International team discovers planet made of diamond

A girl's best friend may have just gotten a whole lot bigger with the news that an international research team has discovered a small planet they think may be made of diamond. Although the planet is calculated to have a diameter of less than 60,000 km - which is about five times the diameter of Earth - it has slightly more mass than Jupiter. With the planet likely to be made largely of oxygen and carbon, its high density means it is almost certainly crystalline, meaning that a large part of the planet may be similar to a diamond.

The discovery was made by a team of researchers from Australia, Germany, Italy, the U.K. and the U.S., led by the Swinburne University of Technology's Professor Matthew Bailes. Using the CSIRO Parkes radio telescope in Australia, Lovell radio telescope in the U.K. and one of the Keck telescopes in Hawaii, they identified an unusual star called a pulsar known as PSR J1719-1438 located 4,000 light-years away in the constellation of Serpens in our Milky Way galaxy.

Pulsars are small spinning stars only around 20 km (12 miles) in diameter that emit a beam of radio waves. As the star spins, the emitted radio waves sweep repeatedly over Earth where radio telescopes are able to detect a regular pattern of radio pulses.
The astronomers noticed that the arrival times of the pulses from PSR J1719-1438 were systematically modulated and concluded that the gravitational pull of a small companion planet orbiting the pulsar in a binary system was to blame. The modulations tell the astronomers that the planet orbits the pulsar in just two hours and ten minutes, and that the distance between the two objects is 600,000 km - which is a little less than the radius of our Sun.
Because if it were any bigger it would be ripped apart by the pulsar's gravity, they also know that the companion planet must be small at less than 60,000 km in diameter. With slightly more mass than Jupiter, which has a diameter of almost 143,000 km, it is the planet's high density that Professor Baines says provides a clue of its origin.
The researchers believe that the "diamond planet" is the remnant of a once-massive star, most of whose matter was siphoned off towards the pulsar. PSR J1719-1438 is what is known as a millisecond pulsar because it spins very fast - rotating more than 10,000 times a minute. It also has a mass roughly 1.4 times that of our Sun, yet is only 20 km in diameter.
With around 70 percent of millisecond pulsars having companions of some kind, astronomers think that it is the companion in its star form that transforms an old, dead pulsar into a millisecond pulsar by transferring matter and spinning it up to a very high speed. The result is a fast-spinning millisecond pulsar with a shrunken companion, which is most often a white dwarf. However, because PSR J1719-1438 and its companion are so close together, the researchers say the companion must be one that has lost its outer layers and over 99.9 percent of its original mass.
"This remnant is likely to be largely carbon and oxygen, because a star made of lighter elements like hydrogen and helium would be too big to fit the measured orbiting times," said the CSIRO's Dr Michael Keith (CSIRO), one of the research team members.
Although there are a lot of stars "twinkling like a diamond in the sky," don't expect "diamond planets" to be all that common.

"The rarity of millisecond pulsars with planet-mass companions means that producing such 'exotic planets' is the exception rather than the rule, and requires special circumstances," said Dr Benjamin Stappers from the University of Manchester.

The "diamond planet" discovery is reported in the journal Science

New world record in one-hour cycling set - 91.556 kilometers

This sleek, human-powered missile on wheels is called Eiviestretto and it's one of the world's fastest recumbent bicycles or HPVs (human powered vehicles). On August 2nd, Francesco Russo of Switzerland rode this custom-built streamliner to beat the world record in one-hour cycling by covering a distance of 91.556 kilometers (56.89 miles). The new record was set on the DEKRA Test Oval track in Klettwitz, Germany.

Built by a Slovenian team led by Damjan Zabovnik, Eiviestretto is a fully faired vehicle that is ridden in the supine position, with the rider utilizing a mirror to navigate. Its design principles attempt to keep the drag coefficient as low as possible, and minimize the frontal area. Beating the world record was the only purpose in building Eiviestretto.

The rider's helmet lies directly on the rear wheel fairing, and the overall interior space is so narrow that the rider can move only his legs. The custom-built recumbent bike is just 70 cm (27.5 in) high and weighs 21 kg (46.2 lbs), with a front surface area of 0.238 square meters (2.56 square feet). It's powered via the front wheel, which is 20 inches (50.8 cm) in diameter. The casing is made of carbon components and finished with an acrylic glass cover.

Riding Eiviestretto, Russo has managed to beat the previous record of 90.724 km (56.373 miles) that was set in 2009 by Canadian multi-record-holder Sam Whittingham. Russo's record hasn't been officially confirmed yet by the International Human Powered Vehicle Association.

While the average speed achieved by Francesco Russo during his one-hour speed trial is impressive, human-powered streamliners have gone even faster on flat surfaces. The top speed record holder is Fred Rompelberg, who reached 268.8 kph (167.0 mph) in 1995 at Bonneville Salt Flats, although it was in the wake of a motor dragster pace-car reducing the aerodynamic drag. Sam Whittingham holds the top speed world record in the 200 meter (656 ft) flying start speed trial, with a speed of 133.28 kph (82.8 mph) set while riding his Varna Diablo III. Greg Kolodziejzyk set a world record riding 1,046.94 km (650.538 miles) during a 24-hour speed trial in 2006.

Pakistan’s first Communications Satellite PAKSAT-1R launched

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first Communications Satellite PAKSAT-1R, as a part of Pakistan’s Space Programme 2040, was launched on Thursday at 2117 hrs on board China’s Satellite Launch Vehicle from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Besides others, launch was witnessed by Secretary Defence Lt Gen Syed Athar Ali (R), Secretary Foreign Affairs,    Salman Bashir, Director General, Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai (R) and Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Muhammad Masood Khan, said a press release issued here.
PAKSAT-1R has a total of 30 transponders, 12 in C-band and 18 in Ku-band.
The satellite will be deployed at 380E in the Geo-stationary orbit and it will replace the existing satellite PAKSAT-1.
PAKSAT-1R has a design life of 15 years and will provide TV broadcasting, Internet and data communication services across South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa and the Far East. This satellite now enables extending of communication services to all areas of Pakistan.
The National Command Authority (NCA) recently approved Pakistan’s Space Programme 2040 during its meeting at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) on 14 July 2011.
Earlier, the contract for the development of PAKSAT-1R was signed between Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) in October 2008 during the visit of the President of Pakistan to China.
Pakistani engineers have worked closely with their Chinese counterparts during all stages of development of the satellite in China. Some experimental units developed at SUPARCO have also been integrated on the satellite for technology evaluation.
China and Pakistan have enjoyed more than 20 years of cooperation in Space Science, Technology and Applications.
The launch of Paksat-1R Satellite is a major milestone for both countries towards strengthening of this cooperation.
SUPARCO will continue its efforts for launching of other satellites including Remote Sensing Satellites, to ensure that the space technology applications fully contribute to socio-economic development and national security in Pakistan.

Aui urban design..Outstanding concept ever made...!!

Until now, Audi's e-tron line of concept vehicles, including the e-tron Frankfurt, e-tron Detroit, and e-tron Spyder, have featured highly desirable, albeit conventional designs reflecting Audi's intention to put the vehicles into production over the next few years. With the latest e-tron branded concept vehicle intended purely as a technical study and not being based on any previous model the Audi designers have been freed up to make a departure from previous designs with the new Audi urban concept.
                          Audi says the Audi urban concept doesn't fit under any conventional vehicle categories, but combines elements of a racing car, fun car and urban car into one concept. As its name suggests, the urban concept is designed for congested urban environments. With an eye on efficiency the vehicle features a lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) body and is driven by two e-tron electric motors powered by a lithium-ion battery pack to provide what Audi claims is "sporty performance."

The vehicle features free-standing wheels with surrounding protective plates sporting blinking strips of LED lights. Occupants enter via the tailgate with the roof sliding to the rear to open. Inside, the steering wheel and pedals are adjustable to suit the driver's measurements.

The urban concept has room for two people in what Audi says is a 1+1 configuration, but instead of the one seat behind the other layout found in vehicles such as the Volkswagen L1, the urban concept places the seats next to each other but offset so the passenger is positioned slightly behind the driver. This seems a bit odd as it doesn't provide the aerodynamic advantages of inline seating and would make in-car conversations a bit awkward - although it will presumably provide the passenger with some extra leg room.

" Date Rape " detector...

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, around 200,000 women were raped in the U.S. in 2007 with the aid of a "date rape" drug - and because so many cases go unreported, the actual figure is believed to be 80 to 100 percent higher. GHB is one of the most commonly used drugs because it is odorless, tasteless and invisible when dissolved in water. Now researchers at Tel Aviv University's Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences have developed an easy-to-use sensor that, when dipped into a cocktail, can instantly detect GHB and another commonly used date rape drug, ketamine.

The researchers say that real time date rape drug detection has been impossible until now because of the lack of a sensor sensitive enough to detect the drugs. Adding to the difficulty of proving the presence of such drugs is that after a few hours they become undetectable in the human bloodstream. With rates of drug-assisted sexual assault a growing problem around the world, the TAU researchers set about developing a sensor that was lightweight, discreet and could be carried in a pocket or purse.

The system they developed works on simple optics principles, says Professor Fernando Patolsky. Although date rape drugs are colorless and odorless when mixed into a cocktail, they do subtly change the optical properties of the drink and it is this change that the new sensor detects. When a ray of light comes into contact with a drugged drink, a "signal change" occurs and the sensor sounds an alarm. A commercial version of the sensor could emit a beeping noise or a small flashing light for use in the dark and loud environment of a bar or club.

Tests conducted showed the sensor detected both GHB and ketamine with 100 percent accuracy and no false positives. Prof. Patolsky says that just one to ten microliters is required for the sensor to detect the drugs.

The TAU team is currently working to miniaturize the system so it is easy and affordable for personal use. Although GHB and ketamine are the two most commonly used date rape drugs, the researchers are also looking to widen the range of drugs that the sensor can identify.

When the sensor becomes commercially available, Prof Patolsky says it might look like a pen or clip that is easy to dip into a glass. A disposable cartridge inside that is responsible for recognizing the presence of a drug would cost less than a dollar and be able to identify two or three spiked drinks before needing to be replaced.

All elements of the system have been patented with TAU's technology transfer company, Ramot, so - unfortunate as it may be - it might not be too long before the sensor is an essential inclusion in any woman's purse on a night out.

Artificial Lungs.... What could me more amazing than this ??

What could be more amazing than this??

       scientist have created an artificial lung which is very much similar to the human lung. The most amazing thing is, it uses air as ventilating gas instead of pure oxygen. Its quite efficient and its just as similar as the original organ. Its volume is approximately the same as human lung. The device could be implanted into the human body and it can even work with the heart...
              The artificial lung is filled with breathable silicone rubber versions of the blood vessels that branch down to a diameter less than one-fourth of human hair. It was created by first building a mould with miniature features and then layering on a liquid silicone rubber that solidified into artificial capillaries and alveoli. They air and blood channels were then separated with a gas diffusion membrane
                         By making the parts of the artificial lung on the same scale as the natural lung, the researchers say they were able to create a very large surface-area-to-volume ratio and shrink the distances for gas diffusion compared to the current state-of-the-art. In comparison to current artificial lung systems that require pure oxygen due to their inefficient oxygen exchange, tests of the new artificial lung using pig blood showed a three to five times improvement in oxygen exchange efficiency over current devices. It is this efficiency that enables the new artificial lung to use plain air instead of pure oxygen as the ventilating gas

Astronomers detect largest, most distant reservoir of water ever found in the universe

Two international teams of astronomers have discovered the largest and farthest reservoir of water ever detected in the universe. The researchers found the huge mass of water feeding a black hole, called a quasar, more than 12 billion light-years away. The mass of water vapor is at least 140 trillion times that of all the water in the world's oceans combined and 100,000 times more massive than the sun.
Quasars are among the most luminous, powerful, and energetic objects known in the universe. They are powered by an enormous black hole that steadily consumes a surrounding disk of gas and dust, spewing out huge amounts of energy as it eats. The particular quasar under investigation, which bears the catchy name of APM 08279+5255, harbors a black hole 20 billion times more massive than the sun and produces as much energy as a thousand trillion suns.
Although astronomers had expected water vapor to be present even in the early, distant universe, they had not detected it this far away before. They point out that there is water vapor in the Milky Way, but because most of the Milky Way's water is frozen in ice, the total amount of water vapor is 4,000 times less than in the quasar.
The astronomers say that water vapor is an important trace gas that reveals the nature of a quasar. In this case, the water vapor is distributed around the black hole in a gaseous region spanning hundreds of light-years in size. Its presence indicates that the quasar is bathing the gas in X-rays and infrared radiation, and that the gas is unusually warm and dense by astronomical standards. Although the gas is at a chilly minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 53 degrees Celsius) and is 300 trillion times less dense than Earth's atmosphere, it's still five times hotter and 10 to 100 times denser than what's typical in galaxies like the Milky Way.
Measurements of the water vapor and of other molecules, such as carbon monoxide, suggest there is enough gas to feed the black hole until it grows to about six times its size. However, it's unclear whether this will happen or not as some of the gas may end up condensing into stars or might be ejected from the quasar.
The discovery was made by two international teams of astronomers, each led by scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), that have each described their quasar findings in separate papers that have been accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
"It's another demonstration that water is pervasive throughout the universe, even at the very earliest times," said Matt Bradford, a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and a visiting associate at Caltech, who led one of the teams.
Bradford's team started making their observations in 2008 using an instrument called "Z-Spec" at Caltech's Submillimeter Observatory, a 33-foot (10-meter) telescope near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Follow-up observations were made with the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave Astronomy (CARMA), an array of radio dishes in the Inyo Mountains of Southern California.
The second team was led by Dariusz Lis, senior research associate in physics at Caltech and deputy director of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. This group used the Plateau de Bure Interferometer in the French Alps to find water.
In 2010, Lis's team serendipitously detected water in APM 8279+5255, observing one spectral signature. Bradford's team was able to get more information about the water, including its enormous mass, because they detected several spectral signatures of the water.

Eye 21 Sun Glassses.. New hope for Blindes

A surprising news is waiting for the blinds. They can also see whats happening in their surroundings with the help of sunglasses. isn't it interesting?
   Engineers from the Research Center for Graphic Technologies at Spain's Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) have created an experimental sunglasses, that allows the blind to aware of their surrondings  by the use of sounds.
 This sunglasses system is named as EYE 21. It consist of a pair of glasses, pair of headphones to catch sounds, two built in cameras for the analysis of the surroundings and a computer.

      built in video cameras make a three dimensional picture by analyzing the surrounding, a sound is assigned to the various surfaces and then it is played back via headphones. This allows blind to see what is happening around him.

SOBI - Bicycle sharing system

Many of the people are qiut familiar with car sharing system. i.e, a person can locate the nearest available car via internet and phone call, go and unlock it with a chip card provided with PIN code, unlock it and take it with him. when done, he can leave it to the nearest car sharing spot and in the same way car could be used by other person.

 In Newyork city,  Ryan Rzepecki  founded Sobi by inspiring from bike ride sharing. now the bikes are available for sharing. its just as same as car sharing system. Bikes are provided with GPS system. Its not like to locate the bike through app, you can also reserer a bike by sitting at your home via phone call. You are provided with 15 minutes to reach at the spot.And by entering the provided PIN to the buit-in keypad, you can take tha bycicle for as long as you want. this seems really cool and amazing.

Web expands as ICANN approves new domain names

Bored of visiting Google.com? Wish there was an alternative? What about Google.search, Google.find or even Google.Google? All of these domain names are now a possibility, thanks to a decision made by the internet naming body ICANN to allow companies and organizations to purchase their own generic top-level domains (gTLD).

A TLD is essentially the last bit of the domain name you type in to your browser. The familiar .com, .org and .net are just three of the current 22 gTLDs available, but ICANN's decision could see this number soar as companies and organisations seek to secure their online brands. Country codes, such as .uk, are a separate class of TLDs and will not be affected by the decision, though it will be possible to purchase new gTLDs in non-English languages such as Chinese or Arabic.

Anyone wishing to buy a new gTLD will have to apply to ICANN and demonstrate a legitimate claim to their desired domain. They will also have to pay a fee of $185,000. Peter Den gate Thrush, chairman of ICANN's board of directors, said "Today's decision will usher in a new internet age. We have provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and inspiration."

Or will it? Allowing these new domains seems to provide little benefit to ordinary internet users and could potentially put them at risk of online fraud. What happens if someone registers .corn as a gTLD? It's a perfectly legitimate move for anyone in the business of selling cereal-based products, but it could also allow them to trick users by registering fake sites such as google.corn.

It's also not clear what will happen if more than one organization can demonstrate a legitimate claim to a gTLD. Who should own .apple - Apple Inc., the iPhone manufacturer, Apple Corps Ltd, the record company founded by The Beatles, or anyone who happens to sell apples, the fruit?

Perhaps it doesn't matter, since the domain name is becoming increasingly irrelevant thanks to the combination of the address and search bar in most modern browsers, not to mention the rise of the shortened link. How many of you got here by typing "new scientist" in to your browser, not new scientist.com, or followed a link ending in .ly? Even adverts now tell people to search for a particular set of keywords, rather than visit a domain. Companies can spend as much as they like on branding the web, but the reality is that many users will still enter their sites via a single portal: Google.com.

upcomming new laptops in 2012

Up to the middle of 2011, we have seen lot of amazing technologies. This is not enough here, world is working harder and harder to invent more outstanding and mind blazing things. now here i am gonna show you some upcoming laptops of 2012. keep D-roll laptops in your mind, they are also in the upcoming techno list...

 KODAK HP 2012

 INVISIBLE OLED LAPTOP

 SONY ERICSSON

SPLIT LAPTOP

Logitech Lap desk N550 Laptops

New Alien ware M17xR3 Gaming Laptop

   OLPC-XO-3

 

  TABLET LAPTOP