Peter & Soojin's Quasi-Daily Blah-g

From Engadget: FCC wants to set aside wireless spectrum for medical body area devices, our hearts are literally aflutter

peterjang73 — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:18:42 +0000

The FCC has been making a big push towards freeing up the airwaves for medical uses, and it just took one of its biggest steps on that front by proposing to clear space for wireless body area networks. Agency officials want to let devices operate in the 2.36GHz to 2.4GHz space so that patients can stay at home or at least move freely, instead of being fenced in at the hospital or tethered to a bed by wires. Devices would still need the FDA’s green light, but they could both let patients go home sooner as well as open the door wider for preventative care. Voting on the proposal takes place May 24, which leaves our tech-minded hearts beating faster — and if the proposal takes effect, we’ll know just how much faster.

from Engadget

From the blind cook: watch me on “masterchef” season 3, premiering june 4 & 5

peterjang73 — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:48:37 +0000

I’ve been MIA for a while. But not to fear–I had good reason. I promise. During my hiatus, I was cooking my ass off to impress Gordon Ramsay, Graham Elliot, and Joe Bastianich. That’s right, I was cooking for my life to get on season three of the summer hit show “MasterChef” on FOX. After open casting calls in several cities across the U.S., I made it past tens of thousands of contestant hopefuls to land a slot in the top 100 to cook for the three notable judges. Did I impress them enough to get a white apron? Tune in to find out: “MasterChef” season 3 premieres June 4 and 5 on FOX at 9/8 Central. See what craziness ensues! In the meantime, here’s a promo commercial. And yes, that’s yours truly smack dab in the middle of it already crying like a buffoon. Hah!

from the blind cook

From Wired Top Stories: Justice Dept. Defends Public’s Constitutional ‘Right to Record’ Cops

peterjang73 — Thu, 17 May 2012 17:34:00 +0000

As police departments around the country are increasingly caught up in tussles with members of the public who record their activities, the U.S. Justice Department has come out with a strong statement supporting the First Amendment right of individuals to record police officers in the public discharge of their duties.

from Wired Top Stories

From Gizmodo: Nasa Wants To Snatch Asteroids With a Spiderman-Inspired Spiny Claw

peterjang73 — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:48:29 +0000

Marvel’s web-slinger is able to scale tall buildings thanks to a set of spiny hairs on his fingers. And NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory thinks the same approach could make it easy for spacecraft to latch onto asteroids, comets, and other irregularly-shaped rocks. More »

from Gizmodo

From Engadget: Mind-operated robot arm helps paralyzed woman have her cup o’ joe

peterjang73 — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:18:56 +0000

Researchers at the Braingate2 consortium have made a breakthrough that allows people with spinal cord or stroke injuries to control robotic limbs with their minds. The original project allowed subjects with motor cortex-implanted chips to move cursors on a screen with their minds, but they can now command DEKA and DLR mechanical arms to grasp foam balls and sip coffee. Researchers noted that dropped objects and missed drinks were frequent, but improved brain sensors and more practice by subjects should help. To see the power of the mind move perhaps not mountains, but good ol’ java, jump to the video below.

from Engadget