Tag Archives: technology

Move Over Fiber Optics

Speed of light broken with basic lab kit

Electrons usually travel at about two-thirds of light speed in wires, slowed down as they bump into atoms. Hache says it may be possible to send usable electrical signals to near light speed.

Scientists have sent light signals at faster-than-light speeds over the distances of a few metres for the last two decades – but only with the aid of complicated, expensive equipment. Now physicists at Middle Tennessee State University have broken that speed limit over distances of nearly 120 metres, using off-the-shelf equipment costing just $500.

Microsoft Users of the World, Unite! The Only Thing You Have to Lose Are Inoperable Computers!

Linux has long benefited from from the anti-Microsoft faction of computer users, and had much of its origin in such circles. Now we see more international leaders concerned about Microsoft’s power turn to open source solutions.

I was pretty interested in how Microsoft consider both open-source software and IBM the two main threats to its power. IBM has really impressed me with its turn-around and embrace of Linux, and this article points to some smart moves that they have recently made. I’m really curious to see how Big Blue will turn out in the future.

AI Not Just a Toy

I get really tired of people who think AI isn't real science or is just for toys. I also get tired of the AI researchers who work on fluff that perpetuates the stereotypes. Here's an example of AI being used to help "real" scientists. I offer a small caveat, however. I really think AI, as a field of study, should be subdivided. As it is, the term is too broad and lumps too many people of unrelated research together. I also think Computer Science is an abused term. I offer the following taxonomy.

  • Computer Science
    • Computational Mathematics
    • Algorithms
    • Heuristics (formerly part of Weak AI)
  • Software Engineering
    • Programming Languages
    • Systems Design
    • Application Design
  • Artificial Intelligence
    • Computational Cognitive Science (Strong AI)
      • Architectural
      • Phenomenological
    • Intelligent Systems (Weak AI)

Without further ado, here's the article, which I would classify as an intelligent system:

A Map That Maps Gene Functions
By Kristen Philipkoski

"The genetics revolution is generating such a gigantic glut of information that artificial intelligence may be the only way scientists will ever put it to practical use."

"Inspired by an AI effort to record all of the common-sense knowledge shared among humans called Cyc, scientists have come up with a technology that can gather all of the information scientists know about an organism."

Catchin’ Z’s With EEG’s

Sleep Aid: It’s All in Your Head
By Mark Baard

Instead of counting sheep, insomniacs may find relief listening to the sounds of their own brain waves.

Results of a University of Toronto study indicate that “brain music” — EEG recordings converted into musical compositions in a computerized process — sends sleepless patients to dreamland faster.

Maybe this would help with my recent insomnia. I’m also thinking this could be adapted to help people think more “harmoniously”. If, instead of a CD, this music could be generated dynamically, one could use different types of thoughts to control the music.

HAL the Healer

This story is of particular interest to me because Alzheimer’s runs through my family. I pray that it doesn’t hit me and bring a fate worse than death.

AI to Assist Alzheimer’s Patients

Researchers in artificial intelligence today are beginning a race to offset an epidemic of age-related memory loss.

Barring a cure, 14 million Americans will develop Alzheimer’s Disease by 2050, according to the National Institute on Aging.

Scientists in the emerging field of assisted cognition are designing AI systems to care for Alzheimer’s patients without any direct human assistance.