California May Ban Black Cars
The California legislature is considering regulating the color of cars and reflectivity of paint to reduce the energy requirements to cool them. A presentation on the proposed legislation by the California Air Resources Board is below.
The problem isn’t the color per se, but the reflectivity of the paint overall. And dark colors just don’t reflect well, so they are likely out. “Jet black remains an issue,” says the report.
Anyone who’s ever entered a very hot car knows that it can be cooled down immediately by driving a few feet with the windows open, effectively neutralizing any color-caused heat issues before engaging the air conditioner. But whatever, black is evil.
The new regulations would be phased in beginning in 2012, so if you want that black car, you better buy it soon. More on Autoblog and CrunchGear.
And you thought that black Toyota Pious you bought made you such a good person. Think again, you tree hating energy slob. Luckily, black websites are still ok, even though they, too, use more energy.
[ed]Wow, I think Batman might get screwed in this deal![/ed]
Source: TechCrunch.
Nanotech Invention May Be Golden Bullet for Controlling Drug Addiction
Scientists at the University of Buffalo have found a new use for nanotechnology–as an extremely precise way of delivering chemicals to the right part of the brain to combat drug addiction. And, pleasingly, the science really does fit the "golden bullet" label as these nanoparticles are literally made of gold.
Medical researchers have known for a while that a particular brain protein, DARRP-32, is a key element in the chemistry of drug addiction. It’s a "trigger" for a host of reactions in the brain that creates craving, and if it’s "silenced," then the urge to re-take a drug should diminish. The trick is getting to the protein to quash its influence, which requires conventional therapies to cross the blood-brain barrier, something that’s proven difficult.
Enter the gold nanoparticles. They’re actually nanorods, and in the Buffalo technique, they’re coated with short-interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules which switch off the DARRP-32 protein. The combination is apparently 40% efficient at reaching the target sites in the brain, which is much higher than previously possible, and it’s apparently the first time siRNA molecules have been combined with gold nanoparticles. The gold is particularly suited to the task due to its high biocompatibility and the fact that the rods have a larger surface area than nanospheres, thus allowing more RNA to stick to the exterior (in the image, the brain cells show as blue, and gold nanoparticles within them as orange spots.)
Read the full article at Fast Company.
Borrow A Cat’s Affection At Japan’s Cat Cafés
We’ve seen pet rental companies, which while successful, have created controversy with animal rights activists worldwide. Now, there is a new more humane way for people to mix and mingle with their favorite furry friends in the comfort of a public place. In Japan, cat cafes have been popping up all over the place, allowing people to relax with a cup of coffee while receiving the purr-fect, relaxing companionship of a kitty.
The Calico Cat Café is one example of a successful cat café business in Tokyo. With over 3 locations in existence in Japan, people are flocking to the unique cafes because they love pets, but just can’t commit to having one at home or are restricted by the strict housing regulations in the country. For 800 YEN per hour or 2000 YEN for three hours, animals lovers can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and find themselves ignored, or occasionally delivered affection by the cats when the mood suits them; just like any pet lover would if they could have cats in the comfort of their own homes.
While there are many strays in Japan, they do not join the furry ranks at Cat Café; however, advertisements for strays that need a home are posted throughout the establishment. To protect their animals from illness, Cat Café requires that patrons thoroughly wash their hands, and any animal brought on the premises is vet checked and vaccinated.
Unlike other pet rental services, the cats at Calico Cat Café are cared for in one location by experienced pet lovers and not passed around from home to home. Although, I would be willing to bet that for some, this form of pet leasing remains a controversial topic.
Original article: InventorSpot
Teens Capture Amazing Shots 20 Miles from Earth's Surface With a Balloon
Using a $77 Nikon Coolpix and a $60 latex balloon filled with helium, a team of teenage students captured these remarkable shots from 20 miles above the Earth’s surface.
Radio-synced to Google Earth, the team tracked the package as it soared 885 feet per minute into the sky, taking shots on a periodic timer. The balloon eventually failed around 100,000 before the system parachuted to the ground.
See more pictures and the full article at Gizmodo.
