When a Staten Island, N.Y., teen who was texting fell into a manhole while strolling with a friend last week.
Alexa Longueira was about to send a text message when she suddenly slipped under the sidewalk.
"She literally just handed me the phone and I opened it [and] I felt this big drop," the 15-year-old told the Staten Island Advance.
"It was four or five feet, it was very painful. I kind of crawled out and the DEP guys came running and helped me," she said. "They were just, like, 'I'm sorry! I'm sorry!'"
Cell Phone Towers Not a Cancer Risk for Kids
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Mobile phone base station towers boost cell reception, not childhood cancer risk, a British study has shown.
Children whose mothers lived near a high-output cell phone antenna mast while pregnant were no more likely to develop childhood cancer than those who lived farther away, found Paul Elliott of Imperial College London and colleagues. The researchers reported their findings online in the British Medical Journal.
"The risks are dwarfed by the well known dangers of distraction while using mobile phones, especially when driving-even when using hands-free equipment," he wrote in the editorial.
But because of the high levels of public concern, Elliott's group conducted a study looking at all 1,397 cases of central nervous system cancer, leukemia, and non- Hodgkin's lymphomas in children up to age 4 years in the U.K. national cancer registry from 1999 to 2001.
Children whose mothers lived near a high-output cell phone antenna mast while pregnant were no more likely to develop childhood cancer than those who lived farther away, found Paul Elliott of Imperial College London and colleagues. The researchers reported their findings online in the British Medical Journal.
"The risks are dwarfed by the well known dangers of distraction while using mobile phones, especially when driving-even when using hands-free equipment," he wrote in the editorial.
But because of the high levels of public concern, Elliott's group conducted a study looking at all 1,397 cases of central nervous system cancer, leukemia, and non- Hodgkin's lymphomas in children up to age 4 years in the U.K. national cancer registry from 1999 to 2001.
Alcohol, drugs can stimulate artistic creativity
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The idea that alcohol and drugs can stimulate writers, musicians and others to create great works of art is a "dangerous myth" because they can actually stifle creativity, says a psychiatrist.
Iain Smith, consultant in addiction psychiatry at Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow, said that while many artists and writers were known for their use of intoxicating substances, most produced their greatest work when they were sober."
Smith said: "The reason that this myth is so powerful is the allure of the substances and the fact that many artists need drugs to cope with their emotions. Artists are, in general, emotional people, and the use of these substances to deal with their emotions is more likely to happen."
Iain Smith, consultant in addiction psychiatry at Gartnavel Royal Hospital in Glasgow, said that while many artists and writers were known for their use of intoxicating substances, most produced their greatest work when they were sober."
Smith said: "The reason that this myth is so powerful is the allure of the substances and the fact that many artists need drugs to cope with their emotions. Artists are, in general, emotional people, and the use of these substances to deal with their emotions is more likely to happen."
German TanDEM-X satellite returns first 3D images
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Choppy Indian Ocean waters (yellow) contrast with the calm Baie de Diego (blue)
Germany's new radar satellite, TanDEM-X, has returned its first images.
The spacecraft was launched from Kazakhstan on Monday on a mission to make the most precise 3D map of the Earth's surface.
The pictures demonstrate the platform is in excellent health and ready to team up with the TerraSAR-X satellite launched in 2007.
Together, the pair will trace the variation in height across the globe to a precision of better than two metres.
1.Moscow-Sheremetyevo airport 2.Fields and forests in Ukraine
The new images depict a landscape in Ukraine, the north of Madagascar, and Moscow.
The pictures illustrate neatly the particular specialism of using radar to sense the planet's surface.
World's largest gold coin fetches $4m at auction.
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record
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The Maple Leaf coin measures 53cm (21in) in diameter, weighs 100kg (200lb) and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
The coin was bought by a Spanish precious metal company on Friday, the auction house Dorotheum said.
The auction had been ordered by the administrator of an Austrian investment group that had gone bankrupt.
China bans its soldiers from blogging.
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A new regulation prohibits the People's Liberation Army (PLA) from creating websites or blogs, citing confidentiality concerns, the official Xinhua news agency says.
China operates vast internet censorship, dubbed the "great firewall of China".
Websites deemed sensitive by the government are routinely blocked.
"Soldiers cannot open blogs on the internet no matter (whether) he or she does it in the capacity of a soldier or not," Xinhua quoted Wan Long, a political commissar of the PLA, as saying.
China operates vast internet censorship, dubbed the "great firewall of China".
Websites deemed sensitive by the government are routinely blocked.
"Soldiers cannot open blogs on the internet no matter (whether) he or she does it in the capacity of a soldier or not," Xinhua quoted Wan Long, a political commissar of the PLA, as saying.
iPhone 4: 1.5 Million Sold on First Day
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According to Oppenheimer’s Yair Reiner in a note to clients issued Friday, Apple sold 1.5 million phones on launch day.
We know that 600,000 units have been pre-ordered. Reiner estimates that 100,000 additional, non-reserved units were sold at Apple stores and that 50,000 were sold at Best Buy. He multiplied the final number by two to include international sales.
Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster has a more conservative calculation: He thinks that Apple will sell between 1 million and 1.5 million iPhones in the first three days, including pre-orders.
We know that 600,000 units have been pre-ordered. Reiner estimates that 100,000 additional, non-reserved units were sold at Apple stores and that 50,000 were sold at Best Buy. He multiplied the final number by two to include international sales.
Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster has a more conservative calculation: He thinks that Apple will sell between 1 million and 1.5 million iPhones in the first three days, including pre-orders.
Coca-Cola Promoted Trend Garners 86 Million Impressions on Twitter
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social network,
twitter
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In just 24 hours, Coca-Cola’s first Promoted Trend garnered 86 million impressions and an engagement rate of 6%, according to the company’s Global Interactive Marketing Vice President Carol Kruse in an interview with The Financial Times.
Coca-Cola is the second company to reach Twitter audiences by advertising as a Trending Topic on Twitter.Coca-Cola is the second company to reach Twitter audiences by advertising as a Trending Topic on Twitter. First was Disney Pixar Toy Story 3
Coca-Cola is the second company to reach Twitter audiences by advertising as a Trending Topic on Twitter.Coca-Cola is the second company to reach Twitter audiences by advertising as a Trending Topic on Twitter. First was Disney Pixar Toy Story 3
Twitter Sets New Record: 3,283 Tweets Per Second.
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Twitter’s biggest tweets per second record to date was during last week’s NBA finals. That record was shattered yesterday as Twitter users published 3,283 tweets per second at the close of Japan’s victory over Denwark in the World Cup.
Previous record of 3,085 tweets per second was for NBA.
Both of these recent records are staggering given that Twitter — during normal daily activity — averages roughly 750 tweets per second. The Japan-Demark World Cup figure means that activity swelled 438% above average.
Previous record of 3,085 tweets per second was for NBA.
Both of these recent records are staggering given that Twitter — during normal daily activity — averages roughly 750 tweets per second. The Japan-Demark World Cup figure means that activity swelled 438% above average.
First Look: “The Social Network” [VIDEO cum PIC]
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facebook,
social network,
video
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Columbia Pictures has just released the very first teaser trailer for its upcoming film.
The Social Network, otherwise known as “the Facebook movie,” is based in part on the book The Accidental Billionaires. It chronicles the formative days of Facebook, from its founding in Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard dorm room through its early rise to success.
Written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher, the film stars Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg. It hits theaters this October.
ATM security flaws could be a jackpot for hackers.
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Barnaby Jack, head of research at Seattle-based, security firm IOActive Labs, will demonstrate methods for "jackpotting" ATMs at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas that starts on July 28.
"ATMs are not as secure as we would like them to be," Jeff Moss, founder of the Black Hat conference and a member of President Obama's Homeland Security Advisory Council said. "Barnaby has a number of different attacks that make all the money come out."
Jack declined to discuss his techniques before the conference. The world's biggest ATM manufacturers include Diebold Inc and NCR Corp. Officials with those companies could not be reached for comment.
Banks may cringe when he speaks, fearing would-be crooks will adopt his methods. But Moss said that going public will raise awareness of the problem among ATM operators and prompt them to tighten security.
"ATMs are not as secure as we would like them to be," Jeff Moss, founder of the Black Hat conference and a member of President Obama's Homeland Security Advisory Council said. "Barnaby has a number of different attacks that make all the money come out."
Jack declined to discuss his techniques before the conference. The world's biggest ATM manufacturers include Diebold Inc and NCR Corp. Officials with those companies could not be reached for comment.
Banks may cringe when he speaks, fearing would-be crooks will adopt his methods. But Moss said that going public will raise awareness of the problem among ATM operators and prompt them to tighten security.
Apple admits iPhone 4 antenna issues
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Since the iPhone 4 went on sale Thursday, numerous reports have begun to appear online about consumers having strange issues with the antenna. Namely, that if they put their hand over the new steel band that encases the iPhone, they lose reception.
Apple has responded with a statement:
"Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases."
Apple has responded with a statement:
"Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases."
Women Love Beetles, Men Prefer Bugattis
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Stylish yet affordable, Volkswagen's Beetle is the auto most likely to be purchased by women, according to a study of 13 million U.S. vehicle registrations over the past two years.
Men are most likely to go for a brawny, gas-chugging GM truck or even a powerful Bugatti with a $2 million pricetag, according to the findings of Truecar.com, the California-based auto pricing information company.
The nation's population is more than 50 percent female, yet women account for just 36 percent of new car registrations, the study found. Among all new car owners registering Beetles, more than 56 percent were women.
Men are most likely to go for a brawny, gas-chugging GM truck or even a powerful Bugatti with a $2 million pricetag, according to the findings of Truecar.com, the California-based auto pricing information company.
The nation's population is more than 50 percent female, yet women account for just 36 percent of new car registrations, the study found. Among all new car owners registering Beetles, more than 56 percent were women.
Former 'Biggest Loser' Says Show Gave Her Eating Disorder.
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A former contestant on the hit weight loss show "The Biggest Loser" is claiming that the show's unhealthy practices led her to develop a life-threatening eating disorder.
Kai Hibbard, 31, was one of the final four contestants on NBC's "The Biggest Loser" in 2006, when the show was in its third season. While Hibbard appeared to be a poster child for the show, losing 118 pounds in just 12 weeks, she now says that she nearly died.
"I had no idea I had a problem," Hibbard told ABCNews.com. "When you spend four months surrounded by people who are all doing this to themselves, even if intellectually it seems wrong, you don't realize. You just think if they're doing it, I'm doing it."
Kai Hibbard, 31, was one of the final four contestants on NBC's "The Biggest Loser" in 2006, when the show was in its third season. While Hibbard appeared to be a poster child for the show, losing 118 pounds in just 12 weeks, she now says that she nearly died.
"I had no idea I had a problem," Hibbard told ABCNews.com. "When you spend four months surrounded by people who are all doing this to themselves, even if intellectually it seems wrong, you don't realize. You just think if they're doing it, I'm doing it."
Obama, Lady Gaga compete for Facebook fan record.
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Facebook publicists told CNN on Thursday that the pop star and the president are neck-and-neck in the race to become the first living person with more than 10 million fans on the social networking site.
As of early Friday, Obama was in the lead, with 9,058,881 fans. Lady Gaga trailed behind with 9,023,966.
Both of them were more than 4 million fans behind the No. 1 individual, Michael Jackson, who had 13,285,811. The singer died a year ago.
Obama's page, which is run by the group Organizing for America, includes photographs of his recent Gulf Coast visit and links to speeches from news conferences.
As of early Friday, Obama was in the lead, with 9,058,881 fans. Lady Gaga trailed behind with 9,023,966.
Both of them were more than 4 million fans behind the No. 1 individual, Michael Jackson, who had 13,285,811. The singer died a year ago.
Obama's page, which is run by the group Organizing for America, includes photographs of his recent Gulf Coast visit and links to speeches from news conferences.
Flexible touch screen with printed graphene.
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Graphene, a sheet of carbon just one atom thick, has spectacular strength, flexibility, transparency and electrical conductivity.
Spurred on by its potential for application in new devices like touch screens and solar cells, researchers have been toying with ways to make large sheets of pure graphene, for example by shaving off atom-thin flakes and chemically dissolving chunks of graphite oxide. Yet in the thirty-some years since graphene's discovery, laboratory experiments have mainly yielded mere flecks of the stuff, and mass manufacture has seemed a long way away.
"The future of the field certainly isn't flaking off pencil shavings," says Michael Strano, a professor of chemical engineering at MIT. "The large-area production of monolayer graphene was a serious technological hurdle to advancing graphene technology."
Spurred on by its potential for application in new devices like touch screens and solar cells, researchers have been toying with ways to make large sheets of pure graphene, for example by shaving off atom-thin flakes and chemically dissolving chunks of graphite oxide. Yet in the thirty-some years since graphene's discovery, laboratory experiments have mainly yielded mere flecks of the stuff, and mass manufacture has seemed a long way away.
"The future of the field certainly isn't flaking off pencil shavings," says Michael Strano, a professor of chemical engineering at MIT. "The large-area production of monolayer graphene was a serious technological hurdle to advancing graphene technology."
Salesforce sues Microsoft.
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microsoft
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The world's biggest maker of Web-based software charged that Microsoft is infringing five Salesforce patents in programs, including in the Windows Server operating system and the widely used .Net platform.
"Microsoft's continuing acts of infringement have caused and are causing irreparable harm to Salesforce.com," the complaint said.
Salesforce is seeking unspecified damages in the suit, which was filed in US District Court for the District of Delaware on Thursday.
The battle began on May 18 when Microsoft sued Salesforce in federal court in Seattle, alleging its rival uses its technology in software menus, toolbars and graphical interface features.
"Microsoft's continuing acts of infringement have caused and are causing irreparable harm to Salesforce.com," the complaint said.
Salesforce is seeking unspecified damages in the suit, which was filed in US District Court for the District of Delaware on Thursday.
The battle began on May 18 when Microsoft sued Salesforce in federal court in Seattle, alleging its rival uses its technology in software menus, toolbars and graphical interface features.
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