Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Smart Prescription Drug Bottle Polices Painkiller Usage to Curb Abuse

Byu-studentsVignesh Ramachandran2013-04-23 00:49:09 UTC

Sometimes, too much of a substance that's supposed to help can cause serious harm.

Drug overdose death rates in the United States have more than tripled since 1990, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Just in 2008, for example, the CDC says there were 14,800 deaths in the U.S. caused by prescription painkillers.

Considering this problem, a group of Brigham Young University (BYU) students reimagined the prescription drug bottle and have developed a high-tech regulator.

Their invention, called Med Vault, basically lets a pharmacist give instructions to the bottle, which then dispenses painkillers accordingly to the patient. Via a USB connection, a pharmacist can use special software to load the pills and program how many can be dispensed per day.

"They can dispense one pill every four hours or two pills every 24 hours or whatever the doctor prescribes," said BYU senior Madison Clark, the team's electrical engineer.

It's a pretty complex design that the team claims is tamper-resistant and break-resistant. The Med Vault requires users to put in an access code to get a pill, making it harder for the drugs to get into the wrong hands (e.g., a small child).

"The physical requirements of the shell and of the material properties are such that you can't take a hammer to it and break it open," Clark told Mashable.

The project all began as part of BYU's Engineering Capstone program, which allows companies to sponsor student teams to work on a project. In this case, the team's sponsor, Las Vegas paramedic and Blackstone president Chris Blackburn, has already filed a patent and wants to take the prototype into production.

"He [Blackburn] saw so many overdose cases in people that either intentionally or out of ignorance or negligence, they end up taking the wrong combination or the wrong amounts, and they end up in the hospital or in the mortuary," said BYU senior Dallin Swiss, one of the team's mechanical engineers.

One concern that could arise out of this sort of electronic prescription drug bottle is the consequence if it malfunctions in a dire situation (for example, you need a pill in an emergency circumstance or you accidentally drop your pill down the sink). But that's why Clark says the focus for this product is on drugs like painkillers, and not life-critical medication.

"We tried to make it so that the device would always keep the patient updated, and they would never have to be wondering, 'okay, is this thing really working or do I need to go get it fixed?'" Clark said.

Swiss told Mashable they estimate the materials for one device to cost under $20, not including labor. While that cost might appear steep, looking at the bigger picture, Swiss said that a device like this could help reduce insurance industry costs of overdose claims, as well as save lives.

Thumbnail and images courtesy of Brigham Young University

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BitTorrent Takes Its File-Syncing Service Public

Bittorrent-syncing-linksPete Pachal2013-04-23 15:01:00 UTC

Like the idea of syncing files but don't trust the cloud? You're a prime candidate for BitTorrent Sync, the peer-to-peer service's app that copies and syncs files between computers. Introduced in January, the app comes out of private beta with new features today.

BitTorrent Sync is an app that runs on Windows, OS X or Linux machines. Once you've installed it on two or more devices, just designate which folders you want to sync, then secure them with a "secret," (i.e. a code key). Type the secret into the other machine(s), and you're done — any files in that folder are copied over through BitTorrent's notoriously efficient P2P network.

File syncing is very fast; once I installed the app, a 529-megabyte file was copied in about four minutes. If the machines doing the syncing are all on the same network, the process is even zippier.

With the service going public today, BitTorrent is adding the ability to do one-way syncing. That way, if you don't want recipients to modify the files you're sharing, changes will only go in a single direction. Users can also now generate one-time secrets that expire after 24 hours as well as designate files within a synced folder to exclude.

BitTorrent Sync currently has no mobile app, and it obviously negates the access-anywhere nature of cloud services, there are a few reasons it might be attractive for certain situations. First, the files are stored locally, so they are inherently more private and secure. That also means there's no limit (or additional cost) for storage. Finally, as noted, syncing is extremely fast thanks to the nature of BitTorrent's peer-to-peer system.

Are you interested in BitTorrent Sync? What will you use it for? Let us know in the comments.

Image via iStockphoto, chris_lemmens

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Order Pizza on Your Xbox 360 With the New Pizza Hut App

Xbox_pizzaStan Schroeder2013-04-23 08:04:10 UTC

Pizza Hut is launching an app for Xbox Live, letting users order a pizza through their Xbox 360.

Once you've linked your Xbox Live account with a Pizza Hut account, and chosen the nearest pizza parlor, orders can be made using the game controller, voice input or Kinect gestures. And for those looking to combine ingredients for that perfect pizza, custom orders are also available.

This, of course, is not the only way to digitally create an order your pizza online — Domino's iPad app comes to mind — but given the historical link between gaming and pizza, it might be the most natural.

"If you look at our audience, they love pizza. I mean, who doesn't? It has international appeal, and Pizza Hut is a recognized brand that matches up well with the Xbox brand," Xbox's Larry Hryb told Polygon.

The app should be live starting today, April 23. To sweeten (salt, pepper?) the deal, Pizza hut will give Xbox users a 15% off their first purchase, as long as they download the app and make the order before May 6.

Image courtesy of Polygon

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How Much Would It Cost to Be Iron Man 3 in Real Life?

Ironman32Samantha Murphy2013-04-23 16:08:28 UTC

It would cost $10 billion to fund superhero Iron Man's lavish high-tech lifestyle in Iron Man 3 — about $9 billion more than past films.

Fictional billionaire Tony Stark is the CEO of his company Stark Enterprises, but in reality, what doesn't he do? He's a chemist, an inventor, an engineer and an entrepreneur. He may bring in the big bucks, but he's certainly a spender when it comes to being properly equipped to ward off bad guys.

In July, MoneySupermarket.com put together an infographic of what it would cost to be Iron Man, but as he embraces more new tech in the upcoming film Iron Man 3, the total cost has jumped from $1.6 billion to $10 billion.

The suits featured in Iron Man 3 total $7 billion alone — previously they totaled $1.4 billion. Among the new bells and whistles include a hyper velocity shot gun and updated armor.

Some existing technologies include rocket-propelled boots that make him fly ($3.8 million), helmet with projected holographic displays ($54 million) and the arc reactor nuclear power source built into the chest of his suit ($26 million).

Not to mention his $25 million mansion in Malibu and whole fleet of fancy sport cars.

For a full look at what it would cost to be Iron Man and a look at his new suits, check out the infographic below.

Iron Man 3 Infographic

Thumbnail image via Marvel

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Report: Top 500 YouTube Brands Average 884,000 Monthly Views

YoutubeTodd Wasserman2013-04-23 15:55:56 UTC

The top 500 brands on YouTube generate 442 million views per month, averaging 884,000 each, according to a report.

Outrigger Media's analysis, which used its Open Slate analytics platform, also shows that brands are averaging lower subscriber counts on YouTube — 35,000 — compared to an average 200,000 Twitter followers.

These are the top 10 most-viewed YouTube brand channels:
1. Google Chrome 25,063,920
2. Pepsi 23,194,380
3. Google 21,186,750
4. Red Bull 16,312,320
5. KiaBUZZ 14,097,840
6. Google Play 9,161,970
7. Dior 8,982,450
8. Google Chrome UK 8,616,870
9. GoPro Camera 8,542,890
10. Google Nexus 8,113,050

Among other data points from the report:
-There are a total of 18.8 million subscribers among the top 500 brands.
-The total number of videos produced among the brands is 315,000.
-Videos average 98,000 views.
-Just 7.4% of videos from the top brands are repurposed TV commercials.

The researcher also found that certain categories get more subscribers than others. In particular, tech is a popular category and travel is not:

Using its own formula that took into account engagement, influence and size of audience, Outrigger pronounced Red Bull as the top brand on YouTube. Here's Outrigger's top 10, replete with each brand's "Slate Score":

To download the full report, click here.

Image via Getty, Gabriel Bouys, AFP

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8 Fun and Funky iPhone Cases You'll Love

Iphone-caseEric Larson2013-04-23 03:55:48 UTC

Apple reportedly has started planning production on a new iPhone this year, but there's still plenty of time to stock up on cool cases for your iPhone 4's and 5's.

We've found eight accessories — including an eye-popping 3D protector, a rechargeable battery case and a squeegee-like screen-cleaning contraption — that will keep you even more attached to your smartphone as you, and the rest of us, wait it out for the newest iPhone. Check out the gallery above.

Are there any cool new cases you've seen hit the market? Share them with us below.

Image by Mashable

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15 Adorable Things That Delight Lil Bub

Lil-bub-cuteAnnie Colbert2013-04-23 13:35:35 UTC

Lil Bub is here to bring the cheer.

Stretch your smile muscles and prepare for a rush of serotonin because the Internet's cutest cat has 15 tidbits of joy to share. Bub has a seemingly magical power over humans who set eyes on the perma-kitten.

"It's really amazing that this weensy silly cat can make people so happy, and I can't put my finger on why — besides that she's obvy got the Cute Ratio in spades," Brooklyn-based writer and editor Anna Perleberg Andersen, who met Bub at a meet and greet event, told Mashable.

"Maybe it's that she brings out our compassion — we just want to take care of her — and that feeling makes us our best selves? And then we see that even with her disabilities, she is just stone cold groovin' on life, and it makes us feel like we can overcome our own issues."

Experience Bub's power of happiness in 3..2...

H/T Ace Hotel and Bub

(Note: Bub actually prefers Rush. Sorry, NKOTB.)

Well, maybe Bub doesn't love googly eyes.

BONUS: Bub Meets Fans in New York City, Helps Local CatsLil-bub-nyc-3 Lil-bub-nyc-5 Lil-bub-nyc-6 Lil-bub-nyc-7 Lil-bub-nyc-8 Lil-bub-nyc-9 Lil-bub-nyc-11 Lil-bub-nyc-12

All images by Mashable

Topics: cats, cute animals, lil bub, Memes, Pics, Watercooler if(window.pageChanged) window.omni({"channel":"watercooler","content_type":"article","top_channel":"watercooler","content_source_type":"Internal","content_source_name":"Internal","author_name":"Annie Colbert","age":"0","pub_day":23,"pub_month":4,"pub_year":2013,"pub_date":"04/23/2013","isPostView":true,"post_lead_type":"Default"}); metaData = {"link":[["canonical","http://mashable.com/2013/04/23/lil-bub/"],["image_src","http://rack.0.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA0LzIzL2YxL0xpbEJ1YkN1dGUuNGM3YmUuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJNzIweDcyMCMKZQlqcGc/f89ac9f3/f32/Lil-Bub-Cute.jpg"]],"meta_property":[["og:url","http://mashable.com/2013/04/23/lil-bub/"],["og:title","15 Adorable Things That Delight Lil Bub [PICS]"],["og:type","article"],["og:site_name","Mashable"],["og:image","http://rack.0.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA0LzIzL2YxL0xpbEJ1YkN1dGUuNGM3YmUuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJNzIweDcyMCMKZQlqcGc/f89ac9f3/f32/Lil-Bub-Cute.jpg"],["og:article:published_time","2013-04-23T13:35:35Z"],["og:article:modified_time","2013-04-23T16:12:47Z"]],"meta_name":[["description","Lil Bub is here to bring the cheer. The Internet's cutest cat has 15 things that are guaranteed to make your day a little bit brighter."],["keywords",["cats","cute-animals","memes","uncategorized","watercooler","pics","lil-bub"]],["twitter:title","15 Adorable Things That Delight Lil Bub"],["twitter:description","Lil Bub is here to bring the cheer. Stretch your smile muscles and prepare for a rush of serotonin because the Internet's cutest cat has 15 tidbits of joy to share. Bub has a seemingly magical power o..."],["twitter:image","http://rack.3.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA0LzIzL2YxL0xpbEJ1YkN1dGUuNGM3YmUuanBnCnAJdGh1bWIJNTYweDc1MAplCWpwZw/0e50ede0/f32/Lil-Bub-Cute.jpg"],["twitter:site","@mashable"],["twitter:url","http://mashable.com/2013/04/23/lil-bub/"],["twitter:creator","@mashable"],["twitter:card","photo"],["twitter:image:width","560"],["twitter:image:height","750"]],"short_url":[["short_url","http://on.mash.to/Y1sgV0"]]};

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BBQ 'Supercharger' Says it Starts Grill in Under 10 Minutes

Anita Li2013-04-23 05:54:46 UTC

With the weather getting warmer, many folks are firing up the grill for meaty barbecued goodness.

But according to one company, there's a downside to BBQs — long wait times. A quick scan of the interwebs shows that those who prefer charcoal generally have to wait anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes for the grill to reach appropriate cooking temperature, after it's lit.

A "fire-starting tool" called BBQ Dragon, on the other hand, claims to reduce the start time of charcoal grills to less than 10 minutes, according to its Kickstarter page. The device, which works by "blowing large amounts of low-velocity, cool air" at fires, is also battery-powered, hands-free and micro-USB rechargeable. Check out the video, above, to see it in action.

The BBQ Dragon aims to raise $100,000 through its Kickstarter campaign, which has not yet launched at the time of this writing.

Do you think the BBQ Dragon is useful? Would you buy it? Tell us in the comments, below.

Image courtesy of YouTube, barbecuedragon

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