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GLOBAL HURRICANES--FEWER BUT STRONGER As hurricanes Katrina and Rita vividly demonstrated in recent weeks, the intensity of slugger storms is growing. Globally, hurricanes and typhoons are decreasing in number but increasing in strength, according to a report from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the Georgia Institute of Technology. The number of high-intensity storms (categories 4 and 5) has nearly doubled over the past 35 years, from about 10 a year in the 1970s to 18 a year on average since 1990. The sluggers now account for 35% of hurricanes and typhoons, up from about 20%. The trend is coinciding with rising sea-surface temperatures worldwide, but more research is needed on the relationship between the storms and ocean surface temperatures, as well as on the role of human-induced global warming, according to atmospheric science professor Peter Webster of Georgia Tech. Understanding this relationship might then improve our ability to forecast the number and intensity of tropical storms in a future warmer world, he suggests. SOURCE: Georgia Institute of Technology, http://www.gatech.edu/news-room/release.php?id=654 NABBING CYBERSTALKERS Stalkers who track and harass their victims in cyberspace have become increasingly adept at covering their own tracks. But now computer scientists and cybersecurity experts are on their trail. A new computer program called the Predator and Prey Alert (PAPA) system is a forensic toolkit that will allow law enforcement agents to remotely shadow a victim online, then assume control of the victim's computer and interact directly with the stalker. PAPA records all exchanges with the culprit in order to provide high-quality evidence for prosecution. The system, under development by Florida State University computer science professor Sudhir Aggarwal, takes advantage of the cyberstalker's aggressive and repetitive behavior. It also gives the investigators the ability to intervene directly to protect the victim. SOURCE: Florida State University, http://www.fsu.edu/~unicomm/pages/releases/2005_09/release_2005_09_08a.html NEURO PACEMAKER FIGHTS DEPRESSION A device to stimulate neural functioning in the same way that pacemakers stimulate the heart has been approved for use with patients who are battling severe depression, according to researchers with the University of Virginia Health System. The neuro pacemaker, manufactured by Cyberonics, is already used to treat epilepsy, but clinical trials now also offer hope for patients with long-term severe depression. The patients had tried at least four different antidepressant medications and were at high risk for suicide. The device stimulated the brain to produce more of its natural mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. After six months, 8% of users reported being well. After a year and a half using the device, 48% reported that they felt well and 25% reported that their depression was in remission. SOURCE: University of Virginia Health System, http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/news/Archives05/neuro_pacemaker.cfm ************************************ 2006 CONFERENCE DEADLINES! REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 30 in order to save $250 for the Society's annual conference, WorldFuture 2006: Creating Global Strategies for Humanity's Future, to be held July 28-30 in Toronto: https://www.wfs.org/2006regform.htm SUBMIT A SESSION PROPOSAL for the conference by October 31: http://www.wfs.org/2006propguidelines.htm SUBMIT A PRECONFERENCE COURSE PROPOSAL by November 15: http://www.wfs.org/2006course_policies.htm SUBMIT A PAPER FOR THE CONFERENCE VOLUME by March 6, 2006: www.wfs.org/2006volguidelines.htm VISIT the conference homepage for details and updates: http://www.wfs.org/2006main.htm ************************************ NEW AND NOTEWORTHY BOOKS
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OF THE MONTH: NOW AND NEXT'S TOP TRENDS Click on any of a dozen categories to see the Top 10 Trends at futurist Richard Watson's Now and Next site. Succinct summaries cover trends in such areas as: • Society and culture: Speeding up of change, anxiety over wars and terrorism, and demographic shifts such as aging societies and single-person households.• Food and drink: Influences of lifestyles (time-pressed consumers) and demographic forces (assimilation of foreign cuisines). • Science, technology, and design: Nanotechnology and the rise of machine intelligence will create new ethical dilemmas. ... and much more. Watson, a frequent contributor to FAST COMPANY, also edits the business and technology trends newsletter WHAT'S NEXT. NEWS FROM THE FUTURIST COMMUNITY
FUTURIST UPDATE: News & Previews from the World Future Society is an e-mail newsletter published monthly as a supplement to THE FUTURIST magazine. Copyright © 2005, World Future Society, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. Telephone 1-301-656-8274; e-mail mailto:info@wfs.org; Web site http://www.wfs.org. Editor: Cindy Wagner To subscribe, send an e-mail message to mailto:majordomo@wfs.org
with "subscribe futurist-update" in the BODY of the message. The WORLD FUTURE SOCIETY is a nonprofit, nonpartisan scientific and educational association with a global membership. Regular membership in the Society, including a subscription to THE FUTURIST, is $49 per year, or $20 for full-time students under age 25. Professional and Institutional membership programs are also offered; contact Society headquarters for details: http://www.wfs.org |
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