Device for hearing by touch is on its way
February 28, 2009
According to the researchers, the devices they are working on will particularly be an important tool for hearing impaired people who generally rely on lip reading. For those who can’t afford cochlear implants, the device will be a boon.
Ted Moallem, a graduate student said: ‘Most hearing impaired people will not have access to that kind of technology in our life time. Tactile devices can be several times cheaper than cochlear implants.” Researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology( MIT) are working on developing a new generation of tactile devices, which will translate sound waves into vibrations so that people with hearing impairment may feel them by their skin, and thereby read lips more accurately.
Moallem is working together with Charlotte Reed, a senior research scientist in MIT’s Research Lab of Electronics for developing a soft-ware programme that can be compatible with current smart phones, allowing such devices to be transformed into unobtrusive tactile aids for the hearing impaired.
The devices that have at least two vibrations ranges, one for high-frequency sounds and one for low-frequency sounds are being tested by the researchers. Several studies taken up reveal that human ear can perceive frequencies up to 20,000 hertz, but for touch receptors in the skin, optimal frequency are below 500 hertz.
Reed’s study conducted 20 years ago showed that the deaf-blind subjects could successfully understand speech with the Tadoma Technique method.
India may handle UK railway enquiries in the near future
February 28, 2009
Barack Obama’s administration is keen on taking steps to streamline the outsourcing process. Which will subsequently increase the chances of generating opportunities for the large number of unemployed US techies, affected by recession.
According to ‘The Sun’, it seems, across the Atlantic in Britain, no such qualms exists .The UK’s National Rail Enquiries is shunting British call centre jobs to India in order to save cash As per the paper, about 70 positions may be out-sourced.
The Association stated, over 70% of the calls to the number would now be handled by staff in Mumbai (India) The decision was conveyed on Thursday to the Workers at the centre in Wath-upon-Dearne, South Yorkshire.
A spokesman for ATOC revealed that Indian workers currently took about 50% of the calls. He said:
“Our monitoring shows that levels of customer satisfaction for both the call centres are same. We can achieve significant savings through this rebalancing and it makes sense to do so.”
Replace your ` Fag` with E-cigarette Ruyan V8
February 27, 2009
Ruyan V8, with slim white body and glowing amber tip, emitting what appears like curlicues of white smoke. As a healthier alternative to smoking, can easily pass as a regular cigarette ‘The E-cigarette’ produces a nicotine infused mist absorbed directly into the lungs, has attracted attention in China, the US and around the world.
At the British film awards and at an international trade show, it was marked as a healthier alternative to smoking and a potential way to kick the habit; the smokeless smokes have been distributed in swag bags. The makers claim that because no burning is involved, there’s no hazardous cocktail of cancer causing chemicals and gases like those produced by a regular cigarette, and as there isn’t any secondhand smoke, they can be used in places where cigarettes are banned.
However, health authorities are questioning those claims. The WHO, in September had issued a statement warning that there was no evidence to back up contentions that e-cigarettes are a safe substitute for smoking or a way to help smokers quit.
“There is no sufficient evidence that (they) are safe products for human consumption.”
Timothy O’Leary, a communication officer at the WHO’s Tobacco Free Initiative in Geneva, said this week.
Ruyan’s V8 costs about 240 and includes batteries and 20 cartridges of nicotine solution, roughly the same number of puffs as 20 packs of tobacco cigarettes.
Tough regulations for UK job visa in offing
February 25, 2009
Rising unemployment in Britain has forced the Government to put restrictions on professionals from non-European countries and India so that locals get the first preference.
Come April 1st and the basic requirements to enter Britain under the Tier 1 category of the points-based immigration will be altered. You will have to posses a master’s degrees and minimum salary of ₤20,000 if you are from non-European country or an Indian seeking employment in UK under the Tier1 category. At present under-graduate and ₤17,000 were considered for UK job Visa.
Even changes are on the cards for those falling under Tier 2 category and families of migrants. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is expected to announce the coming measures soon. However, there is some respite as those industries officially recognised as facing shortage of skilled personnel will be able to recruit from outside the European Union.
This is not going to be a ‘All Fool’s Day’s’ joke, but will be a reality for those seeking UK job visas.
British Reality TV star almost at the end of life’s road marries her fiancé
February 25, 2009
Jade Goody only recently was diagnosed suffering from the dreaded disease, CANCER. The British Reality TV star married her fiancé last week. She has been declared as terminally affected case of cancer. The 27 years old reality show star found fame after her appearance in the show Big Brother in 2002.
Goody married fiancée Jack Tweed in a lavish ceremony and reception at county house hotel north of London. This was confirmed by her publicist Max Clifford. Only just nine days ago, Tweed proposed her in hospital after her diagnosis.
Earning about$1.4 million from the media rights will be very handy as it will be utilised for providing provide for her two young sons aged five and four. Goody has thus defended her decision to live out in public eye. According to the doctors, she has few last weeks. Clifford said:
“It was a happy ceremony with lots of tears, lots of smiles, lots of laughter, a very beautiful and very moving service.”
Hats off to Goody, to opt for something, even at her death bed, that will stand in good stead to her sons and help them in shaping their future. She has proved herself to be a caring mother.
Network Rail employees issue strike threats
February 24, 2009
Britain’s second largest rail union is asking nearly 7,000 Network Rail employees to vote for industrial action. The Association of Transport Salaried Staffs has opened a ballot over proposed strike action. It has warned of ‘widespread disruption’ if it actually goes ahead.
The union is not happy at what it calls an attempt by Network Rail to launch a ‘two-tier’ pension scheme. The move is fallout of the Rail Maritime and Transport union’s decision to call strike ballots at rail companies – four of them. It announced plans to ballot almost 4,000 workers at National Express East Anglia, First Capital Connect, London Overground and South West Trains over industrial relations and job cuts.
The TSSA ballot closes on 23 March. It is open to thousands of staff, comprising supervisors and station mangers. The general secretary of the union, Gerry Doherty, stated: “Network Rail is effectively trying to introduce a two-tier pension scheme.” They are reportedly asking older staff with British Rail to pay more to make sure that their present final salary scheme will continue. “New recruits are banned from the scheme for five years. They are then being offered inferior benefits to long-serving staff. It is unfair; we will not accept it.”
A Network Rail spokesman reassured passengers disruption could be avoided
GPs in England are mostly failing to help those with eating disorders
February 24, 2009
GPs in England are mostly failing to help those with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, a new report cautions. The charity Beat found just about 15% of patients believed their GP really understood their disorders, or knew how to help them.
Some patients suspected their doctor did not treat their problems seriously enough. A leading GP stated doctors were reasonably skilled at treating different eating disorders, but patients took a long time on their part to admit their problems.
The report comes after latest data showed a roughly 80% rise in the number of young girls in England being hospitalised with anorexia over the last decade. Eating disorders affect over 1.1 million people in the UK, according to an estimate.
The report based on a survey involving 1,500 people suffering from eating disorders came across respondents who thought their GP lacked comprehensive knowledge about various treatments. It praised broad national guidelines on treatment, but added implementation levels varied across the country. The report concluded the odds were largely stacked against patients. The report also highlights examples of those treated poorly by their GP.
The eating disorders charity, Beat, chief executive Susan Ringwood appreciated Gordon Brown, who has already acknowledged that action is needed to improve diagnosis as well as treatment of eating disorders.
Slumdog Millionaire steals the Oscar show
February 23, 2009
The worldwide hit British film, Slumdog Millionaire, clinched the top prize at the 81st Academy Awards. The film won eight Oscars including best picture and best director. In a near-perfect night for Britain, the best actress Oscar was won by Kate Winslet for The Reader. She finally clinched the coveted award on her sixth nomination. But the big surprise was Sean Penn, who won best actor for his role as Harvey Milk, the gay rights activist.
Heath Ledger was awarded a posthumous Oscar in supporting actor category for The Dark Knight. The late actor’s family received it on his behalf. Ledger died in January 2008. His mother said, “We’ve been truly overwhelmed by the respect and honour being bestowed upon him with this award.” Ledger becomes only the second ever performer to get a posthumous Oscar. Peter Finch won it for Network in 1977.
The night well and truly belonged to Slumdog Millionaire. The rags-to-riches story has enchanted audiences across the globe. Director Danny Boyle literally bounced up and down as he received his award. He told the audience: “I swore (to my children) if this miracle ever happened I would receive it in the spirit of Tigger.”
The film is set in the slums of the city of Mumbai. It won eight awards in all. These included best adapted screenplay, sound mixing, cinematography, film editing, best song and best original score.
UK retail sales increase in January
February 23, 2009
UK retail sales increased in January, as savvy shoppers decided to take advantage of post-Christmas price cuts and promotional gifts, according to official data released. Total sales increased 0.7% compared with December. They were up by 3.6% compared with sales in January 2008, stated the Office for National Statistics.
ONS figure confirmed earlier data from the British Retail Consortium that also noted sales indeed rose during January 2009. Clothing and footwear witnessed the biggest increase in sales said the ONS. The 0.7% rise noted in overall sales compares with an estimated average 0.1% decline that was expected by economists. For the quarter to the end of January, retail sales were up 3.2% in comparison with the same period a year ago. Analysts cautioned the rise was unlikely to last.
The UK economist at Capital Economics, Vicky Redwood, stated:
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that January spending started off very strong, and tailed off as the clearance sales ended. Meanwhile, further falls in house prices and rising unemployment will mean that households save any money freed up by falling inflation.”
Ms Redwood expects consumer spending to go down by about 3.5% this year. Howard Archer, the Chief European and UK economist, IHS Global Insight, stated he was expecting sales to now decline.
Nuclear-powered submarines loaded with nuclear weapons crash in Atlantic
February 22, 2009
British and French sub-marines carrying nuclear weapons recently collided in the Atlantic Ocean. The HMS Vanguard, Britain’s first Trident class nuclear-armed submarine, and the French Le Triumphant submarine collided, while traversing the ocean, suffering minor damage.
Defence Ministry of France issued a statement saying the ballistic missile submarines had been carrying out routine patrols when they collided.
“They briefly came into contact at a very low speed while submerged. There were no injuries. Neither their nuclear deterrence missions nor their safety were affected”.
A British official stated on the condition of anonymity, that there was no danger to Vanguard’s deterrent capability as it remained unaffected and at the same time there was no compromise to the nuclear safety. All the crew members are safe as none of them are injured.
France’s defence ministry echoed the same observation. The Vanguard capable of carrying up to 16 nuclear-armed Trident Missiles was towed back to submarine base in Scotland reported BBC. The Le Triomphant, though it suffered damage to a sonar dome in the front of the submarine, returned under its own power to its base on L’Tle Longue on France’s western tip.
