier to see an angel getting his wings.  

Sony 42-Inches of pure brilliance

Xbox One unboxing – headset included with all versions

Editorial – this year will be a huge year for the console industry. The new generations of Xbox and Playstation, are due for being released inside weeks of each other. Both are vying for our consideration and hard-earned money, unlike the past generation, Sony with the Playstation 4 have put a less expensive price together compared to that xbox one, which surprised everybody at E3 this year. But recent news announced by Microsoft proves that the xbox one contains kinect plus a headset, proving that xbox ones added cost is actually for additional extras.

 

The standard and Day One editions of the Xbox One console will both include a headset, despite Microsoft suggesting that Kinect would be used instead.

As U-turns go it’s one of Microsoft’s more minor in recent months, but Xbox Live director of programming Larry ‘Major Nelson’ Hryb has confirmed that all Xbox One consoles will be sold with a headset.

The unboxing video below is for the limited edition ‘Day One’ boxed set, although the only difference is an exclusive Achievement and a specially embossed controller.

That means the other contents of the box will also be included in the ordinary edition, namely a 4K compatible HDMI cable and the controversial Kinect sensor.

Initially Microsoft said that the Xbox One wouldn’t come with a headset, despite the console using a new audio connector port that means existing headsets need an adaptor to work.

The idea was that you were going to have to pay for that separately or just use Kinect’s microphone to speak to people. Microsoft then reversed its decision, then pretended it hadn’t reversed its decision, and has now admitted that actually, yes: it does come with a headset.

http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/08/xbox-one-unboxing-headset-included-with-all-versions-3917117/

Xbox One unboxing – headset included with all versions

Playstation 3: Is The Latest Batch The Best?

Where do the latest ps3 games sit on the Pantheon of the PS3? Let’s have a look-see.

 

cheked my Facebook and caught a status update from my friend.

“Well, with a little trepidation I’ve finally done it” the update read “I’ve bought my own detached house. It has all appliances I could need and a beautiful thatched roof”

I was surprised and impressed by this news, Bob is only a little older than me. I was shocked that he was enjoying so much success. I was pleased for him. Bob and I were at college together. I enjoyed it.  He moved away and I only met him a few years later, whilst we were on the same train. We still had a lot in common. I went to offer my congratulations until I realized I’d been had by two words. Dork.

 

Bob is not alone, loads of people had great fun last year with PS3 games. Around half my mates had their social lives decimated by Skyrim. Great. Each. Saw him.

 

Fell prey to. is extremely unlikely to work if they make the title any shorter. Might annoy F1 fans who get confused and buy it by mistake. It is the sequel to…Don’t make me tell you!, with updated squad lists and slightly better graphics. It sold well, but I can’t say it’s hugely better than FIFA11.

 

Another one that did well towards the end of last year. I think you play it in groups of three. I hate Dragonball Z. Sit through earlier episode or showing you what’s to come in the next episode. Apart from that, our lead characters do nothing but get angrier. Extremely pissed off) hero gets really mad, glows yellow and kills him. The end. Installments. What’s that? Oh, the game? {I have no idea, I got sidetracked|Distracted|Taken off on a tangent…Madder.

 

Overview

Playstation 3: Is The Latest Batch The Best?

“Pee As You Go?” - Pee Can Recharge Cellphones, Seemingly

Scientists working at the University West of England (UWE) in Bristol, UK, have discovered one way to recharge a mobile phone with Human pee.

The team have been capable of recharge a Samsung smart phone by placing the fluid through a surge of microbial fuel cells. With this process, enough power has been produced to send text messages, browse the Internet and also make a short telephone call.

Based on the scientists responsible, the next stage is to completely charge the device with urine…Seemingly cleaning their hands straight afterwards.

Dr. Ioannis Ieropoulos has worked for ages with microbial energy cells; he’s considered a guru in harnessing power from abnormal options. The potential purposes of his work are very appealing from an environmental point of view.

Dr. Ieropoulos said, “We are very excited as this is a world first, no-one has harnessed energy from urine to try this so it is an interesting finding. Using the final waste product as a supply of energy to produce electrical power is almost as eco as it gets.” Eco-friendly tech is, apparently, the good doctor’s main area of interest.

The microbial cells work as an energy converter, they take the organic substance straight into electricity, via the metabolism of live microbes. The electrical power is the by-product of a microorganism’s natural life cycle, meaning that as they ‘eat’ the urine, they generate power the energy that powers the mobile. Now that is what we call ‘pee as you go’.

Toilet humour aside, the team have engineered a world first, as nothing as large as the mobile battery has ever been charged using this process before.

There are, at present, no plans to market this tech on a large scale, but maybe someday we could be signing a ‘P’ mobile agreement, the trick, as they are saying, shall be pissistance.

PS – I’m apologetic about this one. The work and its implications are instead astonishing. All credit to the UWE team. However, I constantly wanted to do one to those ‘And Finally’ type tales and now I finally get to. Please forgive me, one and all.

SOURCES:

 

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/urine-could-charge-mobile-phones-152225132.html

“Pee As You Go?” - Pee Can Recharge Cellphones, Seemingly

Can I move photos from my camera to my Amazon kindle fire a PC

The quick answer is no, you possibly can’t. I’m sad, but that is just the way it is.

On the other hand, all hope isn’t lost in spite of this dreadful news. There are two main avenues you can still go down.

The very first is to simply message the photos to yourself and download them to your Kindle. This process works fine if you only need several holiday snaps or pictures of your little nephew’s birthday or what, but its not much use for a great deal of photos.

The 2nd technique is little more refined. With a hard disk, you can transfer pictures relatively easily from one device to the other, this may help you transfer a better quantity of photos and will likely take much less time.

The most suitable choice, Experts say, is probably the second, especially when you hunt down the “eye-Fi” SD card, compatible with most recent cameras (although, as always, it’s certainly best to double check). Sime, of The Digital Photography Educate website, was obviously impressed. In the review, he said,

“With the Eye-Fi X2 card, I could upload full res photos from my NEX 5  to my iPhone and then do what I wanted with them [Instagram / Facebook / Flickr etc] when you’re using the X2 card, you can connect the camera directly to your iPhone / iPad without having to use a Wifi router etc… You can also use the Eye-Fi app on your phone [iPhone and Android] to upload your images to your computer / Flickr etc. Yep – works, works well”.

He then gave an individual account of the Eye-Fi’s usefulness, which I have re-printed below.

“My wife and I went to the zoo with our almost-three year old a couple of weeks back and I had a look through her images afterwards, realising that there were images from her camera dating back to… well, when I gave her the camera! She’s currently using a 32GB SDHC card in there, and just leaves everything on the card! When I asked if she had copied any on to her computer, I was told “That’s too hard / I don’t have time / Where’s the cable” (Yes, a combo of the three, I didn’t press for details…;) So – I cunningly swapped out the existing card for the Eye-Fi card, loaded the app on her Macbook and added it to start when her computer starts, but to hide in the background (This is an option in the application) so basically, the camera connects to her laptop whenever it can and copies the photographs across – they are there, ready to use. Guess who won ‘awesome technical husband of the week award?’ (Obviously a lot of you are tech savvy, but well… )”

In no way let it be said that I disregard a question of yours without making a proposal of my own.

You’ll permit me a brief tangent, there is the line in a single of the beloved books of my teen years ‘Have Nice Day: A Tale of Blood & Sweatsocks’ by Mick Foley (which is the immense book about life generally, even when you are not a wrestling fan) where Mick says, “I had always felt that it was not good enough to shoot something down – It was best to have a answer”. Take that and work with it, reprobates.

Can I move photos from my camera to my Amazon kindle fire a PC

Ringing within the ears, it may be the first signs of tinnitus

In recent times, when I was at my younger brother’s birthday celebration, my Dad made a allusion to having tinnitus (fundamentally an occasional-level ringing in the ears) and I told him that I’d made a gag about tinnitus in a recent post (for those concerned, the funny story was that it made things sound ‘a little tinny’ – Not amongst my better japes, I confess, but whatever…). He looked at me like I’d just farted in church while I hastily changed the topic.

So, if you’re struggling with hearing damage or tinnitus, what is it possible to do about it?

The truth is hearing problems are mainly attributable to damage to the inner ear. One way this can happen is due to constant attack of noises over 110 decibels. According to new information, the noise wears away the myelin sheath, which is the coating that protects the nerve cells of your inner ear.

The good news is, yet, that the myelin sheath will, generally, repair itself, so all you need to do is TURN THE VOLUME DOWN or just leave your iPod at home for a few days and you need to start seeing improvements.

Now and then, however, damage to the inner ear is so large that your body merely won’t be able to fix itself. In this case, you will need to train yourself to accommodate your newfound incapacity. It’s a process that may cause serious depression and anxiety if not adequately confronted and dealt with.

The Beaumont Health Scheme gives some useful tips for managing hearing loss on their website. As outlined by them, hearing loss could be combated when you follow these 3 steps:

1. Be an advocate for yourself. Others cannot guess what you need. By hiding a hearing loss you will miss conversation and may respond inappropriately and cause further miscommunication. Tell others if you are having difficulty understanding. If you don’t understand what someone has said ask him or her to rephrase the message, not just repeat it.  Often this will help improve your understanding.

2. Educate others regarding hearing loss. Many do not understand why you can hear that they are talking but cannot understand what you are saying. They also don’t know what they can do to help.  Ask others to talk more slowly and clearly and not to obstruct their mouths.

3. Manipulate your environment to your advantage.  Hearing clearly when there is background noise is probably the biggest challenge for people with hearing loss. When you can, choose quiet listening environments. In a restaurant, request to be seated in a quiet area away from the door and the kitchen. Partitions and low ceilings may be helpful to reduce noise. Also carpet and upholstery may help to reduce echo, which may help you to understand speech more clearly. Good lighting may also be helpful so that you can see the speaker’s face and gestures.

Another general (and fixable) problem is a development of earwax. Which is straightforward enough to resolve via regular use of a cotton bud. If that does not work, it is always possible to have your ears syringed, which is really a totally disgusting (but genuinely effective) technique for clearing out one’s ears. 

Your hearing will degrade as you grow old (like most things you hold dear I am afraid, up to and featuring: your metabolism, sexual potency, muscle tone, skin, charisma and hair colour). Yup. Sucks getting old.

In conclusion, if you are facing serious hearing problems, try to reduce any future harm. As it says on WikiHow:

“Although you can’t reverse the hearing loss you’ve already suffered, you can take steps to keep it from getting worse. Reduce your exposure to loud, sustained noises[. If noisiness like this is part of your job (say you’re a construction worker or employed at a concert venue), consider wearing specialty ear plugs or changing jobs. If you wear earbuds or headphones to listen to music, keep the volume low or moderate. Try to reduce your exposure to high volumes overall, and you’ll reduce future hearing loss”.

It’s also highly recommended to find a doctor. I’m not a doctor. I’m a contract writer with access to Google. If you think that anything mentioned within the above post affects you, then please make an appointment with the local Doctor.  

Ringing within the ears, it may be the first signs of tinnitus

Icom Launch New Training Aids for VHF/SRC Radio Instructors

Editorial - {Many People|Many of us|Lots of people|Many individuals|Some people} {wouldn’t|would not} know {much|a lot} about DSC {technology|tech}, {but {it’s|it is}|nevertheless {it’s|it is}} a safety system built into {2 way|two way} radios, {primarily|mainly} in marine and sea {communications|comms|equipment}, {because|as} of the increase in use of smaller and {individual|personal} boats on the {water|rivers}. {As an|As a} island this {technology|tech} is {becoming|getting} {more and more|increasingly more|ever more} {popular|well-liked|accepted}, the {technology|tech} is linked {to the|to your} boat {in case|just in case} of an {emergency|disaster|tragedy}, more {details|facts|information} {can be found|is found|is available} from this icom uk {article|post|blog}..

 

DSC technology is becoming more widely used today and it is important for potential users to see how it works and to be trained in its use. To this end, Icom UK have now added their latest range of VHF/DSC radios to their VHF/SRC training simulator range. The models now available for instructors to purchase include the IC-M423 Fixed Mount VHF/DSC Transceiver and for the first time from Icom, a Handheld VHF/DSC in the form of the IC-M91D. Both training simulators provide a real ‘hands on’ experience of both voice and DSC message sending and receiving, in the classroom without causing interference. Both models share a new easy to use interface which is easy to learn, meaning that trainees will be able to understand the basics of two way radio quickly. Ian Lockyer, Marketing Manager of Icom UK Ltd, said, ’When choosing the Icom IC-M423 VHF/SRC training simulator, the instructor will receive two fully modified radios that will communicate via the cabling so that it is unlikely to cause any interference to other users nearby . This enables the trainee to send ‘live’ distress and voice calls without alerting any other radios. Both units come with an interconnecting cable up to 20 metres in length, which is ideal for any training environment. The IC-M91D is supplied with an adapter and a cable to allow it to communicate with the fixed sets.’ To help trainees further understand the need for DSC, Icom has a new microsite dedicated to Handheld DSC radio. The new website sheds light on this relatively new marine technology. It explains what DSC Handheld VHF radios are, where they can be used and why boat owners need one. It also answers several questions about the ownership and registration of DSC handheld radio in an informative FAQ section. To go to this new site, click on www.dschandheld.com. The microsite will provide a handy resource for both instructors and students alike. Ian, said, ‘Customer reaction has been incredibly positive to our recently launched IC-M91D Buoyant VHF/DSC Handheld with GPS. However we have had lots of questions regarding where and how they can be used. So we decided to put all our information on an informative microsite.’ Icom Marketing: marketing@icomuk.co.uk

02/11/2012

 

Source - http://www.icomuk.co.uk/categoryRender.asp?r=rssFeed&categoryID=3508&cCID=17736

Icom Launch New Training Aids for VHF/SRC Radio Instructors

Connect, Update and stay in the know on Facebook, Twitter and Google plus whilst watching programmes on your Smart TV

As its launch in 2004, ‘Facebook’ has made it as an giant success story, albeit not one without controversy. Plenty of controversy. But I am not here to discuss that. I am here to let you know a bit about social networking and why it is a great addition to any Smart TV.

In some ways coming out through the now elapsed ‘Myspace’ and also the excess of imitators it left in its wake, Facebook emerged as champion of the social networks, (until the next one comes along, that is). Facebook has conquered the Internet with a smart exploitation of those three ever-reliable principles: 

1)         Folks love gossiping about other people, especially incognito.

2)         Individuals are inordinately fond of and poking their noses into the lives of other people.

3)         People’s unquenchable self importance, which, when fuelled by Facebook, is egotism on steroids.

Facebook is a remarkable tool and one that has easily tailored itself to mobile phones, portable tablets and now, even Television. Ultimately, Myspace was the cumbersome Neanderthal, who, even though being better, smarter and more powerful than Homo Sapiens, succumbed to the retreating ice age rather swiftly, failing to adapt to the world he could no longer comprehend. Facebook, conversely, was the eventual Cro Magnon victor, shaking in the cave during Neanderthal’s time, he emerged on the warm plains of that modern-day and, either directly or indirectly, eliminated his rival before moving within the shifting technology and times, the point he might sit at his desk and update his status numerous times a day.

‘Twitter’ is a very limited site that acts sort of a miniature Facebook. Users have a couple of words to publicize their dealings, thoughts and/or feelings to a world that typically doesn’t care unless its concerned that it is being cheated on. However, while celebrated people on Facebook tend to not update their own pages, on Twitter the user can follow (and often commune with) the behavior of Hollywood luminaries, celebrities, sports stars and other notable people, who are often surprisingly honest about their day by day lives.

Facebook and Twitter are the two big ones, but there’s others, more than I can add up that follow a similar simple model but specialize in a different area (LinkedIn, for example, deals with business relationships a lot more than personal ones). Many websites co-exist with Facebook nowadays, feeding off their scraps like remoras on the back of the Tiger Shark. With nearly all online content, there is even an option to ‘Like’ it, thus adding it to your Facebook page (if you look closely at this page, you’ll almost definitely find one, which serves to highlight just how all-encompassing Facebook’s presence is.

Smart TV, recognising the ubiquity of such sites plus the emphasis that modern online business places on this ubiquity, has Facebook, Twitter (and other social network sites) readily available for download. Which means you can have full (or nearly full) access to your Facebook account and update it without maybe going to a computer. Last night, I had to update my own Facebook to state that I was watching, for what needs to be the hundredth time, the movie ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin’ I could have easily done it during a tea break in the movie itself rather than aiming to do it after which eventually forgetting, as I actually did.

If you’re wondering how people are doing and you want up-to-the-minute advice, Facebook is usually the place to go. Facebook the site is free to use, could be the Smart TV app at time of writing and is an excellent communication tool, particularly for people you don’t actually know that well. Nowadays, people change their mobile numbers every 0.3 of a second, so Facebook remains one reliable way to ensure you can always keep in touch.  I like to think of it like a really poorly written newspaper, where the headlines are a little bit sunnier, a lot less biased and involve people I actually give a damn about.  

Connect, Update and stay in the know on Facebook, Twitter and Google plus whilst watching programmes on your Smart TV