CYBERZONE

THE DIGITAL DATA VAN

Kelvin Wang, professor of civil engineering at the University of Arkansas, has unveiled the Digital Highway Data Vehicle, the world's first fully digital highway data system that records highway surfaces in real time and stores information directly in computers. Used by companies and state departments of transportation, the "Data Van" is now ready for commercial use.

The modified Ford van is equipped with digital cameras, laser-based illumination technology, and a global positioning receiver. The laser- based illumination technology allows the cameras to produce high- resolution images of the pavement, including cracks that are barely visible to the human eye. The system identifies and classifies surface cracks at the same time pavement images are taken by the cameras -- all while the van is moving at 60 mph.

http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20060508A2

SILICON GRAPHICS FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

Silicon Graphics has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, after a group of bondholders agreed to trade their debt for a stake in the company. The maker of high-performance computers filed for Chapter 11 protection Monday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan.

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/50407.html

VERIZON OFFERS REBUTTAL ON NET NEUTRALITY Efforts in the U.S. Congress to prohibit broadband providers from impairing or favoring some network traffic will "shut the door" to new services, a Verizon Communications official said Tuesday.

http://newsletter.infoworld.com/t?ctl=122423E:1F8551F

SONY RELEASES PLAYSTATION 3 PRICING

Sony is dismissing concerns about the cost of the new PlayStation 3, the video game machine the company is counting on to win a new round of living room dominance. Sony said two versions of the PS3 will debut in North America on Nov. 17 as part of a worldwide simultaneous launch.

http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/50411.html

SCIENCE ZONE

ANTHRAX COUNTERAGENT

Using a nanoscale assembly of molecules, researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY) and the University of Toronto, Canada, have successfully countered the anthrax toxin in animal and laboratory experiments; the toxin is made of proteins and toxic enzymes that bind together to inflict damage on the host. The inhibitor prevents the two agents from binding, effectively neutralizing them. Current therapies attack the anthrax bacterium but do not address the toxin it secretes. Researchers hope to apply the same technology to different pathogens in the future.

http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20060509A8

DESPITE PESTICIDE REDUCTIONS, TRANSGENIC COTTON FAILS TO IMPROVE BIODIVERSITY

Genetically modifying cotton promises to reduce the use of chemicals and, potentially, create a better environment for harmless insects and other animals. For the last decade, some farmers in Arizona have been planting cotton engineered to contain a toxin that kills pests such as the pink bollworm. A study of randomly chosen cotton fields reveals that although this genetically modified cotton did reduce pesticide use, it did not reduce use of herbicides nor did it improve biodiversity when compared to unmodified strains.

http://cl.exct.net/?ffcb10-fe5a12757c6503797717-fdfb15737467027b72147874-ff3310707762

BACTERIA RENDER BEANS EASIER TO DIGEST & MORE NUTRITIOUS

In the absence of meat, common black beans are a primary source of protein, minerals and vitamins in much of the developing world. But beans are notoriously hard to digest, failing to freely release many of their nutrients in the gut. Now researchers have discovered that fermenting beans with two strands of common bacteria free up many more nutrients and make the legumes easier to digest.

http://cl.exct.net/?ffcb10-fe551274736402747113-fdfb15737467027b72147874-ff3310707762

GIZMO

A new piece of software will allow you to control your computer with your coffee mug, stapler or paperweight. The idea is that you place your preferred item onto a $20 scale designed for weighing envelopes which is connected to your PC's USB port. Software developed by Jim Gouldstone at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab then converts the weight of each object into a function of your choice. Placing your mug on the scales might launch a web browser, for example.

ENERGY ZONE

HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES

http://freeenergynews.com/Directory/Hydrogen/index.html

GIANT WIND TURBINES...THAT FLOAT

Floating wind farms placed far offshore could lead to affordable electricity -- without cluttering the view.

http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=16801

BIO BRIEFS

Boston--Life sciences: Biotech council looks to replace its No. 2 person

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22135418

Memphis--St. Jude left high and dry after three-year effort to become grant center

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22135419

Phoenix--ASU, GateWay work to speed up biotech training

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22135420

St. Louis--West Coast firms test local waters for biotech investment

http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22135421

WIRELESS ZONE

TORONTO TELCO FINALIZING METRO Wi-Fi

A deal with Siemens and BelAir will get a downtown Toronto hotzone off the ground in two months, with more to come in the next few years.

http://nl.internet.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=1,2fhu,1,4xlq,76lp,jcj3,9ffi

NOKIA UNVEILS ONE-TOUCH "MODE" PHONE

Nokia is hoping to give consumers one-touch access to music and calorie counting. The Nokia 5500 Sport features a single button to activate the three dedicated modes: to stay in touch, music and sports.

http://email.wirelessweek.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/ewQR0C1swl0B4I0EVcg0Ex

TURN YOUR LAPTOP INTO A GPS

MapPoint 2006 provides GPS service (including Wi-Fi-based positioning) and regional data analysis.

http://nl.internet.com/ct.html?rtr=on&s=1,2f5w,1,ma59,lzee,jcj3,9ffi

HONOLULU SLOWLY GOES WIRELESS

Academy of Arts, Waikiki go wireless

http://c.bizjournals.com/ct/c/22142372

SITE CITE

CAN'T CHOOSE? BLAME YOUR BRAIN

Can't choose between the racy red shoes and the sensible loafers? Scientists say this indecisiveness relates to how your brain cells assign values to different items.

http://abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1622268.htm