Could space station urine recycling system be used on Earth, too?
November 29, 2008
(ChattahBox) — Astronauts aboard the International Space Station ran their first successful test Tuesday of a $154 million water recycling system, that turns urine into drinking water, after five days of tinkering. This raises a question: can this system be practically used on earth. According to the World Health Organization, some 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water. That’s almost 1 in 6 human beings. And according to the United Nations Development Program, women and girls in developing countries collectively spend more than 10 million “person-years” hauling water from remote sources each year. A study published in Nature in April predicts that, by 2025 more than half of the world’s countries will face freshwater stress or shortages, and by 2050, as much as 75 percent of the world’s population could face freshwater scarcity.
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Defense Department computers severely hacked in widespread electronic attack that may have originated in Russia
November 29, 2008
WASHINGTON (ChattahBox) - A severe and widespread electronic attack on Defense Department computers that may have originated from Russia, forced senior military leaders to take the exceptional step of briefing President George W. Bush. The first indication of a problem in the Pentagon’s computers was noticed last week, when officials banned the use of external computer flash drives. However, officials at the time did not indicate the extent of the attack or the fact that it may have targeted Defense Department systems.
The attack struck hard at military networks within U.S. Central Command, the headquarters that oversees U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and affected computers in combat zones. The attack also penetrated at least one highly protected classified network. Read more
IBM Reveals List of Five Innovations That Could Change Our Lives in the Next Five Years
November 29, 2008
ARMONK, NY (ChattahBox) — Big Blue unveiled it’s third annual “IBM Next Five in Five” a list of innovations that have the potential to change the way people work, live and play over the next five years:
The Next Five in Five is based on market and societal trends expected to transform our lives, as well as emerging technologies from IBM’s Labs around the world that can make these innovations possible. Read more
Patrick Swayze’s pancreatic cancer has spread?
November 29, 2008
(ChattahBox) — It’s being reported that Patrick Swayze, who was told he had pancreatic cancer this past January, is now gravely ill again. Swayze has been undergoing pioneering Cyberknife radiotherapy at California’s Stamford University Medical Center, and had been fighting a valiant battle against the disease. But now Swayze has reportedly taken a turn for the worse and started saying goodbye to loved ones after learning his cancer has spread. Read more
Cheetah Girls decide to disband after tour completes next month?
November 29, 2008
(ChattahBox) — The Pop trio Adrienne Bailon, Sabrina Bryan, and Kiely Williams aka The Cheetah Girls are reportedly going to call it quits this Christmas. The group was created by Disney bosses for a film and TV series. Originally a quartet, actress Raven-Symone left the band in 2005 due to other commitments and they’ve been a trio ever since. According to singer Kiely Williams the members of the Disney group will go their separate ways in the New Year after completing their current “One World” tour on December 22. Read more
Christmas Ornaments from Reindeer’s Droppings
November 29, 2008
(ChattahBox) — Christmas ornaments on sale at the Miller Park Zoo in Illinois are made from droppings of two reindeer. Staffers collect the droppings of two reindeer, Eula and Rika and dry them. They make Christmas ornaments from them that are painted, clear coated or rolled in glitter. Read more
Jupiter, Moon and Venus in a Triangle
November 29, 2008
(ChattahBox) — In one of the most spectacular shows, sky-gazers will be able to view the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, forming a triangle with the moon. The show will get more spectacular as the three celestial bodies move even closer today and the whole scene is reaching towards its climax.
If there is clear sky, people will be able to see the three celestial bodies, right after the sunset. There will appear as two bright stars side by side with Venus being the brightest and Jupiter being the next brightest star. Read more
Carl Icahn Spurs a Rally in Yahoo Shares
November 29, 2008
(ChattahBox) — Yahoo shares rallied at the stock market after the billionaire, Carl Icahn announced that he had increased his stake in the struggling internet company. Yahoo’s shares had fallen60 percent after its takeover deal fell off with Microsoft. Investors had shown little appreciation when the Yahoo Chief, Jerry Yang, had stepped down and the company had announced that it is seeking its replacement. The company has been ailing, nevertheless.
Carl Icahn, the billionaire investor activist, is trying to move in further and has bought an additional 6.8 million shares of Yahoo on Thanksgiving. This has increased the speculation amongst the investors that Icahn may be trying to take over the company since the co-founder and the company chief have agreed to step down. Read more
Indeed A “Black Friday” for Wal-Mart
November 29, 2008
Long Island (ChattahBox) — One person at Wal-Mart, nation’s leading retail chain, was trampled to death as shoppers turned chaotic and deadly. Four other employees at the Wal-Mart store in Long Island, NY were also trampled by customers who broke through the door.
On Friday, customers surged towards Wal-Mart at the Long Island store’s entrance. There were nearly 2000 shoppers at 5 am at the store and no policemen were in sight. It was difficult to hold the rabble and the sliding-glass doors bowed in with the weight of the assault from the people lined up. Several employees tried to hold them back but were helpless. The crowd poured in knocking down 34-year old Jdimytai Damour, a temporary employee at the store. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was declared dead. The exact cause of his death still remains unknown. Three other shoppers suffered minor injuries including a 28-year old pregnant woman who was also taken to the hospital. Read more
FDA Declares Trace Amount of Melamine in Infant Formula Now Safe
November 29, 2008
(ChattahBox) — The Food and Drug administration said Friday that it has made trace amount of Melamine permissible in the infant formula. The new stance reverses the earlier assessment from the FDA that states that it is safe to consume food and drink with melamine below 2.5 parts per million with exception in infant formula. But Friday, the FDA said it’s “concluded that levels of melamine alone or cyanuric acid alone, at or below 1 part per million in infant formula do not raise public health concerns.” Read more