Methane on Mars: Could Be Farts from Microbe Life on Mars ?

NASA has found three discrete regions where Mars is releasing methane at this time. Methane can only survive a short time in the atmosphere until it is destroyed by sunlight, and so its continued presence means it is being replenished. “The production (of methane) is likely due to only one of two possibilities. The first …

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Solid State Laser Programs On Track for 2013 Field Tests

Textron solid state lasers Aviation Week reports on the status of military solid state lasers. Hellad [High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System] program small [size of a large refrigerator and about 1650 pounds] 150KW lasers are working to ground tests in 2011 and will include a demonstration of the system’s ability to shoot down …

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Repulsive Casimir Force: Casimir-Lifshitz force experimentally verified

A repulsive quantum force, opposite of casimir force, has been verified and measured. This is the cover story, [Measured long-range repulsive Casimir-Lifshitz forces], of the Jan 8, 2009 Nature journal and is from Harvard researchers: J. N. Munday, Federico Capasso & V. Adrian Parsegian. Controlling the casimir forces is potentially a huge capability and DARPA …

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Verdict Positive for Inertial Electrostatic Fusion

Information on the Inertial Electrostatic Fusion project by EMC2 Fusion Inc which is carrying on the work of the late Robert Bussard Alan Boyle reports that the review of the WB7 experiment is done and the verdict is positive. The team has turned in its final report, and it’s been double-checked by a peer-review panel, …

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Intel has 340 GHz Silicon-based Avalanche Photodetector

Intel has a record breaking silicon-based “Avalanche Photodetector” with a gain-bandwidth product of 340GHz. This is the first time a silicon photonic device beats its equivalent made from traditional optoelectronic materials. [From Intel Teleconference Dec 4, 2008 given by Mario Paniccia.] Avalanche Photodetectors detect light and additionally amplify signals by multiplying electrons. The amplification provided …

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Computers, Robotic and Communication Developments to Watch in 2009 and a Little Beyond

The technological and other developments to watch is expanding to four parts:1. Computers, robots, electronics and communication2. Energy and transportation3. DNA/biotech/synthetic biology, nanotechnology4. Medicine, life extension, space, manufacturing and anything else that was not covered Dwave has a 128 qubit quantum computer chip at the end of 2008. In early 2009, this chip will continue …

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Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiovascular Risk Can Be Halved even if you have Low Cholesterol

Statins can help lower heart attack risk by 50% even if you have low cholesterol but do have a high level of C-Reactive protein (6 million people in the United States fall into this category and 250,000 fewer cardiovascular events – strokes, heart attacks, could avoided over five years if those 6 million were given …

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Vision of the Future Mostly Unchanged: You Get What You Pay for

IO9 asks can futurism escape the 1990s. People should consider diverting $100-150 per year in science fiction movies, DVD, books, toys and games towards actual scientific attempts at life extension and molecular nanotechnology. This does not include another average of $60-100 per person on cosmetic surgery, vitamins and dietary supplements. Why settle for imagination, illusion …

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the Technology of the Upcoming 26th Army Science Conference

The 26th Army Science conference theme is “Transformational Army Science and Technology – Harnessing Disruptive S&T for the Soldier.” The four day agenda is here. Dr. John A. Parmentola, Director of Research and Laboratory Management, gave a talk a few months ago that will form the basis of his keynote address highlighting top research. Dr. …

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Historic Comparison of China versus United States GDP

Nationmaster.com has historical GDP figures from the World Development Bank. GDP figures by country for 2006 GDP figures for 2007 from the Worldbank IMF GDP estimates made in 2008 for 2008 through 2013 Currency history can be examined here at oanda.com China revised GDP growth in 2006 for 1973-2004 with the 2005 economic survey. Year …

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