Nerd Passions

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Study finds elevated levels of cobalt and chromium in offspring of patients with metal-on-metal hip implants
Published March 11, 2010, 11:00 am in ScienceDaily: Latest Science News Tags:
Hip replacement patients with metal-on-metal implants (both the socket and hip ball are metal) pass metal ions to their infants during pregnancy, according to a new study.


Mystery of symmetry in vertebrates revealed
Published March 11, 2010, 11:00 am in ScienceDaily: Latest Science News Tags:
Some of our organs, such as the liver and the heart, are lateralized. As our bodies develop they mostly display bilateral symmetry across the vertebral column. A new molecular pathway, which plays a role in this symmetry in vertebrates, has recently been discovered.


Warfarin users appear more likely to develop brain bleeding following stroke treatment
Published March 11, 2010, 8:00 am in ScienceDaily: Latest Science News Tags:
Patients already taking warfarin who develop an acute stroke appear more likely to experience a brain hemorrhage following treatment with an intravenous clot-dissolving medication, even if their blood clotting function appears normal, according to a new study.


Behavioral problems in childhood doubles the risk of chronic widespread pain in adult life
Published March 11, 2010, 8:00 am in ScienceDaily: Latest Science News Tags:
Bad behavior in childhood is associated with long-term, chronic widespread pain in adult life, according to the findings of a study following nearly 20,000 people from birth in 1958 to the present day. The research found that children with severe behavior disturbances had approximately double the risk of chronic widespread pain by the time they reached the age of 45 than children who did not have behavior problems.


Keeping an eye on the nest
Published March 11, 2010, 7:39 am in PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories Tags:
You can catch the hatch of the first egg in the tree-top bald eagle nest at Norfolk Botanical Garden in southeastern Virginia via the garden's special Web cam -- norfolkbotanicalgarden.org.


World's most compact soundbar from ASUS: the Cine5
Published March 11, 2010, 7:29 am in DVICE Tags:

While we like to think everyone is sitting in front of huge flat panel displays listening to massive home theater speakers, the reality is that most of us spend the majority of our time in front of computer displays, even for gaming and movie-watching. ASUS has just come out with what they claim is the world's most compact five-channel speaker, the Cine5.

The 28-watt compact soundbar has five discrete channels to give a surround feel and in gaming, gives more precise imaging to help improve target location. The Cine5 will create a surround image even from a stereo source.

No word yet on US pricing or availability. Why bother with your computer's built-in speaker or even external stereo computer speakers when you can add a clutter-free soundbar that also adds surround sound?

ASUS via Akihabara News

Media need multiple platforms, revenue streams to thrive
Published March 11, 2010, 7:04 am in PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories Tags:
Multiple platforms and revenue streams are going to be key for media industry players hoping to survive and thrive in the fast-changing digital landscape, top media executives said here Wednesday.


Deforestation conference to turn plans to action
Published March 11, 2010, 7:00 am in PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories Tags:
(AP) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy will open a daylong conference Thursday of some 40 nations to start turning plans into action to save the world's forests and help rein in the noxious gases blamed for climate change.


GDC: Surviving High School creator talks clever, profitable microtransactions
Published March 11, 2010, 7:00 am in Joystiq Tags:
In early 2009, Centerscore co-founder Oliver Miao was assigned an extremely daunting task. His studio had recently been acquired by EA Mobile, and his higher-ups had requested an iPhone version of the studio's successful teen-dating sim series, Surviving High School. The difficulty didn't come in developing the title, but rather, in monetizing it.

During his GDC panel titled "Surviving the iPhone: EA's Original Game Bet," Miao recounted the different business models Centerscore proposed to EA Mobile for SHS. The initial idea was to sell the game for 99 cents, and then hand out additional weekly "episodes" for free. While this would help build the brand, EA Mobile didn't anticipate enough return on the investment. It was denied, and Centerscore was sent back to the drawing board.

The second idea was to offer the current episode of the game for free, but charge 99 cents for bundled episodes from previous weeks. This idea was also shot down, and Centerscore's project was threatened with cancellation. Finally, the two parties came up with a solution that's proven to be fairly lucrative: give the current episode for free, charge for previous episodes, and offer the next episode in advance for an additional 99 cents -- quite an innovative business model.

Of course, Centerscore could have easily raked in the cash by simply charging $500 for one of its first mobile titles, Garfield Bowling. We can't think of a price we wouldn't pay for that gem.

GDC: Surviving High School creator talks clever, profitable microtransactions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC: Surviving High School creator talks clever, profitable microtransactions
Published March 11, 2010, 7:00 am in Joystiq Tags:
In early 2009, Centerscore co-founder Oliver Miao was assigned an extremely daunting task. His studio had recently been acquired by EA Mobile, and his higher-ups had requested an iPhone version of the studio's successful teen-dating sim series, Surviving High School. The difficulty didn't come in developing the title, but rather, in monetizing it.

During his GDC panel titled "Surviving the iPhone: EA's Original Game Bet," Miao recounted the different business models Centerscore proposed to EA Mobile for SHS. The initial idea was to sell the game for 99 cents, and then hand out additional weekly "episodes" for free. While this would help build the brand, EA Mobile didn't anticipate enough return on the investment. It was denied, and Centerscore was sent back to the drawing board.

The second idea was to offer the current episode of the game for free, but charge 99 cents for bundled episodes from previous weeks. This idea was also shot down, and Centerscore's project was threatened with cancellation. Finally, the two parties came up with a solution that's proven to be fairly lucrative: give the current episode for free, charge for previous episodes, and offer the next episode in advance for an additional 99 cents -- quite an innovative business model.

Of course, Centerscore could have easily raked in the cash by simply charging $500 for one of its first mobile titles, Garfield Bowling. We can't think of a price we wouldn't pay for that gem.

GDC: Surviving High School creator talks clever, profitable microtransactions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments


US military developing geolocation system for underground
Published March 11, 2010, 6:53 am in PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories Tags:
(PhysOrg.com) -- The US military is studying the feasibility of a system that could allow them to accurately navigate in enemy underground tunnels, an environment in which GPS does not work.


For a phone called 'Lotta,' this thing has little going on
Published March 11, 2010, 6:43 am in DVICE Tags:

Then again, that's the point. Designer Ichiro Iwasaki, a one-time member of the Sony Design Center who spent many years studying design in Italy, designed the Lotta to be a no-frills phone that isn't trying to win you over with amazing features, but rather with its strikingly minimalistic good looks. Even the more colorful versions of the two-tone Lotta don't feel like they're crowding the design.

It's fitting that Iwasaki designed his phone for iida, a Japanese company that focuses on cellphones that eschew loading up on features for basic functionality and a thoughtful design. Sadly, you'll probably never see the Lotta here in the US, though you can ogle all you want in the gallery down below.

Lotta, via Minimalissimo

Mom and dad, stop stifling me - it's damaging my brain
Published March 11, 2010, 6:35 am in New Scientist - Online News Tags:
Overprotective parents don't just limit their children's freedom – they may also slow brain growth in an area linked to mental illness




Scientists identify microRNA as possible cause of chemotherapy resistance
Published March 11, 2010, 6:30 am in PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories Tags:
Scientists may have uncovered a mechanism for resistance to paclitaxel in ovarian cancer, microRNA-31, suggesting a possible therapeutic target for overcoming chemotherapy resistance.


48 Hawaii-only species given endangered listing
Published March 11, 2010, 6:30 am in PhysOrg.com - latest science and technology news stories Tags:
(AP) -- Wildlife officials lauded Washington's "holistic approach" to conservation in Hawaii after the Obama administration declared 48 species as endangered and announced plans to set aside more than 40 square miles on Kauai as critical habitat to allow the plants and animals to flourish.