] For the 12 physics students at Stratford, the simple act
] is to remove the old batteries from a two-battery
] flashlight, install new batteries and turn the flashlight
] on.
]
] The overcomplicated part? Do it without the touch of
] human hands. In no less than 20 steps.
]
] The weeks of work to design and construct the device have
] been a revelation of how and why things work.

Finally, some good news!

Stratford's contest task tough, hands down

] Both chambers in Congress now will delay their Easter
] recess to try to pass a law Monday that would allow
] federal courts to intervene in Schiavo's case.

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Congress jumps into Schiavo tug of war

] The Friday night lights in Texas could soon be without
] bumpin' and grindin' cheerleaders. Legislation filed by
] Rep. Al Edwards would put an end to "sexually suggestive"
] performances at athletic events and other extracurricular
] competitions.
]
] "It's just too sexually oriented, you know, the way
] they're shaking their behinds and going on, breaking it
] down," said Edwards, a 26-year veteran of the Texas
] House. "And then we say to them, 'don't get involved in
] sex unless it's marriage or love, it's dangerous out
] there' and yet the teachers and directors are helping
] them go through those kind of gyrations."

Can we pass a federal law that prohibits lawmakers from wasting valuable legislative resources on crap like this?

Do No Harm?

] British company Intelligent Energy today unveiled ENV,
] the world's first purpose-built, fuel-cell motorbike -
] ahead of any of the world's leading automotive companies.

Interesting design, but I think this is probably the absolute LAST market that should be thinking about fuel cells or alternative energy sources. Most motorcycles get upwards of 50mpg, and even though they emit far more hydrocarbons than cars do, they are far more efficient in generating power for the weight, fuel consumption, and exhaust that's generated.

Target the home and industrial power markets first, then the automotive market. It'll be 20+ years before light transport such as motorcycles would even be culturally accepted, much less practical.

World's First Fuel Cell Motorcycle Unveiled

] Siemens has developed a sweet little wearable,
] Bluetooth-based badge that lets you speak commands to
] control your house, talk to others in your house and
] accept and conduct phone calls. The system can
] recognize 30,000 words once you press the button on the
] badge to activate it.

ENGAGE!

siemens-develops-combadge-home-communicator

] As part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, CMS is
] sponsoring nine pilot projects involving 180,000 patients
] and using technologies administrators hope will improve
] preventive care. Officials anticipate that the program
] could, for example, help a diabetes patient get to the
] doctor before she requires a leg amputation, or allow a
] doctor to begin a new prescription or diet before his
] patient suffers heart failure.

Even more Remote Patient Monitoring goodness.

Medicare: Bring on the Tech

] But they%u2019re using a %u201CTeleCoach%u201D two-way
] video device to monitor Chantel%u2019s asthma across the
] miles. The program was developed by Sentara three years
] ago to help children with asthma better monitor their
] symptoms.

More Remote Patient Monitoring goodness.

Device helps nurses track patients, monitor conditions across the miles

The current Broadway season has seen several new musicals disappoint, but "Spamalot," which is scheduled to open on the Great White Way on Thursday, could be the savior.

Monty Python Comes to Broadway with Musical 'Spamalot'

There's several great articles here about this upcoming phenomenon which will surely change society and products in a radical way. Speaking as one who has several relatives who should probably not be driving (and as a person who utilizes the roadways in a disproportionate fashion as an avid driver and motorcycle rider), I can tell you that we're heading in the wrong direction. Seniors are ill equiped and pose a tremendous hazard without adequate testing and management. I'm pretty sure that I've paid more into the insurance risk pool as a habitual speeder than ANY senior driver has despite the fact that the risk is probably greater for any given senior. But because of tremendous lobby effort and the pending "ME generation" entering into seniority, we'll likely never see the proper laws and management put into place until it's way too late.

Aging America: Danger on the highway

Stiquito Controlled! is a widely accessible, user-friendly book that provides step-by-step instructions for building Stiquito, a small, multi-legged robot that resembles a "walking-stick" insect. The book includes comprehensive instructions and all the parts needed to complete assembly. Most notably, the kit contains a microcontroller board that allows Stiquito to walk on its own.

Making a Truly Autonomous Robot