Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The Underground World Of Plant Theft Is More Massive Than You Think

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/plant-crime-in-the-uk-2014-10

Kew Gardens

Some of London's rarest flowers have to be locked up and monitored by security cameras due to an upswing in plant theft. 

The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens in Hampshire has become a "crime hotspot," the BBC reports, as an increasing number of people are swiping buds to sell on the black market for hundreds of dollars. 

Certain rare species of plants, including new species of orchid, are worth up to £300 ($500) each, according to the BBC.

Barry Clarke, who works at the Hillier botanical gardens, said that up to 20 plants are stolen from the site each year. He suspects that "anyone from the little old lady down the street to a young person out of agricultural college," could be behind the plant heists. 

Plant crimes are widespread in Britain. Earlier this year, a rare, endangered water lily was stolen out of the glasshouse at Kew Gardens, one of the largest botanical gardens in the world.

The import and export of endangered species requires a permit issued by CITES, the organization that regulates the protection of wild fauna and flora. However, horticulturists believe that loads of endangered plants are being sold online without the CITES permit. 

As a preventative measure, many botanical gardens have started "anchoring plants underground, growing them under cages, and installing CCTV cameras," the BCC writes. Some universities are also working on an alarm system. 

Join the conversation about this story »








Read More...

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Google Fit for Android is ready to compile all of your fitness stats

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/28/google-fit-for-android-is-ready-to-compile-all-of-your-fitness-s/

We first heard about Mountain View's activity-tracking plans back at I/O, and now the Android faithful and get their hands on the goods. The Google Fit app, the company's answer to Apple Health, is now available for download, compiling all of those collected fitness stats in the same spot. By leveraging your phone's sensors, the software monitors walking, running and cycling activity, allowing you to set specific goals and benefit from some friendly advice. Fit also plays nice with third-party apps and devices -- and of course, Android Wear gadgets -- so that you can get an overall view of your progress from one place. Strava, Withings, Runtastic, Runkeeper and Noom Coach were specifically mentioned in the announcement. What's more, the initiative can be accessed on the web should the need arise (once you've logged in on your phone). Looking to get moving? You'll need a handset running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) or above, but if you meet the requirement, the app is available for download at Google Play.

Filed under: , ,

Comments

Via: The Next Web

Source: Google Play, Android Official Blog

Read More...

Monday, October 27, 2014

Satellite Dishes Can Turn Toxic Waste From Fracking Into Clean Water

Source: http://gizmodo.com/satellite-dishes-can-turn-toxic-waste-from-fracking-int-1651380272

Satellite Dishes Can Turn Toxic Waste From Fracking Into Clean Water

In the past few years, earthquakes in Oklahoma have been on the mysterious rise—the state has had more earthquakes than even California. Why? One big fat finger has been pointed at fracking, in which toxic wastewater is injected into wells that can leak and lubricate faults. We clearly need a better solution for this wastewater, and that solution may involve satellite dishes .

Read more...

Read More...

A Double-Duty Flippable Mug Holds Coffee Or Espresso

Source: http://gizmodo.com/a-double-duty-flippable-mug-holds-coffee-or-espresso-1651388318

A Double-Duty Flippable Mug Holds Coffee Or Espresso

If your office doesn't pay for a cleaning service, and every employee is left to wash their own dishes, you'll want to maximize every cup, plate, and spoon you bring to work. So when it comes to caffeine you might want to swap your current mug for this $14 double-duty alternative that holds 5.5 ounces of coffee, or 1.5 ounces of espresso when flipped upside-down.

Read more...

Read More...

Tiny tethered drone gives soldiers a view of the dangers ahead

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/27/cyphy-works-pocket-flyer-drone/

CyPhy Works Pocket Flyer drone

Drones already give troops valuable data about enemies and devastated areas, but the existing vehicles have their limits; big aerial drones can't see inside buildings, and their ground-based counterparts can't get over rough terrain. Well, CyPhy Works might just have a reached a happy balance between those two extremes. It recently signed a deal with the US Air Force to produce the Extreme Access Pocket Flyer, a very tiny UAV (it weighs just 2.8oz) that sends HD video to soldiers for up to two hours. The key to its portability is a 250-foot microfilament tether that delivers both power and data -- bulkier gear like batteries will stay with the soldier. This has the upshot of adding reliability and security, since there's no wireless signal subject to interference or jamming.

The military may be calling dibs on the Pocket Flyer, but combat recon (such as special forces and tunnel surveillance) is only part of the story. CyPhy notes that the focus will be on search and rescue; the drone should help find people in collapsed buildings and other situations where it'd be too dangerous to go in blind. While there's no firm timetable for when this pint-sized machine will be ready, it's far enough into development that you could see it enter service relatively quickly.

Filed under:

Comments

Via: IEEE Spectrum, Geek

Source: CyPhy Works

Read More...