WASHINGTON (AP) ― Forget political pundits, gut instincts, and psychics. The mightier-than-ever silicon chip seems to reveal the future.In just two weeks this fall, computer models displayed an impressive prediction prowess.It started when the first computer model alerted meteorologists to the late October disaster headed for the U.S. Northeast from a bunch of clouds in the Caribbean. Nearly a week later, that weather system became Hurricane Sandy and grew into a superstorm after taking a once-i

Nov. 11, 2012

People are happier when a self-benefiting option is imposed upon them because it frees them from having to take responsibility for the outcome, U.S. psychologists have found. Jonathan Bermand and Debrah Small of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania speculated that removing an individuals’ sense of agency would remove their feeling of responsibility for an outcome, leaving them free to enjoy their own interests without feeling selfish.The two scientists conducted a laboratory stud

Nov. 11, 2012

Executives at Walmart say the shoe dropped for a group of employees seen on video throwing and intentionally dropping new iPads at a Kentucky store.An unspecified number of nightshift workers at the Pikeville store were shown the door after a video showing their antics hit the Internet.“As anyone can imagine, it made us wince,” a Walmart representative told NBC News. “We are also embarrassed.”On the bright side, the rep said the store had not recorded anyone returning damaged iPads they had purc

Nov. 11, 2012

Lee Jung-woong, founder of mobile game developer Sundaytoz and creator of “Anipang the Quiz,” plans to plant itself firmly in the global mobile game industry. Originally, “Anipang” was a game on social network platform Cyworld. As Sundaytoz formed a partnership with mobile SNS developer Kakaotalk, it launched the mobile version of “Anipang” on July 30. “When I went to the United States lately to check out how people play games there, I found out that only half of the American players would play

Nov. 9, 2012

A University of Utah engineering professor say her smart insole design using sensors and gyroscopes can help correct walking abnormalities.Stacy Bamberg of the university‘s department of mechanical engineering says her insole, which she calls the Rapid Rehab system, will eventually help correct walking problems for people with artificial legs, hip replacements and broken legs.The system uses a custom gel insole with force sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes to detect a person’s gait, or walki

Nov. 9, 2012

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is caused by bacteria, or more uncommonly viruses, infecting the reproductive organs. It is a broad term that includes endometritis, salpingitis, perioophorosalpingitis, and abscess in the ovaries or pelvic peritonitis caused by abscess in the ovaries. Pelvic inflammatory disease is often caused by sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and trachomatis. Other anaerobic bacteria such as vaginalis, which cause bacterial vaginosis, can also lead to pelvi

Nov. 8, 2012

BUSAN ― G-Star, the nation’s largest international game exhibition, kicked off in Busan on Thursday, drawing in many spectators with the newest and most popular games.Reflecting the high popularity of online and mobile games, visitors packed the main hall at BEXCO for the eighth run of the annual game festival. Some of them formed a 100-meter line to watch the opening of the show.Held under the theme “Game, Touching the World,” the global game convention drew traditional game lovers as well as f

Nov. 8, 2012

An exoplanet that may be capable of supporting life has been found, according to European researchers.The distance between the planet HD 40307g and its host star HD 40307 suggests the planet may have liquid water on its surface, according to a study led by Mikko Tuomi of the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. This increases the possibility that the planet may support living organisms.“The longer orbit of the new planet means that its climate and atmosphere may be just right to su

Nov. 8, 2012

A British couple who struggled to have a baby for six months were stunned when doctors said their laptop was to blame. Scott Reed, the 30-year-old electrician, was told that using his computer on his lap caused heat damage to his sperm. After he went through an examination from the hospital, he started using his laptop on a table instead and three months later his wife became pregnant with the couple’s daughter. “When the doctors told us it was a real shock. Scott would use his laptop in the eve

Nov. 8, 2012

Creating a persona in the virtual world can influence a person’s actual life, according to a new study by U.S. researchers.Making an avatar in the online world allows an individual to easily try on new appearances and characteristics and may potentially push the person toward a more positive direction, claimed lead researcher Elizabeth Behm-Morawitz, assistant professor at the University of Missouri, who specializes in communications. “That alter-ego can then have a positive influence on a perso

Nov. 8, 2012

Taiwan‘s Foxconn has admitted that it cannot meet strong demand for Apple’s new iPhone 5 due to difficulties in building the gadget, amid concerns over the U.S. giant‘s future earnings.“We can’t really fulfill Apple‘s requests. Our shipments are insufficient... given the huge market demand,” Foxconn chairman Terry Gou told reporters late Wednesday.He added that the design of iPhone 5, of which five million were sold over its launch weekend in September, has made the production difficult but did

Nov. 8, 2012

Amid growing concerns students are using medications such as Ritalin to boost performance, some British schools say they might consider drug tests before exams.Discussions have been held on how to detect students using drugs that allegedly give them an advantage by helping them remain alert and focused, Cambridge University Professor Barbara Sahakian said.Drugs meant to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder are becoming increasingly popular with healthy people looking for an extra edge,

Nov. 8, 2012

G-Star, the country’s largest international game show and trade exhibition, kicks off on Thursday in BEXCO, Busan, to showcase the newest online and mobile games as well as arcade, board and console games. A total of 434 game makers from 31 countries will participate in the eighth edition of the annual exhibition to be held until Sunday in a wide, 43,000-square-meter venue. G-Star 2012 will greet about 15 percent more participating companies than last year, at a 40 percent larger exhibition ven

Nov. 7, 2012

LITTLETON (UPI) -- A number of designs for airless tires for cars have been put forward over the years, but one U.S. company says its new version is intended for bicycles.Colorado-based Britek Tire and Rubber has been working on an airless tire it calls the Energy Return Wheel, where a rubber tread and sidewall is stretched over an internal scaffolding of rods and cushions that allows the tire to give in the same way a pneumatic tire does.Mounted on carbon fiber rims, rubber is stretched tight a

Nov. 7, 2012

An increasing number of Korean customers are ordering LG Nexus 4 smartphones and Samsung Nexus 10 tablets from the U.S., since they cost only about half of other up-to-date smartphones sold in Korea, according to news reports.Korean customers are willing to buy the newest smartphone and tablet from overseas despite the possible difficulties in customer services, local reports said Monday. With the increase in demand, many Koreans studying in the U.S. and Canada have posted offers online to rese

Nov. 6, 2012