A WORLD OF INNOVATION
England
Peregrine falcons, a natural enemy of pigeons, are coming to scare away London’s park-going pigeons. Robotic versions of the falcons, called “Robops,” are being deployed on rooftops and actually flap their wings and squawk. Fat from fast-food freebies, London’s pigeons cost the city more than $300,000 annually to clean up their, well, leftovers.
For more information, contact Andy Hull, www.liverpool.gov.uk.
United States
Vitamin D was shown to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women by possibly as much as 60 percent. More than 1,000 women over the age of 55 took part in a four-year clinical trial, and the findings were released in June 2007.
For more information, contact Dr. Robert Heaney, Creighton University, (402) 280-4029.
Japan
Honda’s micro jet — the Hondajet — could be in U.S. skies by 2010 if all goes according to plan. The small, executive aircraft will seat up to six passengers and in testing can, with its unique over-wing mounted engines, cruise at about 400 knots. Hondajet’s future plans include a manufacturing facility in North Carolina.
For more information, visit https://hondajet.honda.com.
Belgium
Visitors to the 660,000-gallon Némo33 indoor pool, which descends to more than 100 feet, can sign in and scuba dive the pool, take lessons or simply watch divers in the water. The pool also features three permanent, underwater caves of air where students can stop and compare notes with instructors.
For more information, visit www.nemo33.com.
Taiwan
Flexible computer displays — or e-paper — are a small but growing part of the electronics market. Taiwan-based Prime View International is the major player in the $3–$5 million seller, but electronics giants Samsung and LG Philips introduced similar displays in May 2007. E-paper manufacturers’ flexible displays could grab more than $750 million by 2010.
For more information, contact TH Peng, thpeng@pvi.com.tw.
England
British researchers have confirmed a link between depression and low levels of folate, a vitamin found in vegetables. The same team has also found people who suffer from depression often do not process folate efficiently, which helps explain why folate supplements aid in battling depression.
For more information, contact Dr. Simon Gilbody, sg519@york.ac.uk.