Fuel Economy Top Priority for European Drivers

Not surprisingly, Europeans are still concerned about fuel consumption in their autos. This evidence comes from the the Harris Interactive AutoTECHCAST Europe poll, and just like this year, Europeans chose fuel economy as their biggest concern last year.

Spanish adults show the highest likelihood of choosing enhanced-fuel economy as the top automotive technology that they are very or extremely likely to purchase for their next new vehicle (63%), followed by Italian and German respondents (45% and 36% respectively).

Why Cameras Make Us Fat

Amongst the many obsessions celebrities have in terms of the Oscars, you *know* that one of them is how they appear in front of the cameras.  Which leads one to wonder: why do we look heavier in photos?

According to this article, it has to do with lighting and lenses.  They work to sculpt the body, and direct the eye to certain traits.

If only we could have a lighting crew follow us around!

Seat 61 Travel Without the Plane

Here’s a great way to find alternative ways to travel without flying: Seat 61. A lot of the site is focused on rail travel, but don’t worry there is also shipping tips too.

Maybe you don’t like flying, or are concerned about the environmental impact of flying. Or perhaps you just prefer real travel by train or ship, where the journey is part of the adventure… Either way, this website will tell you how to travel overland comfortably & affordably where you might think that air was now the only option.

Robo-Therapy for Stroke Sufferers

Robot hand thingWe know that a air-powered jacket can help people recover after suffering some paralysis, and now there is another robotic assistive device but for people who have had strokes.

Stroke patients with impaired hand use reported improved ability to grasp and release objects after therapy sessions using the Hand-Wrist Assisting Robotic Device (HOWARD). Each patient had at least moderate residual weakness and reduced function of the right hand, although the affected hands were neither totally paralyzed nor unable to feel. Seven women and six men who had suffered a stroke at least three months prior participated in the pilot study using this robotic device.