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archive: Mar-Apr 2007
Tech-news archive: March-April 2007
Mouse brain simulated on computer
(Apr 28, 2007)
US researchers have simulated half a virtual mouse brain on a supercomputer.
The scientists ran a "cortical simulator" that was as big and as complex
as half of a mouse brain on the BlueGene L supercomputer. In other
smaller simulations the researchers say they have seen characteristics
of thought patterns observed in real mouse brains.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
The power behind LucasFilm magic
(Apr 24, 2007)
The BBC News website takes a look at the computing power and storage
which drives the creations of LucasFilm, effects gurus Industrial
Light and Magic (ILM) and games division LucasArts. It should come
as no surprise to learn that the firm behind Star Wars has a robot
cleaning the floors of its data centre, at the heart of the Letterman
Digital Arts Center, in San Francisco.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
Chips stack up in third dimension
(Apr 13, 2007)
Stacks of chips, one on top of the other, will power the next generation
of superfast PCs, IBM has announced. Laying chips vertically, instead
of side by side, reduces the distance data has to travel by 1,000
times, making the chips faster and more efficient. Big blue has said
that it will start producing the compact silicon sandwiches in 2008.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
French set new rail speed record
(Apr 3, 2007)
A French high-speed train (TGV) has smashed the world record for a
train on rails by a big margin, reaching 574.8km/h (356mph). The previous
TGV record was 515km/h (320mph), set in 1990. The record attempt by
a modified TGV took place on a track between Paris and the eastern
city of Strasbourg.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
PS3 launch games put to the test
(Mar 27, 2007)
Sony's PlayStation 3 console has hit the shops in Europe, promising
to deliver next-generation game experiences. But how do the games
measure up? The launch line-up of games for a new console is never
a true reflection of a platform's strengths and weaknesses but it
can help deliver momentum.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
Rays light up life-like graphics
(Mar 17, 2007)
Computer game graphics could soon be much more realistic thanks to
research at the University of Saarland, Germany. At the tech-fair
Cebit, a team from the university demonstrated a lighting technique,
known as ray-tracing, using relatively low-powered processors. Before
now, many powerful computers were needed to generate the life-like
images this technique can produce.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
Virtual worlds set for shake-up
(Mar 10, 2007)
Big media firms are rushing to copy the success of online games like
World of Warcraft, a conference has been told. Millions of dollars
are being spent trying to emulate the massively multiplayer online
game, experts at the Game Developer's Conference said. "We are going
to have so many failures it is going to be unbelievable," said Mark
Jacobs of Electronic Arts. The panel also predicted that non-gaming
MMOs such as Second Life would be prevalent in the short term.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
Google helps terabyte data swaps
(Mar 7, 2007)
Google is developing a program to help academics around the world
exchange huge amounts of data. The firm's open source team is working
on ways to physically transfer huge data sets up to 120 terabytes
in size. "We have started collecting these data sets and shipping
them out to other scientists who want them," said Google's Chris DiBona.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
The rise of technology addiction
(Mar 5, 2007)
The seemingly exponential growth of portable technology has sparked
fears that people are becoming addicted or swamped by gadgets and
their uses. One major consequence of this phenomenon is that the line
between work and private life is much more blurred, now that e-mail
and phones provide a 24-hour link between employers and staff.
Read
more. Source: BBC |
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