The British Sky Broadcasting Group has removed their Android apps (Sky News, Sky Go, Sky+ and Sky Wi-Fi) from Google Play because of concerns that the Syrian Electronic Army has hacked the apps. Sky is advising users to delete the apps while they respond to the problem.
UPDATE: All Sky's Android apps were hacked and replaced... please uninstall it, And we will let you know when it will be available
The Syrian Electronic Army often targets news organizations like BBC, CBS, NPR and even The Onion, but seems to prefer spreading rumors and propaganda to malware. Still, without further information about the hack it makes sense to be cautious. [The Verge, The Next Web]
A hidden population of exotic neutron starsPublic release date: 23-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Megan Watzke mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu 617-496-7998 Chandra X-ray Center
Magnetars the dense remains of dead stars that erupt sporadically with bursts of high-energy radiation are some of the most extreme objects known in the Universe. A major campaign using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and several other satellites shows magnetars may be more diverse and common than previously thought.
When a massive star runs out of fuel, its core collapses to form a neutron star, an ultradense object about 10 to 15 miles wide. The gravitational energy released in this process blows the outer layers away in a supernova explosion and leaves the neutron star behind.
Most neutron stars are spinning rapidly a few times a second but a small fraction have a relatively low spin rate of once every few seconds, while generating occasional large blasts of X-rays. Because the only plausible source for the energy emitted in these outbursts is the magnetic energy stored in the star, these objects are called "magnetars."
Most magnetars have extremely high magnetic fields on their surface that are ten to a thousand times stronger than for the average neutron star. New observations show that the magnetar known as SGR 0418+5729 (SGR 0418 for short) doesn't fit that pattern. It has a surface magnetic field similar to that of mainstream neutron stars.
"We have found that SGR 0418 has a much lower surface magnetic field than any other magnetar," said Nanda Rea of the Institute of Space Science in Barcelona, Spain. "This has important consequences for how we think neutron stars evolve in time, and for our understanding of supernova explosions."
The researchers monitored SGR 0418 for over three years using Chandra, ESA's XMM-Newton as well as NASA's Swift and RXTE satellites. They were able to make an accurate estimate of the strength of the external magnetic field by measuring how its rotation speed changes during an X-ray outburst. These outbursts are likely caused by fractures in the crust of the neutron star precipitated by the buildup of stress in a relatively strong, wound-up magnetic field lurking just beneath the surface.
"This low surface magnetic field makes this object an anomaly among anomalies," said co-author GianLuca Israel of the National Institute of Astrophysics in Rome. "A magnetar is different from typical neutron stars, but SGR 0418 is different from other magnetars as well."
By modeling the evolution of the cooling of the neutron star and its crust, as well as the gradual decay of its magnetic field, the researchers estimated that SGR 0418 is about 550,000 years old. This makes SGR 0418 older than most other magnetars, and this extended lifetime has probably allowed the surface magnetic field strength to decline over time. Because the crust weakened and the interior magnetic field is relatively strong, outbursts could still occur.
The case of SGR 0418 may mean that there are many more elderly magnetars with strong magnetic fields hidden under the surface, implying that their birth rate is five to ten times higher than previously thought.
"We think that about once a year in every galaxy a quiet neutron star should turn on with magnetar-like outbursts, according to our model for SGR 0418," said Jos Pons of the University of Alacant in Spain. "We hope to find many more of these objects."
Another implication of the model is that the surface magnetic field of SGR 0418 should have once been very strong at its birth a half million years ago. This, plus a possibly large population of similar objects, could mean that the massive progenitor stars already had strong magnetic fields, or these fields were created by rapidly rotating neutron stars in the core collapse that was part of the supernova event.
If large numbers of neutron stars are born with strong magnetic fields then a significant fraction of gamma-ray bursts might be caused by the formation of magnetars rather than black holes. Also, the contribution of magnetar births to gravitational wave signals ripples in space-time would be larger than previously thought.
The possibility of a relatively low surface magnetic field for SGR 0418 was first announced in 2010 by a team with some of the same members. However, the scientists at that time could only determine an upper limit for the magnetic field and not an actual estimate because not enough data had been collected.
SGR 0418 is located in the Milky Way galaxy at a distance of about 6,500 light years from Earth. These new results on SGR 0418 appear online and will be published in the June 10, 2013 issue of The Astrophysical Journal. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages the Chandra program for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls Chandra's science and flight operations from Cambridge, Mass.
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A hidden population of exotic neutron starsPublic release date: 23-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Megan Watzke mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu 617-496-7998 Chandra X-ray Center
Magnetars the dense remains of dead stars that erupt sporadically with bursts of high-energy radiation are some of the most extreme objects known in the Universe. A major campaign using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and several other satellites shows magnetars may be more diverse and common than previously thought.
When a massive star runs out of fuel, its core collapses to form a neutron star, an ultradense object about 10 to 15 miles wide. The gravitational energy released in this process blows the outer layers away in a supernova explosion and leaves the neutron star behind.
Most neutron stars are spinning rapidly a few times a second but a small fraction have a relatively low spin rate of once every few seconds, while generating occasional large blasts of X-rays. Because the only plausible source for the energy emitted in these outbursts is the magnetic energy stored in the star, these objects are called "magnetars."
Most magnetars have extremely high magnetic fields on their surface that are ten to a thousand times stronger than for the average neutron star. New observations show that the magnetar known as SGR 0418+5729 (SGR 0418 for short) doesn't fit that pattern. It has a surface magnetic field similar to that of mainstream neutron stars.
"We have found that SGR 0418 has a much lower surface magnetic field than any other magnetar," said Nanda Rea of the Institute of Space Science in Barcelona, Spain. "This has important consequences for how we think neutron stars evolve in time, and for our understanding of supernova explosions."
The researchers monitored SGR 0418 for over three years using Chandra, ESA's XMM-Newton as well as NASA's Swift and RXTE satellites. They were able to make an accurate estimate of the strength of the external magnetic field by measuring how its rotation speed changes during an X-ray outburst. These outbursts are likely caused by fractures in the crust of the neutron star precipitated by the buildup of stress in a relatively strong, wound-up magnetic field lurking just beneath the surface.
"This low surface magnetic field makes this object an anomaly among anomalies," said co-author GianLuca Israel of the National Institute of Astrophysics in Rome. "A magnetar is different from typical neutron stars, but SGR 0418 is different from other magnetars as well."
By modeling the evolution of the cooling of the neutron star and its crust, as well as the gradual decay of its magnetic field, the researchers estimated that SGR 0418 is about 550,000 years old. This makes SGR 0418 older than most other magnetars, and this extended lifetime has probably allowed the surface magnetic field strength to decline over time. Because the crust weakened and the interior magnetic field is relatively strong, outbursts could still occur.
The case of SGR 0418 may mean that there are many more elderly magnetars with strong magnetic fields hidden under the surface, implying that their birth rate is five to ten times higher than previously thought.
"We think that about once a year in every galaxy a quiet neutron star should turn on with magnetar-like outbursts, according to our model for SGR 0418," said Jos Pons of the University of Alacant in Spain. "We hope to find many more of these objects."
Another implication of the model is that the surface magnetic field of SGR 0418 should have once been very strong at its birth a half million years ago. This, plus a possibly large population of similar objects, could mean that the massive progenitor stars already had strong magnetic fields, or these fields were created by rapidly rotating neutron stars in the core collapse that was part of the supernova event.
If large numbers of neutron stars are born with strong magnetic fields then a significant fraction of gamma-ray bursts might be caused by the formation of magnetars rather than black holes. Also, the contribution of magnetar births to gravitational wave signals ripples in space-time would be larger than previously thought.
The possibility of a relatively low surface magnetic field for SGR 0418 was first announced in 2010 by a team with some of the same members. However, the scientists at that time could only determine an upper limit for the magnetic field and not an actual estimate because not enough data had been collected.
SGR 0418 is located in the Milky Way galaxy at a distance of about 6,500 light years from Earth. These new results on SGR 0418 appear online and will be published in the June 10, 2013 issue of The Astrophysical Journal. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., manages the Chandra program for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls Chandra's science and flight operations from Cambridge, Mass.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
An example of a spoken search; the relevant date was spoken aloud.
Google has issued an update to its Chrome browser that lets you use everyday language like "how do I get there?" to interact with its search ? and lets the browser respond vocally as well. It's still an early form of what the search giant demonstrated on stage at Google I/O, but it's an indicator of features to come.
The live demonstration last week had Google's Johanna Wright planning an afternoon in Santa Cruz, asking about places to eat, things to see, and how long it would take to drive between them. And the catch was that not only was she only using voice, but she was using words like "there" and "it" instead of, for example, the name of the restaurant.
That's surprisingly difficult: Google has to "keep in mind" that the place you're talking about is the place you asked about earlier, and that words like "here" or "me" mean your actual current location. If you ask about a restaurant, and then follow up with "how far away is it?" Google has to infer the meaning of "it," and to what location the distance should be calculated. Easy for humans, but not for search engines.
Google
Finding directions is easy if you ask for them first, but using voice search wouldn't give any when the previous search was just for the location.
It's still pretty rough ? in our tests, it confused "where," "what," and "when" frequently, and often failed to include the object of the previous search in new ones. For instance, a spoken search easily found a nearby national park, but no query ("How do I get there?" "How far is it?" "Show me directions") would yield useful map data.
The voice responses could be handy for quick questions like "when was Julius Caesar born?" to which Google can respond quickly and verbally ? but for more complex queries and follow-ups, it might make sense to reach for the keyboard, or just click one of the links provided.
Not included in the update was the "hotwording" ability also shown at I/O that allows the voice-based search to launch without a click when the user says "OK Google."
Conversational search should be live in the Chrome desktop browser now, and should be coming soon in some form to both Android and iOS for mobile.
Devin Coldewey is a contributing writer for NBC News Digital. His personal website is coldewey.cc.
inSSIDer for Office is a Wi-Fi network discovery tool that has the functionality of the inSSIDer for home users, but with added features targeted more to IT and networking professionals. The software is available from Metageeks' website and also comes with Wi-Spy Mini?a device that acts like a tiny access point and connects to a USB port. With it, you can move freely about an area and capture, display, and calculate RF spectrum data. inSSIDer for Office is a great tool for determining the best location for deploying an access point, or for tweaking an existing Wi-Fi network. Home users and those with small networks can probably just get away with the free inSSIDer version, but if you need a more robust tool, inSSIDer for Office is worth its $199 price.
Requirements and Install inSSIDer for Office supports Windows Vista, 7, and Windows 8.It requires Microsoft's .NET framework, 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution and at least 2GB of RAM. It's recommended that you install it on a client with a dual-band 802.11n wireless adapter (otherwise you won't be able to analyze the 5GHz band).
Launching the downloaded software opens a setup wizard, which is a breeze to run through: the whole installation process only takes a few seconds. inSSIDer for Office is actually the same as inSSIDer for home, until you pop in your Office version license key.
Once you do, the interface automatically switches from the free version to the Office version. The two UIs are not drastically different?a good choice by Metageek for consistency's sake? but you have more menu items in the Office version; more on that later.
After installing and registering, you then connect the tiny Wi-Spy device to a USB port and then you are ready to do some spectrum analyzing!
Features and Interface As mentioned the interface between the free and paid versions are very much the same. Both versions have fours views, each of which is accessed by clicking a menu option at the top of the screen. Both versions have a "Learn" view option?this is where you can access the user guide, lessons, and instructional webinars. "Networks" view is the same in both, also. This is you can see information about wireless networks such as signal strength, channel, security, and other details. If you drill down to a specific network you also can view other networks that are overlapping that network's channel and other useful information.
There are two additional views in the Office version. "Channels" provides details on networks' channel power, channel signal information, how many access points are operating on a specific channel, and so on.
I think the fourth view "Analyze," is my favorite. Clicking on this option showed me information about the network to which I was connected. Together, the Wi-Spy Mini and inSSIDer presented me with option to increase performance. One was to change my channel from 1 to 6 because there were so many networks in range using 6. Before I made the change in my router's interface I took note of my signal strength and Link Score?this is a compiled score by inSSIDer which shows how well (or poorly) your network is performing. My signal strength was at not such a great -66 dBm (the ideal is about -30 dBm) and my Link Score was 40. After changing the channel, my signal strength improved to -32 and my Link Score upped to 48.
I went back into the "Analyze" screen again. I was a little confused, because now the software was recommending I go back to channel 6. I wasn't sure if recommendations would keep appearing once you have your network optimized as much as it can be?that would be counterproductive. I posed the question to the Metageek team. They advised that if you have your network starred and perform tweaks based on recommendations in the Analyze view?that the software should not keep circling back through recommendations.
Now, inSSIDer, even the Office version is still a fairly lightweight spectrum analyzer and networking utility. Those deploying enterprise-level wireless networks will likely invest much more costly tools such as Airmagnet from Fluke Networks which allows for reporting, recording and playback, and real-time automated responses to RF interference?all critical troubleshooting tools for enterprise Wi-Fi.
For those managing wireless networks in the SMB, inSSIDer for Office is a handy tool especially when paired with the Wi-Spy Mini. inSSIDer for Office also relatively affordable (at $199) for a spectrum analyzer, and it's a great way for those starting their careers as networking professionals to get familiar with a wireless networking pro analyzer before moving onto more enterprise tools. inSSIDer for Office gets 4.5 out of 5 stars and an Editor's Choice for SMB networking utilities.
The eCommerce or e-commerce (Electronic Commerce or Internet Commerce) has become crucial for every business who wants to grow, and Choosing a capable ecommerce developer that handles all Internet business processes can mean the difference between success and failure in your business.
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Nigerian soldiers in the shade of a Mali-bound Nigerian Air Force C130 Hercules plane
VOICE OF NIGERIA 21 May, 2013 Abuja
The Nigerian troops sent to Mali for peacekeeping operations are to remain in Mali for now, contrary to speculations that they would be withdrawn to face the domestic crisis in the country. This was contained in a press statement by the Director Defence Information Brigadier General Chris Olukolade in Abuja.
There were media reports that Nigerian troops were being withdrawn from Mali to face the insurgency in some parts of Northern Nigeria is not true. ?The report therefore in a section of the press that Nigerian troops are to be withdrawn from Mali to face the ongoing insurgency is complete falsehood.??
?There is certainly no need for such action now as the human and material resources of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are being meticulously deployed and quite able to meet its present internal and external assignments.??
Rotation of troops
The story of troop withdrawal from Mali may have been brought about by the rotation of troops in various missions which is a normal practice in military circles, he said. The Defence spokesperson said this is a routine and should not be misunderstood or misrepresented to misinform Nigerians and the international community.
??As a matter of fact the normal and scheduled rotation of troops in various missions will continue.?? ??This routine should not be misunderstood or misrepresented to misinform Nigerians and the international community.??These times are too sensitive for anyone to engage in unnecessary sensation, speculation or rumour mongering on military affairs please.?? Nigerian troops are currently deployed for the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA)
Brigadier General Chris Olukolade reassured Nigerians that the troops were capable of tackling the current challenge of insurgency in some parts of northern Nigeria.
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BEEG EAGLE -perspectives of an opinionated Nigerian male with a keen interest in Geopolitics, Defence and Strategic Studies
FILE - In this Nov. 15, 1979 file photo, United States Surgeon General Dr. Julius B. Richmond, at the microphones, kicks off the third annual "Smokeout" rally sponsored by the American Cancer Society in Washington, D.C. as a part of the "Great American Smokeout Day." (AP Photo)
MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- The American Cancer Society -- one of the nation's best known and influential health advocacy groups -- is 100 years old this week.
Back in 1913 when it was formed, cancer was a lesser threat for most Americans. The biggest killers then were flu, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and stomach bugs. At a time when average life expectancy was 47, few lived long enough to get cancer.
But 15 doctors and businessmen in New York City thought cancer deserved serious attention, so they founded the American Society for the Control of Cancer. The modern name would come 31 years later.
The cancer society's rise coincided with the taming of infectious diseases and lengthening life spans. "Cancer is a disease of aging, so as people live longer there will be more cancer," explained Dr. Michael Kastan, executive director of Duke University's Cancer Institute.
Cancer became the nation's No. 2 killer in 1938, a ranking it has held ever since. It also became perhaps the most feared disease -- the patient's own cells growing out of control, responding only to brutal treatments: surgery, radiation and poisonous chemicals.
The cancer society is credited with being the largest and most visible proponent of research funding, prevention and programs to help house and educate cancer patients.
Last year, the organization had revenues of about $925 million. It employs 6,000 and has 3 million volunteers, calling itself the largest voluntary health organization in the nation.
"The American Cancer Society really is in a league of its own," Kastan said. The rate of new cancer cases has been trending downward ever so slightly.
Some historical highlights:
1913 -- The American Society for the Control of Cancer is founded in New York City.
1944 -- The organization is renamed the American Cancer Society. The change is spurred by Mary Lasker, the wife of advertising mogul Albert Lasker.
1946 -- A research program is launched, built on $1 million raised by Mary Lasker. A year later, Dr. Sidney Farber of Boston announces the first successful chemotherapy treatment.
1948 -- The cancer society pushes the Pap test, which has been credited with driving a 70 percent decline in uterine and cervical cancer.
1964 -- Prodded by the cancer society and other groups, U.S. Surgeon General Luther Terry issues a report irrefutably linking smoking to cancer.
1971 -- The cancer society helps lead passage of the National Cancer Act to ramp up research money. President Nixon declares a national "war on cancer," which becomes an extended effort derided by some as a "medical Vietnam."
1976 -- The cancer society suggests women 40 and older consider a mammogram if their mother or sisters had breast cancer.
1976 -- The cancer society hosts a California event to encourage smokers to quit for the day. A year later, the annual Great American Smokeout is launched nationally.
1988 -- Atlanta becomes headquarters for the society.
1997 -- The cancer society recommends yearly mammograms for women over 40.
2000 -- Dr. Brian Druker of Oregon reports the first success with "targeted" cancer therapy.
2003 -- The cancer society stops recommending monthly breast self-exams. But it continues to urge annual mammograms for most women over 40, even after a government task force says most don't need screening until 50.
2012 -- The cancer society reports the rate of new cancer cases has been inching down by about half a percent each year since 1999.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Movie Fashion
Clothes have a starring role at the Cannes Film Festival. (Photos)
Surprise Find
A tornado survivor finds an answer to prayer in the rubble. (Video)
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Public release date: 23-May-2013
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