Humphrey Cheung

Two new studies published in Science magazine claim that biofuels use could actually increase the amount of greenhouse gases in our planet's atmosphere. Researchers say converting forests and grasslands to ethanol producing corn or oil palm plants could actually double the CO2 levels over the next thirty years.

Note taking is a messy affair and you often miss the gist of what the speaker is saying while you frantically try to write down words. But never fear, Oakland-based Livescribe has developed its Pulse Smart Pen that can digitally record everything you write and hear.

Database administration and creation has always been relegated to pointy head techie types, but start-up company Blist claims to have developed the world's easiest database.

Accelerating your child's learning is as easy as giving him LeapFrog's new "Tag" pen-like device. Thanks to an infrared camera in the tip, the pen recognizes graphics on specially designed books and then reads back words and letters as the kid taps on the book.

Chicago (IL) - An Illinois-based biofuels research company claims it can make ethanol for less than $1 a gallon.

A new infrared-blasting helmet could stop and possibly even reverse Alzheimer's disease. British researchers developed the helmet for human testing after similar treatments improved brain function on middle-aged mice. The infrared light supposedly stimulates brain cells to regenerate and, according to the researchers, can reverse dementia in just a few weeks.

Moscow (Russia) - The Moscow State University has purchased one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world.

Electron microscopes are great for viewing atomic details, but don't you just hate it when nearby scientists start blaring Queen's 'We Will Rock You'? Well the researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory were fed up with rock music shaking up their atoms and have developed a new microscope that can maintain stability under intense vibration.

When you think about Silicon Valley you think about modern tech giants like Google, Yahoo and others, but did you know that this high-tech center of the Universe owes its existence to secret government cooperation dating back four decades?

Mountain View (CA) - Web surfers can't seem to get enough online video and a new market study shows people are now watching 9.

University of Washington researchers have been developing an electronic contact lens that could someday display important information in your field of vision.

Beijing (China) - China will have the world's largest base of Internet users in 2008, according to a new study by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC).

A British Airways jet has crashed just short of the runway at London's Heathrow Airport today. Flight 38 was a Boeing 777 from Beijing and was on final approach when, according to initial reports, the plane lost all power. The plane crashed several hundred meters short of the runway, but none of the 136 passengers and 16 crew were killed.

Open minded people are more likely to purchase a Mac, according to a new survey released by Mindset Media. The company interviewed 7500 people and found that liberal thinkers were 60 percent more likely to buy a Mac. These same people were also less modest and more sure of their own superiority than the rest of the population.

Scientists at the Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary have developed a computer that can "translate" dog barks. We put translate in quotes because the machine can only detect the dogs' general mood at the time. Scientists claim the readings are 43 percent accurate - something which doesn't seem that great, but they add most humans would not have done so well.

The virtual residents of Second Life are experiencing a banking crisis of their own after recently announced ban on unregistered banks. As of January 22nd, unregistered banks won't be able to offer interest or any return on investment. Now, virtual citizens are scrambling to pull their money out of banks and causing some institutions to close their doors.

Yes, even we thought it might never happen, but Sony BMG has apparently waved the white surrender flag on DRM and plans on distributing a portion of its music collection as DRM-free songs.

Gadget lovers will have one more thing to worry about because the Transportation Department has issued new rules that greatly restrict lithium-ion batteries on airplanes.

An allegedly text messaging driver has been charged in the hit and run death of a Taunton Massachusetts teenager.

Wellington (FL) - A GPS tracking device has helped police catch a thief that snatched up a porcelain baby Jesus from a neighborhood Nativity scene.

Japan's navy successfully defended itself from a simulated ballistic missile attack last week.

Greenwich (CT) - One of the original "KITT" cars used in Knight Rider is being sold on eBay, but response so far has been lukewarm.

New York (NY) - Starting next Tuesday, airlines in the United States will start offering Internet access - although the first customers will have very limited access.

Bangkok (Thailand) - Thailand is genetically engineering a new form of rice that can resist almost everything short of a nuclear attack.

A 42-year-old man committed suicide while talking to his friend in an online chatroom. Shropshire, England resident Kevin Whitrick's body was found after other chatroom users told police that he was harming himself in full view of his friends.