EarEcho uses your ear to unlock the phone

Usually, to unlock a smartphone, we use several ways such as entering a password / PIN, fingerprint scan to face our face in front of the smartphone (face recognition). In the near future, it is likely that there will be a new way to unlock smartphones, which is enough via the earphones we are using.

The new gadget called EarEcho, boasts modified earbuds that use sound waves to identify the unique geometry of the ear canal. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Y9kxG2)

All beginning from seeing most students using earphones while on campus, a computer scientist and professor in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University at Buffalo named Zhanpeng Jin intrigued to add the functionality of an earphone to unlock a smartphone. Together with his team, he finally made a prototype of EarEcho is described in a paper in Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies.

The EarEcho is a wireless earphone that is able to authenticate identity through the unique shape of the ear canal geometry of each smartphone user. When a sound enters the user's ear via EarEcho, the small microphone contained in this earphone will record the reflection of the sound received from the user's ear canal.

When a sound is played into someone’s ear, the sound propagates through and the ear canal reflects and absorbs it—all of which produce a unique signature that a microphone attached to the earbud can record, which then sends the info via Bluetooth to the user’s smartphone for verification. (Credit: U. Buffalo). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2P6tX0X)

This sound reflection is then analyzed by the program contained in the user's smartphone and becomes the identity of each user. Researchers have also developed acoustic signal processing techniques to reduce the noise that occurs during the process of sound reflection in the user's ear canal to increase the accuracy of the authentication process.

The researchers have tested this prototype in a variety of environmental conditions and various user positions and claimed accuracy of up to 95 percent for the user authentication process within 1 second. Even, The level of accuracy is claimed to increase to 97.5 percent when the user authentication process is made to 3 seconds.

Jin revealed that this technology has the potential to be realized because users do not need to take any action to unlock their smartphones, just by wearing EarEcho. In addition to unlocking smartphones, according to Jin, EarEcho might also be used to simplify the authentication process for mobile payments and others.

Here's Original Study DOI: 10.1145/3351239. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FUTURITY | SCIENCEDAILY]

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Do you want to have a classic scooter-shaped ring?

Indeed as we've been knew, the scooters made by Italian manufacturer Piaggio named Vespa have many fans in all over the world. This makes everything related to those legendary Italian scooters always attracts a lot of attention and is liked by many of its enthusiasts.

The Vespa Scooter Ring by Paul Michael Design is a must-have for motorcycle enthusiasts (especially for those Italian scooter fans). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IuLvl2)

Recently, Paul Michael Design, a jewelry designer known for their expertise in making unique-shaped rings, again made the latest innovation. Unlike the most rings that have a standard model such as a circle and others.

There's an artificial diamond is designed as the headlight of the Paul Michael Design Vespa scooter ring. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IuLvl2)

This time, they made a classic Vespa-shaped ring. Perhaps for some people, this classic Vespa-shaped rings are not as special to the Vespa fans. Yes, for the Italian scooter lovers, this unique ring is an interesting piece of jewelry that they must be collected and lets them wear it on their finger.

This Paul Michael Design Vespa scooter ring made of 22K gold and inspired by the famous Vespa's classic scooter models. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IuLvl2)

As presented on the custommade.com page, the Vespa-shaped ring also looked unique and amazing with the distinctive details of those classic scooter. Starting from the shape of the front of the scooter, its round lights, handlebars complete with brake handle and clutch, up to the footrest and scooter seats are made in a tiny ring. And while the wheel parts are discarded. Then its footrest made in curvature becomes the inside of the ring.

There're artificial rubies form the taillight of Paul Michael Design Vespa scooter ring. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2MzFPYf)

This unique shaped rings are offered with several choices of materials, there some are made from precious metals such as silver, 22 carat gold, 14 carat gold, 14 carat white gold up to platinum. And for the price, you have to pay as much as US $495 or around Rp.7 million for silver. While the platinum ring, the price reaches US $2,195 or Rp.31.1 million. 

Are You interested in buying it? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NOVELTY STREET |  WEB URBANIST]
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They never been existed and how come are there their pictures?

Hi, we're meet again for the first time in the 2019.

The development of technology increasingly days is indeed more amazing. Things previously only existed in sci-fi movies, slowly become reality now. And this is one of them.

When you though with logic and common sense, only those who have been born into this world that ought have photos. Whether it's a baby photo, a photo when was a teenager, a photo when became an adult, and a photo when was a grandparent. This is natural because every person must want to devote precious moments and memories in their life.

The faces on the left were created by AI in 2014; on the right are ones made by AI in 2018. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Vsb5Mb)

But, what if it turns out that there are photos containing people's faces that never even existed in this world? No, they are not ghosts. Nor the aliens disguised as human beings. The truth is people on the photo below are born not by humans, but are "born" by an artificial intelligent technology.

In a simple description is that these photos were created by robots developed by an American technology company named Nvidia. You might know those company as a supplier of processor and gaming devices. In fact, besides that they also developed many other technologies, one of which is these AI technology.

Some of Nvidia’s AI-generated faces. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Vsb5Mb)

The artificial intelligence technology is called Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). Well, this technology is capable of creating imaginary human photographs that are difficult to distinguish from real human portraits.

Then, how did the AI technology create those imaginary human photos? The researchers entered 70 thousand real human photo datas of various ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds into computer databases. Then the computer will study, sort and process those 70 thousand photos to produce the photos of truly new humans.

Style transfer allows you to blend facial characteristics from different people. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Vsb5Mb)

GAN's is not only able to create portraits of new humans, but it can also create additional accessories to support the appearance of those "human". For example, adding glasses, hats, or jewelry. So, this portrait is increasingly difficult to distinguish from real humans.

This technology might amaze you, but many people are worried about these technology using, especially politicians. They worry that this technology will be misused and make politicians speak or move as creators want. In fact, all of that is merely engineering. And some say misuse of this technology will make hoax news "more trusted".

Some examples of AI-generated faces with obvious asymmetrical features. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Vsb5Mb)

Of course this technology abusing will make a scene throughout the world due to misunderstandings. In fact, everything has been engineered by irresponsible or bad people. And for its own positive impact, it seems that it is still difficult to find, unless it is used by intelligence to create a new identity.

But as a red thread, it all depends on ourselves as the creators and users if we want the technology to have benefits or just the opposite. What do you think? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE VERGE | SKYMINDS]

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These 7 diseases make the sufferer have extraordinary strength!

In general condition, each disease actually makes the sufferer become weak, helpless and need treatment until healed. But apparently not all diseases make the body of the sufferer like that.

Illustrated drawing. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2SBg2A3)

Yes, it turns out there is a disease that can make sufferers actually have extraordinary powers like a super hero. Why is that so? People with this disease can have more strength or ability that normal people do not have. It's weird but cool. 

You're curious right? Here's the full infos, let's we discuss it!

1. Hyperthymesia 

Hyperthymesia is a rare disease that makes sufferers unable to forget. The sufferer will always remember everything he sees even in detail. This often makes people with Hyperthymesia feel an unbearable headache.

One of the Hyperthymesia is a woman named Rebecca Sharrock. (Picture from: Dagelan.co)

Rebecca Sharrock is one of hyperthymesia sufferers. She can even remembered being wrapped in a pink blanket when she was 12 days old. Wow, amazing! Reportedly, this rare disease only affects 60 people worldwide.

2. Congenital Analgesia

Congenital Analgesia is a disease that makes the sufferer immune to pain. Even when experiencing severe injuries, and people with Congenital Analgesia will not be able to feel the pain.

This disease is very dangerous because it is feared to make sufferers do not realize that there are severe injuries on his body. (Picture from: Dagelan.co)

At glance this disease does sound cool, but it turns out this disease can be very dangerous because it possible for the sufferer were not aware when they get a severe injury to the body that is feared able to cause death.

3. Savant Syndrome

Savant Syndrome makes the sufferer able to do anything proficiently. Savant Syndrome is usually found in people who have mental disabilities such as autism or asperger.

Savant Syndrome will continue to experience mental decline if they do not immediately get proper care. (Picture from: Dagelan.co)

This rare disease does seem to give super powers to sufferers, but people with Savant Syndrome will continue to experience mental decline if they do not immediately get proper care.

4. Cold Insensitivity

People with this syndrome have an insensitivity of cold or cannot feel cold. It as one of unique syndromes that makes the body of the sufferer insensitive and cannot feel the cold sensation at all. People have this syndrome usually get the nickname the ice man.

People with cold insensitivity syndrome get the nickname ice man. (Picture from: Dagelan.co)

Wim Hof ​​is one of the people diagnosed with this Cold Insensitivity disorder. So he can swim in the lake in winter with very low temperatures without wearing any clothes and not feeling cold at all.

5. Urbach-Diet Disease 

Urbach-Diet Disease is a rare disease that makes the sufferer not feel afraid. And this disease seems to give sufferers the super power, even though the fear is also needed as self protection.

Illustrated of the Urbach-Diet Disease. (Picture from: Dagelan.co)

Besides not having fear, people with Urbact-Diet Disease also cannot recognize danger. And it is reported that only 300 people in the world have been diagnosed with this rare disease.

6. Hypohidrotic Ectodermal dysplasia

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is also known as vampire disease, which makes sufferers look like vampires. The causes of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia are due to mutations in the EDA, EDAR, and EDARADD genes.

Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia makes the sufferer look like a vampire. (Picture from: Dagelan.co)

This mutation prevents the normal interaction between the ectoderm and mesoderm, which interferes with the normal development of the hair, sweat glands, and teeth. As a result, people with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia will experience abnormal development in the structure of the skin, hair, nails, teeth and sweat glands themselves.

7. Foreign Accent Syndrome

Foreign Accent Syndrome is a rare disorder that causes sufferers to unconsciously speak a foreign language. Even if the person has never visited the area of ​​origin of the foreign language before.

This syndrome can make the sufferer able to speak foreign languages unconsciously. (Picture from: Dagelan.co)

This rare disease is generally caused by strokes or other brain injuries. People with Foreign Accent Syndrome not only able to change the tone of voice but also the placement of the tongue when speaking. Wow, you can speak foreign languages ​​without having to foreign languages course, it is truly amazing.

Those are 7 diseases or syndromes that can make the sufferer have extraordinary strength or ability. But overall in our opinion, if someone exposed a disease or suffering from an abnormality certainly makes they should immediately get the right treatment! Then what do you think? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]

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Plastic surgery can help stop smoking

For smokers, eliminating the habit of smoking may seem like an impossible thing. If you feel that all efforts are not working, maybe plastic surgery can help. 

Not a plastic surgery that can stop smoking, but preparations for the operation. As is known, every patient who will undergo a plastic surgery procedure must stop smoking 2 weeks before the surgery is performed. Smoking can cause dangerous complications during surgery. In fact, many surgeons refuse to operate smoker patients. 

Illustration: Cosmetic surgery may help patients quit smoking. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NKWbfb)

In a recent study revealed, people who were asked to quit smoking 2 weeks before surgery tended to succeed in avoiding cigarettes even forever. It is not realistic to ask for cigarette addicts to undergo plastic surgery, but the highlight of the results of the study is to stop smoking is possible if they understand the health risks.

As many as 70 percent of respondents in this study agreed that discussing with doctors and being told of the dangers of smoking cigarettes for the results of surgery made them aware of stopping.

As many as 40 percent also admitted that they no longer smoke until 5 years after surgery and 25 percent did not smoke anymore.

"Specifically discussing that cigarettes in patients with surgery results in greatly influencing them to stop," said Aaron C.Van Slyke as quoted from Yahoo Beauty.

In general, smoking will make blood vessels constrict so that oxygen cannot bind with blood cells perfectly. This makes the amount of oxygen in the blood circulation decrease and the surgical wound becomes healed longer.

These conditions not only make the results of plastic surgery not as expected, but also cause harmful side effects such as necrosis or cell and tissue death. Smokers also tend to experience negative reactions when anesthetized and there is a possibility of infection. The danger of cigarettes does not include the risks to the body and heart organs. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LINE]

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3 major scientific issues that still be mysterious!

Scientists continue to find many scientific issues that sometimes those issues can change the entire of our world's faces. Even so, the scientists continue to try uncover the mysteries about this world but still could not give a detailed explanations, and sometimes some of them then are kept those secret from the public, why?

Our Earth. (Picture from: Curiosity.com)

As reported from the Dailystar on (06/12/2017), here are 3 major scientific issues that still be mysteries and kept on secret so that human does not panic!

3. Climate change

Many people think that climate change only makes the earth hotter, but it turns out that Climate Change or climate change is a disaster. Climate change is a real disaster, where humans burn the fuel, factories blow smoke into the sky and release carbon dioxide which makes the Earth's surface warmer. According to a study by scientists from Ohio, the United States that climate change takes hundreds of years to make it stable again.

One of the causes of climate change. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IO0Lbu)

2. Human knowledge about the Universe is still very minimal

NASA sent astronauts to explore the moon, and humans on earth assume that humans have managed to know a lot about the universe. In fact it is not, according to a report from the United States Astronomy Agency, new humans are able to explore the universe in less than 5 percent. This means that the remaining 95 percent is still a mystery and it is the task of humans to be able to solve it in the future.

Illustration of our existence in the universe. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IO0Lbu)

1. Mass extinction will occur once more

According to the Saintis report, this earth has experienced at least 5 mass extinctions caused by climate change, the ice age, to extreme weather. Well, the dangers of scientists believe that civilization will now lead to the sixth mass extinction. True or not, scientists are referring to current conditions of the earth and climate such as the amount of pollution, ice on both poles is starting to melt, forest loss and heat waves hit several regions in the Middle East.

Illustration of mass extinction. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IO0Lbu)

The purpose of being kept secret here is not about its existence which is deliberately hidden, but its real contents are still an unsolved mystery.. What do you think? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYSTAR]

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