IT'S a solar double whammy. Not only does sunlight melt Arctic ice, but it also speeds up the conversion of frozen organic matter into carbon dioxide. The amount of carbon in dead vegetation preserved in the far northern permafrost is estimated...
Sri Lanka drops IMF loan bid over spending dispute
Label: Technology COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Tuesday dropped plans for a fresh $1.0-billion loan from the International Monetary Fund following disagreements over how the money should be spent, the central bank said.The government announced last month that it was seeking a new cash infusion from the IMF after drawing down a previous $2.6-billion bailout loan six months ago."Sri Lankan authorities have decided...
PR2 maker Willow Garage turns to commercial robotics
Label: LifestyleThings are changing over at robotics startup Willow Garage, the open-source powerhouse known for its very adaptable domestic bot PR2. Following an IEEE Spectrum report earlier today saying Willow Garage would shut down in the next few months, the company announced on its blog that it "has decided to enter the world of commercial opportunities with an eye to becoming a self-sustaining company.""This...
Kumbh Mela: Pictures From the Hindu Holy Festival
Label: Health Holy BathPhotograph by Roberto Schmidt, AFP/Getty ImagesThe Hindu festival known as Kumbh Mela, often referred to as the world’s largest gathering of humanity, peaked on Sunday at...
North Korean Tremor Raises Fear of Nuke Test
Label: Business A large tremor measured at magnitude 4.9 was detected in North Korea and governments in the region scrambled to determine whether it was a nuclear test that the North Korean regime has vowed to carry out despite international protests.Japan's prime minister has called an urgent security meeting, according to chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga, and South Korea raised its...
Feb
10
Liver cancer survival time tripled by virus
Label: World The virus used in the vaccine that helped eradicate smallpox is now working its magic on liver cancer. A genetically engineered version of the vaccinia virus has trebled the average survival time of people with a severe form of liver cancer, with only mild, flu-like side effects. ...
"Babel" by Mumford&Sons wins best album Grammy
Label: Technology LOS ANGELES: "Babel" by British folk rockers Mumford&Sons won the coveted Album of the Year award at the 55th Grammy Awards on Sunday.They beat "El Camino" by The Black Keys, "Some Nights" by fun., "Channel Orange" by R&B singer Frank Ocean and "Blunderbuss" by Jack White, at the climax of the music industry's biggest awards show.The top prize largely came as a surprise after Mumford&Sons...
Microsoft Surface Pro ad debuts amid supply gripes
Label: LifestyleThe Surface Pro ad is here, but so are gripes about supply. The ad (above) has an obvious business bent, focusing on pen input. And, of course, how light it is (two pounds). There's also a nod to the touch interface and USB connectivity. The ad was directed by Jon M Chu, who directed the earlier Surface RT ad. Meanwhile over at the official Surface Blog commenters are howling about supply. "I went...
Year of the Snake: The Serpent Behind the Horoscope
Label: Health On February 10, people all around the world will ring in the Lunar New Year with paper lanterns and firecrackers. At the heart of it all sits the snake, a slithery reptile feared for its sharp fangs and revered for its undeniable charm. (Watch videos of some of the world's deadliest snakes.)Those born in the Year of the Snake are said to be intelligent and quick thinking, but they can...
Possible Dorner Sighting Leads to Store Evacuation
Label: Business A Northridge, Calif., home improvement store was evacuated tonight because of a possible sighting of suspected cop-killer Christopher Dorner, just hours after police announced a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest.As helicopters hovered overhead and a command center was established, police searched the Lowe's store and eventually told shoppers they could...
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