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The Stunt-Double Drugs That Hollywood Actors Take on Camera [Drugs]

While movie stars aren't drug-free zones, movie sets are at least supposed to be. Which is why, during filming, actors have to make do with stunt-double drugs. An article in Wired neatly summarizes some of the most common stand-ins; here are a few of the best. [Wired] More »

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Scientists bend gamma rays, could neuter radioactive waste

Bending most light is easy; bending it in gamma ray form, however, has often been deemed impossible given how hard it is for electrons to react to the extreme frequencies. University of Munich scientist Dietrich Habs and his Institut Laue-Langevin teammate Michael Jentschel have proven that assumption wrong: an experiment in blasting a silicon prism has shown that gamma rays will refract just slightly through the right material. If a lens is made out of a large-atom substance like gold to bend the rays further, the researchers envision focused beams of energy that could either detect radioactive material or even make it inert by wiping off neutrons and protons. In theory, it could turn a nuclear power plant's waste harmless. A practical use of the technology is still some distance off -- but that it's even within sight at all just feels like a breakthrough.

Scientists bend gamma rays, could neuter radioactive waste originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 05:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Should You Really Pay More for Brand-Name Audio Badges?

The badges are everywhere: on laptops, tablets, and phones. Some from brands with real audio cred: Altec Lansing, Harman Kardon, Bang & Olufsen. Other brands are familiar, but mysterious?you may have heard of Dolby, SRS, and Creative, but do you know what they do? The explosion of celebrity-endorsed headphones has pushed product labeling to a new level, too. If you wanted, right now you could buy a Dr. Dre?approved smartphone.

Gadget companies didn't invent this kind of branding, but they may have perfected it. Steve Guttenberg (no, not that one), who writes the popular audio-equipment blog The Audiophiliac, attributes this kind of branding to a sort of spec-sheet arms race. It's hard to stand out in a sea of similar devices, he says, so "everybody is trying to sell by adding features." Hence the over-the-top stickers, decals, and inscriptions.

Generally speaking, a device with special audio branding will sound different from an equivalent device without it. There's a good chance that it will sound noticeably better, too: Bass may be fuller, and highs a bit clearer. But what you're hearing isn't necessarily better hardware. Often, it's software.

There are certain limitations to designing an amp and a speaker system to fit inside a portable device, Guttenberg says, such as diminutive speaker size and extremely limited power supply (laptop speakers rarely exceed 5 watts). Most important, there's the issue of cost: A teardown of a typical $500 laptop leaves you with a bill of materials of about $350. Of that, less than $10 is spent on audio. (The small-quantity wholesale price on alibaba.com for a Realtek ALC268 audio processor and pair of laptop speakers comes to $7.84.) Shifting that sum upward by a few dollars, however, won't dramatically improve sound quality.

What you usually get when you buy a device with branded audio is special audio processing. Take, for example, the HTC Sensation XE, the first Android phone branded with Beats Audio. While the handset ships with better-than-average earbuds, its own audio hardware is undistinguished. The Beats Audio component of the phone is mainly software?in effect, an equalizer. The buds are nice but they're an accessory.

That's not to say branded audio is something you should avoid?just that there usually isn't much hardware behind that sticker and it isn't worth paying extra for. With a little tinkering you can often reproduce "exclusive" audio-processing effects by adjusting the software equalizer in your music-player app of choice.

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Dog Days: Hot Weather Increases Risks for Pets | Consumer Media ...

As the summer months approach, people tend to spend more time outdoors, and so do their pets. Warmer weather allows for more outdoor activities, but it also comes with increased risks. It is important for all pet owners to exercise caution and take the steps necessary to ensure that their pets are safe from summer hazards like overheating, sunburn, and overexertion.

The ASPCA recommends that pet owners bring their pets to a veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up. This will give pet owners an idea of the condition of their pets, and will let them know whether their pets are at high risk for overheating in the summer temperatures. Certain breeds are more prone to overheating than others, and pets that have a history of health problems may need to stay out of the heat. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you what will be best for your pet.

If your dog or cat has a clean bill of health and is given the pass to spend some time out in the summer sun, there are some guidelines you should follow to ensure that your pet is kept safe while out and about. Most importantly, make sure your companion has plenty of shade and fresh water. That way, when the heat is getting to be a little too much, your pet can get out of the sun and stay hydrated. Without water and shade, you run the risk of having your pet suffer from heat stroke.

When it?s especially hot outside, keep exercise to a minimum and don?t push your pet. The sun can be particularly brutal when your pet is being active, so if you want to bring your dog jogging, try to do it at night when it?s a little cooler. If that?s not an option, bring plenty of water and take breaks to make sure your dog isn?t showing signs of overheating.

Under no circumstances should you leave your pet in a vehicle unattended. The ASPCA cautions that leaving your pet in a vehicle can lead to a heat stroke, and opening the windows is not enough to keep your pet cool. Either leave your pet at home or take your pet out of the car once you arrive at your destination.

Another way of combating the heat is to groom your pet. Brushing your dog or cat to remove stray hair and to get rid of any loose undercoat can help your pet stay cool. Cutting your pet?s fur can also help, but it?s important to avoid shaving your pet down to the skin. Your pet?s coat helps prevent sunburn ? if you take the coat away, your pet will be more vulnerable to it.

Being knowledgeable about what overheating looks like in a pet can help you intervene if your dog or cat begins to show signs. Excessive panting and disorientation indicate that your pet may be overheating. Red gums and thick saliva are other signs. As symptoms progress into a heat stroke, your pet may vomit, collapse, and even lose consciousness.

If it seems as though your dog or cat may be overheating, bring your pet out of the sun and into the house or some shade. Then, call or visit your vet immediately. If you pet is dehydrated, he or she may need to receive fluids intravenously. In the meanwhile, try to cool your dog or cat with a damp wash cloth, but make sure you don?t use ice cold water, otherwise you may shock your pet. Do not douse your pet with water or submerge your pet in a bathtub or pool, either. Your pet will need to cool down gradually, or the shock can lead to further complications.

Finally, pools are great ways to cool down in the summer, but don?t leave your pets around a pool unattended. Not all pets can swim, and even if your pet is a good swimmer, he or she may not be able to find a way out of the pool once in it. You also want to avoid allowing your pet to drink from the pool, as pool water is filled with chemicals, so keeping your dog or cat supervised when around a pool will help you avoid dangerous consequences.

As long as you take the necessary precautions to keep your pet safe in the heat, summer can be a great time for outdoor fun. Just be sure to monitor your pet and keep plenty of shade and fresh water on hand, and you will be able to enjoy the season.

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Google Is Found (Kind of) Guilty in Java Trial [Google Inc]

The verdict is in for the Oracle vs. Google trial on whether Java was used improperly in the development of Android. The answer? Yes, sort of. More »

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HTC One V arriving in the US 'this summer'

HTC has announced that it'll be showcasing the One V at CTIA this week, but also, more importantly, that the final piece of the One family puzzle will arrive on "a variety of US partners later this summer." Nothing more concrete than that at the moment, although we reckon a handful of regional carriers might be tempted to stock the hardy Legend tribute smartphone.

HTC One V arriving in the US 'this summer' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2012 10:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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