Researchers at the North Carolina State University scientists are constructing a robotic bat, which they refer to as a micro-aerial vehicle (MAV). This small robot could be used for exploration and surveillance, as well as rescue in difficult environments.
This is yet another example of how man-made innovations are attempting to copy what works in nature. The MAV contains numerous tiny sensor units, allowing it to be effective in sensing tasks of anything from atomic, to biological, and chemical agents. The completely constructed mechanical bat skeleton is weighing about one fifth of an ounce and can be held easily in a hand.
Much like the real thing, the robot contains muscles and joints, wing membrane, etc’. The final results are set to be revealed in a conference taking place in September mechanical-engineering conference.
The Chinese government has decided to place a ban electro-shock therapy for treating an addiction to the world wide web. The reason was the lack of conclusive effectiveness and safety of the apprach following an outcry by the media. The Ministry of Health decleration was the result of media news reports of a psychiatrist in who used electric currents involving 3,000 teens as remedy.China has dedicated for a year to try and curb online addiction, stating that young web surfers using Internet cafes, locally referred to as Web bars, is negatively impacting their education and family interaction.
China has the largest Internet user base, estimated at 300 million users based on the China Internet Network Information Center. More than 200 organizations provide some form of intervention in the country. Doctor Yongxin, has developed the “electric impact therapy” and this so called “Uncle Yang,” is incharge of a boot camp known as the Internet Addiction Treatment Center. In the camp, participants are often forced to join and take psychotropic drugs combined with electric shocks, at a price of $805 a month. No outside contact is allowed by during the treatment. It later turned out that the doctor and the 6 other camp employees weren’t qualifed therapists.