NASA to Unveil Discovery That Affects Search for Extraterrestrial Life

NASA is expected to make an announcement Thursday (Dec. 2) about a new scientific finding that "will impact the search for extraterrestrial life," the space agency said in a statement.

NASA has scheduled a press conference for Thursday at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT) at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C. Agency officials said the discovery is in the field of astrobiology, which is the study of the origin, evolution and distribution of life in the universe.

The press conference will be broadcast and webcast live on NASA TV.

The announcement comes closely on the heels of several other major milestones in the search for life and possible habitable environments beyond Earth.

In late September, for example, researchers announced the discovery of the first potentially habitable alien planet. And less than two weeks ago, astronomers discovered the 500th planet beyond our own solar system.  We will give you the update on this story on Thursday. Space.com

Nike Patents Plan for Self-Lacing Shoes

Nike has filed a patent for a self-lacing shoe that resembles the sneakers from "Back to the Future 2" so closely, one has to wonder whether a hover-board and flux capacitor could be far behind.
There is currently no timetable for when these shoes may hit the market, but the patent shoes indicate that Nike is definitely working on the technology.

According to the patent, "the automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper."

Which is to say, you slip a switch, and the shoe tightens as if you just pulled and tightened conventional laces. The switch activates a motor that rolls or unrolls a spool of wire distributed throughout the shoe. When the spool reels in the wire, the shoe tightens along axis supported by various rods.

Naturally, the system requires a power source, and the shoe will have an on-board battery. However, the patent reveals that Nike hasn't decided whether to go with a USB or a mini-USB port to charge the shoe. Technews Daily

Neophiliac: Raheem DeVaughn - She's Single

MADNESS PREMIERE: DirtyMoney - "Coming Home"

HIP HOP JUNKIE: SLUM VILLAGE

Slum Village is a hip hop group from Conant Gardens, Detroit, Michigan.
The group was formed by three members: rappers Baatin (deceased, 31 July 2009) and T3, plus rapper and producer J Dilla (deceased, 10 February 2006). J Dilla left in 2002 to pursue a solo career with MCA Records. Elzhi joined in his absence, after which Baatin also left due to health complications. The vault is now open for your ears. Here is some true classic hip hop joints. R.I.P. Dilla and Baatin. MADONE

The Look of love

 

2u4u


THINGS WE DO


DISCO


COUNT THE WAYS FT. DWELE

 

 

The Million-Dollar Retirement Plan

Making your first million. Many people should be able to save $1 million for retirement if they start saving early enough. A worker who saves $5,500 per year beginning at age 30, gets a $1,500 401(k) match each year, and earns 7 percent annual returns will have $1,014,640 by age 65. However, someone who waits until age 40 to start saving will have to tuck away closer to $14,000 a year to reach $1 million by age 65, assuming the same 401(k) match and investment returns.

Those who do not get an employer 401(k) match or don't consistently save in a 401(k) plan will need to save even more on their own. "You may have to adjust for time frames when you were not contributing to your 401(k), such as when you are saving for a house or you change jobs," says Mark Fuller, president of Fuller Wealth Management in Broomfield, Colo. "Life happens, and you have got to be able to make some mid-course corrections along the way." Excessive fees and investment costs, 401(k) waiting periods and vesting schedules, and taking early 401(k) withdrawals or loans can also make it more difficult to become a millionaire. "It sounds easy and it sounds good on paper, but in actuality it is tough for people to do," says Doug Kinsey, a certified financial planner for Artifex Financial Group in Oakwood, Ohio. "People need to really keep their transaction costs to a minimum. If you shave off a couple of points a year in expenses, that goes a long way toward saving a million for retirement."

Rumor: Google buying deals service Groupon for $2.5 billion

It’s still unconfirmed at this point, but tech news site vatornews.com is reporting that Google has spent $2.5 billion to acquire Groupon.


Rumors about the buyout have been flying around for days now, since before the Thanksgiving holiday, with the price hovering somewhere between $2 and $3 billion for Google. Before that, Groupon was reportedly fielding offers from Yahoo! as well, which were supposedly as high as nearly $4 billion. That followed reports from All Things D from earlier this year that said Groupon turned down a $1.7 billion offer from Yahoo!

Microsoft, TV execs reportedly mulling pay-TV service for Xbox

Reuters is reporting that Microsoft has "held talks" with media execs about a variety of potential new video-subscription services involving Xbox, including the possibility of Microsoft becoming a "virtual cable operator" that would offer TV shows and networks through the game console on a subscription basis. The discussions are still in the "early" stages, Reuters (and its two unnamed sources) claim, with any possible new TV service from Microsoft at least a year away.

As for the details on the proposed service, well … they're pretty vague for now. Among the possibilities: 

One scenario under consideration by Microsoft is to create a new TV service on its Xbox gaming console that would establish a "virtual cable operator." The service would charge a monthly fee for access through the Xbox to networks such as ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, ESPN or CNN, according to two sources familiar with the plans.

The other scenario would be individual for-pay TV networks, like HBO and Showtime, or a "TV Everywhere"-type deal that would allow existing, "authenticated" cable subscribers to watch on-demand shows.

The ultimate plan, of course, would be Microsoft essentially creating its own "virtual" pay-TV service to compete with the likes of Comcast, Time Warner, DirecTV, and Verizon FiOS, with your Xbox 360 acting as your cable box.

That sounds enticing, and — technically speaking — there's nothing to prevent Microsoft from turning the Xbox into a DVR for its own pay-TV service. Cutting deals with the various TV networks and content providers is another matter, although at least one enthusiastic TV exec thinks "the more competition the better," according to Reuters.

Man dies after 20-foot fall at Chicago NFL stadium

CHICAGO – Authorities say a man has died after falling at least 20 feet from a ledge at Soldier Stadium while attending a Chicago Bears game.

 

Chicago police say the man fell around 4:55 p.m. Sunday during the NFL matchup between the Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Chicago Fire Chief Joe Roccasalva says the man landed on a small rooftop on the outside of the stadium. Witnesses told authorities the man ran to a ledge and jumped. Roccasalva says the man was in his 20s, but his name hasn't been released.

It's the second death in a week at a major sporting arena. On Nov. 21, a 2-year-old boy fell from a luxury box at the Staples Center during a Los Angeles Lakers game. AP

Scientists trick cells into switching identities

NEW YORK – Scientists are reporting early success at transforming one kind of specialized cell into another, a feat of biological alchemy that doctors may someday perform inside a patient's body to restore health. So if a heart attack damages muscle tissue in the heart, for example, doctors may someday be able to get other cells in that organ to become muscle to help the heart pump.

That's a futuristic idea, but researchers are enthusiastic about the potential for the new direct-conversion approach.

"I think everyone believes this is really the future of so-called stem-cell biology," says John Gearhart of the University of Pennsylvania, one of many researchers pursuing this approach.

The concept is two steps beyond the familiar story of embryonic stem cells, versatile entities that can be coaxed to become cells of all types, like brain and blood. Scientists are learning to guide those transformations, which someday may provide transplant tissue for treating diseases like Parkinson's or diabetes. AP

USDA asked to approve GMO apple that won't brown

 

 CASHMERE, Wash. – A Canadian biotechnology company has asked the U.S. to approve a genetically modified apple that won't brown soon after its sliced, saying the improvement could boost sales of apples for snacks, salads and other uses.

U.S. apple growers say it's too soon to know whether they'd be interested in the apple: They need to resolve questions about the apple's quality, the cost of planting and, most importantly, whether people would buy it.  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration Now List People As Domestic Extremist

Government responds to the backlash against the unconstitutional fourth amendment violating TSA screening measures by blacklisting air travelers who object to the over reaching intrusive searches at the airports. They are trying to send a chilling effect not to protest the TSA groping and body scanners that has the public in an uproar. Will they add them to a list were you can not buy a new car .apply for employment or do business.Will people be put on this list that will make life hard to function because the government has blackballed people who objected to the abusive TSA.These secretive list shows the abusive executive branch bypassing the courts and due process blacklisting their political enemies and opposition.
We must not allow this to chill us from standing up for our rights. Power Your Mind MadOne

New Batteries Smaller than Salt Grains

The next generation of lithium-ion batteries could be small enough to pour out of a saltshaker.

Lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous in today's consumer electronics, powering laptops, cell phones, and portable music players. Now research funded by the Department of Defense's research wing, DARPA, is pushing the limits of this technology in trying to create some of the tiniest batteries on Earth, the largest of which would be no bigger than a grain of sand.

These tiny energy storage devices could one day be used to power the electronics and mechanical components of tiny micro- to nanoscale devices. TECHNEWS DAILY

Dell Inspiron Duo Price, Release Date Revealed

The Dell Inspiron Duo, a tablet/netbook hybrid with a dual-hinged display will begin shipping the first week of December. Preorders will begin in the coming days for the 10.1 inch Windows 7 tablet PC, starting at $549.

The Duo sports an innovative form factor that resembles a typical netbook. However, the capacitive touch-enabled 10.1-inch display (1366 x 768) swivels on two hinges and closes over the keyboard to transform into a tablet.

Netbook SpecsThe Duo features standard netbook specs, including an Atom N550 processor, 2GB of RAM and 250GB of storage. It runs Windows 7 Home Premium, features a Broadcom Crystal HD accelerator, and Wi-Fi and WiMAX support. The Inspiron Duo has two USB ports, an audio jack and chiclet keyboard.

When in tablet mode, the Duo displays a touch-friendly user interface skin over Windows 7 for quick access to media and the web browser.
Dell is also offering a Duo bundle featuring a JBL speaker dock for an extra $100.
The Duo will be available in red, blue and black. 

 

Leslie Nielsen Passes Away

Actor and frequent comedic lead star Leslie Nielsen has passed away from complications with pneumonia. The actor best known for starring in such comedies as Airplane! and the Naked Gun film franchise died Sunday at a hospital near his home in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He was 84. He was surrounded by family including his wife, Barbaree and friends.

Born Feb. 11, 1926, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Nielsen came to Hollywood in the mid-1950s after performing in 150 live TV dramas in New York. His acting career spanned several decades, starting with episodes of series including The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse and Tales of Tomorrow and encompassing several genres. Moving into film, Nielsen first performed as the king of France in the Paramount operetta The Vagabond King with Kathryn Grayson. The film -- he called it The Vagabond Turkey -- flopped, but MGM signed him to a seven-year contract and he starred in 1956's Forbidden Planet for that studio.

But he became known in later years for his deadpan delivery in comedies featuring absurd situations, including 1980s's Airplane!, a parody of Zero Hour!, Airport and other movies about flying. MADONE

BOX OFFICE REPORT: Nov 26th - 28th Weekend

For the second consecutive weekend, the first half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows returned to the 1^st place spot by taking home another $50.3 million. While the performance represents a 60% drop among moviegoers from its first performance, it’s hard to see Warner Bros. Pictures being too worried about the large drop-off.  After all, the studio has hauled in $220.4 million in its first 10 days of release (ranked 10^th all time for that period of time) against a budget of just $130 million. It has likewise won the international race for the second weekend in a row by conjuring up another $113.2 million from 19,000 theaters in 62 foreign markets. With its $220.4 million domestic tally and the $389.2 million that Warner Bros. has received overseas, the studio has tallied up an amazing $609.5 mil in worldwide coin.

 For their part, Disney made the holiday race close by introducing Tangled into 3,603 theaters and taking down the 2^nd place spot with $49.1 million. Despite recent reports that Disney has planned to fade away from the fairy-tale brand that made them popular---attributed to the modern youth considering it too old fashioned---the studio still has an audience willing to shell out the cash. While they fell just one million shy of the top spot, Disney did end up with the highest average ($13,628). Adding on its early Wednesday numbers, the release has earned $69.0 million domestically and another $13.8 million from early foreign markets. 

Sony’s Screen Gems found some success over the weekend as well by unleashing their musical Burlesque into over 3,000 theaters and tuning up $11.8 million as a result. If you’re including its 5-day tally, the film which featured Cher and Christina Aguilera found $17.2 million over the holiday.

Fox’s action adventure Unstoppable rolled down two places for the 5^th spot by eating another $11.7 million in receipts. Its third frame has increased the domestic count to $60.7 million, still a sizeable distance from its $100 mil budget. 

Rank	Movie	Weekend	Theaters	Average	Total	Budget
1	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I	$50.3 mil	4,125	$12,205	$220.3 mil	$130
2	Tangled	$49.1 mil	3,603	$13,628	$69.0 mil	----
3	Megamind	$12.8 mil	3,411	$3,767	$130.4 mil	$130
4	Burlesque	$11.8 mil	3,037	$3,885	$17.1 mil	----
5	Unstoppable	$11.7 mil	3,183	$3,691	$60.7 mil	$100
6	Love and Other Drugs	$9.8 mil	2,455	$4,012	$14.0 mil	----
7	Faster	$8.7 mil	2,454	$3,548	$12.2 mil	$24
8	Due Date	$7.3 mil	2,555	$2,857	$85.0 mil	$65
9	The Next Three Days	$4.8 mil	2,564	$1,888	$14.5 mil	$30
10	Morning Glory	$4.0 mil	2,441	$1,651	$26.4 mil	$40

 MANIA.COM

NFL Recap: Week 12

Olsen catches one of Cutler's 4 TD passes to lead Bears over Eagles 31-26

San Diego intercepted Peyton Manning four times, returning two for scores, and handed Indianapolis its worst home loss of the Manning era, 36-14, on Sunday.

                      The Falcons stayed atop the NFC when Matt Bryant kicked a 47-yard field goal with 9 seconds remaining Sunday for a 20-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers 

 

Sunday November 28, 2010
1 2 3 4 Total Green Bay 3 0 7 7 17  Final  Atlanta 3 7 0 10 20    GB: A. Rodgers 26-35, 344 yds, 1 TD ATL: M. Turner 23 Rush, 110 yds, 1 TD		1 2 3 4 Total Tennessee 0 0 0 0 0  Final  Houston 0 14 3 3 20    TEN: J. Gage 4 Rec, 50 yds HOU: M. Schaub 25-35, 178 yds, 2 TDs
1 2 3 4 Total Minnesota 7 0 10 0 17  Final  Washington 7 0 0 6 13    MIN: T. Gerhart 22 Rush, 76 yds, 1 TD WAS: D. McNabb 21-35, 211 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT		1 2 3 4 Total Jacksonville 7 10 0 3 20  Final  NY Giants 3 3 3 15 24    JAC: R. Jennings 7 Rush, 53 yds, 1 TD NYG: E. Manning 14-24, 226 yds, 2 TDs
1 2 3 4 OT Total Pittsburgh 7 6 0 3 3 19  Final  Buffalo 0 0 7 9 0 16  OT  PIT: R. Mendenhall 36 Rush, 151 yds, 1 TD BUF: F. Jackson 5 Rec, 104 yds, 1 TD		1 2 3 4 Total Carolina 7 6 7 3 23  Final  Cleveland 14 7 0 3 24    CAR: M. Goodson 14 Rush, 55 yds, 1 TD CLE: P. Hillis 26 Rush, 131 yds, 3 TDs
1 2 3 4 Total Kansas City 7 14 0 21 42  Final  Seattle 7 3 7 7 24    KC: M. Cassel 22-32, 233 yds, 4 TDs SEA: B. Obomanu 5 Rec, 159 yds, 1 TD		1 2 3 4 Total Miami 10 3 10 10 33  Final  Oakland 7 7 0 3 17    MIA: C. Henne 17-30, 307 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT OAK: J. Ford 4 Rec, 108 yds, 1 TD
1 2 3 4 Total Philadelphia 3 10 0 13 26  Final  Chicago 14 7 10 0 31    PHI: M. Vick 29-44, 333 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT CHI: J. Cutler 14-21, 247 yds, 4 TDs		1 2 3 4 Total Tampa Bay 0 3 0 7 10  Final  Baltimore 0 17 0 0 17    TB: J. Freeman 17-37, 162 yds, 1 TD BAL: J. Flacco 25-35, 289 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT
1 2 3 4 Total St. Louis 7 19 7 3 36  Final  Denver 10 3 0 20 33    STL: S. Bradford 22-37, 308 yds, 3 TDs DEN: K. Orton 24-41, 347 yds, 3 TDs		1 2 3 4 Total San Diego 10 6 10 10 36  Final  Indianapolis 7 7 0 0 14    SD: M. Tolbert 26 Rush, 103 yds, 1 TD IND: P. Manning 31-48, 285 yds, 2 TDs, 4 INTs