Brain linked to robotic hand; success hailed (Credit: Doug Oster) When a robotic hand that Tim Hemmes was controlling with his mind touched his girlfriend Katie Schaffer’s outstretched hand, it marked the first time a person with quadriplegia has used his mind to control a robotic arm so masterfully. Doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center had installed an ECoG (electrocorticography) array at a precise location against the brain to control the robotic arm. The 30-year-old man hadn’t moved his arms, hands or legs since a motorcycle accident seven years earlier. “I think the potential here is incredible,” said Dr. The next phase will include up to six people tested in another 30-day trial with ECoG.
- Living Bueno - How to Live Anywhere in the World for Free Skeptical Face Travel for free? This dudes crazy right? Today is part two of what I am calling the "Knowledgeable Nomads" series, in which I will be teaching my readers how they can travel the world while ballooning their savings accounts rather than draining them dry. In the first part of this series I discussed general topics such as how to figure out what you want, devising your own getaway plan, quitting your job, creating a mobile income and taking the leap. All of these topics will be expanded on in upcoming posts, however today I will be covering a more specific topic, instructing my fellow nomadic souls on how they to can travel the world for FREE. Possibly the most common excuse I hear when urging others to travel and see the world, is the financial barrier that is separating them from partaking in such a journey. How To Live Anywhere in The World For Free By- Rick A. Letter from Franco, my host from my upcoming voyage to Sicily: would you be interested in that?" Franco 1.
The 40 Best Memes Of 2011 (38 pics) Dec 13/11 The 40 Best Memes Of 2011 (38 pics) Scumbag Steve First World Problems Rebecca Black Futurama Fry Pepper Spraying Cop College Freshman Business Cat Chuck Testa Good Guy Greg Dating Site Murderer Hipster Ariel Hipster Edits Sad Hipster Hipster Dog Chemistry Cat Steve Buscemi Eyes The Most Interesting Man In The World Ordinary Muslim Man Conspiracy Keanu The Frowning Flower Girl Karate Kyle Nyan Cat Horsemanning The Ultimate Zombie Fortress Planking Zuckerberg Note Pass Sheltering Suburban Mom Dat Ash Feminist Ryan Gosling Unhelpful High School Teacher Baby Kanye X All The Y! Siri Scumbag Brain Annoying Childhood Friend Women Laughing Alone With Salad Baby Godfather ’60s Spiderman
The 29 Healthiest Foods on the Planet | Belly Bytes The following is a "healthy food hot list" consisting of the 29 food that will give you the biggest nutritional bang for you caloric buck, as well as decrease your risk for deadly illnesses like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Along with each description is a suggestion as to how to incorporate these power-foods into your diet. Fruits 01. Apricots The Power: Beta-carotene, which helps prevent free-radical damage and protect the eyes. 02. The Power: Oleic acid, an unsaturated fat that helps lower overall cholesterol and raise levels of HDL, plus a good dose of fiber. 03. The Power: Ellagic acid, which helps stall cancer-cell growth. 04. The Power: Stop aging, live longer and keep your mind sharp with blueberries. 05. The Power: Vitamin C (117mg in half a melon, almost twice the recommended daily dose) and beta-carotene - both powerful antioxidants that help protect cells from free-radical damage. 06. 07. The Power: Lycopene, one of the strongest carotenoids, acts as an antioxidant.
Following genetic footprints out of Africa: First modern humans settled in Arabia A new study, using genetic analysis to look for clues about human migration over sixty thousand years ago, suggests that the first modern humans settled in Arabia on their way from the Horn of Africa to the rest of the world. Led by the University of Leeds and the University of Porto in Portugal, the study is recently published in American Journal of Human Genetics and provides intriguing insight into the earliest stages of modern human migration, say the researchers. "A major unanswered question regarding the dispersal of modern humans around the world concerns the geographical site of the first steps out of Africa," explains Dr Luísa Pereira from the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP). "One popular model predicts that the early stages of the dispersal took place across the Red Sea to southern Arabia, but direct genetic evidence has been thin on the ground."
Freerunning Think of the Tempest Freerunning Academy as parkour meets video games. Unlike similar academies, this one comes with its very own Super Mario Bros. inspired area. Video after the break. [via Likecool - Gizmodo] Interesting Posts Around the Web 10 Most Famous Trees in the World | Touropia - StumbleUpon Famous trees come and go. L’Arbre du Ténéré was once considered the most isolated tree on Earth, a landmark on caravan routes in the Sahara, until it was knocked down by a drunk Libyan truck driver in 1973. This year in August, the famous Anne Frank tree in Amsterdam was blown down by high winds during a storm. Luckily, there are still many special trees out there. 10Arbol del Tule Árbol del Tule, a Montezuma Cypress, is located in the town center of Santa María del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca . 9Cotton Tree The Cotton Tree is an historic symbol of Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. 8Boab Prison Tree The Boab Prison Tree is a large hollow tree just south of Derby in Western Australia. 7Major Oak The Major Oak is a huge oak tree in the heart of Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, England. 6Lone Cypress The Lone Cypress Tree near Monterey is probably the most famous point along the 17-Mile Drive, a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach. 5Tree of Life 2Cedars of God
Dokkōdō - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - StumbleUpon The "Dokkōdō" [ (Japanese: 独行道?); "The Path of Aloneness", "The Way to Go Forth Alone", or "The Way of Walking Alone"] is a short work written by Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵) a week before he died in 1645. It consists of either nineteen or twenty-one precepts; precepts 4 and 20 are omitted from the former version. "Dokkodo" was largely composed on the occasion of Musashi giving away his possessions in preparation for death, and was dedicated to his favorite disciple, Terao Magonojō (to whom the earlier Go rin no sho [The Book of Five Rings] had also been dedicated), who took them to heart. Precepts[edit] References[edit]
Amazonian Mushroom Eats Indestructible Plastics Scientist creates lifelike cells out of metal | MNN - Mother Nature Network - StumbleUpon Scientists trying to create artificial life generally work under the assumption that life must be carbon-based, but what if a living thing could be made from another element? One British researcher may have proven that theory, potentially rewriting the book of life. Lee Cronin of the University of Glasgow has created lifelike cells from metal — a feat few believed feasible. Even more remarkable, Cronin has hinted that the metal-based cells may be replicating themselves and evolving. "I am 100 percent positive that we can get evolution to work outside organic biology," he said. The high-functioning "cells" that Cronin has built are constructed from large polyoxometalates derived from a range of metal atoms, like tungsten. The metallic bubbles are certainly cell-like, but are they actually alive? Cronin's team has also created bubbles inside of bubbles, which opens the door to the possibility of developing specialized "organelles." The early results have been encouraging.
Top 10 hiking destinations NEW YORK - All tourism involves at least a bit of walking, even if it's just off the plane to a waiting limousine. But for those who want to put walking or hiking at the heart of their holiday fun, online travel adviser Cheapflights offers its top 10 hiking destinations. Reuters has not endorsed this list: 1. Appalachian Trail: Springer Mountain, Ga., to Mount Katahdin, Maine, in the U.S. The granddaddy of mammoth hikes, the Appalachian Trail is more than 2,150 miles long and passes through 14 states. 2. More often than not, hiking entails high trees, rocks, poisonous plants, tents and the daunting task of cooking over a fire. 3. Along the limestone cliffs, weaving in and out of sandy beaches, lily ponds and fishing villages, is the 186-mile-long Pembrokeshire Coast Path. 4. At 19,336 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa, and has become an increasingly popular hiking destination for travelers. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. (Edited by Paul Casciato)
Knowledge Solutions to global warming pursued by the European region include binding national commitments to reduce emissions, the multi-national cap-and-trade program known as the European Union's Emission Trading Scheme, and strong supports for its renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. The European region, encompassing 52 countries, bears a significant responsibility for its historical contributions to global warming pollution. This region is home to six of the top 20 annual global CO2 emitters, including Russia, which ranks third globally (using 2008 data). The European Region, however, is also home to a robust renewable energy sector and has achieved deep renewable energy penetration. In 2009 alone, the deployment of renewable energy resources enabled the EU to reduce its CO2 emissions by about 7 percent against 1990 levels. Furthermore, nearly 20 percent of electricity in the EU in 2009 came from renewable sources. European Union Climate Commitments and Progress. Endnotes
The Egg - StumbleUpon The Egg By: Andy Weir You were on your way home when you died. It was a car accident. And that’s when you met me. “What… what happened?” “You died,” I said, matter-of-factly. “There was a… a truck and it was skidding…” “Yup,” I said. “I… I died?” “Yup. You looked around. “More or less,” I said. “Are you god?” “Yup,” I replied. “My kids… my wife,” you said. “What about them?” “Will they be all right?” “That’s what I like to see,” I said. You looked at me with fascination. “Don’t worry,” I said. “Oh,” you said. “Neither,” I said. “Ah,” you said. “All religions are right in their own way,” I said. You followed along as we strode through the void. “Nowhere in particular,” I said. “So what’s the point, then?” “Not so!” I stopped walking and took you by the shoulders. “You’ve been in a human for the last 48 years, so you haven’t stretched out yet and felt the rest of your immense consciousness. “How many times have I been reincarnated, then?” “Oh lots. “Wait, what?” “Well, I guess technically. “Sure.