This Week in Science

This has been an exciting week in science! I know what you're thinking, so were a LOT of other weeks... where have you been? I have had things to deal with. If you read Roogoodoo at all, you may know what some of those are.... anyway. On to the science news!

• In space related news, Jeff Bezos (a.k.a. that billionaire guy from Amazon.com), funded the recovery of the Apollo 11 rockets from their longtime home in the bottom of the ocean. For those that somehow don't recall, this was the mission and shuttle that landed the first humans on the moon.
• Stingray behavior is changeable. A study published in PLoS ONE noted the way rays at the infamous Stingray city in the Caymans acted compared to their non-human-fed counterparts.
• You're a cheater! Don't believe me? Well, a study has proven it... sort of. Our brains are cheaters when it comes to remembering social ties and relationships. You can read more about your cheating mind here.
• Lastly, in tech news, Apple wants Siri to take over the world. They may not want it to be as malicious as Pinky and the Brain may have wanted it, but they do want her voice to be your companion. From everyday tasks in your home, to the voice of your entertainment center, Apple plans on taking her places. 

That's it for highlights. Keep stirring up knowledge!

Photo from Absolute Divers.

 

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Paper Thin Televisions

TV as thin as a sheet of paper? Printable flexible electronics just became easier with stable electrodes

Very cool technology reminiscent of the Fifth Element. I can't wait. :)  I guess I don't have to get a flat screen just yet. I can wait for the flattest screen!

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Laser Weapons

To any sci-fi geek worth their salt, laser weaponry is really "where it's at." Now I am not talking about fantasy here, but honest to goodness laser weaponry. In an attempt to battle pirates out at sea, a defense company believes it has the answer: laser cannons.

Well, these cannons won't fry the ship or anything, but the lasers can be used to disorient and blind pirates giving sailors on other vessels a good chance.

The company, BAE Systems, tested the lasers more as an energy directed flood light. It really is aimed at commercial use and not military. The benefits are the lights can be flashed from far away as a warning and the blinding effect works in the day and at night. I particularly like how Wired put it: Quite the alternative to paying Yemen’s Ministry of Interior for U.S.-provided escort boats.

Ok, sure, we're still far from actual laser cannons and ray guns, but it's pretty neat. The lasers even have their own targeting system so it is pretty advanced. When they actually get put out in real situations, I would like to see how they fare. For now, I still want my ray gun.

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Play a PC Game On Your TV

The holiday season is upon us. Time to empty the savings accounts, max out the credit cards and wait in line on Black Friday to play let's make a deal in the cold with large groups of people. If this doesn't sound like loads of fun, let me suggest and alternative purchase for the gamers in your life. One word OnLive.

OnLive is a streaming service on sale today, product wont' ship until December 2, that has the potential to change the way we as consumers purchase and play video games. For the price of $99 you get small unit, which plugs into your internet connection and then into your TV. Currently there is no subscription price and with the purchase you also get a controller and a $50 credit with OnLive; making your first game free.

For more information on how this process works click here.

The real draw about this product is that now video games can be played on your low end computer. Publishers like EA, THQ, Codemasters, Ubisoft, Atari, Warner Bros., Take-Two, Epic Games, and 2D Boy are also on board with this.

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