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Online dating leads to more break-ups than meeting in real life
Online dating has reached the point where it isn't weird to say you met someone via the internet anymore. Tinder is another story, but that's a digression for a different day. However, while sites like eHarmony and Match are quick to espouse their success rates (the former claims that 438 members marry every day) it turns out their data, much like OKCupid, might not be telling the whole truth. A recent joint-study (PDF) conducted by Michigan State University and Stanford found that people who met online weren't as likely to stay together for the long haul as their offline-matched counterparts. The separation and divorce rates for folks who'd paired up online was much higher than their offline compatriots, and more online-founded relationships tended to end within a year after the survey. Is Online Better Than Offline For Meeting Partners? states that those who met on the web were more likely to date than actually marry compared to people that'd met IRL, too -- by more than double.
New bomb-sniffing laser could be used to locate IEDs
We've already seen lasers with the potential to spot explosives, and now a team of researchers is focusing its beams on roadside bomb detection. Chemistry professor Marcos Dantus of Michigan State University has led the production of a laser that has the "sensitivity and selectivity" to accurately identify improvised explosive devices. This particular bomb-sniffing laser emits short pulses that make molecules vibrate and longer pulses used to "listen" to the resulting "vibrational cords," these so-called cords are used to distinguish telltale molecules from the harmless sort. The research is being funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security. Full PR after the break.
Researchers develop wireless sensor network to measure physical activity
Wearable sensors that monitor physical activity are hardly anything new, but some researchers from MSU's Department of Kinesiology are taking the idea quite a bit farther with their latest project. They've developed a new system that employs a network of sensors that not only track movement, but can monitor things like tilt, posture and the proximity of limbs to each other. That, the researchers say, allows them to detect different types of activity, and more accurately measure the energy expended on them. Of course, it is still just a prototype, but it'll apparently soon be put to the test by some graduate students, and there's plenty of backing behind it -- the project is being funded two-year, $411,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Schools of robotic fish to collect data, stomp out human threat
Robotic fish. The phrase alone sends shivers of excitement down our collective spines here at Engadget. Undoubtedly, Michigan State University assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering Xiaobo Tan feels similarly, as he has designs on creating an army of them. The researcher has developed a prototype of a droid fish intended to be used to collect data from various bodies of water. The fish will be especially effective in monitoring conditions over long periods of time; swimming in a manner similar to that of their organic counterparts, thus giving scientists a clearer view of ecosystem changes. Elena Litchman, an assistant professor of zoology at MSU working with Tan says, "With these patrolling fish we will be able to obtain information at an unprecedentedly high spatial and temporal resolution." To recreate realistic movement, Tan has constructed fins built from electro-active polymers, which bend when voltage is applied, mimicking muscle tissue. Tan also envisions a version of the robots with infrared sensors used as "eyes," and other variations with small, deadly lasers mounted on their backs, to protect their waterways from careless, polluting humans, who have been deduced as illogical and must be wiped out. We might have made that last part up, but we'll never tell. While you try and figure it out, enjoy a video of one of the protypes in action after the break. [Via PhysOrg]
MSU's Winboni robot cleans windows, wins awards
We don't get out too often (blogger skin burns easily); the closest to the great outdoors we come is squinting longingly through windows gone opaque thanks to lack of cleaning. We'd nearly resigned ourselves to a life lived of dim illumination, but now have new hope thanks to Winboni, an award-winning prototype robot from four mechanical engineering students at Michigan State University. The 5 x 5-inch bot uses a fan to stick to the window (not unlike like Takara Tomy's wall-climbing AeroSpider, makes a great gift), and relies on two AA batteries to motor itself around the window, scrubbing all the while. We definitely like the concept and its promise of extra light for our dwellings, but until this thing can find a way to get from one pane to the next without us having to get out of our chairs we'll sadly have to keep squinting through the grime. [Via The Raw Feed]
Zon: the MMO that teaches you to speak Chinese
A team of developers supported by Michigan State University and the Office of the Chinese Language Council International have spent the past few years piecing together Zon -- a browser-based virtual world wherein users can learn the Mandarin Chinese language. The game is currently in its open beta phase; you can sign up to play right now.Users create an avatar and then find themselves in a representation of Beijing International Airport. From there, they may interact with NPCs and other world objects to learn more about Chinese language and culture, as well as communicate with other players to practice their language skills. As they progress through the system, they move up in rank from Tourist to Resident, and finally to Citizen -- at which point they may create their own content for the world.We learned of Zon through the blog of Areae president Raph Koster, who had an interesting anecdote to add. During his stint at SOE, the company worked with college campuses to use EverQuest II for total immersion language education. So this is not a new idea -- just a really cool one!
Marching band plays gaming hits
Sure, we could make jokes about how being in a marching band is lame and one's only choice should they be horrible at sports, but we aren't that kind of judgmental blog. Instead, we're the type of blog to pay homage and respect those who manage to convince their superiors that a videogame-inspired medley of tunes should be the focus of the half-time show. That's what this wonderful MSU marching band did, playing tunes from awesome Nintendo games such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.They also played something from a Microsoft game, we believe. Something having to do with angels?
