What is a 'Vocal Joystick'?

The 'Vocal Joystick' has been developed by researchers at the University of Washington. It is a computer software which allows the disabled, who can use their voice but not their hands or arms, to control a cursor using sounds. This joy stick detects sounds 100 times a second and converts it into movement on screen.

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Dirty bomb

A dirty bomb is a simple explosive device used not so much to produce extensive damage but to contaminate a designated spot with radioactive material. It's primary role is to spread fear.

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Which was the first living organism on Earth?

Scientific experiments in the 1950s showed how lightning flashes might create amino acids, the basic chemicals of life, from the waters and gases of early Earth.
But no one knows how these chemicals joined up to become 'self replicating' i.e. able to make copies of themselves. This is the key to life which remains a mystery.
However, the first life forms were probably a tiny bacteria called archebacteria, which thrive in very hot, chemically rich places.

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What is Defty?

Almost every institutional investor and offshore fund enterprise with equity exposure in India would like to have an instrument for measuring returns on equity investment in terms of dollars. To facilitate this, a new index the S&P CNX Defty, a dollar-denominated S&P CNX Nifty, has been developed. S&P CNX Defty is S&P CNX Nifty, measured in dollars. It provides an effective tool for hedging Indian equity exposure. It also provides fund managers an instrument for measuring returns on their equity investment in dollars.

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What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the involuntary gnashing of teeth. Some people with bruxism — originating from the Greek word ‘brychein’ — clench their teeth during the day when they are tense. This is different from tooth grinding or clenching that occurs at night, which is called sleep bruxism. Mild bruxism may not require treatment, but in severe cases, can lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.

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What is Loop Quantum Cosmo-logy?

It is the theory on which the concept of the recycled universe is based. Loop Quantum Cosmology (LQC) has been teasing physicists since 2003 with the idea that our universe could conceivably have emerged from the collapse of a previous universe. It theorises that our universe expands and then contracts over and over again, rebirthing for infinity. According to scientists, LQC is based on quantum Riemannian geometry, or loop quantum gravity, which is an attempt at a non-perturbative and background-independent quantization of general relativity.

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What is Andorra most famous for?

Andorra is a small nation of 453 sq. kms located on the French-Spanish border. It is an autonomous co-principality under the joint sovereignty of the Bishop of Urgel in Spain and the French Chief of State (President). The country is most famous for tourism and tobacco. Both French and Spanish currencies are valid in Andorra, while its own dinar coins are meant only for collectors.

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Who is Lady Justice?

The origin may be Themis, a Greek mythological goddess, who advised Zeus after his purge of the old pantheon. A daughter of Themis and Zeus, Dike, known as a goddess of justice but not divine justice, presided over the apportionment of things among mortals, the protection of individuals and the social and political order. At times, Dike is said to be the same as (or is confused with) Astraea. Astraea is also a daughter of Themis and Zeus and is known as a goddess of justice. In western tradition, Lady Justice sometimes wears a blindfold and carries a sword and scales. She symbolises the fair and equal administration of the law, without corruption, avarice, prejudice, or favour.

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What is mobile elbow?

The mobile elbow results from using the mobile for long hours. Called the 'cubital tunnel syndrome', it is also called 'cell phone elbow'. The problem occurs when the ulnar nerve, which runs across the elbow, down to the ring and little fingers, gets over-stretched and blood supply is restricted, sparked by holding a phone to the ear for long periods.

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