Friday, November 18, 2011

The toilet, re-imagined | SmartPlanet Daily

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SmartPlanet Daily

SmartPlanet Member | November 18, 2011

A daily briefing of the newest stories on SmartPlanet, five days a week.
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The toilet, re-imagined: four water-saving designs

The centuries-old flush toilet design is getting an overhaul, with an eye toward water and energy conservation.  Read the full story

The Science of Food Porn

If Mason's parody video of food commercials doesn't make you hungry, you might not be a member of the human race.  Read the full story

Blurry astronaut vision corrected by Superfocus glasses

A NASA-sponsored study found that 6-month-long spaceflights were causing a spectrum of eye abnormalities. Superfocus adjustable glasses allows astronauts (and aging earth-dwellers) to set the focus.  Read the full story

Beijing supercomputer powers flu-virus simulation

Landmark research into the flu virus is powered by one of China's growing number of supercomputers.  Read the full story

Debt crisis unexpectedly delays panda vacation to Paris

PARIS -- Financial crisis in the Euro zone preoccupies world leaders leaving two Paris-bound Chinese pandas in limbo  Read the full story

Chicago, Philadelphia sign up for next-gen transit payment systems

Transit authorities in Chicago and Philadelphia signed major contracts this week for next-generation fare payment systems that would allow commuters to use bank cards to pay for rides.  Read the full story

Startup HzO to unveil 'waterproof' iPod [video]

A new "invisible" film can actually make the electronic circuits inside a smartphone waterproof.  Read the full story

NYC SHoP Architects take modular construction to new heights

The Atlantic Yards design and development team reveal plans for what would be the world's tallest pre-fabricated tower.  Read the full story

Will Sunday's elections boost Spain's economy?

MADRID -- With Spain's national elections this Sunday November 20, SmartPlanet offers a brief overview and their impact of the struggling international economy.  Read the full story

Neutrinos outrace light again

The score after the second round - Neutrinos 2, Light 0. CERN scientists get the same baffling, Einstein-busting result in their faster-than-light do-over.  Read the full story

Ford, Burton Snowboards embrace recycled plastic fabrics

The companies are supporting separate initiatives to reincarnate plastic bottles for use as t-shirts, outwear, car seats, carpeting -- and other products.  Read the full story

A green design 'habitat' made from a company's own waste

Behold a new work "habitat," for Bloomberg: structure that provides employees with a space to take a break from their workday, made from bits of reclaimed cardboard and pallets from Bloomberg's own trash bin.  Read the full story

Scotts Miracle-Gro, U.S. mayors partner for more urban green space

What do Scotts Miracle-Gro and 1,210 U.S. mayors have in common? They want to help cities clean up their water. Find out how they're doing it.  Read the full story

Study ranks top congested freeway corridors in US

A new study from the Texas Transportation Institute analyzed traffic data from 328 congested corridors throughout the country to come up with a comprehensive breakdown of the nation's worst offenders.  Read the full story

Radiation found in rice Japanese gov't deemed 'safe'

Japanese authorities have today placed a ban on rice shipments from the Fukushima region after high levels of radiation were detected in the nation's staple crop.  Read the full story

Panda Power raises $420 million for solar and natural gas projects

The power generation development firm is taking a glass half full attitude to its recent fund despite missing its goal by nearly $400 million.  Read the full story

Solar Insight 2011: How is the U.S. solar market faring?

At the Greentech Media Solar Insight conference, executives from the clean-tech industry describe the state of the photovoltaic market in the United States and the outlook going forward.  Read the full story

Repurpose brings compostable cup to consumers

Bed Bath & Beyond will carry cups made out of 'plant materials' (not oil) that have been available to commercial food-service operations since early in 2011.  Read the full story

In the U.S., fighting the assumption that 'small' means 'feminine'

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Fiat unveils the 500 Abarth, a "masculine" version of its diminutive subcompact. Can it win over male buyers?  Read the full story

Meet Beijing's first all-electric car, with a hefty price tag

BEIJING -- China's first all-electric car goes on sale in China, but would locals prefer a BMW?  Read the full story

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Saving energy with a press of a button

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Zen and the art of biodegradable tableware

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Honda rolls out new natural-gas-powered Civic

Honda rolls out new natural-gas-powered Civic

 
Creating a smarter food label

Creating a smarter food label

 
Smart foil uses 95% less energy

Smart foil uses 95% less energy

 
Life-saving technology now standard on new cars

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New app eyeballs your meal, helps you eat better

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Why bones break more easily after 50

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Mapping tool models climate change in California

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Flip-flops help fight water scarcity

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Robot that moves like a roach, could find earthquake survivors

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Pervious concrete drains water, filters pollutants

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Measuring cup does the math for you

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Building a power plant under Greenwich Village

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Tesla previews sedan, promises speeds faster than a Porsche

Tesla previews sedan, promises speeds faster than a Porsche

 

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