NASA’S Spy-in-the-Sky Checks Out Fires
An infrared image of the Gap Fire, north of Santa Barbara, Calif., captured by NASA's Autonomous Modular Scanner from the Ikhana unmanned aircraft on July 8. The city can be seen in the lower right of the image. The hot spots of the fire are visible in the middle of the image. They appear as yellow pixels in the center of the pink region.
A remotely piloted aircraft carrying a NASA sensor flew over much of California, gathering information that was used to help fight the more than 300 wildfires burning within the state. The flights by NASA's unmanned Ikhana aircraft are using a sophisticated scanner developed at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif. Ikhana's onboard sensor can detect temperature differences from less than one-half degree to approximately 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The scanner operates like a digital camera with specialized filters to detect light energy at visible, infrared and thermal wavelengths. |
In 2007, U.S. venture capitalists invested $1.4 billion in China and $1.0 billion in India. —National Venture Capital Association
|
OLD WORDS, NEW DEFINITIONS
(From the UrbanDictionary.com)
technology
Anything that was invented after you were born.
technology
A pleasure-inducing entity for those who consider themselves gadgeteers. Involves locking oneself in one's room and playing with objects of a technological nature. Oftentimes people with lisps or strange voices who cannot socialize normally because of their impediment are accustomed to a love of technological activities as well as hold a fondness for all sorts of gadgets.
technoramus
Ignorant (an ignoramus) with regard to technical matters.
technosenile
The condition when one is too old to learn how to use their electronic gadgets.
entrepreneur
Knows a little of something but lots of everything. Loves starting things then delegating them to others. Hates bosses, rules, authority and taxes. Probably doesn’t really know how to spell entrepreneur.
entrepreneur
French for "unemployed."
entreprenerd
An enterprising individual, whose superior technical ability often clouds the presentation to “normal people” of an otherwise inspiring solution to a frequently infuriating problem. |
|
MASSACHUSETTS—STILL NO. 1
Massachusetts, which just passed a $1 billion life sciences bill to invest in high-tech infrastructure and research and development over the next 10 years, is in the best position of any state to achieve high-quality economic growth thanks to its vast array of technology and science assets, a new Milken Institute study shows.
Massachusetts ranks first in the Milken Institute’s 2008 State Technology and Science Index, followed by Maryland, Colorado and California.
According to the report, regional competition for technology industries has increased since the last release of the Index in 2004. Not only are states vying with each other for human capital and resources, but countries like China and India are increasing the competition on a global level.
At the same time, the post-9/11 decrease in international graduate students and flat or decreased federal funding for research and development are applying negative pressure to states that are not making serious investments to build and retain these 21st century industries.
The states in the best position to succeed in the technology-led information age are (with 2004 rankings):
1) Massachusetts (1)
2) Maryland (4)
3) Colorado (3)
4) California (2)
5) Washington (6)
6) Virginia (5)
7) Connecticut (10)
8) Utah (9)
9) New Hampshire (12)
10) Rhode Island (11) |
SOME NEW NUMBERS
Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter: Eskimo Pi
Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mph:
Knot-furlong
1,000,000 aches: 1 megahurtz
2,000 mockingbirds: two kilomockingbirds
1 kilogram of falling figs: 1 Fig Newton
1,000 grams of wet socks: 1 literhosen
1 millionth of a fish: 1 microfiche
10 rations: 1 decoration
8 nickels: 2 paradigms
2.4 statute miles of intravenous
surgical tubing at Yale University
Hospital: 1 I.V. League
—Frank McCoy
(mccoy@NoSpam.millcomm.com) |
