Sharp-eared glasses let deaf people 'see' sounds

IF YOU can hear, you probably take sound for granted. Without thinking, we swing our attention in the direction of a loud or unexpected sound - the honk of a car horn, say.

Because deaf people lack access to such potentially life-saving cues, a group of researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon built a pair of glasses which allows the wearer to "see" when a loud sound is made, and gives an indication of where it came from.

An array of seven microphones, mounted on the frame of the glasses, pinpoints the location of such sounds and relays that directional information to the wearer through a set of LEDs embedded inside the frame. The glasses will only flash alerts on sounds louder than a threshold level, which is defined by the wearer.

Previous attempts at devices which could alert deaf users to surrounding noises have been ungainly. For example, research in 2003 at the University of California, Berkeley, used a computer monitor to provide users with a visual aid to pinpoint the location of a sound. The Korean team have not beaten this problem quite yet - the prototype requires a user to carry a laptop around in a backpack to process the signal. But lead researcher Yang-Hann Kim stresses that the device is a first iteration that will be miniaturised over the next few years.

Richard Ladner at the University of Washington in Seattle questions whether the device would prove beneficial enough to gain acceptance. "Does the benefit of wearing such a device outweigh the inconvenience of having extra technology that is seldom needed?" he asks. "No doubt the authors are doing some good engineering, but is what they produced really useful enough to those in the target group?"

What's more, there is a risk that the glasses will clash with a US patent application filed by Google earlier this year. The patent, entitled "Displaying sound indications on a wearable computing system", describes a feature for a device similar to the headset of the company's much-anticipated Project Glass initiative. The system flashes visual alerts when it hears sounds that could be important to the wearer.

The KAIST team presented its work last week at the InterNoise conference in New York City.

If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.

Have your say

Only subscribers may leave comments on this article. Please log in.

Only personal subscribers may leave comments on this article

Subscribe now to comment.

All comments should respect the New Scientist House Rules. If you think a particular comment breaks these rules then please use the "Report" link in that comment to report it to us.

If you are having a technical problem posting a comment, please contact technical support.

Source: http://feeds.newscientist.com/c/749/f/10897/pr//s/2316485c/l/0L0Snewscientist0N0Carticle0Cmg2152880A40B0A0A0A0Esharpeared0Eglasses0Elet0Edeaf0Epeople0Esee0Esounds0Bhtml0DDCMP0FOTC0Erss0Gnsref0Fonline0Enews/story01.htm

pollen count mexico city first day of spring mexico earthquake aziz ansari aziz ansari katherine jenkins

Reid slams Romney as most secretive presidential nominee in history

Reid at the DNC (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, N.C.?Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid lambasted Mitt Romney for refusing to release several years of tax returns, suggesting that no other presidential candidate in modern history has been as secretive.

"Never in modern American history has a presidential candidate tried so hard to hide himself," Reid said in his speech at the Democratic National Convention.

The Nevada senator said Romney has asked the country to "take his word" that there are no damaging revelations in his tax returns.

"Take his word? His word?" Reid said sarcastically. "Trust comes from transparency and Mitt Romney comes up short on both."

Reid's attacks came just weeks after he took to the Senate floor and accused Romney of not having paid taxes at all for the last decade. The Democratic leader cited a source close to Romney whom he wouldn't identify. Romney has denied Reid's accusations. Reid sought to contrast Romney with President Barack Obama, telling the crowd, "You know him." He praised Obama for bringing "courage and character" to the presidency and for doing the "right thing" even in the face of GOP opposition.

In a dig at Romney, Reid praised Obama for bailing out the Detroit auto industry?a move Romney opposed. And Reid claimed "some said he shouldn't move heaven and earth" to find and kill Osama bin Laden. But Obama did, he said.

He cast Obama as a president hobbled by Republicans?whom he described as "naysayers" who embrace "couldn'ts and shouldn'ts."

The Republican Party, Reid said, has become the party of the "wouldn'ts and won'ts," doing anything to block Obama instead of working together with Democrats on behalf of the country.

"If they won't stand up to Rush Limbaugh or Grover Norquist, what would make anyone think they would stand up for you?" Reid said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/harry-reid-slams-romney-most-secretive-presidential-nominee-233115908--election.html

band of brothers presidents george washington russell westbrook horsetail falls ice t downton abbey

Seven former Jayhawks start 2012 season on NFL rosters

The 2012 NFL season officially kicks off tonight, when the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants play host to the Dallas Cowboys.

While there are no former Kansas University football players on either roster, the Jayhawks are fairly well represented throughout the rest of the league, which begins play from coast to coast on Sunday.

Here?s a quick look at those former Jayhawks set to kickoff their NFL seasons this weekend:

Dezmon Briscoe, WR, Washington Redskins

Briscoe will begin his third NFL season with his third NFL team, as the former Cincinnati Bengal and Tampa Bay Buccaneer made the final cut with Washington and will enter the season as a third-string wideout with the Redskins. The former sixth-round pick played in all four of Washington?s preseason games, recording six catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

Anthony Collins, OL, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Orange Bowl champion and fourth-round pick will begin his fifth season with the Bengals as the team?s back-up left tackle. Collins played in all four of the Bengals? preseason games this year and has played in 39 games in four years, with 18 starts at tackle. He played just seven games of the 2011 season because of injury.

Chris Harris, CB, Denver Broncos

Harris, who surprised everyone last season by, first, making the Broncos? roster, and then becoming a starter and one of the NFL?s top defensive rookies, held off a challenge this preseason to keep his job. Denver added a couple of veterans and a couple of rookies to compete with Harris, but the team?s nickel back was still standing at the end of the preseason. Harris appeared in all 16 games a season ago and made four starts. He finished with 72 tackles and one interception.

Steven Johnson, LB, Denver Broncos

Following in Harris? footsteps as an undrafted free agent rookie to make the Broncos? 53-man roster, Johnson was one of seven linebackers kept by the Broncos this preseason. The heart and soul of KU?s defense who led the Jayhawks in tackles in both 2010 and 2011, also led the Broncos in tackles in the preseason, making 16 stops, with a sack and a forced fumble. Johnson currently is listed as the Broncos? backup at middle linebacker behind Joe Mays.

Mike Rivera, LB, New England Patriots

One of the truly great stories of all the former Jayhawks still playing is Rivera, who, after playing for five teams in four seasons, made an opening-day roster for the first time this year, when the Patriots added him to their final 53-man list. Rivera played in all four of New England?s preseason games and led the team with 18 tackles, including 15 solo stops. During his career, Rivera also has made stops in Chicago, Tennessee, Green Bay and Miami.

Darrell Stuckey, S, San Diego Chargers

The Kansas City, Kan., native and former fourth-round pick is set to begin his third season in San Diego as a second-string safety. Stuckey played in two games and made two tackles this preseason and is coming off of a 2011 season in which he played mostly on special teams and finished with 12 tackles.

Aqib Talib, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After putting offseason legal trouble behind him, Talib returns to the Bucs for his fifth season and fourth as a starter. The former Orange Bowl hero is listed as Tampa Bay?s starter at left cornerback. In 2011, he made 34 tackles, broke up 11 passes and recorded two interceptions in 13 starts. A year earlier, Talib was fifth in the NFL with six interceptions. The former first-round selection has recorded 161 tackles during his four-year career.

Jayhawks in the CFL

In addition to those seven guys, two former Jayhawks currently are playing in the Canadian Football League. Tailback Jon Cornish is in his sixth season with the Calgary Stampeders and has recorded 642 yards and four touchdowns on 119 carries. For his career, the native Canadian has rushed for 2,512 yards and 16 touchdowns while hauling in 73 catches for 491 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver.

Former KU wide receiver Marcus Henry is in his second year with the Edmonton Eskimos, but has been on injured reserve throughout the 2012 season. In 2011, Henry snagged 33 catches for 384 yards and a touchdown.

Source: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2012/sep/05/seven-former-jayhawks-start-2012-season-nfl-roster/

Home Run Derby 2012 San Diego fireworks steve nash july 4th higgs boson Malware Monday First Row Sports

Buying Land as an Investment | Helena Talbot

In today?s foreclosure-heavy market, it?s not uncommon to find land properties for sale in your area. Land has always been a great investment, due to its limited supply and historic rise in value. In fact, banks are now putting land on the market at prices that are pennies on the dollar compared with the original cost.

Many investors are purchasing land across Georgia. Depending on what you plan to do with the land, there are two different courses of action you can take:

Improving the Land

There are many types of land that you can purchase, some of which has been improved and some not. In Georgia, we have a lot of ?pipe farms? available, which are pieces of land that have been stopped midway in the process of creating a community. Roads and sewer may have been installed. If you are investor, this may be good or bad. When you purchase a partially developed piece of land, you are most likely committing yourself to finishing the project, which can add more cost and more risk.

Unimproved land, or land in its natural state, can be purchased specifically to be improved and then sold. Improvement usually consists of building some type of structure on the land, whether it is residential or commercial. Building a structure on the land can significantly raise the value, however, like development of a subdivision, can be costly and add risk.

In today?s market, purchase money financing and/or institutional funding is less available to investors, so cash deals are more frequent. Improvements are financed, in great part, based on the strength of a business plan that ties generation of income to the improvement. The investor might consider an improvement to be a good investment, but the lender may not see the tangible means necessary for repayment.

Unimproved Land

Historically, raw or unimproved land values have risen, but like the rest of the real estate market today, buyers can often purchase land at lower than perceived market value. Many investors choose to purchase and hold unimproved land speculating that value and demand will increase within a reasonable timeframe. This strategy doesn?t involve building costs and maintenance is sometimes less expensive. Additionally, ROI from real estate investments has historically exceeded other investment opportunities. This rationale is widely held by speculative real estate investors today.

Land prices can be dirt cheap (pun intended) in rural areas, but growth can be slow depending upon the intended use of the land. The price of land may be higher in more populated areas, but the potential for return greater. Commercial and residential land values vary with location and use.? There is no specific investment rule-of-thumb.

Current land investment opportunities are numerous and vary often providing the buyer with the upper hand. If you have any questions or comments about buying or selling

I specialize in helping buyers and sellers invest in real estate in the Northern Virginia area to include Loudoun County and surrounding areas including Fairfax,Clarke, Fauquier and Prince William Counties. ?Our local neighborhoods include?Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Potomac Falls, Brambleton, Broadlands, Lansdowne, River Creek, Belmont Country Club, Beacon Hill, Shenstone, Waterford, Lovettsville, Purcellville, Hamilton, Round Hill and Bluemont. ?Cell 703.727.9885 ? ? ?Office 703.574.3800 -->

Source: http://helenatalbot.com/blog/buying-land-as-an-investment/

arizona immigration law aubrey huff the killers brandy julianne hough bruins boston bruins

Thatcher's suits raise ?73,000 at auction

Seven suits belonging to former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, including the one worn on the day she was confirmed as Conservative party leader, fetched ?73,000 at a London sale.

The jade green wool outfit worn for her Tory coronation in February 1975 proved to be the prize lot at the Christie's auction, selling for ?25,000 ($39,700, 31,500 euros) to an anonymous bidder.

An online bidder in South Korea snapped up the six remaining garments for ?48,125.

The suits are thought to be the first of Thatcher's clothes to be sold at a public auction.

The divisive leader's famous handbag which struck fear into the hearts of British ministers during the former premier's rule sold at a charity auction last year for ?25,000.

Thatcher frequently used the black Asprey bag on important occasions, such as summits with then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev during her 1979-1990 premiership.

The items formed part of Christie's "London Sale", a unique auction held to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/thatchers-suits-raise-73-000-auction-233638853.html

meet the press steelers vs broncos chris herren jay z patsy cline pierre thomas beyonce gives birth

Silly Human Love Relationship Tricks To Keep The Sexy Flowing ...

Are you in a relationship? Thinking about being in one? I have a few absurdly simple tips to share. They come from listening to countless people talk about their relationships in my sexuality coaching practice, and of course from my own experiences! These tips have the ability to make toes curl and hearts swell.? Don't we all want that?

So, I put together my favorite "keep it simple and? keep it hot" relationship tip list. These are the tips that keep my own attention and happy meter going in relationship - maybe it will spark some ideas for you or remind you that it might be time to practice a little relationship love. Please don't be shy! Copy this and send this list to your beloved to practice them with you!

1. Do you tell your beloved that you are happy? That they are getting it right? I know that most of us (all genders) are pretty good at nagging and telling our beloveds when we are unhappy and triggered. But do we take the time to say "Hey, I'm so happy with you and us! You are simply nailing it right now! Thank you."? Probably not enough.

2. Use social media to send a little drive by kiss when your beloved doesn't expect it. A sexy text during the work day. A phone call in the middle of the night when you are traveling or away - just to say "Hello hot thing. I couldn't sleep thinking about you". A twitter or facebook posting that only they would understand - or play bigger and more public and throw a great big public display of affection on line! Whether it is publicly private in secret code or wild and for everyone to understand - it will send a blush to their cheeks and make their hearts skip a beat! Use the technology to send a little hot and sexy. Your two minute effort may last the whole day in big pay off happiness for your beloved and change the entire climate in your relationship. Tweet, Tweet!

3. When was the last time you told you beloved that you were really blessed that they are willing to stay in your life through all the craziness? Send some appreciation and acknowledgement that they are important to your life and well being. Tell them that your happiness is enhanced by having them in your life. Tell your darling, no matter how long or short your relationship time line has been - that their "staying in" is important to you. We all want to know that we are wanted, needed, and loved. That our simple presence adds magic to our beloveds life - even in times when things not perfect.

4. Sing to them! Send a YouTube link to a song...and tell them that it is being sung just for them. I promise you that they will play it again and again.

5. Gifts do count. Gifts say so many things! Like "Surprise! I was thinking of you! And I love you!". Gifts don't have to be big or expensive. Let it be something that speaks to your relationship. Bring one Daisy. Put a card in the mail even if you live together, (people hardly send cards anymore!) and watch the reaction when your sweetie gets that instead of a bill! Bring a trinket with a bow. Send a book! We all love to be thought about and honored. Gifts do that.

6. "See" your partner. Tell them that they are sexy and beautiful to you. Compliment the dimples or the curve of waist. Kiss the top of a bald head or stroke that full head of hair. Let your partner know that they do indeed turn you on. None of us can hear that enough.

7. Give extra. I don't know what it is in your life. Is it time? A foot rub? That special thing that your partner loves....do it some more!

8. Feel your partners emotions. For example when things are not going so well, try using your empathy and playfulness. Don't say things like "I am sorry that my forgetting to take out the trash contributing to your feelings that you never feel taken care of." That is not empathy. That is blame shifting. Try something like, "Damn, is that unhappy face there because I forgot the trash again? My bad! Will you forgive me if I do the dishes and kiss your face all over? I know that you had a long day!"

9. Don't over process. When was the last time you just laid in each others arms and let your bodies talk to each other? Do that some more.

10. Repeat this list often!

These are very simple relationship tips that most of us don't practice nearly enough. If you take one thing from my list - this is the most important tip of all.

Are you happy? Does your sweetie make you happy? Is there one thing that is fabulous right now that they are doing? Please tell them.

What To Do After Reading This Article:

Please leave a comment, "like it" and share with your social media friends.

If you would like to know more about Pamela Madsen, her coaching practice, her book Shameless, or the "Back to The Body Retreat". Please click here!

?

?

Source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/shameless-woman/201209/silly-human-love-relationship-tricks-keep-the-sexy-flowing

george h w bush pauly d project faith hill autism adrienne rich cesar chavez day raspberry ketone

Syrian obsidian discovery opens new chapter in Middle Eastern studies

ScienceDaily (Sep. 4, 2012) ? An archaeologist from the University of Sheffield has revealed the origin and trading routes of razor-sharp stone tools 4,200 years ago in Syria.

Ancient sites and cultural heritage are under threat in Syria due to the current conflict. An interdisciplinary research team hopes this new discovery, which has major implications for understanding the world's first empire, will help to highlight the importance of protecting Syria's heritage.

Obsidian, naturally occurring volcanic glass, is smooth, hard, and far sharper than a surgical scalpel when fractured, making it a highly desired raw material for crafting stone tools for most of human history. In fact, obsidian tools continued to be used throughout the ancient Middle East for millennia beyond the introduction of metals, and obsidian blades are still used today as scalpels in specialised medical procedures.

In an interdisciplinary collaboration, researchers from social and earth sciences studied obsidian tools excavated from the archaeological site of Tell Mozan, located in Syria near the borders with Turkey and Iraq. Using novel methods and technologies, the team successfully uncovered the hitherto unknown origins and movements of the coveted raw material during the Bronze Age, more than four millennia ago.

Most of the obsidian at Tell Mozan (and surrounding archaeological sites) originated from volcanoes 200km away in what is now eastern Turkey, as expected from models of ancient trade developed by archaeologists over the last five decades. However, the team discovered a set of exotic obsidian artefacts originating from a volcano in central Turkey, three times farther away. Just as important as their distant origin is where the artefacts were found: a royal palace courtyard. The artefacts were left there during the height of the world's first empire, the Akkadian Empire, which invaded Syria in the Bronze Age. The find has exciting implications for understanding links between resources and empires in the Middle East.

Dr Ellery Frahm, Marie Curie Experienced Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield's Department of Archaeology, led the research. He said: "This is a rare, if not unique, discovery in Northern Mesopotamia that enables new insights into changing Bronze-Age economics and geopolitics. We can identify where an obsidian artefact originated because each volcanic source has a distinctive 'fingerprint'. This is why obsidian sourcing is a powerful means of reconstructing past trade routes, social boundaries, and other information that allows us to engage in major social science debates."

Not only did Frahm and his collaborators identify the particular volcano where the artefacts originated, they were able to pinpoint the exact flank of the volcano where the obsidian was collected and determine that the raw material was gathered from two different spots on its slopes. Such specificity was possible using a combination of scientific techniques, including a portable X-ray analyser that can be brought to archaeological sites and instruments that measure weak magnetic signals within rocks.

The earliest techniques of matching Middle East obsidian artefacts to their volcanic origins were developed partly at the University of Sheffield by famed archaeologist Colin Renfrew, Lecturer in the Department of Prehistory and Archaeology from 1965 to 1972. Frahm said: "Decades later, we are continuing to refine their original techniques. New technologies allow us to try new approaches. Powerful analytical tools can now be brought with us to sites, and sensitive magnetic instruments enable us to distinguish quarries, a level of specificity not previously possible. Our findings at Tell Mozan reveal that, even in the Middle East, the birthplace of obsidian sourcing, there are still surprises."

Frahm points out: "Studying the use and origin of obsidian reveals some compelling parallels with modern-day Middle East and has resonance with issues that the region faces today. For example, we think that invading powers, intent on controlling access to valuable resources, would have faced resistance to occupation from small states across the region ruled by peoples who were ethnic minorities elsewhere in the Middle East.

"A mountain insurgency could have resulted in a blockade of natural resources, and the colonisers may have been forced to instead seek resources from more distant sources and forge alliances with other regional powers to raise their status. This was 4,200 years ago during the Bronze Age -- the parallels to the recent history of the area are extraordinary."

Dr Frahm is also interested in the relationship between humanitarian and archaeological work in the region. He added: "I went to Syria as an American after the US had called Syria part of the 'Axis of Evil', and I only had positive experiences there. The degree of hospitality that I encountered was extraordinary. Perfect strangers took me into their home during my journey from Damascus to the site, which involved a nine-hour bus ride through the Syrian Desert. I was welcomed, fed, offered a shower and change of clothes, introduced to family and friends, and shown around town. Family members argued over whose house had the better accommodations for me to spend the night.

"The current situation in Syria is tragic and precarious. Because of both professional and personal interests, I follow developments in Syria closely. It can be so overwhelming and heartbreaking that I have to take a break from it, which, unlike the people who are living through the fighting, I have the luxury of doing. Whatever the future holds, there will be a lot of work to do there, both humanitarian and archaeological, and I'm very much interested in the interfaces between them. How can archaeology perhaps help Syria recover from this?"

His next study with Syrian obsidian artefacts explores what happened to trade and social networks when Bronze-Age cities were abandoned in the wake of a regional government collapse and increasing droughts due to climate changes.

Dr. Frahm's research is newly published online in the Journal of Archaeological Science. The study was funded in part by the Marie Curie Network "New Archaeological Research Network for Integrating Approaches to Ancient Material Studies" (NARNIA), which focuses on archaeological science in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:


Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Sheffield.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


Journal Reference:

  1. Ellery Frahm. Distinguishing Nemrut Da? and Bing?l A obsidians: geochemical and landscape differences and the archaeological implications. Journal of Archaeological Science, 2012; 39 (5): 1436 DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2011.12.038

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/5mP4hVAaBdA/120904135334.htm

doris day buffalo sabres texas news kim mulkey sarah palin today show dallas tornado video 1940 census

Man City player bailed after fatal car crash

A Manchester City footballer was released on bail on Monday after two people -- a brother and sister -- were killed in a car crash.

Courtney Meppen-Walter, 18, was held on suspicion of dangerous driving after the crash involving a silver Mercedes and a Nissan Micra in Manchester at around 10.15 pm on Saturday.

The collision killed the Micra's driver Kulwant Singh, 32, and his sister, front seat passenger Ravel-Kaur Singh, who was 37.

Ms Singh's two teenage sons, who were in the back seat of the car, were taken to hospital after the crash. One of the boys, who is 16, has a head injury which is not believed to be life-threatening, while the other, 17, is in critical condition.

A second man, aged 19, was also arrested after the crash. He was believed to have been driving a Volkswagen Golf at the time of the incident..

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said Monday: "Two men arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal collision in north Manchester have been bailed."

Both men were bailed until November 23.

On Sunday, a Manchester City FC spokesman said the club offered its condolences. "It is a devastating tragedy for this family and also for the Greater Manchester community at large," she said. "Manchester City Football Club offers its heartfelt condolences to the family and all affected by the events of yesterday evening."

She declined to comment further, citing the police investigation.

Meppen-Walter, who has yet to play for the Premier League champions, has represented England at the under-17 level.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/man-city-player-custody-fatal-car-crash-100649960.html

the five year engagement chris kreider correspondents dinner 2012 white house correspondents dinner 2012 whcd 2012 nfl draft kevin durant