science

Meet the Intelligent Cutting and Deboning System: a Robot That Can Cut Your Poultry Up

June 1, 2012 by noemi

Poultry Deboning Robot — Intelligent Cutting and Deboning System

I may be wrong, but knowing how to cut and debone poultry the proper way may not be all that common. Sure, there are people who can do that in their sleep, but for people like me, it is probably best to leave that task to the experts.

But what if you can have the Intelligent Cutting and Deboning System? [Read more…] about Meet the Intelligent Cutting and Deboning System: a Robot That Can Cut Your Poultry Up

Control Your Computer Using the Doppler Effect

May 8, 2012 by noemi

Remember the Doppler Effect? If it doesn’t ring a bell (which would rather be surprising, actually), try googling it. Alternatively, take a closer look at Sheldon Cooper‘s Halloween costume, and your memory just might get jogged.

Seriously, though, the Doppler Effect refers to the phenomenon that is observed when the source of a sound (or any other wave) is moving with respect to an object. That object could be you. The result is a perceived change in the intensity of the sound as the source keeps on moving.

There are many applications of the Doppler Effect, and one of the newest applications which may be of particular interest to you guys is gesture control for computers. [Read more…] about Control Your Computer Using the Doppler Effect

The Science Behind the “Old Books Smell”

April 24, 2012 by noemi

That “old books smell” is hard to beat, isn’t it? That particular scent brings me back to my days as a student, when I would spend lots of time browsing the shelves of the library. As the case usually is with university libraries, a considerable part of their collection are old books. And yeah, that smell has become firmly embedded in my memory.

I am pretty sure that I am not alone in this. In these days when even those who like the feel and smell of (paper) books are looking to e-books, the yearning for the old books smell still has a strong following. But have you ever thought about the scientific explanation for this? [Read more…] about The Science Behind the “Old Books Smell”

Pregnant? You Might Want to Avoid Using Your Cell Phone

March 19, 2012 by noemi

Harmful cell phone radiation — Pregnant Woman on Cell Phone

Do you have a bun in the oven? Or do you know someone who does? It might be time to let go of that cell phone in the next several months!

We’ve heard of stories – many true and just as many false – about the adverse effects of radio waves on the human body. Ever since mobile phones came out ages ago (or what seems like ages ago), people have been making speculations about how bad they can be for us. Of course, even those who conducted scientifically sound studies could not make solid conclusions if only because the effects might not be evident decades later. [Read more…] about Pregnant? You Might Want to Avoid Using Your Cell Phone

Power Felt: Fabric to Charge Your Smartphone

February 28, 2012 by noemi

Do you still remember those days when you could go for at least three days without having to worry about how much battery juice you still had on your mobile phone? I do, but the memory is quickly fading. Anyone with a smartphone has probably lamented, at least once, about how often he or she has to plug it in. I know people who do not last half a day without having to resort to an additional battery pack.

It sure is a “first world problem”, but having a smartphone really does make you overly concerned about having access to power. Otherwise, you’ll just have a brick in your hands.

Unsurprisingly, scientists have been looking at ways to provide solutions that will be as convenient as possible. One of these is the result of the work of some guys at Wake Forest University. [Read more…] about Power Felt: Fabric to Charge Your Smartphone

Neurologists Diagnose Harry Potter’s Mysterious Headaches

February 20, 2012 by noemi

I don’t know if you got suckered in by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, but it is rather hard not to at least want to read/watch the franchise once. I remember burying my nose into the books – well, the first several ones. I have not watched all the movies, but there is something to be said about the story of this young boy with that lightning scar on his forehead.

For sure, one of the things that has been the topic of many a debate or discussion are the headaches that Harry Potter experiences. Whatever the “real” reason for those headaches may be, it seems that real life science might have something for us. [Read more…] about Neurologists Diagnose Harry Potter’s Mysterious Headaches