Technology News for March 13, 2008

Soon, swarms of self-healing mini robots for search and rescue operations
The European Union is funding a 4.6million-pound project to develop a prototype team of self-organising, shape-changing mini robots that work as a team. ANI

Soon, Smart Goggles that can find anything from your missing keys to iPods
Soon, you wont have to go through the regular painstaking and irritating routine of searching for your missing car keys, thanks to Smart Goggle, which can track down any misplaced item. ANI

Researchers boost wireless networks performance
ETH Zurich researchers have achieved a major success in quadrupling the existing transmission rate of conventional wireless networks from 54 megabytes per second (Mbps) to 216 Mbps by using multiple antenna technology. ANI

Novel process to integrate single-crystal semiconductor into an optical fibre
An international team of researchers has come up with a process to grow a single-crystal semiconductor inside the tunnel of a hollow optical fibre. ANI

Grid-appropriate reactors to power developing nations
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the US is developing grid-appropriate reactors, which would help power developing nations and boost their economy. ANI

Semantic web could displace Google, says Berners-Lee
Google may soon be displaced from its position as the paramount brand on the internet by a mega-mash-up company is able to harness the power of next-generation web technology known as the semantic web, says the inventor of the World Wide Web Sir Tim Berners-Lee. ANI

Animal model that mimics emotional bummer of cocaine addiction developed
People addicted to cocaine often suffer a downward emotional spiral that is a key to their craving and chronic relapse. Now, a team of researchers has developed an animal model that mimics the negative affect of the drug dependence. ANI

Artificial black hole in lab generates Hawking Radiation
The first signs of Hawking Radiation - an effect that British physicist Stephen Hawking had predicted 30 years ago, has emerged from the simulated edge of a black hole. ANI

Now, a magnetic gun that stops atom-sized bullets
Researchers at the University of Texas-Austin have developed a magnetic gun that can stop atom and molecule sized bullets in mid-air. ANI

Hydrogen fuel cells contribute one-third less to global warming
Developers of hydrogen fuel cells have claimed that cause one-third less of the pollution that causes global warming than conventional electricity generation does. ANI

Neckband that allows voiceless mobile chat without having to speak
A US company has demonstrated a voiceless phone call for the first time, using a neckband that translates thought into speech by picking up nerve signals. ANI

How the brain learns to estimate risk
Dont blame your stars after losing a good amount of money in a game of poker, for the real culprit behind the plot is your bad brainwaves, says a new study. ANI

Scientists baffled by mysterious meteorites in Antarctic
A pair of mysterious meteorites discovered in Antarctica in 2006, has baffled scientists, who are trying to determine their origin. ANI

A daily cuppa of black tea may help fight anthrax
Besides giving you the right kick start in the morning, your cuppa of black tea could be the latest defence against an anthrax attack, says a new study. ANI

Ancient flying reptiles didnt wait until full adulthood to have sex
Ancient flying reptiles or Pterosaurs didnt wait until they were full adults to have sex, just like their dinosaur relatives, according to a new study. ANI

10 questions that are driving 21st-century earth science identified
A new report by the National Research Council has listed ten questions that are driving the geological and planetary sciences at the start of the 21st century. ANI

Smoking may cloud your financial judgements
Cigarette smokers were found to show reluctance to accepting better financial suggestions in a brain scan study conducted by American researchers. ANI

Sandy particles orbiting distant stars provide clues about formation of Earth-like planets
Astronomers have found the first evidence of small, sandy particles orbiting a newborn solar system at about the same distance as our planet orbits the sun, which could provide clues about the formation of Earth-like planets. ANI

Guzzling energy drinks may leave you toothless
Your favourite energy drink on which you rely for that extra boost can cause tooth erosion, says a new study. ANI

Tiny organisms in rivers play a critical role in removing nitrogen pollution
A new study has determined that tiny organisms residing in healthy streams and rivers play a critical role in removing nitrate, a form of nitrogen pollution caused by human activities. ANI

Short people are most prone to jealousy
Jealous lovers need not look any further than their height if they want something to blame for the attacks of the green-eyed monster, says a new research, which found that short people are more likely to feel jealous. ANI

Wheat killing fungus may have reached Pakistan two years early, warn scientists
A fungus that is deadly for wheat may already have reached Pakistan two years earlier than predicted, and may soon reach the vital Punjab region, warn researchers. ANI