Newscientistvideo: Tracking trash

[0]You may wonder where your trash ends up after its carted away. Well, now a new tracking device could tell you the answer. It can be attached to domestic waste before its thrown away. It switches on when a sensor detects motion. Its SIM card will then locate a nearby cellphone tower and text back the coordinates. Software can analyze the signal strength to figure out the tags precise location. Last summer the signal strength to figure out the tags precise location. Last summer the tags were tested in Seattle with sixty pieces of trash. Next month, thousands more will be dispatched in New York, Seattle and London. The team hopes that by pinning down where different types of trash end up the waste removal system can be made more efficient.

Channel: newscientistvideo

Newscientistvideo: Map of first light

[0]This spacecraft is building the most accurate map to date of radiation from the big bang. In a test in August, it scanned a strip of sky continuously for two weeks. Now the results are in. Red spots reveal areas where radiation is hotter than average Areas that are colder are shown in blue. A red band shows radiation in the disc of the Milky Way. The data proved to be of excellent quality It will now take six months to complete a full scan of the sky.

Channel: newscientistvideo

Newscientistvideo: Bladeless fan

[0]Blades used in conventional fans chop up air and cause uneven air flow. But now a new design can cool you down evenly. A motor driven rotor hidden inside a pedestal blows air up inside the hollow hoop. The airplane wing shape of the inner surface produces a low internal pressure. This encourages the surrounding air to create a draft which gets channeled through the ring. A stronger or weaker blast of air can be obtained by varying the speed of the rotor with a switch. This fan uses the same amount of energy used in conventional ones but since it has no blades it wont harm children if they poke their fingers inside.

Channel: newscientistvideo