Fareha Lasker

Having been Sports Editor and a sub-editor of The Verse newspaper while studying for a BSc in Biomedical Sciences, Fareha’s neeky interests include rugby, health, cheerleading and medicine. This year as well as learning the sitar, she is excited to be Environment Commissioning Editor and hopes to expand her neekiness to all things green.

Follow Fareha on Twitter @talkneekytome
Find Fareha's blog here www.talkneekytome.wordpress.com

Nanosatellite the size of a loaf of bread

by Fareha Lasker

May 232011

Could this be the size of our future satellites?

A satellite the size of a loaf of bread is set to search for Earth-like planets beyond our solar system. The search for “exoplanets” that could support life is one of the biggest tasks in astronomy. The nanosatellite called ExoPlanetSat is scheduled to launch in 2012.

There have been other small satellites launched before but they have only been used for relatively simple ends like communication or observation. Developed by the Draper Laboratory in Massachusetts, ExoPlanetSat uses powerful, high-performance optics with newly-developed control and stabilisation technology to support the small package. Continue reading »

New technique set to revolutionise geothermal energy systems

by Fareha Lasker

May 212011

Geothermal facilities near Grindavík, Iceland

A new approach to extracting energy from hot underground rocks has been developed that avoids the earthquake risks posed by the current technology. It relies on a new type of heat exchanger at the bottom of a deep borehole rather than breaking open solid rock. Continue reading »

Hold that call and prevent a crash

by Fareha Lasker

May 202011

Could scenes like this be a thing of the past thanks to the latest research?

A technology that automatically puts in-car calls on hold when driving conditions become complicated could help prevent road accidents.

Researchers found that their system significantly reduces the risk of crashes while driving. According to the US’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) if a driver uses a mobile telephone it impairs their reaction time to the same extent as a blood alcohol level of 0.08 per cent – the legal limit in both the UK and the US. Most States in the US have laws banning the use of handheld phones while driving and over 50 per cent have forbidden new drivers and school bus drivers from using any type of mobile phone at all when on the road. Continue reading »

What lies beneath: a laser pointer could help physiotherapy patients

by Fareha Lasker

May 192011

Could a laser pointer aid in motivating patients to stick to their therapy?

Microsoft Research has developed a device that can virtually peel back layers of flesh and not leave a scar. This new piece of technology lets patients a look underneath their skin to help visualise an injury looks like on the inside. It is thought this could motivate physical therapy patients with their exercises.

Amy Karlson of Microsoft Research’s Computational User Experiences group says that up to half of patients with chronic conditions do not stick to their exercise recommendations and therefore their injuries take longer to heal, and can get worse. She believes that the more patients know about their injuries, the more likely they are to stick at their therapy.

The AnatOnMe device projects an image of underlying muscle, tissue and bone structure on to the skin, giving patients a clearer understanding of their injury and the healing process. The prototype comes with two parts. The first contains a digital camera, an infrared camera and a handheld projector. The second part has a laser pointer and the control buttons. Continue reading »

Tanzania’s road plans threaten wildebeest migration

by Fareha Lasker

May 182011

Could this amazing sight soon be consigned to the archives?

The Tanzanian government’s plans to build a highway across its national park, the Serengeti, could disrupt the annual migration of wildebeest.
The two-lane road would cut straight across their route, over which 1.5 million wildebeest travel annually. This could destroy the usual life cycle pattern of the species and unbalance the ecosystem of the Serengeti.

Wildebeest migration is one of the most popular wildlife shows in the world, with the movement of many thousands of wildebeest as well as zebra, gazelles, elands and impala. They are accompanied by their predators, which include lions and hyena. Continue reading »