Link Collection

US UAVs have been having numerous problems due to system failures, computer glitches and human error. 38 Predator and Reaper UAVs have crashed during combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and 9 have crashed during training in the US, with each crash costing between $3.7 million and $5 million. The Air Force says that there have been 79 UAV accidents costing at least $1 million each:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-drone-crashes-20100706,0,208293,full.story

Study found strong a strong relationship between civilian casualties caused by the US-led military coalition in Afghanistan and radicalization after such incidents occur. For example, in a district of 83,000 people, the average of 2 civilian casualties killed by coalition military action leads to an average of 6 additional insurgent attacks in the following 6 weeks:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/07/civilian-casualties-create-new-enemies-study-confirms/

Study showed a link between environmental health and the health of coral reefs. They found that cleaner water mitigated the effect of climate change on Florida Keys coral reefs:
http://www.physorg.com/news197639332.html?goback=.gde_1731397_news_146110986

Scientists are trying hard to figure out how to use the magnetocaloric effect to use magnets to construct refrigerators that could consume less electricity and eliminate the use of hydrofluorocarbons (potent greenhouse gasses). Refrigerators are 8% of the average US family's electricity usage, so this could be a significant savings. Magnets could also cool laptops more efficiently than battery-draining fans and be used in car air conditioners:
http://newscenter.lbl.gov/feature-stories/2010/07/02/magnetic-fridge/

Poland has the first ATMs in Europe with finger-vein biometric authentication. Fingerprints can be reproduced by criminals, but finger veins are impossible to replicate because they are beneath the surface of the skin:
http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/europes-first-finger-vein-biometric-atms-installed-poland

LG has launched their new series of smartphones, releasing 2 new Android-based phones in the UK:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/05/lg-debuts-optimus-smartphone-series-froyo-powered-one-and-ch/

LG announced plans for an Android-based tablet:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20009674-1.html

Garmin's Android-based smartphone has *not* been selling well for T-Mobile...estimates are that over its first month only 20,000 Garminfone units have been sold:
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/analyst-t-mobile-struggling-sell-garminfone/2010-07-06

The Queen of England spent her last full day in Canada touring the RIM facilities--the Royal Family are said to be big fans of BlackBerry smartphones:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Queen+gets+royal+treatment/3239316/story.html