Scientists Precisely Control Gold-Coated Nanoparticles with Lasers

Undeniably humans will quite soon be considered as nano-particles making them the very first life-size nanotechnology, which has been built from the scratch. Now human seems to be looking forward to return a favour pertaining to this aspect by developing a nano-scale machinery from top to down. Even though the technological world is still waiting for this dream to become a reality, looks like a less glamorous micro and nano particle technology seems to be stealing all the limelight. Although there are many kinds of particles that are used for creating finely separated spheres and powders, gold has become come out as winner in terms of being the premier element mainly due to its properties related to opto-electronics.

Reports suggest that researchers from Munich have been able to use this, currently named as ‘plasmonic gold’ to create what they claimed to be is a micro-scale photonic elevator. They stated that a lot of experiments can be done by hitting out flecks of gold through various rays of energy. These beams of energy include fluorescence, precision thermal control, and movements in 2D plane however the researchers also added that this photonic elevator is however in control of their third axis.

The Plasmon: 

An oscillation of free electrons has been termed as the Plasmon. The electron density inside the electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths can couple with the plasmonic nano-particles making it larger than the particle itself. Researchers have been trying to find out as to what differentiates these particles created by the Plasmon over the surface of any interface unique in terms of their absorbance as well as scattering properties. The Plasmon derives these properties from their shape and sizes. In simple terms, the interaction of the Plasmon with the different radiation as well light is not only dependent on their elements but they are also affected by the geometry as well as the relative positioning of other particles inside them.

Lasertrap is one such device which has been able to capture the essence of the nano-particles technology. Using this device along with different kinds of microscope will allow anyone to feel the nano. The researcher created the so called magic by coating the half of the silica beads with a thermally collected gold vapour. They stated that due to this asymmetric gold coating, the Plasmon started showcasing scattering effects by orienting the particles inside the axis of the laser light. Using the gold coating has allowed the researchers to use the benefits of opto-genetics, without the need of any real genetics.

This is the kind of technology which is being anticipated by the scientists of the National Brain initiative to research the entire brain. The gold coating and its associated effects can be highly beneficial for conducting local calibrations and to collect feedback. Emergence of these electromagnetic technologies means using the same hardware with minimum changes and getting the best possible stimulation, images, therapeutic treatments. At the end, any equipment enabled with this technology will be the dream of any neuronaut.

Gamers Targeted By Ransomware Virus

A computer virus has been targeting the gamers around the world. The virus has the ability to stop the gamers from playing out their favourite games unless they are ready to pay a ransom for the same. Once a machine gets infected by the virus, this cruel program has the ability to seek out the saved games and other important files on the user’s computer and go ahead with encrypting the data. Reports suggest that in order for a user or the gamer’s to unlock any of their encrypted files, they will have to be ready to pay nearly $500 (£340) in Bitcoins. This malware has the ability to target nearly 40 separate games which include World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, World of Tanks, and Minecraft.

Dark world of the web and cash: 

This malicious program is very much similar to that off the widely distributed Cryptolocker Ransomware. It is the same Cryptolocker Ransomware which has been able to target thousands of people around the world in the last few years. However post the analysis of this malicious program called as Teslacrypt, it was revealed that it bears no resemblance or code share with Cryptolocker. Reports suggest that this program seems to have been created by a totally different cybercrime group.

According to the Vadim Kotov, a researcher from the security firm Bromium, the malicious file was targeting people by means of a website which has been already compromised by the creators. This site consists of a Wordpress blog that is unintentionally hosting a file that is making use of drawbacks in the Flash for infecting the potential visitors.

What happens when a machine gets infected? 

According to Kotov, post the infection of the machine, this malware has the ability to check out nearly 185 different file extensions in the user’s system. This malware, particularly looks out for files which are linked with popular video games and online services. These games need not belong to the top listing games on the web. He further added that the Teslacrypt malware, has the ability to store the files of the gamers which includes their maps, profiles, and saved games. He also added that gamers will only end up being disappointed if they try to uninstall any game downloaded through any online service. He further added that it is not possible for the user to restore any of their required data post re-installing the game file as well.

So what happens next? 

Once the user’s files have been targeted and encrypted by this malware, they will get a pop up message indicating that they have been targeted and they have only a few days to make the payment in order to retrieve their data. Reports suggest that the victim might end up paying between $500 to $1,000 Bitcoms in PaypalMy Cash payment cards. The Teslacrypt virus directs the potential victims to send their payment details to a designated address on the Tor anonymous browsing network. Although there are works in progress to crack the encryption system of the virus, user can resort to backups of the files in the meantime.

Youtube May Launch Subscription Video Service, Will Offer Ad-Free Streaming

According to some of the reports, it is believed that YouTube might be considering to opt for a subscription for their original contents. Reports published on the Verge indicate that the company is exploring the idea of launching its own subscription based VOD service. This is mainly due to the sudden boom in the world of technology wherein video streaming has been able to replace the conventional televisions and radios. Reports also suggest that the company is planning to rope in its YouTube stars for developing videos under their original banner.

What is the service all about? 

The new service is expected to be completely ad free towards the videos which have been created under the company’s original banner. The increase in the market competition and competitors like Vessel, Hulu among others, this move seems to be a push force for the company to innovate to stay in the competition. One of the most important benefits that can be expected by the company is the amount of profits it can generate for their video creators through the paid subscription.

The company even though started nearly a decade ago has been able to break out of their traditional means of offering videos to the customers. Reports suggest that the company has been facing a lot of difficulty in terms of generating revenues and unable to attract viewers due to greater than before use of ad-blocker programs.

Recent changes made by YouTube: 

The company has recently added complete support for 360-degree videos that have come to aid of the users who are used to a tremendous amount of video sharing and habituated to virtual-reality headsets. Reports suggest that Google has been working with some of the popular companies like Giroptic’s 360cam, Kodak’s SP360 and Bublcam among others, that are into making of the 360-degree movies and this collaboration will help YouTube to play these videos made their cameras. As if now this feature is expected to available on only certain devices, which includes iPad, iPhone among others.

What is the benefit for the company? 

The company always had the aim of making the conventional television outdated in the near future and looks like through this new project, they might soon be able to achieve their aim. Apart from the current project, the company also has many other projects in the pipeline. The rumor about the current project was spread from an unnamed executive at YouTube, who is currently working with the company for developing and producing video content.

Reports also suggest that the company is looking forward to create an original series, which is on the similar lines as that of Netflix. If the company is able to release this service, it will be similar as that of YouTube Music Key. The YouTube Music Key provides users access to ad free videos apart from free streaming of music from Google play music. The user is expected to be charged around $10 every month for using the service.

Apple's Researchkit Could Be Gold Mine for Hackers

Earlier this week, Researchkit was announced by Apple. This is an open source framework which will allow the health and medical researchers to gather data via iPhone apps. Apple has confirmed that the Researchkit will be available from the month of April. The Researchkit has already been used for developing apps for monitoring asthma patients and to conduct studies on breast cancer survivors, Parkinson's disease and cardiovascular health.

According to the reports of Sagentia, due to the increasing demand of remote patient-monitoring, nearly 26 billion people can be expected to use health-related apps by 2017 worldwide. Danielle Levitas, a group VP at IDC opines that the healthcare-related market will get boosted by Wearable devices. Apple can be expected to be working on something hardware related which will depict their various healthcare partnerships. Market researchers suggest that Apple should move beyond focusing on fitness and increase the reach of the wearable devices to health and lifestyle.

Global reach: 

Researchers will be able to contribute towards activity modules like gait and memory testing, which are part of the framework. They have the option of sharing their data with the global community. Even though the Researchkit is currently available in app stores for US, the company will be rolling the same worldwide in other countries soon.

Limitations: 

The apps which will be developed based on the Researchkit will be applicable to only those who have access to iPhone, which is not possible for everyone around the world. Apart from this not all the iPhone users will be comfortable in monitoring their health apart from sharing the data to a third party. Even though a massive amount of health data can be collected through this but the collection process cannot be deemed completely reliable.

Security Issues: 

According to Apple even though the data collection through Researchkit will not be at risk but security can be a major concern. Since the mobile security in general is poor, intelligence agencies and law enforcement have little qualm about conducting any surveillance on the mobile devices around the world. For example CIA has been working from years to crack the iOS security.

Meanwhile there has been so many instances of iOS hacking making it very less secure. On the other hand even smartphones are not secure since they require broadcasting personal information with the developers of apps. Researchkit might ask to access to an iPhone's microphone, GPS sensors to monitor patients.

According to the ABI Research, at the moment healthcare sector is not fully prepared for any new cyber-age. With the increasing number of cases pertaining to identity theft and fraud, the value of the personal health information becomes 10 times the value of a user’s finances. Millions of health records have been reported missing from the personal health information.

Despite this the health care industry spends a very less amount towards the cyber-security. The best way to secure data is not collect any data and if the data has been collected, then the user should encrypt the data and ensure the safety of the key.

The New and Powerful Nvidia GPU to Be Supported By Asus

On Thursday, Nvidia launched the latest of its GTX 900s series of mobile GPUs, GTX 960m and GTX 950m. These have been designed to evolve and make the gaming laptop as futuristic as well as future-proof as possible. Asus had recently unveiled GX501 which is one of the machines that has incorporated the latest Nvidia tech already. According to the reports the new GPUs comprises of gaming-enhancing features as Shadow-Play, Battery-Boost, and Optimus.

Shadow-Play can track the achievements and capture the videos, Battery-Boost will prolong the play time by managing battery consumption and the Optimus will optimize laptops for battery life and performance. Although Asus is not ready to reveal more about the specifications of GX501, they have hinted that the GTX 960m card will be bounded with worthy hardware. Reports suggest that the GX501 will have the option of a resolution of 3840 x 2160 or even standard HD apart from option of a 4K display. Asus has improvised the cooling system of their gaming laptops for stealthier performance.

Nvidia's Win: 

Before freezing on its plans for the GX501, Asus was reported to be keeping a watchful eye on the processor competition in the market. Even though long-awaited Broadwell chips have been announced by Intel, but still they are in the initial phase and haven’t been able to reach to their maximum potential as if now. The market also saw AMD which basically struggled to compete with both Intel and Nvidia in the GPU wars. According to senior gaming analyst at Jon Peddie Research, Ted Pollack, this doesn’t mean that AMD is giving up and the game is still not over. AMD does have compelling option for some of the consumers.

Prospect of Gaming Laptops: 

According to Mike Schramm, manager of qualitative insights at EEDAR, even though there has been constant rise in the mobile gaming machines, smartphones, tablets, laptops in general are still flourishing. He further added that there is not crossing between the worlds of mobile gaming and laptop gaming. Most of the gamers rely on laptops for playing desktop-style PC games. He further pointed out the today gamers are ready to pay more for high-end laptops to play AAA titles, which are the big budget games and give a totally new experience from mobile gaming. Players might chose tablets for enjoying Monument Valley but go for laptop to play League of Legends.

According to Tim Coulling, senior analyst at Canalys, the market is open for both for PCs and laptops as this is mainly due to gaming and productivity. Hardware manufacturers are leaning towards gaming due to the changing environment. The current market is showing a decline in the sales price making it difficult for the vendors like Asus to make money in the desktop and notebook market. Coulling adds that even though at the lower end prices might be dropping but still PCs will continue to have their own place in every home, especially due to the keyboard and mouse.