Why Do We Dream?

Predicting Apophis' Earth Encounters in 2029 and 2036

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Researchers at NASA/JPL, Caltech, and Arecibo Observatory have released the results of radar observations of the potentially hazardous asteroid 99942 Apophis, along with an in-depth analysis of its motion. The research will affect how and when scientists measure, predict, or consider modifying the asteroid's motion. The paper has been accepted for publication in the science journal "Icarus" and was presented at the AAS/DPS conference in Orlando, Florida in October of 2007. The Apophis study was led by Jon Giorgini, a senior analyst in JPL's Solar System Dynamics group and member of the radar team that observed Apophis.

The analysis of Apophis previews situations likely to be encountered with NEAs yet to be discovered: a close approach that is not dangerous (like Apophis in 2029) nonetheless close enough to obscure the proximity and the danger of a later approach (like Apophis in 2036) by amplifying trajectory prediction uncertainties caused by difficult-to-observe physical characteristics interacting with solar radiation as well as other factors.


Source: http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov

10 YO Girl Becomes Youngest to Discover Supernova in History

It may have only appeared as a tiny, glowing spot hovering over a distant galaxy, but the sight made a precocious 10-year-old amateur astronomer the youngest person ever to have detected a stellar explosion called a supernova.

According to Mnn.Com, Kathryn Aurora Gray of Fredericton, New Brunswick in Canada discovered the supernova explosion in a galaxy, called UGC 3378, within the faint constellation of Camelopardalis. The galaxy is approximately 240 million light-years away.

"I'm really excited. It feels really good," Gray told the Toronto Star.

Gray made the discovery on Jan. 2 using images that were taken of galaxy UGC 3378 on New Year's Eve. The supernova was then verified by Illinois-based amateur astronomer Brian Tieman and Arizona-based amateur astronomer Jack Newton, who then reported it to the International Astronomical Union's Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams.

Gray reported the stellar explosion under the supervision of her father, Paul Gray, who has made six prior supernova discoveries, and family friend David Lane, who has found three others himself. The photos of galaxy UGC 3378 were taken using a telescope belonging to Lane.

Robotic legs designed to help people walk again

A robot that can help people who are paralysed walk again is on trial in Japan.


The 'walking-aid robot' works by using six electric motors at the ankles, knees and hips.


According to BBC, developers say the biggest challenge was getting the device to balance properly so people could use it without stumbling.

Parasitic Mind Control

This is strange, even scary:


Ants controlled by parasites, all because they ate the slime of a snail!


More on the video..

Your Brain on Google

Neuroscientist, Gary Small, tells CBS News' Daniel Sieberg how technology may be making us smarter.

Dr. Gary Small is a professor of psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute and directs the Memory and Aging Research Center and the UCLA Center on Aging. He is one of the world's leading experts on brain science and has published numerous books and articles. Scientific American magazine named him one of the world's top innovators in science and technology, and he frequently appears on The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20 and CNN.

Dr. Small has invented the first brain scan that allows doctors to see the physical evidence of brain aging and Alzheimer's disease in living people.

Reading Minds

Scientists are using function MRIs (fMRI) to read brain functions and thoughts.


60 Minutes associate producer Meghan Frank partook in the experiment to see if the technology works.


More on the video..

Demonstrating Brain Power

Excerpt from CBS - 60 Minutes:


Brain computer interface, or BCI, could one day help restore movement to paralyzed people and enable amputees to move bionic limbs.


Scientists are currently experimenting with monkeys.

Asimo: World's Most Advanced Humanoid Robot

ASIMO is a humanoid robot created by Honda. Standing at 130 centimeters (4 feet 3 inches) and weighing 54 kilograms (114 pounds), the robot resembles a small astronaut wearing a backpack and can walk or run on two feet at speeds up to 6 km/h (4.3 mph), matching EMIEW.

ASIMO was created at Honda's Research & Development Wako Fundamental Technical Research Center in Japan. It is the current model in a line of twelve that began in 1986 with E0. ASIMO resembles a child in size and is the most human-like robot HONDA has made so far. The robot has 7 DOF (Degrees of freedom) in each arm — two joints of 3 DOF, shoulder and wrist, giving "Six degrees of freedom" and 1 DOF at the elbow; 6 DOF in each leg — 3 DOF at the crotch, 2 DOF at the ankle and 1 DOF at the knee; and 3 DOF in the neck joint. The hands have 2 DOF — 1 DOF in each thumb and 1 in each finger. This gives a total of 34 DOF in all joints.

The name is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility". Online magazine The Future Of Things (TFOT) states that Honda did not name the robot in reference to science fiction writer and inventor of the Three Laws of Robotics, Isaac Asimov.

According to wikipedia, as of February 2009, there are over 100 ASIMO units in existence. Each costs under ¥100 million ($1 million USD) to manufacture.