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Scientific humour

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Positive feedback for Thermo Scientific XPS Simplified website

We have been delighted with the extremely positive feedback received from our customers and contacts. The site provides information about XPS and you can obtain valuable information from the powerful Knowledge Base. This is a store of XPS information offering advice on experimental considerations, and spectral interpretation. Thermo Scientific's XPS Science poster is still available, an outline of the basics of the technique and some applications - contact us if you would like a copy.

In brief

At the current rates of growth and investment, China’s total funding of R&D is expected to surpass that of the US by about 2022. Schaft, Inc. won the latest DARPA Robotics Challenge trial putting the robots through events simulating the tasks needed to be performed in a disaster scenario. The DESY X-ray light source PETRA III has been used to observe the real time degradation of organic solar cells.

1058 aim for 2025

Mars One has a plan to form a human settlement on Mars with the first people landing on the planet in 2025. Over 200000 people applied for what is ultimately aimed to be 24 places and the first selection phase is now complete with 1058 candidates still under consideration. 297 are American, 75 Canadian and 62 Indians. Mars One intends that the project will be funded by investors and the rights from the documentary-cum-reality TV broadcasting of the tests, training and final selection.

Almost right

Most people want computers to be faster and more accurate. However a group at Purdue University are working on developing computers aimed at ‘approximate computing’. Most computers are designed to compute precise results even when it is not necessary. Approximate computing encompasses using computers to perform calculations good enough for certain tasks that don't require perfect accuracy, potentially doubling efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Approximate computing could endow computers with a capability similar to the human brain's ability to scale the degree of accuracy needed for a given task.

IBM’s 5 in 5

IBM has revealed its latest predictions for five big innovations that will change our lives within five years. In a nutshell, IBM says: The classroom will learn you; Buying local will beat online; Doctors will use your DNA to keep you well; A digital guardian will protect you online and The city will help you live in it. Their predictions for Big Data trends in 2014 include the rise of the Chief Data Officer. 1984 beckons.

An alternative Season's Greetings

... and for readers who are less interested in music a snip from a play by a contemporary British playwright. We advise that you don't watch this whilst at work.

Season's Greetings

Celebrating the lives of three 20th Century British composers. John Tavener (28 January 1944 – 12 November 2013) The Lamb A four-part choral setting of William Blake's poem, sung here by King's College Choir, Cambridge. Benjamin Britten (22 November 1913 – 4 December 1976) This little babe from A Ceremony of Carols is sung here by Schola Cantorum Leipzig. John Rutter is well known for his scrunchy harmonies A Gaelic Blessing is here sung by The Cambridge Singers, directed by the composer. And with our best wishes for 2014.

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