Portable fat breathalyzer indicates if you’re burning fat

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The portable prototype that detects if you're burning fat by analyzing your breath (Photo: NTT DOCOMO)

rtage of breathalyzers capable of detecting if you’ve had one too many drinks, a prototype device developed by researchers at NTT DOCOMO Research Laboratories analyzes your breath to detect if your body is burning fat. Besides letting users know if that exercise regime is actually shedding some pounds, its creators say the portable sensor could be helpful for diabetics and those trying to lose weight manage their daily diet. Rather than detecting exhaled fat particles, the device detects the levels of acetone on one’s breath. Although primarily produced in the blood when fat is broken down, acetone is also expelled through alveoli in the lungs and is therefore present in exhaled breath, making it a good indicator of when the body has begun to break down fat.
The device, which is 10 cm (4 in) long, weighs 125 g (4.4 oz) and is powered by two AA batteries, features a pressure sensor to detect when someone breathes into it, and two types of semiconductor-based gas sensors that are capable of detecting acetone concentrations of 0.2 to 50 parts-per-million. After detecting the exhaled breath, the device calculates the acetone concentration levels and transmits the results, either via cable or Bluetooth, to a smartphone within 10 seconds.
To test the device, the researchers enlisted 11 men and six women volunteers. All were healthy but had body mass indexes (BMIs) above the Japanese average. The volunteers were split into three groups with the first carrying on their normal routine without any calorie restrictions or exercise requirements.
The second group was required to perform 30 to 60 minutes of light exercise, such as jogging or fast walking, per day without any calorie restriction, while the third group had their daily calorie intake restricted while carrying out the same exercise routine as the second group.
Each day before breakfast for a period of 14 days, all volunteers measured their body weight, body fat percentage and breath acetone concentrations. In addition to using the prototype device to measure the acetone concentrations, a standard measuring instrument was used for comparison.
The results showed that the breath acetone concentrations remained constant for those in the first two groups who were not able to lose significant amounts of fat, while the volunteers in the third group showed a significant increase in their breath acetone concentrations and were able to lose “significant amounts of fat.”
“Because obesity increases the risk of lifestyle-related illnesses, enabling users to monitor the state of fat burning could play a pivotal role in daily diet management,” says Satoshi Hiyama, principal investigator of the study. “Current standard methods, however, are still not practically suitable for point-of-care instrumentation for diet-conscious people who wish to monitor their own fat metabolism at home or outside.”

One Wybelenna home is for the birds

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Located in Brisbane, Australia, One Wybelenna is a luxurious property designed to achieve a high level of sustainability – as evidenced by its turf roof which not only provides insulation but also serves as home for a local species of bird. The stone cottage, originally designed by Australian architect Robin Gibson, was recently extensively renovated by Shaun Lockyer Architects with striking results.

During the renovation, Shaun Lockyer Architects made full use of all available stone from the cottage which previously occupied the plot, and One Wybelenna's guesthouse is actually built upon the basic dimensions of the former dwelling.
The main building is rather more ambitious however, and is heavily influenced by late Australian architect Richard Neutra. This certainly shows, and One Wybelenna bears more than a passing resemblance to the iconic Californian Kaufmann Desert House that is amongst Neutra's most recognized works.

One Wybelenna measures 1,012 sq m (3,320 sq ft), and was constructed with a view to being as environmentally friendly as possible, as per the client's wishes. A 140,000-liter (37,000 US gallon) swimming pool was retained from the original property and repurposed as a water tank (a new pool was also installed), and 300 new trees were planted during the build.
In addition, the property was designed with some thought to passive cooling, taking into a account the northern sun and prevailing wind patterns. Low-e (or low emissivity) glass has been used to reduce the sun's heating effect on the home, and thick stone walls help to maintain a steady temperature. Cross-ventilation also features throughout the property.
Solar panels produce 15 kW of electricity, and the home was built in part using recycled timber. Perhaps the most charming green feature though, is the turf roof which serves not only as insulation, but also as home to a family of local plover birds.

2013 Nexus 7 vs. iPad mini

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If you're shopping for a smallish tablet, we wouldn't blame you for narrowing it down to the iPad mini and Google's new Nexus 7. But how do you choose between the two? Let Gizmag lend a hand, as we compare the specs (and other features) of the two mini-tablets.

Size

The two tablets are roughly the same height, but are proportioned differently. The new Nexus 7 is 16 percent narrower than the iPad mini. The Google/Asus tablet is also a bit thicker, by 21 percent.

Weight

That narrower build helps the 2nd-gen Nexus 7 to tip the scales at 6 percent lighter than the iPad mini.
If you look at weight relative to surface area, though, the iPad mini actually comes in at about eight percent lighter. So it's possible the iPad mini will, in a sense, feel lighter in hand.

Build

Like the original Nexus 7, the new model sports a plastic construction. The updated tablet does skip out on the rubbery backing of the 2012 model though: this one has a smooth matte finish.
The iPad mini is made of Apple's favorite, anodized aluminum.

MagBak just might be the world's thinnest iPad mount

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Mounts for iPad are thick on the ground, but the creators of MagBak are looking to stand out from the crowd with a slimmed down approach to attaching the tablet to any surface that also keeps the Smart Cover closed and provides a convenient grip. In fact, the MagBak so thin, it doesn't even look like it's meant to mount an iPad at all, which is exactly what the designers were aiming for.
The MagBak is basically two silicone-coated magnets that attach directly to the back of the iPad. These allow the device to be attached to almost anything made of metal. For other surfaces, a metal O-ring with 3M adhesive backing is included.
The magnets will also hold the Apple Smart Cover open and prevent it from flapping around while the device is in hand. They are also coated in silicone, which should make the iPad easier to carry around, and keep it from sliding on smooth surfaces. Additionally, the 0.5mm thick pads keep the back of the iPad slightly elevated, providing a little protection.

Survival Shovel: "Multi-tool on steroids" delivers a dozen functions 0 inShare

Multi-tools have come a long way. At one time they were simply pocket knives with a handful of other functions. Today they're tooled smartphone cases, multifunctional snowboards, bike-specific Swiss Army tools and bottle-opening wallets. The Survival Multi-Tool Shovel from AceCamp is advertised as a multi-tool on steroids thanks to a design that incorporates wilderness essentials like a hatchet, shovel, compass and bottle opener.
We first ran into AceCamp a year ago at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, where it was showing a plastic firestarter called the FlameStick. For this year's Summer Market, AceCamp is showing a larger line of survival hardware, which includes the Survival Multi-Tool Shovel.

The 11.4-oz (312-g) Survival shovel appears to be an average folding shovel, good for digging a wilderness toilet or firepit. What makes this one different from the rest of the folding shovels you find at outdoor superstores is its 11 additional functions. Look closely and you'll see that the shovel packs more than just the usual blade – on one side is a saw blade, and on the other, a hatchet blade. The shovel blade also has a hammer, nail puller, wrench and bottle opener.
Those functions are enough to push the AceCamp's shovel past nearly any other shovel in the function department, and that's just on the outside. Remove the compass cap on the bottom of the handle and a small knife blade, fishing line and hooks, and matches fall out. So this shovel not only digs you a fire pit, it cuts the wood, starts the fire, catches the fish to fry over that fire, and pops your beer while that fish sizzles. Cutting wood and fishing might be a little awkward with the shovel's hardware, but at least you can give it a go.

Leap Motion controller released at last

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Leap Motion has just released it motion sensor, and launched its AirSpace app store

Hot on the heels of the Leap Motion Controller, which began shipping last week, Leap Motion has released the accompanying software. The software allows people to control their computers with natural movements, detecting both hand and finger movements. In addition, the company launched its Airspace store which includes apps specifically designed for use with the device.
The apps available on the Airspace Store are designed for the motion sensor technology. The store currently has more than 75 free and paid apps that cover a broad range of categories, from educational apps to (of course) plenty of games. More apps are expected and the collection should grow as more developers are brought on board. You'll need a fairly modern Mac or PC for the Leap Motion Controller to work. It requires a Mac capable of running OS X 10.7 or higher, or a PC with an Intel Core i3, AMD Phenom II, 2 GB of RAM and Windows 7 or 8. Apparently it won't just be for desktops either. The computer maker ASUS is partnering with the company to embed the sensor in high-end laptops and All-in-One (AIO) systems.

This looks like some exciting technology, even if it is a version 1.0 product. The company co-founder claims the sensor can track movement in both hands and all fingers with up to 1/100th millimeter accuracy with no noticeable latency.
If you didn't pre-order, the device is available to purchase on the Leap Motion website for US$79.99. Beginning July 28th, the Leap Motion Controllers will be in Best Buy stores in the US and also available in the UK from Amazon.
A demo of the technology can be seen in the video below.

MagPen offers a new take on the stylus

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The MagPen contains a magnet which is detected by the phone's existing

The humble smartphone stylus may soon be gaining new features, thanks to a seemingly simple piece of technology. Developed by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) PhD student Sungjae Hwang, the MagPen is essentially just a plastic tube covered in conductive tape, with conductive rubber tips at either end and a coin-shaped magnet inserted half-way down its length. Via a custom app, however, magnetometers already present in the phone are able to determine where that magnet is in relation to the screen, and respond with a variety of drawing and writing functions.
Any existing smartphone or tablet should be compatible, as long as it already contains the magnetometers and associated electronics that most such devices use as a compass.
By sensing the proximity of the pen's magnet, the magnetometer-enabled app is able to tell not only how close the pen is to the screen, but also where its tip is on the screen, the angle at which it’s being held, and even the amount of finger pressure that’s being exerted on the glass. Different “ink” colors can even be chosen by going off the screen, and dragging the pen’s tip across the phone’s frame.

Because the app can differentiate between the magnetic qualities of multiple MagPens, users could alternately change colors by using different pens.
The app can also tell when the magnet (and thus the pen) has been spun around, by detecting which pole is closest to the phone. This allows for extra functionality, letting one end of the pen be used for writing and the other for erasing, as an example. In another mode, turning the pen around allows users to change between different line widths – this can also be done simply by pressing harder when drawing. In fact, the pen can be spun in three different fashions, each of which allows the user to access different functions.

NapAnywhere: A flat-out new take on the neck pillow

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The NapAnywhere is designed to help commuters sleep anywhere

or a long flight, and you just can't seem to get your head to stay upright so you can get a few hours of sleep to pass the time. The fact is, airplane seats aren't built for comfortable sleeping. A new product called NapAnywhere is designed to rectify the situation by supporting your head and allowing you to sleep comfortably, even while sitting straight up. If you've ever been to an airport, you've probably seen some neck pillows designed to help support your head while you slumber. According to its creator Ravi Shamaiengar, these were his inspiration for the NapAnywhere. "Like many, I would use a U-shaped neck pillow. Unfortunately, the support I needed just wasn't there," he said. So, he sought to design one that actually had the support he desired.
NapAnywhere starts as a flat disc. Once opened, the top of the pillow forms a shelf where the user rests his or her head while sleeping. The bottom curves over the user's shoulder. The area in between is what allows the weight to be distributed around the shoulder, and thus what prevents the head from drooping, which could lead to neck cramps or an annoyed neighbor. The video below demonstrates using the NapAnywhere.
The pillow also comes with an adjustable strap, which exists to help hold everything in place while sleeping.
Each side uses two different materials. The top uses material that is warm to the touch, and the other side feels cool, which could add a little bit of extra comfort to those difficult sleeping locations. It only weighs 8 oz (230 g), and it folds flat, so carrying it around should not be an issue.
Ravi Shamaiengar is seeking funding for his NapAnywhere on Kickstarter. The minimum pledge required to receive a pilloe is US$39 while the remainder of the early bird specials are available. Once those sell through, the price jumps to $44.
The Kickstarter pitch below provides more information.

SmartPlayhouse: When wendy houses and contemporary architecture collid

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SmartPlayhouse's Illinois model

Joking aside (thank goodness; signing off – Ed), the SmartPlayhouse is precisely that: a place for children aged 2 to 10 to be left alone to play and have fun. There are four outdoor designs to choose from, named Casaforum, Illinois, Kyoto and Hobikken, the last two of which are also available as indoor models.

The Hobikken (top left), Casaforum (top right), Kyoto (two-story model, bottom left), and Illinois (bottom right)

SmartPlayhouse claims that the outdoor houses are built with high quality weather-resistant materials that should stand the test of time (and small stamping feet). To protect against the elements, doors and windows are sealed, and the whole house raised above the ground.
SmartPlayhouse has thought hard about safety. Windows are acrylic, and doors and windows shut using magnets. Standard versions come without locks, though outside of the US, a lock can be added as an option. It can only be secured from the outside.

In Orbit art installation offers spidery spacewalk experience

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Between the nets, six inflatable PVC spheres up to 8.5 m (30 ft) in diameter, divide the space and allow visitors to move freely (Image: Studio Tomás Saraceno ovides 2,500 sq m (27,000 sq ft) of steel wire safety nets stretched between three different levels below the glass cupola of the piazza. Between the nets, six inflatable PVC spheres up to 8.5 m (30 ft) in diameter divide the space and allow visitors to move freely around each "net" floor.

"To describe the work means to describe the people who use it – and their emotions," explains Tomás Saraceno. "For me, the work visualizes the space-time continuum, the three-dimensional web of a spider, the ramifications of tissue in the brain, dark matter, or the structure of the universe. With ‘in orbit,’ proportions enter into new relationships; human bodies become planets, molecules, or social black holes."

In the three years of planning for the installation, Saraceno consulted with engineers, architects, and spider experts (arachnologists). Saraceno has also established a study of living spiders and their delicate web formation in the artist's room of the gallery's K21 Ständehaus building to inform the design process. Saraceno has created a formidable web as a result of these studies, the net structure alone weighs 3000 kg (6,600 lb), and the largest of the spheres weighs 300 kg (660 lb).