These are the debutants in the species list. The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University, the US along with an international committee of taxonomists have selected 10 species from around the world for the annual New Species list.
We present the top five:
■ Dracula fish: The minnow fish, called Danionella dracula, was found in a stream in Kachin State, Myanmar. The males of the species sport canine-like fangs for sparring with other males, likely over territory.
■ Psychedelic frogfish: A bizarre new species of frogfish called Histiophryne psychedelica was discovered in Ambon and Bali, Indonesia. Its body is covered in a psychedelic orange-and-white swirly pattern.
■ Golden orb spider: Called Nephila komaci, the spider is the first species in the Nephila genus to be described since 1879, Nephila spin the largest webs known, often greater than 3.3 feet (1 meter) across.
■ Killer sponge: This carnivorous deep-sea sponge called Chondrocladia (Meliiderma) turbiformis, was found to display a special type of whirl-shaped spicule, now called trochirhabd.
■ Bombadier worm: Discovered with undersea robots off the central coast of California in Monterey Bay, Swima bombiviridis releases glow-in-the-dark "bombs" when threatened. The balloon-like bombs, made from modified gill parts, illuminate for several seconds.
A bug-eating slug, an electric fish,a giant pitcher plant,an odd yam, and a pallic mushroom make up the rest of the top ten list.
Meet Autom. She talks to you everyday to help you keep a track of your eating habits and exercise regime. She provides feedback, advice and encouragement to keep you motivated. She is your weight loss coach. The twist in the story: She is a robot. Created by Intuitive Automata, it is an early try at the commercial application of socially interactive robotics for health care.
"No two conversations with Autom are alike. She is constantly adapting to you to better understand what will help you stick with your diet and exercise program,” claims the company.
The area of personal robotics is becoming more and more popular. While the Bandit Robot Personal Trainer encourages one to exercise, the Taizo Robot Exercise Instructor helps Japan's aging population to stay in shape.
We are talking about tyres that talk, so you better listen up! Cars could soon feature “talking tyres” that let motorists know when they are in need of attention, leading to reduced fuel consumption and extended tire life, according to Schrader Electronics, a Northern Ireland-based engineering company. Experts have developed a new sensor that constantly monitors road conditions and the state of the tyre, and then communicates with the driver through the vehicle’s electronic system. The sensor will be installed on a new tyre dubbed the “Cyber Tyre”, which is being developed in partnership with Pirelli and is slated for launch in 2013, reports The Guardian.
The makers declare that the technology would help motorists significantly reduce their carbon tyreprint as vehicles with properly inflated tyres boast of improved fuel efficiency.
 |
 |
 |
 |
.jpg)
