Sun-powered bacteria turn nasty CO2 into helpful biofuel
Cars emit polluting carbon dioxide (CO2) when they burn gas, but what if you could reverse the process? Scientists from the University of Washington have engineered a bacteria that can do just that: pull CO2 from the air and, using sunlight, convert it to methane and hydrogen gas. The organism only produces a limited amount of fuel, but the results could lead to ways to reduce CO2 in the air and produce useful fuel at the same time.
Researchers have previously identified bacterium that can turn CO2 into materials like acetate, which can then be converted to fuel in a second stage by another class of bacteria. The U of W team was hoping to skip the intermediate step using “nitrogenase” enzymes that normally convert nitrogen gas into ammonia. “It’s been sort of recently appreciated that this enzyme is kind of promiscuous and can do other reactions, as well, only not as efficiently,” co-author Professor Caroline Harwood told ClimateWire.
It’s been sort of recently appreciated that this enzyme is kind of promiscuous and can do other reactions, as well, only not as efficiently.
They engineered a bacterium called R. palustris to produced the modified nitrogenase enzymes using photosynthesis. When hit with light, the bacteria pumped out the new enzyme in quantity, which in turn converted CO2 into methane and hydrogen (H2) in a single step. The only problem is the ratio of those gases — it produces just a single methane molecule for every 1,000 H2 molecules, meaning it’s not efficient for actual production.
Nevertheless, going straight from carbon dioxide to methane and hydrogen at room temperature is an important leap and could result in a more efficient way to create biofuel while reducing atmospheric CO2. The next step, according to Harwood, is to tweak the light and nitrogenase enzyme to see if they can improve the methane yields or produce other types of hydrocarbons and fuels.
Via: Scientific American
Source: PNAS
VR game developers prefer the HTC Vive, grapple with nausea
The decision to get a high-end virtual reality headset is as much about the software selection as the technology itself. So which platform is getting the most attention from developers? Apparently, it’s HTC’s Vive. A UBM Game Network industry report shows that 49 percent of VR developers are targeting the Vive, while 43 percent are writing software for the Oculus Rift. And the gap gets wider when it comes to the next game from these studios — nearly 35 percent are building for the Vive, while a little over 23 percent are aiming at the Rift.
The study doesn’t explain why the Vive is getting more support, although its technology may play an important role. While Oculus is largely focused on sit-down VR with conventional controls (its motion controller won’t arrive until later this year), the Vive shipped from the start with support for room-scale VR and motion input. There’s just more you can do. We’d add that the Vive already has unique experiences, like the Star Wars VR experiment, and that HTC has managed to get the Vive into the hands of influential YouTube stars like PewDiePie. If many of your potential players were most excited for the Vive, which one would you support? Still, it comes as a mild surprise when Oculus has the luxuries of both years of publicity and Facebook’s financial backing.
There are plenty of challenges for developers, regardless of the hardware. The steep price of high-end VR (you need a fast PC on top of the headset) and a lack of must-have titles play a part, but one of the most common problems is nausea. As we found out first hand, sickness can sour an otherwise great experience — people might not try VR again if their first experience makes them queasy. Also, just under half of all VR creators are funding their projects with personal funds, rather than leaning on outside help.
Thankfully, there’s a lot of optimism. Nearly 96 percent of surveyed developers believe there’s a sustainable audience for VR and augmented reality. While that’s not completely shocking for a group that’s already committed (you wouldn’t make a VR game if you didn’t think people would buy it), the data shows that creators believe there’s a real, long-term audience.
Source: Gamasutra
New York’s Bryant Park is tracking visitor behavior
Like any other potential advertising space, New York City’s Bryant Park needs information about its visitors in order to attract potential sponsors. To gather that information, the private Bryant Park Corporation, which runs the city-owned park, has announced a new partnership with data analytics firm PlaceIQ allowing the BPC to glean anonymized data from visitors’ mobile phones that can be used to create a generalized picture of the parkgoers and their movement or buying habits.
While visitor numbers are a useful metric for planning park events and estimating foot traffic, PlaceIQ’s platform tracks more than just the size of the crowds. According to PlaceIQ’s handy Bryant Park infographic, the company has already determined that only 19 percent of visitors live in Manhattan, but the average visitor is 50 percent more likely to visit Macy’s and twice as likely to shop at PetSmart or do their banking with Bank of America. Which is all useful data the Bryant Park Corporation can leverage while courting potential sponsors for events like film nights in the park (sponsored by HBO), morning yoga on the lawn (sponsored by Athleta) or the seasonal “Winter Village” (sponsored by Bank of America).
As AdAge reports, PlaceIQ and several other similar companies gather their information from mobile app location data (which most users allow access to when they download free mobile apps) or from geo-targeted mobile ads. Although the data is anonymized and not tied a specific user’s phone, it still creates a surprisingly complete picture of the visitors to the park.
While the prospect might seem alarming to privacy advocates, it seems location tracking is an inevitable part of the future of public green spaces. In 2015, London came under fire after a Guardian report revealed the city’s massive 350-acre Hyde Park spent 12 months collecting similarly aggregated and anonymized data. In both cases, the administrative bodies have claimed the information will give them better insights into who uses the parks, allowing them to better manage the sites.
“A lot of those [advertiser] brands really help us keep the park active,” Bryant Park Corporation brand manager Matt Castellan told AdAge. “An active space is a safe space.”
Via: Ad Age
Source: PR News Wire
Zika virus’ effects are broader than first thought
The Zika virus is primarily known to cause microcephaly (small heads) in the babies of infected mothers, but its effects may be wider-ranging than first thought. A Harvard-led study has conducted brain scans of 45 Brazilian babies from Zika-stricken mothers, and the data suggest that even those children born without conspicuous problems may suffer later on. Ultimately, Zika is disrupting brain development — microcephaly is a frequent result of that, but there can also be issues around the cortex (which is crucial to coordination and memory) that show up first and may only materialize on the outside as the child grows. Moreover, Zika can damage nerves in such a way that it forces arms and hands to contract.
The virus is even deceptive at times. As it can prevent brain cavities from properly draining cerebrospinal fluid, you may get the false impression that some fetuses are normal when they’re really victims of Zika-related bloat. There’s a real risk that the cavities can burst and collapse the brain.
The scans will help make sense of how Zika behaves, and could also help with critical decisions. Parents may learn about a fetus’ fate early enough to decide whether or not they want to carry it to term. At the same time, it could offer hope to parents by revealing when a fetus is untouched — if those early warnings signs don’t appear, the family might rest that much easier. Although wider studies are necessary to get the full scope of what’s happening (one just started with 10,000 babies), this is an important start.
Via: New York Times
Source: Radiology
Deutsche Telekom to Offer Subscribers Six Months of Apple Music for Free
German carrier Deutsche Telekom is planning to lure new customers by offering six months of Apple Music service for free, reports iPhone-ticker.de [Google Translate]. Aimed at customers who have not yet tried Apple Music, the offer will be announced at IFA in Berlin, set to take place from September 2 to September 7.
According to the report, new Apple Music subscribers on Deutsche Telekom will get the standard three-month free trial and then an additional three months of service paid for by the carrier.
Following the conclusion of the six month trial period, customers will be able to continue their subscriptions and pay for them via their personal phone bill, making it easier to maintain a subscription. It is not known if Deutsche Telekom will only be covering individual subscriptions or if customers are also eligible for family plans.
For its Apple Music service, Apple offers extended three month free trial periods in an effort to get people accustomed to using the service, a longer trial period than the one month offered by most streaming services. Apple’s strategy has been somewhat successful, and as of June 2016, Apple Music had more than 15 million paying subscribers.
Discuss this article in our forums
Apple Dragged Into Lawsuit Involving Singer Ariana Grande
Canadian songwriter and producer Alex Greggs, who has worked with several renowned artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, and the late Michael Jackson, is suing Apple in a larger lawsuit filed against singer Ariana Grande, electronic artist David Guetta, publisher Universal Music Group, and others, according to court documents filed electronically this week.
Greggs claims that Grande’s single “One Last Time” from 2014 infringes upon the 2011 single “Takes All Night” by Skye Stevens, said to be the subject of a valid pending U.S. copyright registration in Gregg’s name. He added that the defendants had access to “Takes All Night” before composing “One Last Time,” and that it’s “highly likely” the songs were not created independently of one another.
Skye Stephens performed the song on tour and in live performances at festivals and in clubs throughout the United States and Canada in particular, and also appeared on numerous radio shows, in addition to promoting the song through social media. Moreover, the similarity between Takes All Night and One Last Time is so striking that it is highly likely the works were not created independently of one another.
Greggs accuses Apple, as the operator of iTunes, of failing to verify that Grande and the other defendants had reached copyright and synchronization license agreements, and other contractual agreements, with him prior to releasing “One Last Time” as a digital download on iTunes and for streaming on Apple Music. He filed a similar claim against Universal Music Group as distributor of the single.
Songwriter and producer Alex Greggs, left, and singer Ariana Grande
Greggs has demanded a jury trial with the U.S. District Court for Central California, and is seeking adequate monetary damages and a permanent injunction that would see “One Last Time” removed from iTunes, Apple Music, and other music distribution and streaming services. The complaint was filed in Santa Monica on Tuesday, and it will have to be accepted by a judge before proceeding.
Tags: lawsuit, iTunes
Discuss this article in our forums
macOS Sierra Code Confirms Thunderbolt 3 and 10Gb/s USB 3.1 Transfer Speeds in Future Macs
Code discovered within the macOS Sierra beta suggests the operating system will include support for second-generation USB 3.1 transfer speeds of up 10Gb/s, hinting at hardware upgrades that will be included in future Macs set to be released later this year.
Found in a localizable text string in macOS Sierra by 9to5Mac, the code points to support for “Super Speed Plus,” another name for the faster 10Gb/s USB 3.1 Gen 2 specification. Current Macs (and OS X El Capitan) only support current-generation USB 3.1, capable of reaching transfer speeds of up to 5Gb/s, so the obvious conclusion is that Apple is planning to add USB 3.1 Gen 2 support to its upcoming Mac machines.
Apple’s new Macs almost always include support for the latest USB and Thunderbolt specifications to maximize performance, so it should come as no surprise that Apple is planning the same upgrades for Macs to be released in 2016. Rumors have also previously suggested Thunderbolt 3, which includes support for 10Gb/s USB 3.1 and DisplayPort 1.2, will be introduced in Apple’s most highly anticipated machine due for a refresh, the MacBook Pro, so the code found today is in line with what we’d expect to see.
There is no word on when Apple plans to debut its new MacBook Pro, and if there are other Mac updates in the works, but it is rumored to be debuting before the end of the year, perhaps at an event set to be held in October or November. The machine is said to feature a thinner, redesigned body with an OLED touch panel and Touch ID support.
Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer’s Guide: Retina MacBook Pro (Don’t Buy)
Discuss this article in our forums
Best clear cases for the Galaxy Note 7
What are the best clear cases to show off your Galaxy Note 7
You just got your brand new Galaxy Note 7 and while you want to show it off, you also want to make sure it’s protected from scratches and scuffs. Some bulky opaque case that’ll turn your phone into a brick? Out of the question!
If you want to preserve the look and sleek feel of your new phone, you’re best bet is to get a clear case. That way you can keep your phone protected while still being able to show it off to all your friends. It’s the best of both worlds!
- Spigen Neo Hybrid Crystal
- Caseology Skyfall Series
- Trianium Clarium Series
- Spigen Ultra Hybrid S w/ metal kickstand
- Ringke FUSION Crystal Clear
Spigen Neo Hybrid Crystal
If you refuse to sacrifice style for protection — and vice versa — the Spigen Neo Hybrid Crystal lets you have it all.
This two-piece case consists of a clear TPU shell that shows off your phone’s design, and a polycarbonate bumper that adds an extra layer of protection if you happen to drop your phone on its edge. Spigen claims this case is Military Grade Drop Certified, putting it into a similar category as other more heavy duty options they provide. The TPU shell features air space technology in each corner that help to mitigate the shock from a drop, so along with the bumper your phone should be well protected from drops.
The Neo Hybrid Crystal also provides a 1.2mm lip of clearance around the screen, and a 1.4mm bezel around the camera on the back to keep them safe when you put your Galaxy Note 7 down on surfaces. The bumper is available in four stylish color options, each with precise cutouts at the bottom for easy access to the S-Pen, ports and speaker. And the case itself offers a bit more grip to help prevent the phone from slipping from your hands.
See at Amazon
Caseology Skyfall Series
Another clear option comes from Caseology, known for their stylish phone case. Their Skyfall Series features a 1.3mm TPU shell and a 1.5mm polycarbonate bumper, which is available in four stylish colours.
The bumper on this case wraps around the back edge of the phone a bit for enhanced sturdiness. There are precise cutouts for the volume and power buttons, which are made of hard TPU for good responsiveness and tactile feedback, which will come in handy when you need to quickly silence an alarm without everyone knowing it was you.
With big cutouts around the charging port and headphone jack, this case will easily accommodate all your accessories while ensuring your S-Pen is always accessible. And with air-space technology in the corners, the case’s dual-layer protection will keep your phone safe when it drops to the ground.
See at Amazon
Trianium Clarium Series
If pure minimalism is what you’re after, the Trianium Clarium Series case will offer you a clear view of your phone from every angle, while also offering protection guaranteed with a lifetime warrantee.
This case features a two-piece design, with a hard TPU shell and a rubberized bumper to help absorb the shock of any drop. Molded to hug your Galaxy Note 7 tight and protect it from scratches and scuffs, you’ll be able to show off your stylish new phone without worrying about it getting damaged. It’s also a very slim option, so you won’t be adding too much bulk.
See at Amazon
Spigen Ultra Hybrid S with kickstand
What? Another Spigen case on this list? Absolutely. Spigen offers a whole variety of clear cases, but what sets the Ultra Hybrid S apart from the others is the built-in kickstand. This added functionality is exceedingly rare in the clear case category, typically reserved for more heavy duty options.
The kickstand appears to be essentially the Spigen U100 universal kickstand Spigen we recently reviewed, which is made of metal and extremely easy to use.
Spigen went with a one-piece TPU shell design for this case, so it won’t offer as much protection as the two-piece options on this list. But with the kickstand allowing for easy media viewing and the TPU shell still providing full protection from any drops, scratches or scuffs, it’s a damn fine compromise to make in this case.
See at Amazon
Ringke FUSION Crystal Clear
Another trusted name in phone cases, Ringke offers the FUSION Crystal Clear case for your Galaxy Note 7. This case comes in two style options — Crystal Clear or Smoky Black — but regardless you go with, your phone’s beautiful design will always be on full display.
That’s due in part to Ringke’s claimed twice the clarity coating which they say enhances the original look of your Galaxy Note 7 without adding minimal bulk. With added TPU cushioning in the corners and certified military grade drop protection, this case will keep your phone protected and looking stylish. And if you ever get bored with looking at the backside of your phone, Ringke also includes a free DIY template for cutting out an image to place between your phone and your case, letting you express your creative side if you so choose.
See at Amazon
What do you think?
Is keeping your phone looking stylish as important as keeping it well-protected? Will you be picking up a clear case for your Galaxy Note 7? Let us know in the comments!
Samsung Galaxy Note 7
- Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review
- The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
- Here are all four Note 7 colors
- Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
- Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!
Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
Celebrate the release of Nougat with these Nexus wallpapers!
It’s release week in Android land. It’s kinda like Christmas… if the presents took months to reach some of the good little geeks and nerds.
If you’re rocking Nougat right now, I’m happy for you. This is the benefit of buying a Nexus. For the rest of us, we’ll be waiting a little while for Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and the rest to get updates to our phones. Okay, some of us will be waiting a lotta while, but in the meantime, we’ve got a little piece of Nougat you can taste on your own device: a rocking new wallpaper, pulled from the Google Now Launcher that pushed with Nougat on the Nexus 6P and 5X.
It’s pink. It’s glorious. It’s dusky. And even though it’s not the most exciting wallpaper, it’s a wallpaper with a subtle grace and simplicity to add some class to your home screen.
Download: Dusk
I’m not entirely sure if this is sand or a coarse rock wall, but the lights and shadows at work here are breathtaking. I’d use two icon packs with this wall, one with the shadows and one with that beautiful golden rock.
Download: Sandy
This thin strip of sand along the deep, dark blue of the ocean is mesmerizing. It reminds me of trying to walk a delicate knife edge… Whether keeping balance or just remembering how thin the target you’re reaching for is, this wallpaper has you covered.
Download: Islet
As we navigate our lives, and the Android world, there’s always rocks we have to steer away from, and while lighthouses sometimes help, we all must be vigilant as we try to traverse our own oceans.
Download: Rocky
Waves are enigmatic things. Taming them is impossible. Riding them takes the experience and the faith to let it carry you away. Wave represent tension, conflict, and yet they are quite peaceful to watch, and especially to hear.
Download: Wave
Honor 8 is coming to Europe: First UK pricing and release info
New flagship Honor phone available from August 24, priced £369.99.
The latest high-end phone from the Huawei-owned Honor brand is officially coming to Europe. At an event in Paris today, Honor announced that the Honor 8 — recently unveiled to an American audience — will be available from today, Aug. 24, priced £369.99 in the UK. Huawei’s vMall outlet will get it first, along with an “anniversary package” of bundled goodies. In addition, the unlocked Honor 8 will be carried by the usual suspects, including Clove, Ebuyer, Expansys and Amazon. (Amazon’s throwing in a free Fire TV stick while stocks last.)
And on the carrier side, Three will offer the Honor 8 for sale “in the coming weeks.”
The Honor 8 brings many of the internals we’re already familiar with from the Huawei P9 family — Huawei’s high-end Kirin 950 chip, 4GB of RAM and a dual-camera setup combining both color and monochrome sensors for improved detail and clarity. Unlike the Huawei phone, the Honor 8 bears no Leica branding, but it appears to be much the same hardware on the inside. Naturally, Honor’s trademark fingerprint security makes a return, with another rear-mounted sensor.
The Honor 8 also sees the brand adopting a new metal-and-glass design language, with a metal trim sandwiched between two sheets of “2.5D” tapered glass. As Daniel Bader explains in our preview of the U.S. model, it’s a surprisingly compelling package.
I didn’t expect to be as impressed by the Honor 8 as I am. While I haven’t been able to do sufficient battery testing to determine whether the 3000mAh battery lives up to the competition, the phone has shown promise, refusing to drop below 20% in any of the days I’ve used the phone.
More than that, the Honor 8 consistently performs well, has a great screen, and captures fantastic photos, at a price that is sure to be significantly lower than the phone it is gunning for — the Galaxy S7.
The Honor 8’s launch price is a good bit higher than previous Honor phones, reflecting the improvements in build quality and higher-end internals than previous offerings such as the Honor 7 and 5X. The key difference between the U.S. and British pricing is that it’s more expensive than major rival OnePlus in the UK, whereas the American price tag of $399 exactly matches the OnePlus 3.
We’ll have more impressions on the European Honor 8 coming soon, as well as comparisons with its Huawei-branded brethren, so stay tuned. (We’re also updating our Instagram story live from the event, if you’re into that sort of thing.)
Honor 8
- Honor 8 hands-on
- Honor 8 specs
- Pre-order the Honor 8
- All the Honor 8 news
- Join the discussion in the forums
Amazon
HonorBest BuyNeweggB&H
AIVAnet 