Scientists stretch metal to make it stronger

You’d think that stretching metal would make it weaker, but just the opposite is true… on a very small scale. Researchers have developed a technique that pulls nanoscopic metal crystals to eliminate defects. By gently and repeatedly stretching the crystal, scientists move “dislocations” (rows of atom-level defects) to free surfaces, where they’re ultimately forced out. The result is a metal that is considerably less likely to crack or otherwise fail over time.

You may not see this technique used to improve larger (that is, visible) metal, like what you see in buildings or vehicles. The same trick that improves nanoscale metal tends to make things worse at the macro level. However, it could be very helpful for processors and any other device where even the tiniest breaks could cause big problems. Don’t be surprised if you’re one day using electronics that last for years longer than you’re used to.

Source: Carnegie Mellon University, PNAS

Domino’s built a pizza delivery car with its own oven

You have to sympathize with pizza delivery drivers. They’re rarely driving more than an everyday car (often their own), which won’t do much to help them get a pizza to your door on time. Clearly, Domino’s Pizza feels their pain. The food giant has unveiled the DXP (Delivery ExPert), a heavily modified Chevy Spark that’s focused on pie transport. The star attraction is an outward-facing oven in the back — drivers can grab your piping-hot pizza without skipping a beat. There’s also storage space for a whopping 80 pizzas (office party, anyone?), an out-for-delivery light and a puddle light to prevent any rude surprises when stepping outside.

This sounds like a one-off concept car, but it’s very much intended for the real world. Roush is helping Domino’s build 100 DXPs that will reach 25 US cities within the next 90 days, including Boston, Dallas, New Orleans, San Diego and Seattle. And it may well make financial sense for Domino’s, even if it seems expensive at first glance. The oven and storage should help drivers deliver more pizzas per trip, and make sure that you’re happy when your food arrives. It’s advertising on wheels, too. While you probably won’t ever see the local pizza joint operating cars like this, it won’t be surprising if the big chains leap on this idea in hopes of getting a competitive edge.

Via: Autoblog, Bloomberg

Source: Domino’s DXP

Google introduces Youtube Red: Original Series and Movies from your favorite stars

Youtube has been a source of entertainment for over a decade now and today has announced they will be offering Youtube Red. Youtube Red will let you enjoy content from Youtube ad-free while also letting you download content to your phone or tablet and will also play videos in the background. In order to take advantage of these new features, there will be a subscription cost of $9.99 per month. But the best part is if you are already are a Google Play Music subscriber, Youtube Red will be free of charge. If you are not a Google Play Music subscriber and choose to pay $9.99 for Youtube Red, Google will also allow access to all of their music as part of a combo package.

Starting early next year, Youtube Red will also have new original content and movies which will be limited to members only. Some of the shows and descriptions are listed below:

• Scare PewDiePie: In this reality-adventure series from the creator and executive producers of The Walking Dead at Skybound Entertainment and Maker Studios, experience thrills, chills and laughter as PewDiePie encounters terrifying situations inspired by his favorite video games.
• Sing It!: From Fine Brothers Entertainment and Mandeville Films comes SING IT!, a scripted comedy that lovingly satirizes the reality singing competitions that have become a centerpiece of pop culture.
• Lazer Team: In this feature-length action-comedy from Rooster Teeth and Fullscreen Films, four small-town losers stumble upon an alien ship carrying a mysterious cargo, leading to a battle to save Earth from an all-powerful enemy.
• A Trip to Unicorn Island: From the team at Astronauts Wanted, this feature-length movie gives fans an extraordinary look inside the life and journey of Lilly Singh as she embarks on a challenging 26-city global tour where she has to remember to practice what she preaches: happiness is the only thing worth fighting for.
• Untitled Joey Graceffa project: In this all-new reality adventure series, Joey Graceffa brings together an ensemble of top YouTubers for a murder mystery they’ll never forget. They’ll form alliances to survive, but little do they know that most won’t make it out alive.
• 360 Project from MatPat of Game Theory: YouTube educator and pop culture expert MatPat from The Game Theorists invites the audience to come along for the ride in an innovative new series and 360 VR experience. In each episode Matt explores the real-life science behind popular video games by throwing gamers into the high-stakes scenarios they play through every day, from water jetpacks to haunted pizzerias.
• Single by 30: In this romantic drama series from Wong Fu Productions and New Form Digital, two high school best friends make a promise to get married if they’re still single at 30. A decade later, with 30 quickly approaching, their attempt at upholding their vow unfolds in unexpected ways. Starring Harry Shum, Jr. and Kina Grannis.
• Untitled CollegeHumor project: Written by and starring the cast of CollegeHumor, along with special guests, this new anthology series will take a dark and comedic look at the absurdity of Internet culture.
• Fight of the Living Dead: In an unprecedented social experiment reality show from Alpine Labs, Fight of the Living Dead takes popular YouTube talent and traps them in a frighteningly realistic zombie apocalypse. They must use their instincts and gaming skills to survive as they battle the elements for the ultimate prize of survival.
• I Am Tobuscus: From the mind of Toby Turner, this scripted comedy explores the world of a self-involved YouTube creator pursuing bigger stardom. The show features original music, and satirizes the hilarious details of being an eccentric, new-age celebrity.

Viewers in the US can try Youtube Red free for one month starting October 28th.

According to the press release, Google will also be announcing a new Youtube Music app today which is designed to make discovering, watching and listening to music easier.

Source – Google Blog 1, 2

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Fitbit trackers can be hacked in ’10 seconds’

Fitbit trackers have a whopper of a vulnerability that can let somebody within Bluetooth range quickly hack them, according to security company Fortinet. Worse yet, once the attackers are in, the device will infect any computer that tries to sync with the device. Via Twitter, Senior Fortinet researcher Axelle Apvrille told Engadget “you don’t need physical access (to the tracker), but you do need to be close (Bluetooth range). It does not matter if it is paired (to another device) or not.” When in range, a bad actor could infect the device in as little as 10 seconds. Apvrille informed Fitbit of the vulnerability back in March, but the wearable outfit has yet to fix the issue, according to the Register.

In addition, the vulnerability remains in the wearable even after it’s reset. Once infected, the device can install a virus, trojan or other vulnerability on your computer, even days later. “An attacker sends an infected packet to a fitness tracker nearby at Bluetooth distance then the rest of the attack occurs by itself, without any special need for the attacker being near,” Apvrille said. While the Fitbit uses encryption, the Bluetooth transmitter itself is apparently wide open, allowing attackers in. If you want to find out more, Apvrille will present her findings via a video demonstration at the 2015.Hack.lu conference tomorrow in Luxembourg.

@AaronIsSocial you don’t need physical access, but you need to be close (bluetooth range). It does not matter if it is paired or not.

— Axelle Ap. (@cryptax) October 21, 2015

Via: The Register

Source: Axelle Apvrille (Twitter)

Theranos CEO strikes back over blood test scrutiny

Last week, the Wall Street Journal published an article that raised some questions surrounding startup lab Theranos’ claims that it can run a variety of blood tests with just a single finger-prick. Apparently the aforementioned finger-prick test have so far only been used to diagnose herpes (not the hundreds once promised) and some customers have reported wild inaccuracies with tests. Former employees have also come forward to the Journal accusing Theranos of poor practices like diluting blood samples for testing on commercially available machines. Today, Theranos CEO and founder Elizabeth Holmes attended an interview at WSJD Live (which is a conference put on by the Wall Street Journal) to address these accusations head on.

Regarding the recent news that Theranos has stopped its finger-prick tests due to an FDA request, Holmes said that had nothing to do with the quality and veracity of their tests. Instead, she said they’re simply pausing as they’ve decided to submit its finger-stick blood test process for FDA approval. Right now, they’re transitioning from a normal lab framework to one with FDA quality standards. “The nanotainer was cleared by the FDA to use,” she said. “We got our systems cleared by the FDA at the end of July.” The FDA did drop by unannounced for an inspection, but she said it was about quality systems regulations and not about methodology or testing. Holmes said that the FDA standard is one that few other labs are embracing and is proud that Theranos is taking this extra step.

“When we do venous draws [blood drawn through veins], we use commercially available machines. When we do finger stick, we use technology that’s proprietary,” she said, addressing the accusations of former employees. “We have never used commercially available equipment for finger-prick tests. Every finger-stick test uses proprietary Theranos technology that’s not commercially available.” As for the claim that Theranos has diluted those finger-prick blood tests to use on commercial machines, Holmes said this isn’t even possible. They do dilute blood samples sometimes, yes, but only when they’re developing an assay, which is a test to figure out the quality and quantity of a substance component.

As for the disgruntled customers complaining about inaccuracies, Holmes said that those cases have to be looked at individually on a case-by-case basis, as there might be extraneous circumstances that could affect the results. “You can’t take one person and make a generalized statement.” She also took the Journal to task for what she cites as emails that were quoted out of context and inaccurate sources.

One of the other issues around Theranos is that it demonstrates the performance of its tests through accredited proficiency tests, rather than peer-reviewed journals. The reason? “If you’re trying to work on 120 FDA submissions at the same time, you don’t have much time to sleep,” she said. She’s open to peer review further down the line. “Theranos is a clinical lab,” Holmes said. “We’re regulated by everybody … We have recurring audits from all our regulators. They look at how we do proficiency tests, they look at all our submissions.”

“We’ve done 3.5 million tests. We have tens of thousands of people who have rated our service,” she said. “We know the integrity of what we’ve done.”

Source: Wall Street Journal