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Is There Ice on Mars?
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Editorial, Rumors, Science, Transportation,
NASA believes that material found on Mars recently may really be ice. When images from the trench dubbed “Snow White 2” were received from the Phoenix Mars lander, scientists believed the white surface shown was either salt or ice clumps. Because many of them were gone the next day, the researchers ruled out the presence of salt, although the soil sample didn’t yield evidence of water.
Because the Phoenix is undergoing adjustment to its software, it has been a bit lax in its duties. We suspect that when it gets going it will get right on it, unless those pesky Martians try to sabotage the project again before the 90 day time frame is complete.
Read More 
| CNN
Gallery: Is There Ice on Mars?
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So you think you have the smartest dog on the block? Find out for sure with the Doggy IQ Test. Created by Dr. Stanley Coren, pooch expert, there are 12 tests to determine the CIQ (Canine Intelligence Quotient.) Five of them are problem solving, and the others have to do with memory and ability. The kit includes a book, score and result guide, and stopwatch. Get yours for £4.99 (~$10.00) or, if your dog is really smart, have him/her borrow a copy from the local library.
Read More | i want one of those
Gallery: Doggy IQ Test
Samsung’s Corny Cell Phones W510 and F268
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Corporate News, Science,
Samsung has further entered the green market with two new cellies made with corn turned into plastic. While the technology has been around since the 90’s, the idea seems to have been reconsidered because of high oil prices.The W510 does not contain any heavy metals like lead, mercury or cadmium in the handset and will be launched in Korea this month. The F268 has an alarm that sounds off when the battery hits full charge and will be released in China this month as well. Accessories for the phone do not contain PVC or BFR to further help the environment.
Read More | InfoWorld
Gallery: Samsung’s Corny Cell Phones W510 and F268
Philips HeartStart Home Automated External Defibrillator
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Science,
It’s kind of scary to think that those we are close to can be here one day and gone the next. Medical experts suggest that many do not survive sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) because treatment should be administered within the first five minutes. The Philips HeartStart Home Automated External Defibrillator from Active Forever is comes equipped with clear, calm vocal instructions to help you step-by-step including delivery of CPR. It can even determine if the procedure is necessary. The device carries a MSRP of $1,139.00.
Read More | Sky Mall
Gallery: Philips HeartStart Home Automated External Defibrillator
Designer Dog Washer Needs No Shampoo
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,
IDEC has released its hi-tech Wan Love Yu (”Dog Love Bath”,) which does without shampoo. Instead it utilizes a shower head that discharges water with about half a million air bubbles per cubic centimeter. With technology used by industrial water treatment systems, the bubbles are small enough to remove dirt and odors from a pup’s skin and hair follicles. The 27.5 x 27.5 x 43cm jacuzzi and hose combination goes on sale this week at a price somewhere between 600,000 and ¥700,000 (~$6,000.00 to $7,000.00.)
Read More | Pink Tentacle
Gallery: Designer Dog Washer Needs No Shampoo
d.light Lamps are Inexpensive Alternatives
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,
A new start up company from Stanford Business School, d.light, is working to help those who don’t have access to electricity to light up their lives. Based in New Delhi, India, they have designed lamps for those who live on only about $1.00 a day. The Nova comes in both solar and AC chargeable models, and is 30 to 50% more efficient than fluorescent light for up to 40 hours. The company is hoping that the high-powered LED displays will replace dangerous and costly kerosene lanterns. They come at a price of $15.00 to $30.00, if the buyer wants both chargers.
Read More | d.light Design
Gallery: d.light Lamps are Inexpensive Alternatives
If you have decided it’s time to enlarge your family, Ran’s Night will keep track of a woman’s cycle to the extent that it displays her previous night’s temperature as well as saving a week’s worth of data. You can connect with monthly info by hooking your PC up with their site Ran’s Story, where you can also find tips, tricks and others that are doing what you are on their community forum. Available in orange or green, pre-order for $125.00.
Read More | Ran's Night (Japanese) via C-Scout
Gallery: Ran’s Night Monitors Woman’s Cycle
Because it is the inhaling that is part of the habit (plus the need to hold something besides a turkey leg,) giving up cigarettes is really tough with only a patch or gum. If you have tried to stop smoking but can’t get over the habit, or hang in one of those places that will not allow you to smoke, Milano Electronic Cigarettes may be the answer. They have no tar or carcinogenic substances such as carbon monoxide, but they do have both nicotine and non cartridges. The E-Cigarette comes with a charger and battery, and 3 filters. Somebody obviously thinks it works, as the company is temporarily out, but you can pre-order for the next batch for £39.99 (~$78.00.)
Read More | Thumbs Up
Gallery: Milano Electronic Cigarette
Xeros Washing Machine Needs Only 1 Cup Water
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,
Imagine having a washing machine that only needs one cup of water for a full wash. That may not be so far away since researchers at Leeds University in the UK are already working on it. Xeros uses thousands of 1/2cm plastic chips to absorb and hence remove dirt. When the water heats up, about 20 kilos of chips are added to the water and detergent. The chips can be used up to 100 times, about 6 month’s worth. The team is hoping to bring the prototype out to the public by 2009. The scientists say that it could save billions of gallons of water a year, not to mention how it would cut down on your electric bill.
Read More | Far East Gizmos
Gallery: Xeros Washing Machine Needs Only 1 Cup Water
This is almost too scary. iXs Research Corp. has created a talking Teddy Bear with GPS. At about a foot tall, it has 6 joints in its neck and arm to prove its spoken point. The teddy also has an alcohol detection sensor in its neck and will admonish you if it smells that last margarita with “You haven’t been drinking, have you?”
Stroke his head and he will tell you about nearby landmarks. And if you drive badly, he will tell you to “Watch out.” The company is planning a 2009 launch and has patented the idea so that they can implant their technology in other types of dolls. We just want to know, what will the guy in the car next to you think if your teddy is talking?
Read More | Pink Tentacle
