Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Assignment 2: Oh, the places you can go!

- idengager -
This article explains how a single algorithm runs the best search engine in the world, garnering 65% of all searches. Through constant improvements and ingenuity the equation attempts to understand not what we type, but what we mean.


- Emoney99 -
TED: Anthony Alta on growing organs
In the above video provided by TEDMED, Dr. Anthony Atala explains the successful scientific breakthrough of growing human tissue and organs. In 2007, Atala and a team of Harvard University researchers showed that stem cells can be harvested from the amniotic fluid of pregnant women. This and other breakthroughs in the development of smart bio-materials and tissue fabrication technology promises to revolutionize the practice of medicine. More info on Dr. Atala's experiments can be found at: http://www.wfubmc.edu/wfirm/.


- f1ferrari09 -
This image shows a strategically significant bridge connecting North Korea and China via setellite imaging by Google and the US State Department.

Larger image available here.


- Fl33ting23 -
I found a remarkable/rare/noteworthy natural phenomenon on NASA TV that
 shows live feed from a space station (with people living in there!) that is orbiting the
 earth. The station orbits the Earth once every 90
minutes, seeing a sunrise or a sunset every 45 minutes. When the station 
is in darkness, external camera video may appear black, but also may 
provide spectacular views of city lights below.


- Haru Bird -
Eric Giler demos wireless electricity at TED.


- Mochi Bear -
Through high energy physics, A. Garrett Lisi attempts to provide An Exceptionally Simple Theory of Everything.


- Olivia Turner -
Blue holes are underwater caves that naturally occur throughout the ocean. Here is footage from a few of these unique ecosystems.

Assignment 1: Identity on the internet


1) Is there a publicly accessible photo of you on the internet?

- YES: Emoney99, f1ferrari09, Haru Bird, Mochi Bear, Olivia Turner
- NO: Fl33ting23, idengager

2) Any news articles about you and how many?
- YES: Haru Bird (1), idengager (7+), Mochi Bear (4)
- NO: Emoney99, f1ferrari09, Fl33ting23, Olivia Turner

3) Any information that links you to a school or business at any time?
- YES: Fl33ting23, Haru Bird, idengager, Mochi Bear, Olivia Turner
- NO: Emoney99, f1ferrari09

4) Is your current address or number findable on the internet?
- YES: Haru Bird, Olivia Turner
- NO: Emoney99, f1ferrari09, Fl33ting23, idengager, Mochi Bear

5) Are there any past addresses/phone numbers findable on the internet ?
- YES: Haru Bird
- NO: Emoney99, f1ferrari09, Fl33ting23, idengager, Mochi Bear, Olivia Turner