Category: starred

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Set Up a Home Wireless Intercom With These Clever Gadgets

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Download Free & Fearsome Halloween Printables for All Ages

Science has a long and storied history of looking for one thing but finding something better instead. Penicillin, radioactivity, science boxes…I mean microwave ovens — all of these discoveries came in the the search for something else. On Monday, researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee announced that they too had unintentionally discovered something incredible: a means of transforming carbon dioxide directly into ethanol using a single catalyst.

The team was already looking for a way to convert C02 into ethanol but were convinced that doing so would require multiple steps and catalysts. Turns out they were wrong. The system is surprisingly simple. The team created a tiny array of nanoscale copper and carbon spikes mounted on a silicon surface. A nanodroplet of nitrogen sits on the tip of each point. When exposed to carbon dioxide and a small electrical charge, this catalyst sets off an complex chain reaction that essentially reverses the combustion process and converts the gas into liquid ethanol. What’s more, because the catalyst is so small, there is virtually no side reactions so the ethanol is quite pure. I mean, you wouldn’t want to make a martini with it but it can go straight into a generator and work. Plus, the entire reaction works at room temperature.

close up of the carbon nanospikes – Image: ORNL

Were this technology ramped up for commercial or municipal use, it could provide a viable alternative for utility-scale batteries, like the one’s Tesla sells. That is, in times of excess energy production from renewable resources, rather than store that electricity in a giant battery, we could instead convert it to ethanol and use that to power generators when renewable sources aren’t producing. Plus it would be carbon neutral since the carbon dioxide generated from burning the ethanol would be reclaimed by the catalytic process. There’s no word, however, on when this accidental invention will make it out of the lab.

Via: Popular Mechanics

Source: Oak Ridge National Lab

via Engadget
Researchers accidentally turn carbon dioxide into ethanol

via Gizmodo
New Force Awakens Deleted Scene Proves You Should Always Let the Wookiee Win

On Wednesday, the presidential candidates will face off on the debate stage for the third and final time before November’s election. Here’s how to tune in online for free, even if you don’t have cable.

The debate will start at 9PM ET/ 6PM PT on October 19th. It will be moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox News. As with the previous debates, you’ll be able to watch it on nearly every major broadcast and cable channel. If you want to watch online, though, here are the easiest ways to do so:

• Watch on YouTube via the Washington Post, Fox News, C-SPAN, Univision, and many other networks.
• Watch Bloomberg TV’s coverage on Twitter.
• Watch our sister site Deadspin’s coverage on Facebook.

Many other networks will be broadcasting their own coverage of the debate as well. If you want to watch on your TV, you can tune into ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, C-SPAN, Fox, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC, PBS, Univision, and many others.

If you’d like to watch on your TV via your mobile device or set-top box, the following stations can help (though some may require a cable package):

• Watch with CBS News on Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku.
• Watch with ABC News on Android, iOS, Windows, Apple TV, andRoku.
• Watch with NBC News on Android, iOS, Windows, Apple TV, and Roku.
• Watch with Reuters on Android and iOS.

You can also watch the YouTube live stream on nearly any set-top box using the YouTube app. Finally, NPR will offer coverage of the debate via your local radio affiliate, if you’d prefer to listen instead of watch. You can listen to NPR via its member stations, via NPR.org, onFacebook, or through the NPR One apps.

Many state deadlines to register has already passed, and early voting has begun in some places. Check out our guide on how to register and vote early.

Photo by Getty Images.

via Lifehacker
How to Stream the Third and Final Presidential Debate Online, No Cable Required

You can go all old school with tactical pants and a jungle adventure vest for a cover garment, but to me this just screams to bad guys “shoot this guy first!” But if you want to fly below the radar and carry your piece comfortably, let me share some tips and tricks that I’ve gathered over the years.

Clothing Considerations

The first thing to realize is that carrying a concealed firearm is not only a legal and personal decision, but it’s also a lifestyle and clothing decision. In order to properly carry a properly concealed firearm on your person, it is usually necessary to make accommodations and compromises in clothing.

For carrying a concealed firearm inside the waistband, most people jump up a pant size to make things more comfortable. And unless the firearm you are carrying is ultra-light, I strongly recommend a sturdy belt, preferably with a curved ergonomic cut. Using a belt with a curved cut such as those from 5.11 can give you more comfort, less chafing, and better weapon retention. A wider thicker belt will also help with a much more comfortable carry and better support of the pistol weight.

Unless you find a good “tuckable” holster such as Crossbreed Super Tuck holsters, I usually carry with my shirt untucked or with some type of sweater, jacket, or cover garment. If you are suffering from flashing your gun or butt crack every time you move your hands above shoulder height, then you may want to consider purchasing your same shirt size but in a “tall” version. This has worked great for me from t-shirts to sweaters to jackets. It gives me great coverage during a wide range of motion and does not make me look sloppy like a one-size-up garment would.

Another great option are shirts and garments from Duluth Trading Company. Their “anti-buttcrack” Longtail clothing is top quality, reasonably priced, and has a tall cover length in standard sizes and extra tall sizes if you order their “tall” sizes.

Cold weather also adds complexity to concealed carry and firearm access. If it is freezing cold and you are never really taking your jacket off, you may want to consider an OWB (On The Waistband) holster and just use the winter jacket as your cover garment.

Cold Weather Gloves

My biggest winter carry issue has not been weapon access, but gloves and firearm manipulation. Once you start shooting with thick cold weather gloves, you will never again own a defensive pistol with a safety on it. I have found that some gloves do not even permit functional use of a firearm, some will not allow full access inside the trigger guard, and worse I have actually had some bulky gloves block or jam a pistol slide.

Choose and test gloves at the range with the gun and the clothing you plan to wear when it’s cold, otherwise you may find that you may not be able to grasp or reliably operate the gun with gloves on. My favorite cold weather shooting gloves are Mechanix Wear gloves.

Holster Types

I wish there was one great solution for everyone, but that is not the case. The world’s best holster placed in a position the shooter cannot reach, or which horribly chafes you, is not a good solution.

You need to find the right solution for you. Everyone is different. Many variables impact how the user carries a firearm, which inevitably leads to variety of firearms being purchased along with a host of holsters to go with them. Many people just give up and slip a tiny 380 into a pocket or purse.

Where possible, I prefer to carry a full-sized pistol that offers me the best accuracy and high ammo capacity. At other times I may instead go with my Glock 19, my Glock 26, my Walther PPK or PPS, or for really hard-to-conceal situations, I may go with ClipDraw-equipped Kahr CM9, Ruger LCR, or even a Derringer from Bond Arms.

And when all of those carry methods fail, I know I can slip my Kahr CM9 or Ruger LCR into my front jeans pocket or the breast pocket of my coat. Different clothing situations require different carry options and potentially different sized firearms.

One of the older firearm holster ideas with a modern twist are stretchy hip-based offerings from Can Can Concealment. They offer elastic garter, hip hugger, sport belt, and even corset holsters, which can be a viable concealment option for woman who are challenged with the fit or comfort of typical holsters. I am told their hip concealment belts are great for females.

Flashbang bra holsters provide women another option to carry firearms. The concept may seem unusual, but a woman of ample endowment can carry a surprisingly large firearm nested underneath her bra. It can be a fast and effective carry method, which I’m told is also comfortable. And I’ve been told one that this this carry method offers ladies a lot of fashion choices unavailable with hip or waist carry.

Carrying in a Purse

Women, please consider carry options other than a purse. Purses are so often the targets of robbers, so it makes little sense to have a gun in the thing most likely stolen, but many ladies argue with me on this point.

If you choose to carry your firearm in a purse or pack, make sure the gun resides in its own compartment and is easily accessible without opening the entire purse or pack. If you have it in the main compartment, it will likely fall to the bottom and/or get mingled with a bunch of other things that will interfere with your draw.

Dedicated concealed carry holster purses can make your firearm easily accessible in a snap, but a purpose-designed purse is not required. Mrs Pandemic has a beautiful Dooney & Bourke purse that has an outside pocket that’s perfect for a firearm. In my mind this is not ideal, but it works for her when other carry solutions clash with her sense of style.

In the Bathroom

Hey, it’s a biological fact that we all need to go sit down for a moment or two, but flashing the firearm hanging off your downed pants is a no-no legally in most states. Some people will place the firearm inside their britches, in a pocket, or hang it on the back of the door. I usually hold the gun by the barrel or slide in my support hand, which allows use of my other hand for other needs, keeps the gun warm so I don’t get the big chill when I slip it back into my pants, and allows near-instant transition to my strong hand should I actually need the firearm.

Alternative Carry Option

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Clipdraw for a lightweight no-bulk IWB carry option. If you want to carry a gun and have a challenging dress style, you owe it to yourself to buy a ClipDraw clip. This clip mounts to the side of the firearm, allowing you to slip the gun inside of your pants with only the clip outside your waistband.

After a lot of experience with the ClipDraw, my personal preference is to not use the Glock version for Glocks and instead use the Universal model. It’s simple easy and works perfectly for many applications.

Trigger Guard holsters are gaining popularity. The gist of the idea is that a small piece of Kydex covers the trigger guard, and carry is permitted via a lanyard, which can be attached via many methods to purses, packs, or even belts for IWB carry. It’s a great minimalist concealed carry holster idea that many people love and that I am excited to test. Some people are using this tiny little trigger guard holster for around the home carry.

Pocket carry is also a viable carry option. Using a wallet holster or slipping a piece of cardboard in front of your gun breaks up the outline of the gun in the pocket to make it less detectable.

Movement

If you are carrying a firearm concealed on the strong side, start training yourself to reach for things (on store shelves, for instance) with your other hand. If you are right-handed that means start reaching for things with your left hand. A significant amount of shirt and cover movement will naturally occur on the reaching-hand side, which can lead to flashing part of your concealed firearm–a definite no-no.

If you have a proper cover garment, have faith that it will provide coverage and avoid continually tugging on your clothes. Continual coverage tugging tells everyone that you are carrying concealed, so stop it. Another telltale move CCW folks do is the constant weapons check “is my gun still there?” Stop it! It’s still there.

The post Tips and Tricks for Concealed Carry appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.

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Tips and Tricks for Concealed Carry

Women who replaced an afternoon diet drink with water lost more weight and had better insulin sensitivity.

The study involved 81 overweight and obese women with type 2 diabetes who were all self-reported habitual consumers of diet drinks. Scientists asked them either to substitute water for diet drinks, or to continue drinking diet drinks five times a week after their lunch for 24 weeks.

Both groups of women were allowed to drink water at other times but were not allowed to have diet drinks at any other time. The two groups were also asked not to drink anything while eating their lunch and not to add low calorie sweeteners to drinks such as tea or coffee. The results are published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism.

“Many obese people trying to lose weight believe that low calorie or diet drinks can help them to lose weight,” says Ian Macdonald, professor of metabolic physiology at the University of Nottingham. “This study shows that while they can still lose weight, they may not be losing as much as they would if they drank water in place of diet drinks.

“Our results also question whether consuming diet drinks is the most effective way for people with diabetes to manage their condition. But since the consumption of diet soda is higher among people with diabetes, the potential implications of our study needs further and larger scale research.”

Just a 5% weight loss can dramatically improve health

The women followed a diet plan and their post-lunch drink option for 24 weeks with the goal of losing 7-10 percent of their body weight at a rate of 0.5 to 1 kilogram (about 1 to 2 pounds) a week. They also followed an exercise plan that gradually increased during the trial to achieve 60 minutes of moderate activity five days a week.

Body weight was measured at the start, at 12 weeks, and at 24 weeks. Waist circumference was also measured and BMI calculated at the same intervals. Fasting blood samples were collected also at the start, 12, and 24 weeks to check diabetes indicators.

“Our results are very interesting. They show that the women drinking water after their main meal at lunch time over 24 weeks lost on average 1.16 kilograms more than the women who drank diet drinks after their meal,” Hamid Farshchi from the University of Nottingham’s School of Life Sciences.

“We think that by drinking water instead of sweet-tasting diet drinks, the women may be adhering better to the weight loss diet because artificial sweeteners may increase desire for sweetened and more energy dense foods.

“We also found that the women who drank water achieved a better improvement in insulin sensitivity.”

Source: University of Nottingham

The post For weight loss: Replace diet drinks with water? appeared first on Futurity.

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For weight loss: Replace diet drinks with water?

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“Aren’t all stormtroopers technically death troopers?” Your boy from far, far away is back with his reaction video to the final Rogue One: A Star Wars Story trailer. Watch as he slowly loses his temper at the inept Empire.

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Kylo Ren Reacts to Rogue One 2

via The Truth About Guns
Judge Dismisses Suit Against Sandy Hook Gun Maker

The frivolous lawsuit filed by a minority of Sandy Hook Elementary school parents against Bushmaster and Remington Arms has been dismissed.

A Superior Court judge has thrown out the lawsuit against the gun maker brought by the families of the Sandy Hook tragedy.

In a 54-page decision filed Friday afternoon, Judge Barbara Bellis granted a motion to strike the entire lawsuit brought against the gun maker,Remington Outdoor Company, the dealer, Camfour Inc. and the company that owned the gun store, Riverview Sales where A___ L___’*s mother bought the assault rifle.

The judge ruled the lawsuit does not satisfy the exception to federal law preventing lawsuits against gun manufacturers for the actions of gun owners under either the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) or the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA).

“Although PLCAA provides a narrow exception under which plaintiffs may maintain an action for negligent entrustment of a firearm, the allegations in the present case do not fit within the common-law tort of negligent entrustment under well-established Connecticut law,” the judge wrote. “A plaintiff under CUTPA must allege some kind of consumer, competitor, or other commcercial relationship with a defendant, and the plaintiffs here have alleged no such relationship.”

We commented on the sad absurdity of this case back in February.

The exploitative lawsuit filed by Koshoff, Sterling, and Mesner-Hage is based on the theory of “negligent entrustment.” The plaintiff’s argument is that the Freedom Group, which owns Bushmaster Firearms, the manufacturer of the XM15-E2S, marketed their guns in such a way as to encourage violent crazy people to buy them. Of course, the Sandy Hook murderer didn’t buy the carbine he used in his attack. He murdered his own mother to gain access to it.

But hey, reality be damned; lawyers wanna get paid.

Further, these shysters are arguing that AR-15s—the most common rifle sold in the United States year after year, used in more than a half-dozen kinds of formal shooting competitions, for informal target shooting, home defense, hunting, and simply for fun—is a “weapon of war” that no civilian should have.

The semi-automatic AR-15s sold to U.S. civilians, of course, are not used in combat by any known military on earth.

Militaries instead use selective-fire M16s and M4s, which American civilians have not been able to buy from manufacturers at any price since the Hughes Amendment passed as part of the Firearm Owners Protection Act in 1986.

The vultures of Koskoff Koskoff and Bieder are arguing that the most common rifle sold in the United States, which is, as a subset of rifles is one of the least likely instruments of murder in the nation, should be banned. Put bluntly, these attorneys appear to be hoping to find a way to sue gun companies out of existence, and get rich in the process.

The judge has a very simple choice in this case.

She can allow the continuance of an obviously frivolous lawsuit filed by unscrupulous attorneys, and set the stage for every company in the world to be sued out of their existence due to their choice of advertising, or she can throw this case out.

Let’s hope Bridgeport Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis is not among the world’s crazy people.

Clearly, Judge Barbara Bellis did not buy the argument made by lead attorney for the plaintiffs, Joshua Koskoff, who argued that the American people are “notoriously incompetent,” and unfit to own guns in common use.

* * *

Like this vile attorney, Hillary Clinton thinks that the American people are both inherently violent and stupid.

If a mentally ill 20-year-old murders his mother, steals her car keys, and plows the most popular car sold in the United States into a bus stop killing dozens, should the families of the victims be able to sue Toyota for manufacturing an “assault vehicle?”

While we’d all feel a great deal of sympathy for the families of the victims, we’d also instinctively know that a lawsuit from a twisted family attorney and “traffic safety” zealots claiming that it was “criminally negligent” to manufacture a vehicle that could go more than posted speed limit of 45 MPH in the area was absurd.

Yet that is precisely the argument being made by Democrat frontrunner Hillary Clinton, as she supports the lawsuit filed by a small group of crime victims, who are attempting to claim that gun manufacturers are criminally negligent in manufacturing a rifle that has been sold in the United States for more than five decades, and which is the most popular rifle purchased year in and year out due to it’s light weight, low recoil, accuracy, and inexpensive, intermediate-caliber ammunition.

Mrs. Clinton’s views on the right to bear arms are the most radical ever from a presidential candidate in the history of the United States.

Senator Russ Feingold just admitted on a hidden camera that if she is elected, Clinton will likely attempt to exceed her authority as President and use executive orders to attack the Constitution.

Clinton wants gun manufacturers sued out of existence, and gut the right to bear arms in the process.

Think of this when you vote less than a month from now.

 

* Bearing Arms does not publish the names of mass or spree killers.

The post BREAKING: Frivolous Lawsuit Over Sandy Hook Deaths Dismissed appeared first on Bearing Arms.

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BREAKING: Frivolous Lawsuit Over Sandy Hook Deaths Dismissed