To Kick Ass at Video Games Just Zap Your Brain with a 9V Battery

Scientists, already adept at using magnets to screw with the brain's ability to generate speech, are now sending direct current into people's brain matter to help them master video games.

Neuroscientists at the University of New Mexico asked volunteers to play a video game called "DARWARS Ambush!", developed to help train American military personnel. Half of the players received 2 milliamps of electricity to the scalp, using a device powered by a simple 9-volt battery, and they played twice as well as those receiving a much tinier jolt. The DARPA-funded study suggests direct current applied to the brain could improve learning.

DARPA! Of course! What aren't they doing in the mind control field these days, amiright?

While controversial and even a bit dangerous, this manipulation, called transcranial direct current stimulation, could actually be used to treat certain neurological disorders in the future, should it prove safe over long periods of time.

[Source]

DARPA augmented reality goggles

For some reason, whenever I hear DARPA, I always associate it with some nifty technology that may or may not exist.

DARPA is now working on some holographic augmented reality goggles for soldiers. It is apparently designed for those who need constant air support. Apparently, if soldiers need to get that, they have to go through all sorts of radio links, and then some sort of bureaucratic nightmare until it actually comes.

Imagine if a solider could wear this special helmet and see a triangle that represents an F-16. The soldier can then just contact the plane directly, and, depending on the ordnance that the plane is carrying, air support might be given right away. Other information might be given with the help of augmented reality.

DARPA is working with several companies like Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Vuzix to make these goggles. I don’t know if you have heard of Vuzix, but they make these viewing goggles like the VR920. Vuzix plans on making these goggles about 3mm thick.

Hexapod Robot Manages to Make Innocent Little Waves Looks Six Times More Creepy

New for Spring! Creepy pseudo-arachnid robots—great for going into even creepier, crawlier places so you don't have to! Also, check out that cute little wave it does in the video! Aww.

I say "pseudo" of course because this beastie boasts but six legs. As all arachnologists worth their salt know, spiders have eight wonderful legs, of which all eight are used in tandem to crawl into your mouth while you sleep.

But this big guy won't do that. Instead, he'll use his six legs and realistic spider walking motion to explore treacherous terrain or school desktops. For now this is aimed at hobbyist and educational markets, but it's only a matter of time before DARPA or some other agency weaponizes this for the inevitable Moon Wars of 2043. Won't those be fun.