In what researchers describe as the largest, most comprehensive analysis to date of cocaine contamination in banknotes, scientists are reporting that cocaine is present in up to 90 percent of paper money in the United States, particularly in large cities such as Baltimore, Boston, and Detroit. The scientists found traces of cocaine in 95 percent of the banknotes analysed from Washington, DC, alone
A campaign has been launched to win a posthumous apology for computer pioneer Alan Turing over his conviction for homosexuality. The brilliant mathematician, who spent his key years at Manchester University, is hailed as one of the founders of modern computing. But a conviction for homosexuality effectively ended his career. Troubled Turing went on to commit suicide in 1954, aged just 41. Now a group of admirers of the scientist — named as one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century by Time Magazine — are lobbying the government to make a posthumous apology
IBM is looking to the building blocks of our bodies — DNA — to be the structure of next-generation microchips. As chipmakers compete to develop ever-smaller chips at cheaper prices, designers are struggling to cut costs. Artificial DNA nanostructures, or DNA origami
may provide a cheap framework on which to build tiny microchips
The first national broadband network rollout, in Tasmania, will cost an estimated $20,000 for each premises that takes up the superfast internet connection — and business leaders say its impact may be minimal. The Rudd and Bartlett governments, which are jointly undertaking the rollout, refuse to reveal the taxpayer-funded plan’s cost, business plan or an estimate of the take-up. However industry sources told The Australian that the take-up rate had been estimated at 17 per cent of the 200,000 target premises — homes and businesses
At the Chongqing Children’s Palace, experts are hoping to revolutionise child-rearing with the help of science. About 30 children aged 3 to 12 years old and their parents are participating in a new program that uses DNA testing to identify genetic gifts and predict the future
It is possible to successfully fend off a zombie attack, according to Canadian mathematicians. The key is to hit hard and hit often
. Oh yes, somebody actually did a study on mathematics of a hypothetical zombie attack, and published it in a book on infectious disease. So, while we still don’t know what to do if a deadly asteroid takes aim at Earth, an unlikely but technically possible situation, we now know what to do in case of a zombie attack
There’s a disturbing new development in Australia. A law proposal was disclosed to the public that would get ISPs to spy on the contents of all communications to monitor for compliance. Presumably, the amendments would get Australian ISPs to monitor their networks for p2p activity and hand all their information to copyright holders
Chinese officials appear to have retreated from their controversial plan to install an internet filtering system on computers in the country. The industry and information technology minister, Li Yizhong, said today that the notion that the Green Dam programme would be required on every new computer was a misunderstanding
spawned by poorly written regulations
A security researcher has found that hackers are using Twitter as a means to distribute instructions to a network of compromised computers, known as a botnet. The traditional way of managing botnets is using IRC, but botnet owners are continuously working on finding new ways of keeping their networks up and running, and Twitter seems to be the latest trick. A now-suspended Twitter account was being used to post tweets that had links new commands or executables to download and run, which would then be used by the botnet code on infected machines
The popular Digsby instant messenger client not only bundles half a dozen optional
crapware applications, it’s also using your computer to crawl the web, do stock market research, and more. It’s time to uninstall
Sony has moved to open the e-book market by adopting the ePub format for its Readers. Unlike Amazon’s Kindle, which only runs e-books sold by Amazon, users of Sony’s devices will be able to obtain a variety of e-books. The e-book market is heating up, with new devices from Sony, a textbook-focus Kindle, and an expected entry from Apple
A team of Yale University researchers has discovered a repulsive
light force that can be used to control components on silicon microchips, meaning future nanodevices could be controlled by light rather than electricity. The team previously discovered an attractive
force of light and showed how it could be manipulated to move components in semiconducting micro- and nano-electrical systems–tiny mechanical switches on a chip. The scientists have now uncovered a complementary repulsive force
Les Paul, whose innovations with the electric guitar and studio technology made him one of the most important figures in recorded music, has died, according to a statement from his publicists. Paul was 94
A landmark decision in Western Australia’s Supreme Court has given a Perth quadriplegic the right to refuse food from his care provider. Christian Rossiter, 49, was given the approval on the condition he understands the consequences of his actions. Mr Rossiter, who developed spastic quadriplegia after being hit by a car, says he is relieved by the court’s decision
Good news for television viewers with confirmation that Optus will launch its new satellite on 22 August by an Ariane-5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Optus Satellite Paul Sheridan said, The Optus D3 Satellite will increase Optus’ total satellite capacity, support existing customers including Foxtel and Sky New Zealand and enable the development of new business opportunities for broadcast television and the direct-to-home market
. The satellite will enable more channels and features on Foxtel, including the capacity for more free to air channels to be made available to subscribers. Foxtel has previously touted 20 new channels by the end of the year, but now Foxtel’s Patrick Delany yesterday confirmed 20 SD plus 10 HD channels
As its ten-year-old file system — GFS — struggles to keep up with Gmail, YouTube, and other apps it was never designed to support, Google is brewing a replacement. According to the company, it’s two years into a GFS sequel designed specifically for customer-facing apps that require ultra low latency — via Slashdot
Two people have been successfully prosecuted for refusing to provide authorities with their encryption keys, resulting in landmark convictions that may have carried jail sentences of up to five years. The government said today it does not know their fate
It is not uncommon for workplaces to have pets. Perhaps a fish or a bird, or at most a dog or cat roaming around the waiting room of a vet’s clinic. But the Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital, north of Melbourne, has its very own horse who trots around the surgery, nibbling rubbish in the bins and hanging off whoever he can. But this horse is different from most. At just 35 kilograms and 59 centimetres tall, 12-month-old Koda is said to be Australia’s smallest horse. He was born the size of a cat and he is still smaller than some dogs, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with his gigantic personality
Google has unveiled a new version of its search engine which it says will be faster and more accurate than ever before. The upgrade, which insiders have dubbed caffeine
, was announced after the company opened up access to web developers. It is intended to replace the technology giant’s main search engine after tests have been completed
A new software component that ensures an operating system will never
crash has been developed in Australia, and is potentially destined to earn billions of dollars in royalties. The secure embedded L4 (sel4) micro-kernel is the result of around five years’ research at National ICT Australia (Nicta). A kernel manages a computer system’s resources, including memory and processors. Like a traffic warden, it checks
if the roads are clear before letting school children or vehicles pass
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