Sunday, July 31, 2011

Full to the brim: Scientists claim the human brain is at capacity and is too tiring to get smarter

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By Sophie Borland

Last updated at 1:39 AM on 1st August 2011

We've invented penicillin, space shuttles, computers and even artificial hearts, among many other wonders. So where will human intelligence go from here?

The answer, if certain scientists are correct, is nowhere.

Mankind's brain power has reached its peak and it is physically impossible for us to become any smarter, they say.

Packed: Scientists claim that the brain could now have reached capacity because of the energy it takes to use

Packed: Scientists claim that the brain could now have reached capacity because of the energy it takes to use

They claim that in order to become any more intelligent the human brain would need vast amounts of extra energy and oxygen – and we simply cannot provide it.

 

Cambridge University researchers have analysed the structure of the brain and worked out how much energy its cells use up.

Shrinking? Experts claim over time the brain could reduce in size, back towards our our Neanderthal ancestors, to reduce the energy it consumes

Shrinking? Experts claim over time the brain could reduce in size, back towards our our Neanderthal ancestors, to reduce the energy it consumes

Simon Laughlin, professor of neurobiology, said: 'We have demonstrated that brains must consume energy to function and that these requirements are sufficiently demanding to limit our performance and determine design.

'Far-reaching powers of deduction demand a lot of energy because for the brain to search out new relationships it must constantly correlate information from different sources.

'Such energy demands mean there is a limit to the information we can process.'

Other scientists claim that the brain's 'wiring' or network of fibres linking different areas to one another cannot get any better.

They have found that the cleverest people have the best wiring, with messages carried very quickly between different parts of the brain.

But scientists claim that the wiring would need vast amounts of extra energy to become more efficient. As before, they say it is impossible for humans to provide this, therefore we cannot get cleverer.

Pugh

Ed Bullmore, professor of psychiatry at Cambridge, where he specialises in brain imaging, measured the efficiency with which different parts of the brain communicated with each other.

He found impulses travelled fastest in smarter people and slower in those who were less intelligent.

He said: 'High integration of brain networks seems to be associated with high IQ.

'You pay a price for intelligence. Becoming smarter means improving connections between different brain areas but this runs into tight limits on energy, along with space for the wiring.'

Martijn van den Heuvel, assistant professor of psychiatry at Utrecht medical centre in Holland, who also studies how differences in the wiring of human brains affects IQ, said: 'Increasing the power of the brain would take a disproportionate increase in energy consumption.

'It is risky to predict the distant future but it is clear there are tight constraints on intelligence.'

 

01 Aug, 2011


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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020546/Full-brim-Scientists-claim-human-brain-capacity-tiring-smarter.html?ITO=1490
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Colourful cauliflower available at Tesco: Eat your greens and pinks and yellows

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:14 PM on 31st July 2011

Children reluctant to eat their veg has been a never ending struggle for parents.

That could be about to change, however, as brighter colours are worked into cauliflowers that hit the shelves at Tesco today.

The supermarket chain has launched 'rainbow' packs that will have sprigs of purple, orange and emerald green cauliflower to appeal to awkward youngsters who see the veg as boring.

Coloured cauliflowers will be exclusively sold in a 'rainbow pack' at Tesco

Coloured cauliflowers will be exclusively sold in a 'rainbow pack' at Tesco

Tesco greens buyer Jeni Gray said: 'These cauliflowers are almost works of art and have a real wow factor that should really create a stir with shoppers and hopefully children at dinnertime.

 

'Cauliflower got its poor image from baby boomer generation schoolchildren who generally loathed them as they were always being told to eat their greens for health reasons.

'When food was rationed during and after the Second World War cauliflower became part of the nation's staple meat and two veg diet at school and at home.'

The rainbow coloured cauliflowers are aimed at youngsters reluctant to eat their greens

The rainbow coloured cauliflowers are aimed at youngsters reluctant to eat their greens

The coloured cauliflowers are all naturally produced but have been crossed with other types of the brassica family, which includes green cabbage and broccoli, to make exciting colour variations

The coloured cauliflowers are all naturally produced but have been crossed with other types of the brassica family, which includes green cabbage and broccoli, to make exciting colour variations

Grown in Lincolnshire the garish varieties of the boring vegetable are intended to combat a dip in demand, after sales of the veg fell 35% over ten years.

The move is hoped to help improve cauliflower's popularity after it was overtaken by broccoli.

Tesco said statistics from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel show in the last two years volume sales of cauliflower have fallen by 6.5% across all retailers while demand for broccoli has grown by 2.5%.

The coloured cauliflowers are all naturally produced but have been crossed with other types of the brassica family, which includes green cabbage and broccoli.

They have been grown by one of the UK's largest growers of brassica, TH Clements of Benington, near Boston, Lincolnshire and are exclusive to Tesco.

 

01 Aug, 2011


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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020484/Colourful-cauliflower-available-Tesco-Eat-greens-pinks-yellows.html?ITO=1490
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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Google Maps launches feature that even tells you when to get off the bus

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By Ted Thornhill

Last updated at 10:08 PM on 29th July 2011

As any new Londoner or visitor to the capital knows, figuring out the public transport system can be a real headache – especially the complicated bus routes.

And next year the Olympic Games will bring in millions of extra tourists, so the scale of potential confusion is a cause for concern.

Or was, because Google Maps has come to the rescue with a 'public transport' feature for London.

You can use it to plan bus, Tube, DLR and tram journeys. And if you have an Android-powered smartphone, it'll even tell you the location of the nearest Underground station or bus stop and, once you're on your way, tell you when to get off.

Just the ticket: The new Google Maps feature will make getting around London much easier

Now we're motoring: Google launched the new feature with specially decorated London buses

Now we're motoring: Google launched the new feature with specially decorated London buses

In addition, the feature provides an overlay showing all Tube, DLR, Tramlink and Overground routes, allowing you to see London's public transport network on an accurate scale.

 

The feature, launched this week, is made possible by Transport for London's (TFL) open-data policy, which means software designers can mine its timetables for use in apps.

Appy days: The mobile version of the Google feature even alerts you as to when you should get off

Appy days: The mobile version of the feature even alerts you as to when you should get off

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's Director for Digital London, remarked on the excellent timing of the feature.

He said: 'London is a fantastic hub for global innovation and is leading the way in the information revolution across Europe.

'Eighteen months ago with the launch of the London Datastore, we released huge quantities of data that had previously been locked away, for everyone to see and use free of charge.

'Google Maps is a brilliant example of how freeing data can help Londoners and visitors explore the city.

'With the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games just around the corner, there is no better time for developers and companies to create something imaginative, which will help us deliver the Mayor's vision of the most connected Games ever.'

Meanwhile, Ed Parsons, Google UK's geospatial technologist, said: 'We're excited to launch public transport route information on Google Maps in London, a city which attracts 26million visitors per year.

'Google Maps helps users explore the world around them - equipping people with not only local map information, but now also public transport information.

'We hope that visitors, with all this information at their fingertips, will be able to navigate our great city with confidence.'

 

30 Jul, 2011


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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020346/Google-Maps-launches-feature-tells-bus.html?ITO=1490
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Archaeologists unearth 2,000-year-old mosaic depicting the Greek god Apollo surrounded by muses

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 1:09 AM on 30th July 2011

A 2,000-year-old mosaic in Rome depicting the Greek god Apollo has been unearthed by archaeologists near the Colosseum.

Excavations in the bowels of an ancient Roman hill have turned up the well-preserved, late 1st century wall mosaic with a figure of Apollo, nude except for a colourful mantle over a shoulder and surrounded by muses.

The mosaic-covered wall is 16 meters (53 feet) wide and at least 2 meters (6.6 feet) high. Officials think the wall continues down some 8 meters (26.5 feet) more.

Ancient: A worker restores part of a mosaic mural depicting Apollo and the Muses found at an archaeological site under the Terme di Traiano in Rome

Ancient: A worker restores part of a mosaic mural depicting Apollo and the Muses found at an archaeological site under the Terme di Traiano in Rome

Work of art: Excavations in the bowels of the ancient Roman hill have turned up the well-preserved, late 1st Century wall mosaic with a figure of Apollo, naked except for a colourful mantle over a shoulder

Work of art: Excavations in the bowels of the ancient Roman hill have turned up the well-preserved, late 1st Century wall mosaic with a figure of Apollo, naked except for a colourful mantle over a shoulder

Archaeologists say the wall appears to be in a tunnel built to help support Trajan's Baths, named for the emperor who ruled from 98 till 117. The mosaic apparently embellished a room where wealthy Romans gathered to hear music and discuss art.

The parts of the mosaic uncovered so far are made with various shades of bronze-coloured tesserae and were found shortly after a number of unique frescoes were unearthed in the same cellar space.

Archaeologists say the wall appears to be in a tunnel built to help support Trajan's Baths, named for the emperor who ruled from 98 till 117

Archaeologists are hoping there are more mosaics to be uncovered and have said they need an extra 680,000 euros to finish the excavation.

Archaeologists say the wall appears to be in a tunnel built to help support Trajan's Baths, named for the emperor who ruled from 98 till 117

Archaeologists say the wall appears to be in a tunnel built to help support Trajan's Baths, named for the emperor who ruled from 98 till 117

Discovery: The mosaic apparently embellished a room where wealthy Romans gathered to hear music and discuss art

Discovery: The mosaic apparently embellished a room where wealthy Romans gathered to hear music and discuss art

Son of Zeus and Leto, Apollo was the god of light and the sun, truth and prophecy, medicine, healing, plague, music, poetry, arts and more.

He was an illigitimate child - Zeus was married to Hera - and his mother was banished to an island to give birth alone.

Apollo later fought in the Trojan war where he shot arrows infected with the plague into the Greek encampment and was responsible for the death of Achilles by firing an arrow into his heels.

He had both male and female lovers and was father to many children.

 

30 Jul, 2011


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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020423/Archaeologists-unearth-2-000-year-old-mosaic-depicting-Greek-god-Apollo-surrounded-muses.html?ITO=1490
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Quirky coloured cauliflowers boost veg appeal for kids

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 11:20 PM on 30th July 2011

Children reluctant to eat their veg has been a never ending struggle for parents.

That could be about to change, however, as brighter colours are worked into cauliflowers that hit the shelves at Tesco today.

The supermarket chain has launched 'rainbow' packs that will have sprigs of purple, orange and emerald green cauliflower to appeal to awkward youngsters who see the veg as boring.

Coloured cauliflowers will be exclusively sold in a 'rainbow pack' at Tesco

Coloured cauliflowers will be exclusively sold in a 'rainbow pack' at Tesco

Tesco greens buyer Jeni Gray said: 'These cauliflowers are almost works of art and have a real wow factor that should really create a stir with shoppers and hopefully children at dinnertime.

 

'Cauliflower got its poor image from baby boomer generation schoolchildren who generally loathed them as they were always being told to eat their greens for health reasons.

'When food was rationed during and after the Second World War cauliflower became part of the nation's staple meat and two veg diet at school and at home.'

The rainbow coloured cauliflowers are aimed at youngsters reluctant to eat their greens

The rainbow coloured cauliflowers are aimed at youngsters reluctant to eat their greens

The coloured cauliflowers are all naturally produced but have been crossed with other types of the brassica family, which includes green cabbage and broccoli, to make exciting colour variations

The coloured cauliflowers are all naturally produced but have been crossed with other types of the brassica family, which includes green cabbage and broccoli, to make exciting colour variations

Grown in Lincolnshire the garish varieties of the boring vegetable are intended to combat a dip in demand, after sales of the veg fell 35% over ten years.

The move is hoped to help improve cauliflower's popularity after it was overtaken by broccoli.

Tesco said statistics from retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel show in the last two years volume sales of cauliflower have fallen by 6.5% across all retailers while demand for broccoli has grown by 2.5%.

The coloured cauliflowers are all naturally produced but have been crossed with other types of the brassica family, which includes green cabbage and broccoli.

They have been grown by one of the UK's largest growers of brassica, TH Clements of Benington, near Boston, Lincolnshire and are exclusive to Tesco.

 

31 Jul, 2011


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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020484/Quirky-coloured-cauliflowers-boost-veg-appeal-kids.html?ITO=1490
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Facebook and Twitter creating vain generation of self-obsessed people

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By Sarah Harris

Last updated at 2:41 PM on 30th July 2011

Facebook and Twitter have created a generation obsessed with themselves, who have short attention spans and a childlike desire for constant feedback on their lives, a top scientist believes.

Repeated exposure to social networking sites leaves users with an 'identity crisis', wanting attention in the manner of a toddler saying: 'Look at me, Mummy, I've done this.'

Baroness Greenfield, professor of pharmacology at Oxford University, believes the growth of internet 'friendships' – as well as greater use of computer games – could effectively 'rewire' the brain.

Vain generation: A top Oxford scientist has warned that repeated exposure to social networking websites could harm users. (Picture posed by model)

Vain generation: A top Oxford scientist has warned that repeated exposure to social networking websites could harm users. (Picture posed by model)

This can result in reduced concentration, a need for instant gratification and poor non-verbal skills, such as the ability to make eye contact during conversations.

More than 750million people across the world use Facebook to share photographs and videos and post regular updates of their movements and thoughts.

 

Millions have also signed up to Twitter, the 'micro-blogging' service that lets members circulate short text and picture messages about themselves.

Baroness Greenfield, former director of research body the Royal Institution, said: 'What concerns me is the banality of so much that goes out on Twitter.

'Why should someone be interested in what someone else has had for breakfast? It reminds me of a small child (saying): "Look at me Mummy, I'm doing this", "Look at me Mummy I'm doing that".

'It's almost as if they're in some kind of identity crisis. In a sense it's keeping the brain in a sort of time warp.'

A twitter message from Stephen Fry

A twitter message from Stephen Fry

The academic suggested that some Facebook users feel the need to become 'mini celebrities' who are watched and admired by others on a daily basis.

They do things that are 'Facebook worthy' because the only way they can define themselves is by 'people knowing about them'.

'It's almost as if people are living in a world that's not a real world, but a world where what counts is what people think of you or (if they) can click on you,' she said.

'Think of the implications for society if people worry more about what other people think about them than what they think about themselves.'

Her views were echoed by Sue Palmer, a literacy expert and author, who said girls in particular believe they are a 'commodity they must sell to other people' on Facebook.

She said: 'People used to have a portrait painted but now we can more or less design our own picture online. It's like being the star of your own reality TV show that you create and put out to the world.'

 

30 Jul, 2011


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Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020378/Facebook-Twitter-creating-vain-generation-self-obsessed-people.html?ITO=1490
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