Source: http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2012/03/grand-theft-auto-jacked/
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Saturday 31 March 2012
How Grand Theft Auto Jacked the House of Lords
The Grand Theft Auto series redefined gaming, pioneering the go-anywhere, do-anything "sandbox" genre and touching off worldwide debates about sex and violence in videogames. Wired contributor David Kushner tells the riveting history of the series in a new book, available this week from Wiley, titled Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto.
iPad3 Production Started - Launch Early 2012
For consumers, the big question is when the iPad 3 will launch, from sources, Apple is sending the iPad 3 into production this quarter. Apple believes 600,000 to 1 million iPad 3 units will be built this quarter and only commit to early 2012.
Some feature of iPad 3 would be like "A6" processor and processor will feature four cores instead of the dual-core A5 in the iPad 2. And as you might expect, the company has so far been reluctant to comment on the iPad 3.
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How to Review the How-To App Snapguide
Snapguide is a free, iOS-only app that acts as a hub for how-to guides on your phone. Gadget Lab decided the best way to cover this app was to provide our own how-to guide -- how to review the Snapguide app.
Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/03/how-to-review-snapguide/
cool gadgets 2010 japanese gadgets igoogle gadgets blog gadgets
Elecom launch laser projection keyboard for Android and iOS
The touch keyboards we use today have improved significantly over what we had to deal with on first generation smartphones. Having larger displays also helps a great deal as the keyboards can be larger. But even so, touchscreen typing can be a chore, especially for those of us with big fingers. Elecom has decided to [...]
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Concussion-Sensing Chin Strap Raises Questions
A tool used to help detect head injuries in youth football is progressively making its way to the NFL ? a helmet chin strap that instantly and obviously makes it clear when a player has taken blow so severe it may have caused a head injury. The Impact Indicator from Battle Sports Science uses single-axis [...]
Source: http://www.wired.com/playbook/2012/03/battle-sports-science-impact-indicator/
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Test Your Stress Levels
Summary:
[[Image:Stressedout.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Don't be bested; get your stress tested. Photo by Ashley Campbell/[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleycampbellphotography/5655801249/ flickr]/CC]]
Stress can enter one's life in many forms ? an intense mother-in-law, a to-do list the length of a roll of toilet paper, and final exams are some classic examples. But stress can strike whenever there is an exciting carousel of activity. In these moments, you may feel your health has been affected somehow and wonder how big a role stress plays in overall well-being.
Technically, stress refers to the sum of the physical, mental, and emotional strains on a person. Feelings of stress appear when you perceive your environment as exceeding your adaptive capabilities and threatening your well-being. In popular terms it is also associated with time pressure, like with uncontrolled to-do lists and strict work deadlines or exam dates.
The immediate consequences of stress often take the form of sleepless nights and a moody new disposition, while long-term stress can cause serious health problems, weaken your immune system, induce depression, and increase the chance of developing heart disease or asthma complications. Even if every person responds differently under stress, most people would prefer to go without it.
If you suspect stress is keeping you down, there are a few devices and techniques you can use to quantify your stress and convince yourself ? or your boss ? that you need to slow down.
''This article was written by Pilar Carreras, a researcher in Biomedical Engineering at [http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/ CCNY].''
==Biodots, Cards and Thermometers==
When under stress, muscles tense and blood flow decreases in the hands and feet which results in a change in body temperature. To measure the change, the company [http://www.stressmarket.com StressMarket] has come up with a variety of gauges, called "Biodots," "Stress Points," or "Stress Dots," which are basically small liquid crystal circles with an adhesive backing that change color depending on temperature variation. You just have to stick the Stress Point over the "areas of tension" (adding a degree of convenient uncertainty) and they will show a color change every two degrees of temperature variation between 79.6�F. to 89.6�F.
[[Image:Stressthermometer.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Photo from [http://www.cliving.org cliving.org]]]
If you prefer to obtain a specific number value for stress level that can be compared over time and therefore shown to your (justifiably) skeptical friends, you probably need a [http://www.cliving.org/stressthermometer.htm stress thermometer]. At about $22 a pop, it measures the skin temperature in your finger tips with an accuracy of +/- 1.80 F while updating every 2 seconds. With this accuracy, it is possible to observe the temperature change as you change your thoughts (mother-in-law: few degrees down; back massage: few degrees up). It comes with a lead wire that needs to be attached to your finger tip with a tape or a ring of Velcro.
==Hormone Testing==
Another way of quantifying your stress is by hormone testing. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol cortisol] are the most commonly referred-to stress hormones. When you start to experience stress, the adrenal glands release these two hormones to help your body self-adjust to protect itself, making the duo a good indicator of how your body reacts during stress.
[http://www.amazon.com/Body-Balance-Stress-Check/dp/B001OM269G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1332363161&sr=8-5 StressCheck by BodyBalance] measures your DHEA and cortisol levels to determine their balance from a saliva sample. Stress Check is a home test by BodyBalance that will analyze your oral fluids for approximately $90. When you order your stress check kit, you just have to follow the [http://www.bodybalance.com/instructions/stress-011509.pdf instructions for collecting the saliva] and send it back in the prepaid return mailer provided. Results will be ready within 7-10 working days. If this waiting period feels like time pressure for the delicate new you, there are faster ways to check your stress based also on hormone level measurements.
==Stress-Checking With Smartphones==
For $0.99 you can download Stress Check (by Azumio), one of the latest smart phone applications available for quantifying your level of stress in real time by analyzing the variations of your heart rate. In a stressful environment, the heart rate increases and the time between consecutive heart beats becomes more variable. This factor, called heart rate variability (HRV) is evaluated to estimate your level of stress through the camera and light features on your smartphone.
[[Image:StressCheck.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Screenshot by Pilar Carreras, Wired.com]]
To use this application, you have to place your index finger over your phone?s camera flash for a minimum of two minutes. During this time, the light from the flash will be able to detect any slight change in color on your skin surface related to blood flow patterns and stress hormone levels.
The algorithms used to analyze HRV follow recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE). Stress Check also incorporates a quantitative stress level assessment system developed by Biocom Technologies, a well-known professional health assessment technology company.
The last version, which became available in January 2012, incorporates advanced new self-learning algorithms that continuously self-adjust to improve accuracy. It also costs $0.99 and may be downloaded from the [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stress-check-by-azumio/id439500612?mt=8 Apple App Store] or from the [https://market.android.com/details?id=com.azumio.android.stresscheck&hl=en Android Marketplace].
After getting the verdict from the Stress Check application, you might think about using Stress Doctor, an application that helps you to reduce your stress levels using a breathing technique. You can download it from the [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stress-check-by-azumio/id439500612?mt=8 Apple App Store] for $1.99. Three dollars seems like a small price to pay to regain some Zen.
==Measuring Stress in the Lab==
Last year, Professor Nitta from the Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a device called Mini Stress Meter to demonstrate stress (or lack of). The device is basically a pulse-wave sensor that can measure stress levels in real-time when connected to a computer via USB. To operate it, you have to place your finger in the sensor (which is on a computer mouse) for around ten seconds so the Mini Meter can analyze the blood flow in your finger with an infrared reflective probe and analyze its variation. The stress level is displayed on a computer screen in real-time on a four level scale. Integrated in a mouse, you can easily read your stress measurements on the screen in case you need to close all your excel files and navigate on facebook for a while. (For your well-being, of course).
Another device developed by Dr. Mohan Kumar from the University of Texas measures the stress level by the change of resistance of the skin according to the emotional state. It was based on the observation that during high stress conditions, the blood supply decreases along with the resistance of the skin, increasing the conductivity for electric current. Therefore the amount of stress a human being feels can be converted to a varying analog voltage using the appropriate circuitry.
The device, which was designed to be worn around the wrist with touch pads in contact with the skin, had a display panel comprising five LEDs ranging from low stress to high stress that would glow depending on the measurements of the circuit. It also had a piezobuzzer component designed to beep if high stress levels are reached.
Even if already obsolete (it was first published in 2005) the circuit is detailed in the following link, so if tinkering with electronics doesn't stress you out, you can [http://www.scribd.com/doc/39680089/Stress-Meter-Project-Report build it at home].
[[Category:Science]]
[[Category:Lifestyle]]
Stress can enter one's life in many forms ? an intense mother-in-law, a to-do list the length of a roll of toilet paper, and final exams are some classic examples. But stress can strike whenever there is an exciting carousel of activity. In these moments, you may feel your health has been affected somehow and wonder how big a role stress plays in overall well-being.
Technically, stress refers to the sum of the physical, mental, and emotional strains on a person. Feelings of stress appear when you perceive your environment as exceeding your adaptive capabilities and threatening your well-being. In popular terms it is also associated with time pressure, like with uncontrolled to-do lists and strict work deadlines or exam dates.
The immediate consequences of stress often take the form of sleepless nights and a moody new disposition, while long-term stress can cause serious health problems, weaken your immune system, induce depression, and increase the chance of developing heart disease or asthma complications. Even if every person responds differently under stress, most people would prefer to go without it.
If you suspect stress is keeping you down, there are a few devices and techniques you can use to quantify your stress and convince yourself ? or your boss ? that you need to slow down.
''This article was written by Pilar Carreras, a researcher in Biomedical Engineering at [http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/ CCNY].''
==Biodots, Cards and Thermometers==
When under stress, muscles tense and blood flow decreases in the hands and feet which results in a change in body temperature. To measure the change, the company [http://www.stressmarket.com StressMarket] has come up with a variety of gauges, called "Biodots," "Stress Points," or "Stress Dots," which are basically small liquid crystal circles with an adhesive backing that change color depending on temperature variation. You just have to stick the Stress Point over the "areas of tension" (adding a degree of convenient uncertainty) and they will show a color change every two degrees of temperature variation between 79.6�F. to 89.6�F.
[[Image:Stressthermometer.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Photo from [http://www.cliving.org cliving.org]]]
If you prefer to obtain a specific number value for stress level that can be compared over time and therefore shown to your (justifiably) skeptical friends, you probably need a [http://www.cliving.org/stressthermometer.htm stress thermometer]. At about $22 a pop, it measures the skin temperature in your finger tips with an accuracy of +/- 1.80 F while updating every 2 seconds. With this accuracy, it is possible to observe the temperature change as you change your thoughts (mother-in-law: few degrees down; back massage: few degrees up). It comes with a lead wire that needs to be attached to your finger tip with a tape or a ring of Velcro.
==Hormone Testing==
Another way of quantifying your stress is by hormone testing. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol cortisol] are the most commonly referred-to stress hormones. When you start to experience stress, the adrenal glands release these two hormones to help your body self-adjust to protect itself, making the duo a good indicator of how your body reacts during stress.
[http://www.amazon.com/Body-Balance-Stress-Check/dp/B001OM269G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1332363161&sr=8-5 StressCheck by BodyBalance] measures your DHEA and cortisol levels to determine their balance from a saliva sample. Stress Check is a home test by BodyBalance that will analyze your oral fluids for approximately $90. When you order your stress check kit, you just have to follow the [http://www.bodybalance.com/instructions/stress-011509.pdf instructions for collecting the saliva] and send it back in the prepaid return mailer provided. Results will be ready within 7-10 working days. If this waiting period feels like time pressure for the delicate new you, there are faster ways to check your stress based also on hormone level measurements.
==Stress-Checking With Smartphones==
For $0.99 you can download Stress Check (by Azumio), one of the latest smart phone applications available for quantifying your level of stress in real time by analyzing the variations of your heart rate. In a stressful environment, the heart rate increases and the time between consecutive heart beats becomes more variable. This factor, called heart rate variability (HRV) is evaluated to estimate your level of stress through the camera and light features on your smartphone.
[[Image:StressCheck.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Screenshot by Pilar Carreras, Wired.com]]
To use this application, you have to place your index finger over your phone?s camera flash for a minimum of two minutes. During this time, the light from the flash will be able to detect any slight change in color on your skin surface related to blood flow patterns and stress hormone levels.
The algorithms used to analyze HRV follow recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE). Stress Check also incorporates a quantitative stress level assessment system developed by Biocom Technologies, a well-known professional health assessment technology company.
The last version, which became available in January 2012, incorporates advanced new self-learning algorithms that continuously self-adjust to improve accuracy. It also costs $0.99 and may be downloaded from the [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stress-check-by-azumio/id439500612?mt=8 Apple App Store] or from the [https://market.android.com/details?id=com.azumio.android.stresscheck&hl=en Android Marketplace].
After getting the verdict from the Stress Check application, you might think about using Stress Doctor, an application that helps you to reduce your stress levels using a breathing technique. You can download it from the [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stress-check-by-azumio/id439500612?mt=8 Apple App Store] for $1.99. Three dollars seems like a small price to pay to regain some Zen.
==Measuring Stress in the Lab==
Last year, Professor Nitta from the Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a device called Mini Stress Meter to demonstrate stress (or lack of). The device is basically a pulse-wave sensor that can measure stress levels in real-time when connected to a computer via USB. To operate it, you have to place your finger in the sensor (which is on a computer mouse) for around ten seconds so the Mini Meter can analyze the blood flow in your finger with an infrared reflective probe and analyze its variation. The stress level is displayed on a computer screen in real-time on a four level scale. Integrated in a mouse, you can easily read your stress measurements on the screen in case you need to close all your excel files and navigate on facebook for a while. (For your well-being, of course).
Another device developed by Dr. Mohan Kumar from the University of Texas measures the stress level by the change of resistance of the skin according to the emotional state. It was based on the observation that during high stress conditions, the blood supply decreases along with the resistance of the skin, increasing the conductivity for electric current. Therefore the amount of stress a human being feels can be converted to a varying analog voltage using the appropriate circuitry.
The device, which was designed to be worn around the wrist with touch pads in contact with the skin, had a display panel comprising five LEDs ranging from low stress to high stress that would glow depending on the measurements of the circuit. It also had a piezobuzzer component designed to beep if high stress levels are reached.
Even if already obsolete (it was first published in 2005) the circuit is detailed in the following link, so if tinkering with electronics doesn't stress you out, you can [http://www.scribd.com/doc/39680089/Stress-Meter-Project-Report build it at home].
[[Category:Science]]
[[Category:Lifestyle]]
Source: http://feeds.wired.com/~r/howtowiki/~3/sgumFGn_19I/Test_Your_Stress_Levels
buy cool gadgets desk top gadgets home gadgets coolest gadget
GeekDad Puzzle of the Week Answer: Soccer Wars
The end of spring break is near and with the end of break, we’ll be back to YMCA soccer season. Did you help save the soccer season, dear GeekDads? The answer is yes, mostly. Perhaps it wasn’t my cleanest puzzle or perhaps a high percentage of GeekDads, like me, were too busy being beaten with [...]
Source: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/03/potw-answer-soccer-wars/
top gadgets gadgets for geeks core temp gadget gadgets of 2010
Panasonic unveils smartphone-syncing rice cooker
Panasonic has developed the ultimate device that combines rice and smartphones in a rice cooker solution. The company has developed a series of rice cookers for the Japanese market that can be controlled by an Android smartphone device. By hovering said smartphone over the blue indicator (pictured above), consumers will be able to set the [...]
Source: http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/panasonic-unveils-smartphone-syncing-rice-cooker-20120320/
gadget reviews new cool gadgets neat gadgets newest electronic gadgets
4G Confusion Reigns: Apple in Hot Water Over iPad Labeling Abroad
The iPad's super-speedy 4G LTE capabilities may be a no-go for some international users. And new iPad owners in Australia and Europe are finding this out the hard way, highlighting the continued confusion about consumers' understanding of 4G.
Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/03/apple-4g-ipad-international/
cool gadgets 2010 japanese gadgets igoogle gadgets blog gadgets
Friday 30 March 2012
Tracking your life 2.5 million GPS coordinates at a time
Not many of us stop and think about it, but all smartphone users have GPS devices in their pockets, bags, and purses. We normally use them to figure out where a restaurant is or where we are, but they can also be used for tracking where we go. iPhone users learned the unsettling side of [...]
cool gadgets gadgets news cool gadgets 2010 japanese gadgets
Apple Announced ?iTv? for 2013
Most analysts have seemed to agree that Apple?s new Apple TV set, dubbed the ?iTV,? is going to launch in 2013, with Sharp providing the display panels. The Asian research group CLSA, which said in a note this morning that it thinks it comes out in 2013.
The new iTV is said to be the next ?big thing? after Steve Jobs told biographer Walter Isaacon that he had ?cracked? the new TV set. Apple is said to be partnering with various networks for streaming, hopefully to someday do away with cable providers entirely.
The Research Group goes on to note that the parent company of Foxconn?s decision to buy stake into Sharp, indicates that Sharp will be providing the panels for the Apple TV. Apple is investing $1.3bn in equipment destined for Sharp facilities.
Most clients agree that a TV is coming; the critical question becomes how the video providers fit into the equation and how apple's offering would/could differ from current tv's beyond ios/icloud.
When do you think Apple will announce the iTV?
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cool-new-gadgets/~3/6q0dDVMoTNc/apple-announced-itv-for-2013.html
Final Fantasy XIII-2 for PlayStation 3 Review
A better battle system, engaging story, and solid visuals combine with time travel elements in this direct sequel to Final Fantasy XIII that also sets up a likely third installment.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/GN5gXxCSwRg/
Test Your Stress Levels
Summary:
[[Image:Stressedout.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Don't be bested; get your stress tested. Photo by Ashley Campbell/[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleycampbellphotography/5655801249/ flickr]/CC]]
Stress can enter one's life in many forms ? an intense mother-in-law, a to-do list the length of a roll of toilet paper, and final exams are some classic examples. But stress can strike whenever there is an exciting carousel of activity. In these moments, you may feel your health has been affected somehow and wonder how big a role stress plays in overall well-being.
Technically, stress refers to the sum of the physical, mental, and emotional strains on a person. Feelings of stress appear when you perceive your environment as exceeding your adaptive capabilities and threatening your well-being. In popular terms it is also associated with time pressure, like with uncontrolled to-do lists and strict work deadlines or exam dates.
The immediate consequences of stress often take the form of sleepless nights and a moody new disposition, while long-term stress can cause serious health problems, weaken your immune system, induce depression, and increase the chance of developing heart disease or asthma complications. Even if every person responds differently under stress, most people would prefer to go without it.
If you suspect stress is keeping you down, there are a few devices and techniques you can use to quantify your stress and convince yourself ? or your boss ? that you need to slow down.
''This article was written by Pilar Carreras, a researcher in Biomedical Engineering at [http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/ CCNY].''
==Biodots, Cards and Thermometers==
When under stress, muscles tense and blood flow decreases in the hands and feet which results in a change in body temperature. To measure the change, the company [http://www.stressmarket.com StressMarket] has come up with a variety of gauges, called "Biodots," "Stress Points," or "Stress Dots," which are basically small liquid crystal circles with an adhesive backing that change color depending on temperature variation. You just have to stick the Stress Point over the "areas of tension" (adding a degree of convenient uncertainty) and they will show a color change every two degrees of temperature variation between 79.6�F. to 89.6�F.
[[Image:Stressthermometer.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Photo from [http://www.cliving.org cliving.org]]]
If you prefer to obtain a specific number value for stress level that can be compared over time and therefore shown to your (justifiably) skeptical friends, you probably need a [http://www.cliving.org/stressthermometer.htm stress thermometer]. At about $22 a pop, it measures the skin temperature in your finger tips with an accuracy of +/- 1.80 F while updating every 2 seconds. With this accuracy, it is possible to observe the temperature change as you change your thoughts (mother-in-law: few degrees down; back massage: few degrees up). It comes with a lead wire that needs to be attached to your finger tip with a tape or a ring of Velcro.
==Hormone Testing==
Another way of quantifying your stress is by hormone testing. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol cortisol] are the most commonly referred-to stress hormones. When you start to experience stress, the adrenal glands release these two hormones to help your body self-adjust to protect itself, making the duo a good indicator of how your body reacts during stress.
[http://www.amazon.com/Body-Balance-Stress-Check/dp/B001OM269G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1332363161&sr=8-5 StressCheck by BodyBalance] measures your DHEA and cortisol levels to determine their balance from a saliva sample. Stress Check is a home test by BodyBalance that will analyze your oral fluids for approximately $90. When you order your stress check kit, you just have to follow the [http://www.bodybalance.com/instructions/stress-011509.pdf instructions for collecting the saliva] and send it back in the prepaid return mailer provided. Results will be ready within 7-10 working days. If this waiting period feels like time pressure for the delicate new you, there are faster ways to check your stress based also on hormone level measurements.
==Stress-Checking With Smartphones==
For $0.99 you can download Stress Check (by Azumio), one of the latest smart phone applications available for quantifying your level of stress in real time by analyzing the variations of your heart rate. In a stressful environment, the heart rate increases and the time between consecutive heart beats becomes more variable. This factor, called heart rate variability (HRV) is evaluated to estimate your level of stress through the camera and light features on your smartphone.
[[Image:StressCheck.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Screenshot by Pilar Carreras, Wired.com]]
To use this application, you have to place your index finger over your phone?s camera flash for a minimum of two minutes. During this time, the light from the flash will be able to detect any slight change in color on your skin surface related to blood flow patterns and stress hormone levels.
The algorithms used to analyze HRV follow recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE). Stress Check also incorporates a quantitative stress level assessment system developed by Biocom Technologies, a well-known professional health assessment technology company.
The last version, which became available in January 2012, incorporates advanced new self-learning algorithms that continuously self-adjust to improve accuracy. It also costs $0.99 and may be downloaded from the [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stress-check-by-azumio/id439500612?mt=8 Apple App Store] or from the [https://market.android.com/details?id=com.azumio.android.stresscheck&hl=en Android Marketplace].
After getting the verdict from the Stress Check application, you might think about using Stress Doctor, an application that helps you to reduce your stress levels using a breathing technique. You can download it from the [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stress-check-by-azumio/id439500612?mt=8 Apple App Store] for $1.99. Three dollars seems like a small price to pay to regain some Zen.
==Measuring Stress in the Lab==
Last year, Professor Nitta from the Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a device called Mini Stress Meter to demonstrate stress (or lack of). The device is basically a pulse-wave sensor that can measure stress levels in real-time when connected to a computer via USB. To operate it, you have to place your finger in the sensor (which is on a computer mouse) for around ten seconds so the Mini Meter can analyze the blood flow in your finger with an infrared reflective probe and analyze its variation. The stress level is displayed on a computer screen in real-time on a four level scale. Integrated in a mouse, you can easily read your stress measurements on the screen in case you need to close all your excel files and navigate on facebook for a while. (For your well-being, of course).
Another device developed by Dr. Mohan Kumar from the University of Texas measures the stress level by the change of resistance of the skin according to the emotional state. It was based on the observation that during high stress conditions, the blood supply decreases along with the resistance of the skin, increasing the conductivity for electric current. Therefore the amount of stress a human being feels can be converted to a varying analog voltage using the appropriate circuitry.
The device, which was designed to be worn around the wrist with touch pads in contact with the skin, had a display panel comprising five LEDs ranging from low stress to high stress that would glow depending on the measurements of the circuit. It also had a piezobuzzer component designed to beep if high stress levels are reached.
Even if already obsolete (it was first published in 2005) the circuit is detailed in the following link, so if tinkering with electronics doesn't stress you out, you can [http://www.scribd.com/doc/39680089/Stress-Meter-Project-Report build it at home].
[[Category:Science]]
[[Category:Lifestyle]]
Stress can enter one's life in many forms ? an intense mother-in-law, a to-do list the length of a roll of toilet paper, and final exams are some classic examples. But stress can strike whenever there is an exciting carousel of activity. In these moments, you may feel your health has been affected somehow and wonder how big a role stress plays in overall well-being.
Technically, stress refers to the sum of the physical, mental, and emotional strains on a person. Feelings of stress appear when you perceive your environment as exceeding your adaptive capabilities and threatening your well-being. In popular terms it is also associated with time pressure, like with uncontrolled to-do lists and strict work deadlines or exam dates.
The immediate consequences of stress often take the form of sleepless nights and a moody new disposition, while long-term stress can cause serious health problems, weaken your immune system, induce depression, and increase the chance of developing heart disease or asthma complications. Even if every person responds differently under stress, most people would prefer to go without it.
If you suspect stress is keeping you down, there are a few devices and techniques you can use to quantify your stress and convince yourself ? or your boss ? that you need to slow down.
''This article was written by Pilar Carreras, a researcher in Biomedical Engineering at [http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/ CCNY].''
==Biodots, Cards and Thermometers==
When under stress, muscles tense and blood flow decreases in the hands and feet which results in a change in body temperature. To measure the change, the company [http://www.stressmarket.com StressMarket] has come up with a variety of gauges, called "Biodots," "Stress Points," or "Stress Dots," which are basically small liquid crystal circles with an adhesive backing that change color depending on temperature variation. You just have to stick the Stress Point over the "areas of tension" (adding a degree of convenient uncertainty) and they will show a color change every two degrees of temperature variation between 79.6�F. to 89.6�F.
[[Image:Stressthermometer.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Photo from [http://www.cliving.org cliving.org]]]
If you prefer to obtain a specific number value for stress level that can be compared over time and therefore shown to your (justifiably) skeptical friends, you probably need a [http://www.cliving.org/stressthermometer.htm stress thermometer]. At about $22 a pop, it measures the skin temperature in your finger tips with an accuracy of +/- 1.80 F while updating every 2 seconds. With this accuracy, it is possible to observe the temperature change as you change your thoughts (mother-in-law: few degrees down; back massage: few degrees up). It comes with a lead wire that needs to be attached to your finger tip with a tape or a ring of Velcro.
==Hormone Testing==
Another way of quantifying your stress is by hormone testing. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cortisol cortisol] are the most commonly referred-to stress hormones. When you start to experience stress, the adrenal glands release these two hormones to help your body self-adjust to protect itself, making the duo a good indicator of how your body reacts during stress.
[http://www.amazon.com/Body-Balance-Stress-Check/dp/B001OM269G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1332363161&sr=8-5 StressCheck by BodyBalance] measures your DHEA and cortisol levels to determine their balance from a saliva sample. Stress Check is a home test by BodyBalance that will analyze your oral fluids for approximately $90. When you order your stress check kit, you just have to follow the [http://www.bodybalance.com/instructions/stress-011509.pdf instructions for collecting the saliva] and send it back in the prepaid return mailer provided. Results will be ready within 7-10 working days. If this waiting period feels like time pressure for the delicate new you, there are faster ways to check your stress based also on hormone level measurements.
==Stress-Checking With Smartphones==
For $0.99 you can download Stress Check (by Azumio), one of the latest smart phone applications available for quantifying your level of stress in real time by analyzing the variations of your heart rate. In a stressful environment, the heart rate increases and the time between consecutive heart beats becomes more variable. This factor, called heart rate variability (HRV) is evaluated to estimate your level of stress through the camera and light features on your smartphone.
[[Image:StressCheck.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Screenshot by Pilar Carreras, Wired.com]]
To use this application, you have to place your index finger over your phone?s camera flash for a minimum of two minutes. During this time, the light from the flash will be able to detect any slight change in color on your skin surface related to blood flow patterns and stress hormone levels.
The algorithms used to analyze HRV follow recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE). Stress Check also incorporates a quantitative stress level assessment system developed by Biocom Technologies, a well-known professional health assessment technology company.
The last version, which became available in January 2012, incorporates advanced new self-learning algorithms that continuously self-adjust to improve accuracy. It also costs $0.99 and may be downloaded from the [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stress-check-by-azumio/id439500612?mt=8 Apple App Store] or from the [https://market.android.com/details?id=com.azumio.android.stresscheck&hl=en Android Marketplace].
After getting the verdict from the Stress Check application, you might think about using Stress Doctor, an application that helps you to reduce your stress levels using a breathing technique. You can download it from the [http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stress-check-by-azumio/id439500612?mt=8 Apple App Store] for $1.99. Three dollars seems like a small price to pay to regain some Zen.
==Measuring Stress in the Lab==
Last year, Professor Nitta from the Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a device called Mini Stress Meter to demonstrate stress (or lack of). The device is basically a pulse-wave sensor that can measure stress levels in real-time when connected to a computer via USB. To operate it, you have to place your finger in the sensor (which is on a computer mouse) for around ten seconds so the Mini Meter can analyze the blood flow in your finger with an infrared reflective probe and analyze its variation. The stress level is displayed on a computer screen in real-time on a four level scale. Integrated in a mouse, you can easily read your stress measurements on the screen in case you need to close all your excel files and navigate on facebook for a while. (For your well-being, of course).
Another device developed by Dr. Mohan Kumar from the University of Texas measures the stress level by the change of resistance of the skin according to the emotional state. It was based on the observation that during high stress conditions, the blood supply decreases along with the resistance of the skin, increasing the conductivity for electric current. Therefore the amount of stress a human being feels can be converted to a varying analog voltage using the appropriate circuitry.
The device, which was designed to be worn around the wrist with touch pads in contact with the skin, had a display panel comprising five LEDs ranging from low stress to high stress that would glow depending on the measurements of the circuit. It also had a piezobuzzer component designed to beep if high stress levels are reached.
Even if already obsolete (it was first published in 2005) the circuit is detailed in the following link, so if tinkering with electronics doesn't stress you out, you can [http://www.scribd.com/doc/39680089/Stress-Meter-Project-Report build it at home].
[[Category:Science]]
[[Category:Lifestyle]]
Source: http://feeds.wired.com/~r/howtowiki/~3/sgumFGn_19I/Test_Your_Stress_Levels
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NEC offers a new take on touchscreen tactile feedback
Touchscreens are great, but their cold, flat surfaces don’t really offer much of a “touch” experience right now. Apart from tiny vibration motors that generate rudimentary haptic feedback, we’re still just poking and prodding thin slabs of glass. NEC has offered up a new take on how to change that: a panel that actually moves. [...]
Source: http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/nec-offers-a-new-take-on-touchscreen-tactile-feedback-20120326/
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QR codes on rooftops used to advertise on Google Earth
If you?re in need for a rather unique way of advertising your product or company, Philips & Co. has a new proposition that they?re calling ?Blue Marble?, and essentially what they will do for you is that they will create a QR code that can be scanned along with whatever pertinent information you would like [...]
Source: http://blogs.7gadgets.com/qr-codes-on-rooftops-used-to-advertise-on-google-earth/
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Hey Amazon, Can You PLEASE Let Me Change the Paragraph Justification in Your Apps?
Image courtesy of (believe it or not!) furnitureconsignment.com So as you’ve probably heard–Michael posted about it, for example–J.K. Rowling’s latest cash cow, the Pottermore web site, finally went live today (a mere 6-9 months after it was originally promised, but that’s a whole different ranty post). �For me what this meant was that, finally, I [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/9SqkqK2nSYc/
How Grand Theft Auto Jacked the House of Lords
The Grand Theft Auto series redefined gaming, pioneering the go-anywhere, do-anything "sandbox" genre and touching off worldwide debates about sex and violence in videogames. Wired contributor David Kushner tells the riveting history of the series in a new book, available this week from Wiley, titled Jacked: The Outlaw Story of Grand Theft Auto.
Source: http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2012/03/grand-theft-auto-jacked/
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New Headphones From 50 Cent
Sync by 50, the wireless headphones from the rapper 50 Cent, have a sleek design and a high price; they will set you back about $400.
Source: http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/20/new-headphones-from-50-cent/
Is Pottermore Going to Change the eBook Market?
As Michael told you the other day, the new Harry Potter official site Pottermore has been launched with much fanfare. �Your source for all things related to the Potter universe, including (finally!) electronic versions of all the books. �(And your faithful Gear Diary team has discussed that a bit in other posts as well.) Now, [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/IHVkBSn5seY/
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Thursday 29 March 2012
arobo Air Purifier for Urban Living
� Hiroshi Iwasaki Designed by nendo, the arobo air purifier is manufactured and distributed by Japanese firm, C’est La Vie Co.,Ltd. If you live in a remote area, I think you don’t need an air purifier. This device is designed for urban living where the air is not good. The arobo air purifier uses the [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TrendyGadget/~3/hpEmd2H4ocM/
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Soundlazer speaker offers personal audio without the headphones
Kickstarter has been the talk of the proverbial town lately, reviving once forgotten video game franchises and creating brand new ones, but what about the gadgets? Richard Haberkern, tinkerer and inventor, has put his Soundlazer product up on the funding site, asking the masses to decide if it’s worthy to see a production line. So, [...]
New Hyundai i40 Sedan Car
Hyundai?s i40 is a family-sized estate car. South Korean car manufacturer reckons it can attract retail customers to this Tourer (estate) version with a killer blend of price, specification, attractive styling and outstanding fuel economy.
The i40 features Hyundai?s now-signature hexagonal grille and large, chiselled front bumper, alongside the familiar swooping body contours and high-waisted window line. Other features include the Style trim level including cruise control, satnav, dual-zone air-con, a parking camera, folding mirrors, stop/start, privacy glass and automatic wipers.
Power for the i40 comes courtesy of either a 2.0-litre GDI petrol from Hyundai?s ?Nu? engine family or a 1.7-litre common-rail direct-injection four-cylinder turbo-diesel ? both of which can be paired to either a six-speed manual gearbox (entry-level Active variants only) or six-speed automatic transmission with standard paddle-shifters behind the steering wheel. It also produces 100kW of power and 330Nm (between 2000 and 2500rpm), or 320Nm when paired with the six-speed automatic.
The car also includes a vehicle stability management system (VSM) which Hyundai claims can manage the safety systems more effectively by automatically applying them as needed, as well as providing counter-steering assistance for the driver in emergency situation.
This new Hyundai i40 also fitted with no fewer than 9 airbags ? driver and front passenger, front and rear thorax, side curtain and driver?s knee bag ? and anti-whiplash front headrests.
There?s plenty of space and the seat-folding mechanism is simple enough; with them collapsed you get 1,719 litres of space.
In short, this handsome car is spacious, comfortable and well equipped.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cool-new-gadgets/~3/-pyqZZMSLCs/new-hyundai-i40-sedan-car.html
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