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Skeletal stem cells could regrow damaged bones
Believe it or not, scientists are still discovering new forms of stem cells -- and these latest examples could shake up how doctors treat a multitude of common injuries. A Stanford-led research team has identified the human skeletal stem cell, helping the group create a "family tree" of cells that can regenerate bones and cartilage. You can either isolate them from existing bones or generate them from specialized cells in fat, and they're predictable enough (that is, they'll always make bone tissue) that doctors wouldn't have to worry much about unintended results when using them in treatments.
Leaked images point to waterproof 'skeleton' structure, HDR video for Sony Xperia Z
With all the recent leaks of Sony's upcoming 5-inch Xperia Z, it's a good thing the smartphone will have a water resistant body, according to the latest one. The formidable device will also sport HDR photo / video capturing capabilities, a "skeleton frame structure" for durability and a so-called Full-HD reality display, according to a fresh leak from Chinese retailer E-price and micro-blogger Weibo. Those go along with specs that Sony inadvertently revealed on its own site a few days ago, including a 1080P display, quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP Exmor RS-equipped rear cam and Adreno 320 graphics. While these latest tidbits ought to be digested with the requisite NaCl, they jibe with the other specs floating around -- so, hopefully Sony will have something to report when it outs the camera for real at CES on January 7th.
The Perfect Ten: Stock fantasy enemies from lamest to coolest
One theory of MMOs is that they represent several parallel universes, each with similarities and differences. This may explain why so many of them claim to be boldly original and yet carry the same monster DNA that exists everywhere else. Today we're going to carefully unpack our ancient collector's edition of stock fantasy enemies. Blow off the dust and smell that nostaglia, mhmm. Sure, they've seen better days, but they're still good, right? Still solid. Still capable of entertaining us, even if we've slaughtered their kin a thousand times over. Let me show you my collection of 10 stock fantasy enemies that we encounter all the time in MMOs. Just for fun, I'm going to order them from lamest to coolest. I would be number 11, by the way.
Embers of Caerus dares you to go dungeon diving in the deep dark
While the indie Embers of Caerus might not even be in alpha yet, the developers wanted to give fans and followers a Christmas present in the form of a special preview of one of the Forsaken World's dungeons. If you're expecting a brightly-lit funhouse full of dizzying sights, you may want to prepare for a shift in perspective. Once we enter the cave mouth, we're plunged into darkness with the occasional flickering torchlight -- and creepy cackle -- as our only points of reference. The video takes its time poking through the bowels of the earth, discovering more creepy sights and sounds the deeper it goes. And while it might not be packed wall-to-wall with mobs -- this is a very early glimpse into the game, after all -- there is a terrifying surprise laying in wait at the end. You may need to go get your security blanket in preparation, especially if you watch it with the lights off and headphones on. You can watch the full video after the jump! [Thanks to Ron for the tip!]
Skeletonics exoskeleton stars in thrilling demonstration video
This so-called Skeletonics exoskeleton may not have any motors or hydraulics like most of its powered counterparts, but that doesn't mean it isn't still plenty capable -- as a new, elaborately produced video amply demonstrates. We won't spoil it all for you, but lets just say things pick up when the guitar licks start, and there's definitely someone running for their life before the end. See for yourself after the break.
LEGO Universe releases Crux Prime update
Pirates or ninjas? That is the age-old question. As of today we know where the LEGO Universe team stands thanks to the new Crux Prime update. LEGO's Ninjago line is the star of NetDevil's latest content patch, and players can participate in a new storyline that involves the search for Sensei Wu. It seems the reclusive Wu is a master of Spinjitzu, the only skill that can stand up to the hordes of skeleton enemies descending on Crux Prime. The patch contains a substantial amount of new content including over 100 missions and achievements, over 100 new pieces of gear, and four rare armor sets to collect. Finally, the Crux Prime update brings multiplayer team functionality to the fight against The Maelstrom, and groups of up to four friends can join forces to save the Nexus Tower and do battle to protect the Imagination Nexus. Get a glimpse of the new Crux Prime trailer after the cut.
Microsoft Kinect will work just fine for seated gameplay
One of the major points of confusion related to Microsoft's new controller-less Xbox 360 Kinect gaming system is the perceived lack of seated gameplay, largely driven by those early demos that required a standing player. At the time, Kinect's sensor was keying off the base node located at the bottom of the spine to create its skeletal models. As of a few months ago, Microsoft updated its software libraries to key off the base of the neck, thus avoiding any ambiguity caused by the player's motionless knees or feet obscuring a spine stuffed into the opaque comfort of the living room sofa. At least that's what Blitz Games Studios co-founder and CTO Andrew Oliver told Eurogamer. Unfortunately, the motion-sensing changes for lazy-bone play come too late for Kinect's early November launch titles (burdened with writing their own software for seated play) but "games going forward won't have a problem," says Oliver.
The Re-Enlisters: Re-enlisting for truth, justice and the Mythic way
The Re-Enlisters are on the loose, so prepare to feel the magic and hear their roar! Hm... that might be Thundercats. In any event, the we-so-crazy folks at Mythic have put together a smashing campaign across all three of their titles -- Ultima Online, Dark Age of Camelot and Warhammer Online -- to attract new players and pull back in those missing in action: Ultima Online: We've already heard about the upcoming High Seas mini-expansion that's currently cutting its way through beta, but Mythic is also tempting buccaneers with a bevy of swag if they sign back up before October 11th. Dark Age of Camelot: For the next two weeks, returning players will be treated to 14 days of free game time, special bonuses, and a "Heroes of the Realm" live event. Warhammer Online: WAR is offering a similar deal of two weeks' worth of free game time for re-enlisters, and is throwing in three fun in-game items such as the skeletonizing Signet of the Cursed Company to sweeten the deal. The three MMO teams also put together a pretty funny retro-style video to promote the campaign, which you can view after the jump.
Neal Stephenson to release serialized story via mobile devices
Here's an intriguing idea: author Neal Stephenson and a few friends (including Greg Bear and Nicole Galland) are going to be releasing a set of serialized stories as apps for the iPad and the iPhone. The project is called "The Mongoliad," and is based on a world designed by Stephenson (author of the great novels Snow Crash and The Diamond Age). The apps will present "an ongoing stream of nontextual, para-narrative, and extra-narrative stuff," and even ask readers to interact and create their own stories in the universe with some "pretty cool tech." Interesting. There's not a lot of information out right now about what the project is exactly, but there is a Facebook page with a few more details, and a skeleton page where you can sign up for more information. I guess they're taking the wraps off of the project in a few days on May 25th, so presumably then you'll be able to download the app (which will also be available on Android and the Kindle), and see what it's all about. I'm a big fan of Stephenson (as anyone interested in computers and how they work probably should be), so I'm definitely intrigued about what he and his colleagues will do with Apple's platform. Stay tuned. [via SuperPunch]
Wrath of the Lich King rejected thus far by Chinese government
Continuing on in that upward ascension toward MMO godhood, Blizzard's Wrath of the Lich King expansion for World of Warcraft has proven to be popular with the Death Knight crowd in Western markets. "Popular" is an understatement, of course. Millions of MMO gamers have bought the expansion to date. Despite its success in Western markets, Wrath of the Lich King still hasn't been released in China, where the title has a significant playerbase. Why? Regulatory issues and censorship. China-based JLM Pacific Epoch reports: "The government has rejected two applications by the second expansion for The9's (Nasdaq: NCTY) licensed MMORPG World of Warcraft, "Wrath of the Lich King," [...] The applications were rejected due to content that didn't meet requirements, including a city raid and skeleton characters; the submitted version did not contain WLK's Death Knight first hero class..."
Gresso Skeleton Gold Phone is oddly beautiful, very transparent
OK, OK, perhaps beautiful is stretching it a tad, but Gresso's Skeleton Gold Phone is definitely interesting, most notably the "polished 42k sapphire glass" see-thru back. While, essentially a twin to the Gresso Sol, it eschews wood for titanium, ceramic, 18K Gold, steel, leather, and baby seal eyelash shavings. Under the hood it 's a fairly vanilla tri-band GSM / GPRS (really, only GPRS) Windows Mobile 6 handset with 64MB of memory, 2GB of external storage, and Bluetooth. If you're in the mood to cha-ching your way into Gresso's world, you'd better act fast as this limited run only reaches 50 devices at a price of about $4400 each. A few more pics can be found right after the break.
Antec's open air Skeleton PC case is so breezy
While the Acrylic Cowboy family of cases still has our hearts (okay, so maybe it's just the mascot that does it for us), Antec's latest offering is certainly worthy of praise. The aptly-dubbed Skeleton is wrongfully hailed as the "world's first open air case," but in reality, it is one of only a handful. Even with all that openness, there's still a 250mm fan up top along with a 92mm one up front, but we suppose there's no harm in being too careful. It also provides four drive bays, a layered tray design, seven expansion slots and a meager assortment of ports. You will have to provide your own power supply when the time comes, however, and you'll also have to wait a tick to find out a price and release date.[Via BoingBoing, thanks Matt]
Around Azeroth: A bone headed move
A reader who didn't leave their character name or server sent us this shot of what appears to be one skeleton looting the other on the docks in Ratchet. I'm guessing the looter used to be a Rogue, but what is he expecting to get? Any ideas?Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see it on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next!%Gallery-1816%
Rice University turns skeleton into a data network
We've seen plenty of ideas and even a patent related to the employment of human skin in the transport of data. We've also seen our fair share of bone conducting audio products come to market in the last few years. Now in a synthesis of the two, scientists at Rice University have developed a technique whereby rattles to the skeleton can transmit information to gadgets and medical devices strapped on (or inside of) your meat sack. Their approach has resulted in "amazingly few errors" even when using low-powered vibrations. Great, soon our handshakes will transfer both biological and software-related viruses? Oh boy.[Thanks, Geetu]
Creepy Pac-Man skeleton will give you nightmares
We're not sure what the fascination with fantasy skeletons is, but if you've ever wondered what Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote, and even Hello Kitty look like without skin, you're about to find out. The artistic talent involved has turned to the gaming world now, crafting this rather disturbing Pac-Man skull. Man, he really has some big choppers, but at least it looks like he's been taking care of them.We'd like to see some more video game characters done up in skeleton form, starting with Mario of course. Who would you want to "bone up" on?
