DARPA is investigating handheld UV laser devices to help soldiers detect biological and chemical weapons from a safe distance. But when they master that technology, it won’t just be used on the battlefield; it could also help public health workers detect and track outbreaks of communicable diseases. Fighting flu with lasers? This really is the future.
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There are plenty of replica sonic screwdrivers out there for fans of Doctor Who to collect. The last one we talked about was the War Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver. If you have a collection of sonic screwdrivers that you need a place to store and show off, this is the perfect DIY project for you.
One Whovian going by the name 00failure has used MDF and wood veneer to create an awesome chest that displays his collection of sonic screwdrivers. The collectables are tucked away inside foam with cutouts the perfect size to keep them in place.
The builder went so far as to laser cut Gallifreyan symbols into the veneer. The finished products is very cool. However, I must confess to not watching the show, so I see what appears to be a tube of lipstick, a pocket watch, and some odd keys inside as well that I don’t know the significance of.
[via The RPF via Nerd Approved]
The Department of Agriculture doesn’t usually meddle in architecture, but this week at an event at the White House, it announced an unusual project: A $1 million competition for high-rise buildings built out of wood—and another million that will go to educating architects about it.
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For a Prime Minister who’s embraced technology more so than other national leaders of sovereign states, one’s hard pressed to sympathize with a man who chose to ban Twitter to cover up a political scandal. The disruption and "going dark" incident sparked public fury and outrage. . .
It's a Lego elephant on stilts.
(Credit: Jin Kei)
Korean Lego artist Jin Kei looked at Salvador Dali’s surrealist masterpiece “The Elephants” and imagined it in plastic brick form. Then, he went even further, and translated it through the lens of steampunk. The result is an embodiment of the toothpick-legged elephant from the painting, except it is full of complex gears and mechanical joints that capture both aesthetics perfectly.
The most prominent feature of Dali’s work is the elephants’ impossibly tiny legs that look more like an insect’s than a pachyderm’s. The Lego version re-creates these, but with what look like hydraulic joints. The fun really starts when you dive into the details of the build, from the hatch wheel on the elephant’s side to the oil-derrick-like top piece.
If you look closely, there’s even a puff of Lego smoke coming out near the … [Read more]
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President Clinton’s former Chief of Staff, John Podesta, is back in the White House, working with President Obama to assess the state of big data and privacy. A thorough review is currently underway, and you can contribute by filling out a survey…
It would appear that Verizon may be breaking with tradition on the release of the new HTC One this year. Just as some international brands have revealed, this carrier will … Continue reading
System administrators, tasked with the operation of computer systems, are unwitting potential targets for the NSA, new documents leaked by Snowden and detailed by The Intercept have revealed. According to … Continue reading
Ubisoft has released a new “next-gen” Assassin’s Creed game trailer which shows much improved graphics (supposedly in-engine shots) that feature a highly detailed scene of 18th century France (guillotine included), high-dynamic range lighting, screen-space reflection and most likely physically-based rendering. Dense crowd of people along with smoke particles are also highlighted. (more…)
Assassin’s Creed Unity Teaser Trailer original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Today’s best deals include the best smoke alarm money can buy, a popular Qi pad for wireless-charging phones, Monoprice’s famous IPS monitor, and a whole lot more. Have a good weekend, everybody!
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