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NASA twin satellites to probe mysteries of the Van Allen belts

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- An Atlas 5 rocket boosted a pair of satellites into the maelstrom of the Van Allen radiation belts early today, kicking off a $686 million mission to probe the structure of the belts and how they're buffeted by the sun and to improve forecasting to reduce the threat they pose to astronauts, power grids and increasingly critical satellite systems.

"Today, 11 years hard work was realized by the science team," said Nicola Fox, the deputy project scientist at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory. "They're now at home in … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1526: Prepare for Maximum Overdrive! (Podcast)

The sun is throwing out magnetic storms that could disrupt your GPS, your cell phone signals, and maybe even cause soda machines to kill you in extremely violent 1980s movie style. Just ... Google it. In other news, the World Wide Web turned 20 this weekend, the kids of today are learning to be hackers at DefCon, and if you buy virtual gold instead of earning it, the terrorists win. No, really, that's actually kind of true.

Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3) |  iTunes (320x180) |  iTunes (640x360) |  RSS (MP3) |  RSS (320x180) |  RSS (640x360)… Read more

Mice belt buckles unfasten your inner geek

Circuit board and MP3 storage neckties step aside. Someone has created something even geekier--belt buckles made of old computer mice.

It all started when the designer, a Texas maker of leather goods, was throwing away a box of old mice. He realized the devices were about the same size as the belt buckles he wears. Hence was born a new way of showing off your inner geek.

Apple fans can enjoy these treasures, as well--the designer also created Mac variants, ranging from the older Apple Pro mice to the Mighty Mouse (no, not the cartoon). He hasn't created Razer versions yet, but we're hoping for a glowing Death Adder edition.

Each buckle measures about 4.25 inches by 2.5 inches and will fit a belt up to 1.75 inches. Sadly, the belt comes apart the normal way; there's no left-clicking or scrolling involved for unbuckling.

Head on over to the creator's Etsy shop if you wish to get your hands one of these belt buckles. They will set you back at least $20 apiece.

(Source: Crave Asia) … Read more

Flex, Lincoln cars to get inflatable seat belt option

Ford will make its new inflatable seat belt an option on the Flex and Lincoln vehicles starting next summer.

The high-tech pretensioner contains an airbag that deploys in the event of an accident and expands to cover five times more of the occupant's torso than a traditional belt. By diffusing crash pressure over a larger area, the new belt helps reduce the risk of injury to backseat passengers.

"This advanced restraint system is designed to help reduce head, neck, and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers, often children, and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries," said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. … Read more

Valentine's garter texts you when your lover cheats

She's working late at the office. She says she is catching up on paperwork. But she works at Facebook. Or Google. What paperwork could there be?

However, you know you can trust her. Why? Because if she happens to indulge in extra-marital hanky-panky with a barely-washed coder, you will receive a text. Not from your wife, but from her garter.

This might sound like Boon-filled Mills to you. But it is, in fact, a wonderful invention from GorgeousGarters.com.

These are garters that you can buy for the woman (or man) that you love. They contain a sweet little … Read more

Car Tech Live 203: Get ready to get plugged-in

In this episode, Toyota gets exonerated, Hummer owners pretend their cars are electric, and do you wear your seatbelts?

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 203 SHOW NOTES

• Toyota electronics not at fault for unintended acceleration

• Hummer owner claims $7,500 EV tax credit

• PNDs get into the backup camera business

• Thumping systems SAFE FOR NOW in Hawaii...

• Maybe a jump ball story: Rear seat belts: Do you wear them? How about seat belts in a cab?

Lexus LFA to feature new 'Airbelt,' a seat belt airbag

The Lexus LFA, which is available this month, will feature new inflatable seat belt technology.

The Takata "Airbelt," or SRS Seat Belt Airbag, is built into the webbing of the seat belt. It's designed to protect drivers and front-seat passengers in front- or side-impact collisions.

From the looks of it, and a description of how it works, the airbag will fill up with air on impact. It looks strikingly similar to the inflatable rear seat belts revealed last summer from Ford for the 2011 Ford Explorer.

The belt expands directly to spread the shock-load over a wider … Read more

Panasonic to discontinue Technics turntables?

Panasonic Technics' direct-drive (no belt) turntables have been DJ favorites since the 1970s. The blogs are abuzz with the news that Panasonic will cease Technics production this year. If it's true that Panasonic is completely out of the turntable business, that would be a shame.

That said, direct-drive turntables never really caught on with the audiophile crowd; we prefer belt-drive models. You see, the direct-drive motor's high torque instantly gets the platter up to speed from a dead stop, which is why Technics 'tables were prized by DJs.

But the powerful motors transmit whatever noise and vibration they … Read more

Sounding the alarm: Which noises make the cut for Ford warning signals?

We're all used to the pedestrian chirps at a traffic light, the click-click of a turn signal or even the beep-beep of a seat-belt alert, but engineers at Ford are taking further steps to understand what sounds folks will actually respond to without being annoyed.

Sound engineers at Ford use scientific theory, listening clinics and on-road simulations to find the sounds that prove most effective for driver alerts.

"Ford engineers spend a tremendous amount of time finding just the right sound for just the right situation to help customers react to potential dangers," said Paul Mascarenas, Ford … Read more