jets

The jet engine technology that helped a woman regain her voice

Random strangers can change your life. So can ear, nose, and throat specialists who trained as engineers at MIT.

This is something 52-year-old Jan Christian discovered when she was in a supermarket and someone heard her attempts to talk. The stranger suggested she visit Dr. Sid M. Khosla.

"I sure wish I could remember what she looked like and knew who she is," Christian told WXIX in Cincinnati.

Khosla studied engineering at MIT and when he came to the University of Cincinnati, he received a grant to study flow in the voice box. In another random occurrence that characterizes this extraordinary story, one of the finest experts in jet noise happened to be at the same university. … Read more

What happens when you stand in your swimsuit directly behind a jet engine

There is no accounting for the chemically imbalanced ones and zeros that operate within the human head.

So please attempt to decipher what the people in this video are thinking, as they try to persuade a jet engine to blow them as far as possible in the direction of the sea.

These events are taking place -- every day, it seems -- on the island of Sint Maarten, around 190 miles east of Puerto Rico.

The Princess Juliana airport is right on the beach. Signs warn of the dangers of trying to get too close to the planes, as they … Read more

Boeing's new business jet is fit for a king

If you find yourself in the market for a new super luxurious private jet, Boeing has got you covered.

The aviation giant unveiled its latest Boeing Business Jet today, a modified 737-700 capable of carrying 19 passengers up to 6,444 miles at 609 miles per hour.

But beyond its technical specifications, what really makes the plane fit for a king is its luxurious appointments. Starting with its stateroom featuring a king-size bed and private bathroom and shower, the plane also has a guest stateroom with divans that convert into beds for eight passengers.

In addition, the plane has been … Read more

Will Valkee's LED earbuds alleviate jet lag?

Finnair business travelers flying between Helsinki and Shanghai will soon have the chance to be test subjects on the effect that "brain stimulation" headphones have on jet lag.

The $240 earbuds, made and tested by Finnish company Valkee, already blast LED lights instead of music into desperate and willing ear canals with the intention of alleviating seasonal affective disorder. (The company has claimed, too, that the light helps improve reaction time--at least in Finnish hockey players.)

Now Valkee is working with the airline Finnair to determine whether the lights may instill a sense of well-being in long-distance … Read more

JetBoost boosts old and slow PCs

Remember how fast your brand-new PC felt? And how quickly it seemed to slow down to "same old"? While hardware keeps advancing, some of the lost zip might be because of resource-hogging processes running in the background, such as update checkers and Windows services you don't need. JetBoost is a free system utility that scans your PC for stuff that can slow you down and shows you where and what it is so that you can decide what to stop.

JetBoost offers three boost modes: Work, Games, and Custom, with specific groups of processes and services to … Read more

Blast junk from your computer with JetClean

Much like our desks, it doesn't take long for our computers to become cluttered with junk if we're not careful. There's a huge market for utilities that will tidy your registry, get rid of junk files, delete broken shortcuts, and generally attempt to give your computer that like-new feel again. JetClean is one of the better options we've tried; it's straightforward, doesn't do things without your permission, and seems to do an especially thorough job of scanning.

JetClean has an attractive interface with its functions separated into five collapsible menus: Registry Clean, Windows Clean, … Read more

HP firmware to 'mitigate' LaserJet vulnerability

Hewlett-Packard said today that it has taken steps to prevent a "certain type of unauthorized access" to LaserJet printers.

The company didn't describe its new firmware as a fix for the potential printer problem. Rather, it rather delicately used the word "mitigate," the dictionary definition of which is "to make less severe or painful." Here's HP's full statement on the matter:

HP has built a firmware update to mitigate this issue and is communicating this proactively to customers and partners. No customer has reported unauthorized access to HP. HP reiterates its … Read more

Surfer rides 45-foot wave on jet-powered surfboard

It's not often that the worlds of technology and surfing collide, but when they do, the results can be pretty epic.

On a recent trip to Nazare, Portugal, big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara was able to paddle into a 45-foot wave--a feat that would be difficult to achieve on arm power alone--thanks to the help of jet-propelled surfboard.

The high-tech surfboard is the creation of a San Diego-based company called WaveJet. WaveJet is actually a pod that can be attached to any surfboard, kayak, or other personal watercraft and features battery-powered twin jet drives that produces 20 pounds of thrusts and can propel the board up to 12 miles per hour. A wristband worn by the surfer allows him or her to control the twin jets wirelessly and also provides information about battery life, which stands at around 40 minutes if used continuously. … Read more

The 404 956: Where the files are IN the computer? (podcast)

Leaked from 404 Podcast 956:

The future of airport security: thermal lie detectors and cloned sniffer dogs. Facebook's most-shared articles of 2011 list shows babies, banks, and brats. Fios is coming to an Xbox 360 near you. Could your printer be a Trojan horse? Researchers say yes!… Read more

Amazon may launch Netflix-like book service

HP launches the TopShot LaserJet Pro printer that can scan 3D objects, Netflix finally arrives on most Android phones, and Amazon.com is rumored to be in talks with major publishers to launch a Netflix-like service for books.

Links from Monday's episode of Loaded: