In comic book publishing, the decision to kill off a long-running and beloved character may seem, at first glance, like a terribly unwise business move. But when Marvel Comics released its latest issue of Amazing Spider-Man–#700, which ends with Peter Parker, the webbed crusader’s alter ego, getting murdered–the issue began flying off the shelves.
From AccuWeather’s Meghan Evans:
Following a notoriously active and deadly tornado year in 2011, the low number of tornadoes in 2012 may go down in the record books.
The number of tornadoes in January, February and March 2012 climbed above normal. However, in April, typically the most active month for severe weather in the U.S., there was a below-normal number of tornadoes.
The “Heat and Drought of 2012” caused crops to wither and Mississippi River levels to plunge while yielding the warmest year on record for the U.S.
New Year’s Eve: Endless waterfalls of crisp champagne, party-pumping pop music and the perfect, sequined outfit. Yea, right. In reality, it’s usually more like an “open” bar with hour-long waits and watered-down drinks, a stranger spilling a mystery substance down the front of your over-priced outfit — and, ah yes, January 1’s infamous hangover.
This year, why not do things a little differently? Below are eight healthy ways to ring in the New Year. We’ll be making our toast to stressing less about this ordinarily high-pressure evening, and celebrating by doing the things that make us feel good, plain and simple. Let us know how you’ll be ringing in the new year in the comments below!
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Today is the birthday of French painter, printmaker and sculptor, Henri Matisse. The Fauvist painter, famous for his mastery of expressive color, would turn 143 years old if he were miraculously still alive today.
When it comes to technology in the medical world, the realm of science fiction offers far more options and advancements than in real life for obvious reasons. Well, perhaps truth is about to catch up with fiction (with some miles left to go, of course) with the introduction of the ViSi Mobile monitor that will display the vital signs of a patient. The ViSi Mobile monitor is the brainchild of the good people over at Sotera Wireless of San Diego, California, where this wearable sensor pack will rely on tried-and-tested Wi-Fi technology, where it will enable doctors who get around with a tablet or smartphone in tow to be able to remotely monitor patient vital signs without sacrificing on accuracy, so much so it is said to offer the accuracy of an intensive care unit.
The ViSi Mobile monitor was designed around the concept of “monitoring in motion,” where it is made up of several units that is made of rugged, water-resistant plastic. These will include a wrist unit with monitor readout, chest sensors, a blood pressure cuff monitor and a thumb sensor. All of those will be hooked up to the current hospital data infrastructure via Wi-Fi, where it works alongside WPA2 encryption for security.
The plethora of sensors made available will enable doctors to constantly monitor vitals such as blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram readings and skin temperature, being as accurate as that of an intensive care unit, while enabling patients to remain in ordinary hospital rooms or to have them move around. All readouts from the sensors are easily accessible from ViSi Mobile’s wrist monitor’s touchscreen, or you can take the desktop PC, tablet or smartphone routes. All of the wrist monitor’s readouts are secured via authorization codes, meaning that it will remain off limits to the patient for obvious reasons.
Whoever said that the medical realm is not “gadgety” enough? Doctors seem to have a new “toy” to play with now on-the-go instead of their beeper that asks them to return to the hospital for an emergency.
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[ ViSi Mobile monitor copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]
A number of professional male athletes have come forward on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in recent months, but it seems not everyone is comfortable with the idea of playing alongside a gay teammate.
Detroit Tigers right fielder Torri Hunter is making headlines for telling the Los Angeles Times he believes an out teammate would make him “uncomfortable.”
“For me, as a Christian…I will be uncomfortable because in all my teachings and all my learning, biblically, it’s not right,” the former Angels outfielder told the publication. “It will be difficult and uncomfortable.”
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NEW DELHI — India’s army and navy canceled New Year’s celebrations on Monday out of respect for a New Delhi student whose gang-rape and murder has set off an impassioned debate about what the nation needs to do to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
Protesters and politicians have called for tougher rape laws, major police reforms and a transformation in the way the country treats its women.
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