TechieTonics

Chameleons change Color by altering Nanocrystal Patterns inside the Skin: Animal Behavior

March 11, 2015March 11, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

It’s been quite some time now since researchers have been studying the reasons that causes the changing of colors among chameleons. The study concluded that floating nanocrystals constitutes one of the major ingredients present within a layer of skin cells. Generally, the micro crystals are uniformly situated all over the cell. Wavelength of the light that is being reflected from the cells is determined by the spacing within these nanocrystals.

The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho

March 7, 2015February 16, 2021 Pooja Kashyap

The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho resounds the theme of The Alchemist (from the same author), which is, universe conspiring in achieving ones destiny although the presentation is different in the book under consideration. In here, the author takes inspiration from the biblical Books of Kings.

Biomechanics of Mantises Jumping Technique might help build better Robots: Insect Aerobatics

March 6, 2015March 12, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

Praying mantises are known for gulping down their partners after mating but their other side resembles the gracefulness of Mikhail Baryshnikov especially when it comes to jumping.

Researchers develop 5G Wireless Technology: The Next G

March 3, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

Achieving 1Tbps wirelessly might not remain a farfetched dream now. Researchers at the University of Sydney have touched the threshold of 5th generation wireless systems of Terrabyte per second. Yes, you guessed it right, downloading 10 movies per second at an uber-speed of 1Tbps.

Induction-charging Stations into Home Furnishings: Smart Homes

March 2, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

Say no to cable mess, especially when charging gizmos. IKEA, the world’s largest furniture retailer will be hitting the shelves with an innovative range of furniture that has come with induction-charging stations. It is part of their new “Home Smart” plan. Keeping in view with the futuristic appeal, now the furniture owners would seamlessly charge their smartphones wirelessly.

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

February 27, 2015February 16, 2021 Pooja Kashyap

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg is quite an impressive book. With its umpteen examples of how people defy old habits at the sake of new productive habits and eventually achieve marvelous feat is extremely inspiring. Although the book does not promote or support one secret formula for quickly changing any habit but it makes one think with a different angle. Case studies of corporate success of Alcoa, Starbucks, and P&G’s Febreeze were quite a fascinating read.

Solar Power Farms scorching Birds to Death: Solar facilities to Avian Extinction

February 24, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

During the testing of 110-megawatt Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project near Tonopah, Nevada, 130 birds were caught by fire mid-air. As per the experts glow of the farm’s tower might have been the reason that have led to the attraction for the birds, however, the owners of the project said that they would devise a way of reducing such fatalities in the future.

Mummified Monk encased in 1000-year-old statue: At a higher state of Meditation

February 23, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

What supposed to be 11th or 12th century sitting effigy of Buddha is not a statue but mummified remains of a monk. A CT scan and endoscopy performed by the Netherlands-based Drents Museum at the Meander Medical Centre in Amersfoort made the astonishing discovery. Speculation holds that the mummy could be of Liuquan, a mentor of Lama Dashi-Dorzho Itigilov. Born in 1852, Lama Itigilov was a monk following Tibetan Buddhist tradition and was famous for the lifelike state of his body. Another equally startling discovery was surfaced when the scan…

Homo chippiens: Mimicking Human Body using networks of Simulated Organs

February 20, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

In an attempt to create a ‘body on a chip’, scientists are working towards fabricating minute working organs of human body on a set of inter-related plastic chips. They have already developed fingertip-sized lungs, guts and livers on the chips. For instance, researchers at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute are revamping ‘bone marrow on a chip’ for studying the effect of radiation.

Volvo Cars to share Slippery-Road Warning: Driving Safety Systems

February 19, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

During rough winters, drivers have to deal with icy patches themselves. Situation becomes critical during nights when they have to fight the patches while driving in a different zone. However, things might become different when cars start sharing the on-road conditions amongst themselves.

10 Photographs: Siphonophore’s Luminous Tentacles glowing brightly beneath the Waves

February 18, 2015February 18, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

Portuguese man o’ war or bluebottle is a jellyfish-like creature that floats on ocean surface. Being a siphonophore, it is not a single multicellular organism, rather a colony of specialized minute individuals called zooids that are connected to one another to an extent that each are inept of independent survival. These creatures carry painful stings because of which they are highly feared by swimmers and divers. However, Matthew Smith, 38, dared to face the agonizing encounters under the waves only to capture these beautiful creations of nature. He developed a waterproof lens dome…

Climate change catalyzes appearance of Infectious Diseases: War against emerging Epidemic

February 17, 2015February 17, 2015 Neha Shukla

Rise in the global temperature is going to promote the outbreak of deadly infectious diseases as Ebola and West Nile virus in new hosts and in new areas. Researchers caution humans to anticipate the breakout of new illnesses, in near future due to rapid changes in the climate that forces habitats to shift and thus bringing pathogens in contact with livestock, crops, humans and wildlife.

Building Products with Conviction than for Profit Making: Creating Legacy

February 17, 2015June 9, 2015 Pooja Kashyap

I have always been curious to know the one thing that led to Apple’s meteoric success, which today is 710 billion and counting. Couple of months back I read Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and the same thing kept haunting me for quite a long time. Of course, there were some stereotypical answers like – he pioneered products with cutting-edge technology, innovation, market maturity for the products etcetera. Yet I was unsatisfied, there must be something more, something that might have resulted in these obvious repercussions.

Interview: Wei Gao, Research Scientist at University of California, Berkeley and LBNL

February 16, 2015September 21, 2022 Pooja Kashyap

It gives me immense pleasure to introduce today Dr. Wei Gao, research scientist at University of California, Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. His research areas include nanomaterials, flexible electronics, micro/nanomachines, nanorobotics, biosensors, electrochemistry, nanomedicine and MEMS. Dr. Gao has coauthored numerous scientific journals like: “Reversible Swarming and Separation of Self-propelled Chemically-Powered Nanomotors under Acoustic Fields” “Artificial Micromotors in the Mouse’s Stomach: A Step Towards In Vivo Use of Synthetic Motors” “Water-Driven Micromotors for Rapid Photocatalytic Degradation of Biological and Chemical Warfare Agents” “Self-propelled activated-carbon Janus micromotors for efficient water…

Parasitic Wasp stings Virus to control Ladybug’s Mind: Bio-Weapon turns them into Zombie

February 13, 2015February 13, 2015 Neha Shukla

Life of animals, either big or small is not easy. Those with the most advanced skill can only survive in the nature. Our nature is full of such examples where for the survival, some animals resolves to take up sexual cannibalism while other uses virus to control the mind of their host organism. Such animals that derive benefits at the expense of other animals are termed as parasites.