Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
October 18, 2026 October 18, 2026 | Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896

Science & Technology

Google Android continues to have problems with lagging user interface

By SEAN YAMAKAWA | December 6, 2013

Since the introduction of Android, there have always been particularly high expectations for Google’s popular operating system to deliver one of the best mobile phone experiences. Google offers an unique open-source platform that allows manufacturers and to a lesser extent, users, to customize their phones’ software. With frequent, and sometimes rather extensive, updates, Google has made sure that Android always continues to stay a modern and convenient platform.

Why did Snapchat turn down $3 billion?

By SEAN YAMAKAWA | November 21, 2013

How much could a company that makes zero operating profit be worth? Over $3 billion in cash, Facebook would tell you. Earlier this week, the social networking website offered to buy Snapchat, a company recently popularized by its photo sharing app for that sum of money — and Snapchat turned it down. This certainly raises another pertinent question: How is Snapchat worth anything?

Insects fossilized in the middle of having sex

By ELIZABETH LIU | November 21, 2013

About 165 million years ago a pair of froghoppers’ mating ritual was rudely interrupted by a volcanic eruption. Fortunately the wind blew these two love bugs into a lake where time and the weight of sediment were able to preserve their passionate moment.

Bioethics Corner: 'Despicable' Gru talks morals

By SAAD ANJUM | November 21, 2013

Universal Pictures brings back Gru (Steve Carell) and his enjoyable minions in the animated summer sequel to the hit movie Despicable Me. An enjoyable film for all ages, Despicable Me 2 portrays Gru as an amicable animated character who has given up his past life as a super villain in favor of becoming a stressed-out single father for his three adopted children. In this movie Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League (AVL) to stop an evil plot and save the world. The main story line focuses on Gru identifying and capturing the villain. There is also an interesting sub-plot, where Gru finds love with fellow AVL agent Lucy (Kristin Wiig).

Ants prioritize in decision-making

By SUNNY CAI | November 21, 2013

Making decisions is hard. Making collective decisions is harder. Think about how hard it would be to decide where to buy a house. Then think about how hard it would be to decide where to buy a house with several hundred roommates. As unmanageable as that sounds a new study shows that ant colonies are able to do just that.

Progress made in the field of neuroprosthetics

By JOEL PALLY | November 21, 2013

For a soldier wounded in combat or civilian hurt in a car crash, pain does not end in the emergency room. For many amputees the physical hardship has only just begun. An amputation is immune to time and rehabilitation; it results not only in a physical loss but also in the loss of the victim’s ability to carry out normal life as he or she once knew it. Most will go on to receive prosthetics of some sort, but as inanimate limbs, a prosthetic is inherently limited in its potential to restore varied function.

Metamaterials offer rechargeable solutions

By TONY WU | November 21, 2013

In modern day society, countless wifi, radio and microwave signals are given off from electronic devices such as cell phones. These signals are essential in connecting people to social media and to each other. However, manufacturing signals requires energy that is wasted after they finish transferring their information. In the face of a looming energy crisis, scientists are searching for methods that can convert these signals into usable energy, minimizing the loss of energy when an electronic device is used. A promising method has been discovered recently by a research team led by Steven A. Cummer, an electrical and computer engineering professor at Duke University.

'Comet of the Century' will graze the sun

By SOPHIA GAUTHIER | November 21, 2013

A newcomer named ISON is paying a visit to our inner solar system just in time for this year’s Thanksgiving meal. If your eye has any inclination towards the night sky you might want to set your alarm at an ungodly hour for a chance to glimpse what is to be a spectacular show from outer space.

Recent robots act and look like humans

By TONY WU | November 15, 2013

Robots are the main feature in countless sci-fi movies. They are usually extremely intelligent, resilient and, sometimes, eerily indistinguishable from flesh-and-blood humans. On the contrary, current generations of the robots are crude attempts at imitating those in the movies. Robots in use today are often bulky instruments used for industrial manufacturing. There are some, however, that are being produced which aim to resemble the intelligent machines portrayed on the big screen.

Smokers tend to quit smoking on Monday

By KELLY CARTY | November 15, 2013

Mondays just got better.  According to a study published Oct 28 in JAMA Internal Medicine, smokers are more likely to consider giving up their habit on Monday than any other day of the week.  This conclusion is based on Google search data: the researchers monitored searches on quitting smoking conducted in English, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish between 2008 and 2012.  Search frequencies were the higher early in the week, Monday being the clear winner. The number of searches on Mondays was 25 percent higher than the combined average of searches on Tuesday through Sunday. The pattern was consistent across all languages.

Two pathways cause rheumatoid arthritis

By ELIZABETH LIU | November 15, 2013

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and Boston University have identified two biological pathways as the major causes of the initiation of rheumatoid arthritis. The pathways, once activated, lead to a series of events that cause citrullinated proteins to build up, resulting in an autoimmune attack. They hope that this ground-breaking discovery can lead to new ways to stall the progression of and maybe even cure rheumatoid arthritis.

Language gene induces synapse formation

By ELLI TIAN | November 15, 2013

Language is an extremely crucial part of the human culture. It allows us to communicate our feelings, pass on stories, and relay important information to other people. From the moment we are born, we rely on language – both body language and spoken words – to build relationships and develop the skills and knowledge that we need to survive.

Bioethics Corner: Shifts for residents shortened

By SAAD ANJUM | November 15, 2013

In 2011, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) lowered the maximum shift of thirty consecutive hours to sixteen for first year medical residents. Sandra Boodman, writing in Kaiser Health News, highlights several studies that question ACGME’s decision and its consequences.

MERS viral infection found in Saudi Arabian camels

By MICHAEL YAMAKAWA | November 15, 2013

According to Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry pet camel was found to be infected by MERS — Middle Easter Respiratory Syndrome — a relatively young virus, first reported in 2012. While MERS has not been declared as a pandemic, the WHO has confirmed 149 infections and  63 deaths, as of October 2013. The owner of the camel was also recently hospitalized for MERS, which prompted the investigation of its origin.

Viral structure design used to improve batteries

By CONNIE CHANG | November 15, 2013

Early 2013, scientists at the MIT have developed a new efficient candidate electrode for rechargeable lithium-oxygen batteries, which could potentially change the future of batteries and decrease their overall cost. Li-O2 batteries have been gaining popularity over the years for its high specific energy densities, meaning they can store a relatively large amount of power. During use, the battery undergoes a chemical reaction involving Li+ reacting with oxygen to produce Li2O2 and an electrical current. Then, the batteries can be easily recharged and used again. To recharge, the inverse reaction operates, converting Li2O2 back to Li+ ions. The convenience of Li-O2 batteries has spawned great acceptance of rechargeable batteries all around.

Samsung slowly opens up its plans to investors

By JOEL PALLY | November 15, 2013

As the next wave of court hearings over patent disputes between Apple and Samsung rage on, investors are growing tepid over Samsung stock, which lost one fifth of its value from June to to mid-July. But it’s not Samsung’s viability that has some investors worried; the Korean handset maker currently makes 1 out of every 3 phones sold worldwide. It sells more than twice as many as its next closest competitor, Apple.

Trending
Weekly Rundown
News-Letter Magazine