Those Amazing Stem Cells (cont.)

This week saw two important stories about stem cells:

Resetting a Damaged Immune System


Regenerating Spinal Cord Injury

What Can't It Do?

Now you can use this century's greatest gadget to do battle with last century's most-beloved geek toy.

A new iPhone app called CubeCheater helps you solve the classic Rubik's Cube puzzle toy using a mix of sophisticated algorithms and simple image-recognition technology. CubeCheater sells for $1 in the App Store (here's a link).

Here's how it works. You take six pictures of your mixed up Rubik's Cube using the iPhone's camera — one photo per side. If you have an iPod Touch, you can also tap in the color combos manually. CubeCheater is able to recognize the placement of each colored square and generate a map of your cube. It then figures out the quickest path to solving the puzzle and gives you a set of easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions.

ComputerWorld Discusses the Current State of AI

After decades of limited application, artificial intelligence is everywhere. And it really works this time.

A Remote-Controlled Beetle

No, really.

UK Life Expectancy Increases

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a man who turned 60 in 2006 is now expected to live for a further 21.1 years, while a woman who also turned 60 in 2006 is expected to live for a further 24.1 years.

This is an increase of 26 per cent for men in the space of 20 years....