Sci-Tech

Astronomers witness never-before-seen asteroid break-up

WASHINGTON, March 7 (PNA/Xinhua) — Astronomers said Thursday they have witnessed for the first time the breakup of an asteroid, disintegrating into as many as 10 smaller pieces at a “leisurely” speed. The crumbling asteroid, designated P/2013 R3, was first noticed as an unusual, fuzzy-looking object by ground-based telescopes in Arizona on Sept. 15, 2013, the researchers reported in the U.S. journal Astrophysical Journal Letters. A follow-up observation on Oct. 1 with the W. M. […]

Exosuit Promises To Take Ocean Explorers To New Depths

(Reuters) — The new Exosuit promises to take deep-divers deep underwater so they can explore marine life up close as never before. The next-generation Exosuit was unveiled at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York on Thursday (February 27). The Exosuit Atmospheric Diving System stands about 6.5 feet tall (2 meters) and weighs more than 530 pounds (240 kilograms). “Imagine putting on a suit of armor essentially,” said Michael Lombardi, the diving safety officer at the American Museum of Natural History. He added, “You […]

Exclusive: DirecTV in talks with Disney on deal for Internet rights

By Ronald Grover and Liana B. Baker Wed Mar 5, 2014 6:37pm EST (Reuters) – DirecTV is in talks with Walt Disney Co to license the rights to offer Disney’s broadcast and cable channels as part of an Internet-based product, mirroring a first-of-its kind agreement that Disney and satellite rival Dish Network announced earlier this week. “The deal and terms are not unexpected as the Dish contract was the most recent in the Disney timeline […]

Boeing Black: This smartphone will self-destruct..

(Reuters) – Boeing Co on Wednesday unveiled a smartphone that appears to come straight from a James Bond spy movie. In addition to encrypting calls, any attempt to open the casing of the Boeing Black Smartphone deletes all data and renders the device inoperable. The secure phone marks an extension of the communications arm of the Chicago-based aerospace and defense contractor, which is best known for jetliners and fighter planes. Such a phone might have […]

NASA announces discovery of 715 new planets

NASA  announced Wednesday  the discovery of 715 new planets discovered and verified because of the Kepler mission which is dedicated to finding new worlds like our own solar system, The 715 planets, or newly-verified worlds, orbit 305 stars, revealing multiple-planet systems much like our own solar system, NASA said in its statement. Nearly 95 percent of these planets are smaller than Neptune, which is almost four times the size of Earth. This discovery marks a […]

360 million newly stolen credentials on black market: cybersecurity firm

(Reuters) – A cybersecurity firm said on Tuesday that it uncovered stolen credentials from some 360 million accounts that are available for sale on cyber black markets, though it is unsure where they came from or what they can be used to access. The discovery could represent more of a risk to consumers and companies than stolen credit card data because of the chance the sets of user names and passwords could open the door to […]

Half Filipina Ann Makosinski Invented Flashlight That Is Powered Solely From Hand Heat

Ann Makosinski was just another teenager with another science project when she joined her local science fair in Victoria, Canada, last year. Her invention, a flashlight that is powered solely from hand heat, took second place at the competition. Ann, 16, and her parents, both of whom are HAM radio operators and like to fiddle with electronics, were satisfied with that result. “It’s a very simple project,” said Arthur Makosinski, Ann’s father. “It has four […]

Apple issues fix for glaring security flaw on Mac computers

SAN FRANCISCO Tue Feb 25, 2014 3:28pm EST (Reuters) – Apple Inc has issued fixes for a security flaw in its Macintosh computers that allows hackers to intercept data such as email, patching a major and embarrassing glitch that came to light several days ago. The security update for users of Apple’s OS X computer operating software follows a fix issued for iPhones last week, meaning all Apple device users now have access to the […]

360 million newly stolen credentials on black market: cybersecurity firm

By Jim Finkle BOSTON Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:36pm EST (Reuters) – A cybersecurity firm said on Tuesday that it uncovered stolen credentials from some 360 million accounts that are available for sale on cyber black markets, though it is unsure where they came from or what they can be used to access. The discovery could represent more of a risk to consumers and companies than stolen credit card data because of the chance the […]

Samsung Galaxy S5 Can Track Your Heartbeat

Introducing S Health App Samsung revealed its newest smartphone, Galaxy 5 at 2014 Mobile Congress, in Barcelona Spain. The updated version of Samsung’s smartphone includes S Health App that can track one’s heartbeat. Samsung Galaxy S5 has a series of tools more on fitness apps for users to stay healthy and monitor their heart rate, a fitness tracker to create their own exercise schedule, pedometer to track how far you walk, diet and exercise records to […]

Samsung to unveil first smartwatches with own Tizen platform

SEOUL Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:53pm EST (Reuters) – Samsung Electronics Co is to unveil on Sunday its first wearable smartwatch powered by its Tizen platform in its latest attempt to distance itself from Google Inc and enhance its software and services. Samsung has been jointly developing its mobile platform with Intel Corp, as the dominance of Google’s free Android software, which Samsung uses for its Galaxy line of products, continues to grow and is […]