11:53 AM
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/07/hydrogen-powered-drone-could-be-the-ipad-of-spy-planes/
The Navy confirmed that they have been developing a microwave device that could be used to detonate hidden IEDs at a distance. In theory, this weapon might be used to set off ammunition before the enemy even has a chance to fire! By the way, the reporter who wrote this story interviewed me last week about my NSF project and asked follow-up questions today:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/news/navy-reveals-secret-device-to-destroy-ieds?click=pp
The newest worry is that terrorists could target offshore oil rigs to create HUGE economic and environmental problems for the US. The oil derricks are not protected and terrorists could create their own versions of the Deepwater spill with minimal cost and risk unless certain safeguards are put into place:
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2010/jul/06/terr06-ar-264919/
Blimps could replace airplanes for cargo and even carry people in a decade of less. The advantages of blimps are that they can carry many times the cargo of a standard airplane, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90%, and do not require an airport to take off or land. Not requiring airports means that blimps could be a great solution for humanitarian aid to devastated areas or to areas without easy transportation access such as inland Africa:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/30/blimps-aircraft-freight
Study in March found that ambulance crews in the UK often were *without* radio communication, especially when it rained. Inspectors complained that the ambulance panic buttons also did not work, but the government says that the problems should be fixed now:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/13/ambulance_radio_/
The second submarine used for drug smuggling has been detained recently:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/10744-colombians-arrested-on-cocaine-submarine-.html
I think it is interesting that products made in China often cost more in China than in the US. Products made in China can be granted a rebate on China's 17% value added tax if they are sold outside of China...but before the same product is sold in China, it is sent from mainland China to Hong Kong, then returned to mainland China with a 20% import tariff. So, it goes from mainland China to Hong Kong and then "imported" back to mainland China to pay the 20% tariff!
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-0713-china-consumer-20100713,0,1615376.story
Samsung's Android tablet will be launched by September:
http://www.samsunghub.com/2010/07/13/samsung-galaxy-tab-will-have-two-cameras-launch-before-october/
Sprint is looking to add LTE to their 4G network instead of just relying on WiMAX:
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/sprint-may-add-lte-4g-arsenal/2010-07-13
Consumer Reports says that duct tape can solve the iPhone 4's antenna problem:
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2010/07/apple-iphone-4-antenna-issue-iphone4-problems-dropped-calls-lab-test-confirmed-problem-issues-signal-strength-att-network-gsm.html
Budget cuts and increasingly high costs are forcing agricultural universities to sell their herd of cows (the cows are mainly used for faculty research):
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38199857/ns/technology_and_science-science/