100.5 The River » Science & Technology

West Michigan Teacher Wins Google Contest

Andy Rent — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:02 +0000

In case you missed the story on TV last week, a West Michigan teacher was the winner of a Google contest and earned a proverbial “trip of a lifetime.” And, all it took was a tweet. Our news partner, WZZM TV13 reported last week about teacher Andrew Vanden Heuvel who entered a Google contest. [...]

You Can Name a Planet in Outrageous Contest

Drew Weisholtz — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 03:59:27 +0000

Earth, Mars, Neptune – how hard can it possibly be to name a planet? Now’s your chance to find out. A company called Uwingu which aims to raise funds for space exploration is holding a contest to name a planet that currently goes by the rather sci-fi-sounding moniker Alpha Centauri Bb. Because Alpha Centauri Bb, [...]

Follow Asteroid 2012 DA14 As It Passes By Earth [Live Stream]

Steven Bohner — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:27:53 +0000

The asteroid named 2012 DA14 will be passing within Earth's geosynchronous orbit this afternoon at around 2pm EST. This will be the closest an asteroid has passed by Earth since man began recording such events. NASA will be tracking the asteroid with their telescopes and broadcasting it live on UStream.

How to Turn Boiling Water Into Snow? Watch (video)

Andy Rent — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:00:41 +0000

We sure won’t forget the bitter cold of last week. Waking up to 0 degrees in the morning with wind chills of 10 to 20 below were a rude awakening. Top it off with our first significant snow fall of the season, and we all knew that Winter had finally arrived. This guy decided to [...]

First Robotics Event Kicks off at GVSU

Andy Rent — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:02:30 +0000

Tomorrow, January 5th, will be an exciting day for nearly 550 high school students and parents as they’ll be at Grand Valley State University, downtown, for the “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” (FIRST) Robotics Competition kick-off event. About 40 FIRST Robotics teams from high schools throughout West Michigan will learn about this [...]

Need Help With Holiday Gift-Giving? Try an App!

Andy Rent — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:00:20 +0000

Holiday gift shopping is a daunting task and can completely overwhelm you. What to get? How much to spend? Where to find it? Oh, my! App’s to the rescue! Phone Apps! There are phone App’s for almost everything, and holiday shopping is no different. Here are some really cool ones I found: Gift Plan – [...]

Michigan Cases of Meningitis Grow to 119

Andy Rent — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 10:56:28 +0000

It’s such a sad, and avoidable problem that we have here in Michigan. Most of us, I think, are aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration are coordinating a multi-state investigation of meningitis among patients who had received steroid injections. These cases are associated with a [...]

To Dispose Of Packaging, Just Add Water

Tom Cook — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:49:04 +0000

So I’m one of those people concerned about the future of our planet. Among other things, I believe it’s our responsibility as inhabitants of this planet to care … at least a little. Things like sending cans, plastics, bottles and cardboard can really make a difference at the landfill. So I think this is really [...]

If You're "Liked" on Facebook You'll get a Hug (video)

Andy Rent — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 10:03:55 +0000

Every time you get a "like" on Facebook, you get a hug!

No, for real, you get a hug, that is if you're wearing the newest creation by designer, Melissa Kit Chow, Andy Payne and Phill Seaton from the MIT Media Lab.

I talked about this new invention on the radio show yesterday morning, "Andy In The Morning."

Melissa designed her "Like-A-Hug" vest that will inflate to simulate the feeling of a hug when you receive a “like” on Facebook. I'm not kidding.

"Once In A Blue Moon" is Actually Tonight, August 31st

Andy Rent — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:35:11 +0000

Hey stargazers, you are in for a little treat tonight, Friday, August 31. We’ll have a full moon in the night sky, and that is a real rarity that last happened in 2009. It’s going to be the second full moon for August, so it is often called a “Blue Moon.” No…..it will not look [...]

Cell Phones and Radiation…a Health Problem?

Andy Rent — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:08:08 +0000

You know, we Americans spend a lot of time on our cell phones. We’ve heard warning from some that we could be getting radiation from our phones. However you can never find anything definitive. Are you concerned, worried, don’t care? Maybe we should care a bit. You see, the cell phone radiation emission laws are [...]

New Bill Would Force Online Retailers to Collect Sales Tax — Dollars and Sense

Shauna Wright — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 15:22:22 +0000

Online shoppers often cite the convenience of purchasing items from web retailers like Amazon, but another perk to cyber shopping is that buyers often don’t have to pay sales tax.

Thanks to a congressional bill, though, that could soon change.

You Could Lose Your Internet Connection Monday

Andy Rent — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:02:06 +0000

What's up with this? I might lose the internet?

Come Monday, more than a quarter of a million PC users around the country, could find themselves cut off from the Internet. The FBI will be taking down a safety net they had put up to protect us from this very thing, a specific piece of malicious software.

Here are the facts from a USA Today story that we all should read very carefully.

New Social Networking Site Connects Neighbors In Grand Rapids & West Michigan

Tom Cook — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 14:00:55 +0000

What I love about Facebook is that it can connect me with anyone in the world. It's a way of expanding my horizons. But what if a social media site could connect you with your neighbor, the one who lives right up the street in Grandville, Wyoming, Byron Center even? Well it's here and it's called NextDoor.com.

It's an application that allows you to draw a neighborhood boundary and then it will invite neighbors in that area to join your social network.

Cancer Diagnosis Increases Risk Of Suicide, Heart Attack And Stroke

Tom Cook — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:00:14 +0000

Researchers have found that when a person is given a cancer diagnosis it can have deadly consequences. According to a new study a cancer diagnosis can increase the risk of suicide, heart attack and stroke.

The Swedish study followed more than 6 million a

By 2050, Robots Could Be The Future Of Prostitution

Tom Cook — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 14:00:54 +0000

I was watching a show online yesterday and the host said to a panel of women, "If your boyfriend or husband cheated on you with a robot prostitute would that be considered cheating to you?" Not surprisingly, the women on the panel, thought it was not only cheating but pretty gross. By the way, these prostitutes will be available in the male and female form.

Brace yourself, because all the nerds and geeks in the world will be rejoicing in the next couple decades. Researchers predict that by 2050 that robot women will take the place of real live prostitutes.

Tech That Kids Born Today Will Never Know

Tom Cook — Mon, 28 May 2012 23:48:31 +0000

Well this is depressing! Then over the weekend, I read a piece on "things that kids born today won't ever use or even know about." And they weren't talking about things that have come and gone during OUR lifetime, like phone books, VCR/VHS and others. This list focused on things that we're using RIGHT NOW that will eventually be outdated...

Thousands May Lose Internet Services In July

Kim Carson — Mon, 28 May 2012 15:00:29 +0000

I wouldn't have thought anything like this could have even happened but I was wrong. When the FBI gets involved you know it's serious. Why is it that thousands of people might lose internet service in July? One word, HACKERS!

The problem first started when international hackers ran an advertising scam online. Its program was written to take control of infected computers around the world.

Grand Rapids Premieres Feature Length Film "Urbanized", At Wealthy Theatre

Kim Carson — Mon, 28 May 2012 14:00:39 +0000

I love architecture! Recently I sold a number of paintings that were done by architect Frank Lloyd Wright's last apprentice on eBay, his name was Robert Green. I purchased a number of Robert's paintings from his son Matthew. I think his paintings were so wonderful because there was just something so different about them. Maybe being an architect, that happened to be lucky enough to study under one of the most highly acclaimed architects of all time, may have helped Robert to look at things a bit differently. I imagine that this feature length documentary will examine all of the aspects of building and how it affects our cities, neighborhoods, landscapes and nature itself.

Dubai, Unveils Underwater Hotel With Rooms 33 Feet Below Sea Level

Kim Carson — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:00:17 +0000

I think this is just so cool! It would be worth the cost to fly to Dubai to experience this! Who wants to vacation with me here?

Dubai, has unveiled plans for a an underwater hotel. Dubai already has the tallest building in the world, they also have dozens of man made islands off their coastline.