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POPS‘Robot Suit’ Helps Paralyzed People Walk ReWalk is expected to be sold in 2010 with a price tag of about $20,000. It is currently in clinical trials in Tel Aviv’s Sheba Medical Centre and more trials are expected to take place at the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute in Pennsylvania.
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POPSRobotic Exoskeleton Allows a Paralyzed Man to Walk - inspirational! "ReWalk consists of motorised leg supports, body sensors and a back pack that contains a computer and rechargeable batteries. Users still need crutches to help with balance. To move, the user picks a setting with a remote control wrist band – “stand”, “sit”, “walk”, “descend” or “climb” – and then leans forward, activating the body sensors and setting the robotic legs in motion"
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POPSMichael Phelps: ‘Naturally’ transhuman
* He has proportionately short legs relative to his long, powerful trunk; this large upper body is the engine that powers his long arms. Moreover, his unique physique reduces drag through the water and allows for maximum propulsion. * Phelps has a greater-than-average lung capacity allowing him to execute his underwater dolphin kicks longer than the competition. * He has a genetic advantage that cause his muscles to produce 50% less lactic acid than other athletes. This means he can work at higher work loads for longer periods. * With a low body fat of 4%, he is better able to convert his effort into speed. Looking at this list it’s as if Phelps was designed to swim. Which leads to an interesting question: Given the potential for genetic modification and gene doping, should it be acceptable for other athletes to acquire the same physiological endowments through artificial means? If not, what makes it so acceptable to come by these traits ‘naturally?’ And how
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POPSBiden vocal, consistent Gitmo opponent " has destroyed faith in America's judgment. And it has devalued America's moral leadership in the world. Instead, this administration has focused to the point of obsession on the so-called "war on terrorism" and produced a one-size-fits-all doctrine of military preemption and regime change ill suited to the challenges we face. It has made fear the main driver of our foreign policy. It has turned a deadly serious but manageable threat -- a small number of radical groups that hate America -- into a ten-foot tall existential monster that dictates nearly every move we make. Even if you look at the world through this administration's distorted lens, you see a failed policy."
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POPSShroud Stirs A New Controversy It's like looking for Noah's Ark to me. Why would you want to search when the truth is right here before you? Regardless of that, I'm awed and amazed by the story.
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POPSDoes the Milky Way Influence Earth's Biodiversity Cycles? Research Says "Yes" The boost in cosmic-ray exposure may have a direct effect on Earth's organisms, according to paleontologist Bruce Lieberman. The radiation would lead to higher rates of genetic mutations in organisms or interfere with their ability to repair DNA damage. In this way, the process could lead to new species while killing off others. If future studies confirm the galaxy-biodiversity link, it would force scientists to broaden their ideas about what can influence life on Earth. "Maybe it's not just the climate and the tectonic events on Earth," Lieberman said. "Maybe we have to start thinking more about the extraterrestrial environment as well."
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POPSFascinating Feline Facts I didn't even make it half way down the list and I learned the answer to a lot of the questions i've always wondered about cats. FYI, there are many many many more at the source. ENJOY!
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POPSBizarre but true facts about the Earth The oldest living tree is a California bristlecone pine name 'Methuselah'. It is about 4600 years old. The largest tree in the world is a giant sequoia growing in California. It is 84 meters tall and measures 29 meters round the trunk. The fastest growing tree is the eucalyptus. It can grow 10 meters a year. The Antartic notothenia fish has a protein in its blood that acts like antifreeze and stops the fish freezing in icy sea. The USA uses 29% of the world's petrol and 33% of the world's electricity.
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POPSNo Justice with Military Commissions Act In 1873 the Kiowa War Leader, MoManTee surrendered to the Army at Fort Sill, (OK territory). He was promptly put into a two foot tall crawl space under the Commanding Officers Office where he was taunted and starved and taken out only for torture. When he was “visited” by officials he was taken out, cleaned up and dress out in “full regalia” only to be returned to the crawl space after the ‘visitors’ left. It was later reported that he “starved himself to death in protest to his being imprisoned”—–
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POPSThe REAL Bigfoot The fact that this is on CNN makes it a bit more legit. I don't know if I can believe this. This is absurd.
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POPSBreaking: Bigfoot’s Body Apparently Found The creature was discovered by Matthew Whitton and Rick Dyer, who are keeping the exact location a secret as they claim there are a whole troup of the animals still living. Tom Biscardi of Searching for Bigfoot has been a veteran Sasquatch tracker for years and traveled to Georgia to view the find last weekend. A team of scientists have been carrying out tests on the body and, along with the Tom Biscardi, they will release DNA and photographic findings to the media at a press release in Palo Alto, California,