UK
Science & Technology News
Wanted: Computers That Behave Like
Us
A EUROPE-WIDE project to enable computers to think and behave more like humans
is being coordinated from Queen’s University Belfast. The 10 million-euro,
four-year project will build on ground-breaking work already carried out there
to create “multi-modal interfaces” that allow machines to sense and respond to
the moods of the user.
Celebration Of 10 Years Of Scotch Friendship
A MAJOR redevelopment of a top Scotch whisky website - www.Laphroaig.com - is to
include a new section dedicated to sharing the news of life on Islay, Scotland,
where Laphroaig is made. The site will also include tips on where to stay and
what to see and do when visiting the beautiful island of Islay.
Brave New Cyberworld Of TV & Film
A NEW filming method developed by a BBC international project allows actors to
interact with computer-generated scenes. Researchers from Germany and Italy
collaborated with the BBC’s research team to create the Origami system that it
claims is a unique approach to traditional methods of filming.
Scientist Who Has Found Charles Darwin’s Ship
ONE of the world’s longest-lived naval mysteries may have been solved. It
concerns the final resting place of HMS Beagle, the ship that took Charles
Darwin round the world and led him to develop his evolutionary theory based on
natural selection.
Engineers Help Cyclists Win Olympic Medals
THE British Olympic track cycling team were helped by a group of researchers at
Sheffield University in their medal quest in this year’s Athens games. The
Sports Engineering Research Group (SERG) at the England university worked as
part of a world-class team to develop a state-of-the-art bike that could shave
crucial milliseconds off the athletes’ times.
Thales UK Team – “Preferred Bidder” For Watchkeeper
THE United Kingdom Ministry of Defence has selected Thales UK Team as preferred
bidder for Watchkeeper, a programme of major importance for the British armed
forces.
Don’t Get Caught In The Web
ALL but the most eagle-eyed of online shoppers could pay more than they
bargained for if they fail to take delivery charges into account.
Helping Tourists And Motorists Navigate London
DRIVING into London these days is a lot easier but it has an added frustration.
It’s bad enough trying to navigate around Marble Arch but now drivers have to
bear in mind whether they paid the congestion charge. For tourists and motorists
that are unfamiliar with the UK capital’s roads the congestion charge - or worry
about payment - may add unnecessary stress.
Lloyd’s Rail Launches Integration Function
AIMED at improving the effectiveness of rail project delivery for clients and
suppliers of rail systems, Lloyd’s Register Rail has formally launched its new
systems integration (SI) function.
Jenson Button Game On To Win Grand Prix
FASTEN your seatbelts, Britain’s leading Formula One star Jenson Button is set
to launch the world’s fastest racing game along with Gizmondo, the world’s
highest performance handheld gaming device.
Security Failures Threaten Online Shopping
MORE than a million United Kingdom consumers have been victims of security
breaches while shopping online and this is prompting them to turn their backs on
large online brands.
Bowel Cancer Linked To Diabetes
PEOPLE with diabetes could be up to three times more likely to get bowel cancer,
according to a report from Cancer Research UK and the Medical Research Council.
“Cool” Way To Save Electricity
A FRIDGE designed by student Belén Hermosa is not only easy to use and energy
efficient but also makes a fashion statement in the kitchen. Hermosa, who is 26
and from Bilbao in Spain, designed this revolutionary fridge as part of her
final-year project for her industrial product design degree at Coventry
University, England.
Silver Lining For Star-Gazers
A SILVER coating recently applied to the eight-metre mirror of the Gemini South
telescope using equipment built in the UK is set to make it the most powerful
infrared telescope on earth. It will allow international teams of astronomers to
study in detail the formation of stars and planets.
Where Does All The Plastic Go?
THE oceans and shores of northern Europe – and probably other parts of the world
- are contaminated with microscopic fragments and fibres of plastics, a UK team
of expert marine biologists and chemists have discovered.
Astronomers Reveal “Extinct Fusion Reactor”
AN INTERNATIONAL team of astronomers studying the remnants of stars have found a
remarkable object in which the “nuclear reactor” that once powered it has only
just shut down.
Air Pollution - Gone With the Wind?
A TEAM of 40 scientists from seven UK universities have travelled to the Azores
to join hundreds more in the largest international atmospheric field campaign of
its type attempted.
DNA Deal May Lead To Future Cancer Therapies
EFFECTIVE future cancer therapies may one day result from a deal signed by
Cambridge University, Cancer Research Technology (CRT, the technology transfer
company of the charity Cancer Research UK) and KuDOS Pharmaceuticals, a leading
private oncology company.
Student Is Sure That “Slime Has Brains”
A UNIVERSITY graduate believes that slime has brains, and she can fool the slime
into making us healthier! Now she is in line for a top national award for her
insight.
Raising Technology To Maintain Global Security
IT IS the way of the world today that terrorists head the agenda. The only
possible top-spot rival is how to stop them. Unfortunately, these insurgents are
not the only foe. Criminal elements also threaten the globalisation of society.
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