BIRD SPOTTING: Binoculars or video? If you're bird-watching you have to choose. But now Sony have released their DEV-3 and DEV-5 digital binoculars that record HD video with stereo sound. Both models have variable zoom up to 10x optical and electronic autofocus, while the DEV-5 also offers 3D recording. Image stabilisation helps keep images clear and stable. When you get home connect the binoculars to your TV with an HDMI cable. According to Sony you can watch wildlife, sports 'and more'. It's the 'more' that's a worry. More details here.
ROUNDED BIKE: The Tortola Roundtail bike frame claims to reduce stress on the spine and tiredness from vibration. Instead of a triangle to hold the rear wheel it uses a circle. This dissipates the force from impacts rather than sending it straight up to the rider. The extra-strength frame is made from a special steel comprised of manganese, chrome, nickel, molybdenum and niobium. Nothing quite like a third wheel. Gizmodo has the details, and there's video here.
THE STORMS ARE COMING: For the last 90 years the sun has been at a grand solar maximum. But scientists are concerned about coming solar storms as solar activity moves to a minimum. At this time there are fewer solar storms, but they're more powerful, and more radiation from other parts of the galaxy enters the Solar System. Records show that the most radiation hits Earth during periods of middling activity.
Increased radiation could disrupt planes and spacecraft. Just planes and spacecraft? Surely all kinds of equipment may be affected. The BBC report is here.
HEALTH NET: In Liberia only 181 doctors care for 4 million people.
Switchboard is a non-profit group that connects medical staff in Liberia and Ghana through free phonecalls. Soon they hope to expand to Tanzania. The closed network, MDNet, makes it possible for doctors to consult with one another through texts and calls. They've already connected more than 3 million free calls. That's almost 1 call per head of population. Gizmodo has more.
TUNNY STORY: The Tunny decryption machine at Bletchley Park in the UK was a precursor to modern computers, helping decrypt German messages during World War 2. For security reasons the machine was dismantled after the war. But working from a single photo and some memories a team of volunteers has been able to restore it for the Museum of National Computing. The project took them five years and a lot of expertise, but they've now completed the replica. PC Pro tells the story.
