Archive for September, 2015
New Human-Like Species Discovered in South Africa
September 10th, 2015Via: BBC: Scientists have discovered a new human-like species in a burial chamber deep in a cave system in South Africa. The discovery of 15 partial skeletons is the largest single discovery of its type in Africa. The researchers claim that the discovery will change ideas about our human ancestors. The studies which have been […]
Genetic Modification of Human Embryos
September 9th, 2015I just read about this in, Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom and the implications are very wild and potentially terrifying, especially in terms of social engineering. Via: BBC: It is “essential” that the genetic modification of human embryos is allowed, says a group of scientists, ethicists and policy experts. A Hinxton Group report […]
Meanwhile, in Hitachi Warehouses
September 9th, 2015Via: Popular Science: Say hello to your new artificial intelligence overlord–er, boss. At Hitachi, the Japanese electronics manufacturer, workers have started to take orders from artificial intelligence programs meant to increase productivity in the workplace. Hitachi has deployed the AI in an unspecified number of warehouses, where it issues work orders and instructions to employees. […]
Russian Troops Join Combat in Syria
September 9th, 2015Via: Reuters: Russian forces have begun participating in military operations in Syria in support of government troops, three Lebanese sources familiar with the political and military situation there said on Wednesday. The sources, speaking to Reuters on condition they not be identified, gave the most forthright account yet from the region of what U.S. officials […]
The Website That Visualizes Human Activity in Cities Across the World
September 9th, 2015Via: MIT Technology Review: Phone data is set to become a standard resource that almost anyone can use to study and watch humanity continuously, much as they can now watch the weather unfold anywhere on the planet almost in real time. But one thing is holding them back—the lack of powerful computational tools that can […]
The CIA’s Most Famous Ship Headed for the Scrapyard
September 9th, 2015Via: PRI: The Hughes Glomar Explorer was more than just a giant ship — it was a giant secret, possibly the biggest and strangest covert operation the CIA pulled off during the Cold War. But now, 40 years after its original mission, it’s finally headed to the scrapyard.
Macy’s to Close 35-40 Stores
September 8th, 2015Recovery. Via: USA Today: Macy’s will close 35 to 40 underperforming stores, around 5% of its total locations, the department store chain announced Tuesday. The stores, slated to be shuttered in early 2016, will be identified at a later date, said the company with corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York.
New Teflon Coating Renders Drones Nearly Invisible
September 8th, 2015Via: Inverse: Just as we’re getting used to the idea of drones flying overhead, the University of California-San Diego has figured out how to make them invisible. While making a drone literally invisible isn’t possible, covering it in a sheet that reflects its surroundings — like a fluid mirror — has a similar effect. The […]
Germany: Dozens of People at Homeopathy Conference Given Hallucinogenic Drug
September 8th, 2015Via: Independent: An alternative medicine conference has ended in chaos in Germany after dozens of delegates took a LSD-like drug and started suffering from hallucinations. Broadcaster NDR described the 29 men and women “staggering around, rolling in a meadow, talking gibberish and suffering severe cramps”. The group of “Heilpraktikers” was discovered at the hotel where […]
Study Links Air Pollution to Children’s Low Grades
September 8th, 2015Via: University of Texas at El Paso: A University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) study on children’s health has found that fourth and fifth graders who are exposed to toxic air pollutants at home are more likely to have lower GPAs. UTEP researchers analyzed academic performance and sociodemographic data for 1,895 fourth and fifth […]
