Gender Plays a Role in Scientific Funding
Male and female scientists within educational institutions are given broadly similar opportunities to pursue their investigations, according to the National Research Council.
However, there is one way in which the two genders’ experiences differ – men are more likely to be granted access to the equipment they need.
The research found that clerical support is also more readily available to males in universities’ science faculty jobs.
In its study, the National Research Council detected some other discrepancies, such as an apparent trend for men to be given more space to work in laboratories.
But after accounting for variations such as the rank of the individual, or the discipline in which they work, this was found not to be significant.
Women do, however, face a longer wait before securing a faculty position, as they are proportionally less likely to make the progression from assistant professorship to being considered for tenure.
Just 15 per cent of those being considered for faculty posts are female, compared with 22 per cent of assistant professors being women.
However, they are fairly treated when they do reach the interview stage, with the appropriate percentage given tenure, the research adds.
The National Academies Press, which publishes the report, notes that the findings are both “new and surprising”.
Read More»Men’s Favorites for 2009
A study of men in the workplace has revealed that the iPhone is their favourite gadget.
The poll, which surveyed 700 men in Australia, showed that 61 per cent of those asked liked their iPhone more than any other gadget – although Motion Flow 200hz on television and 3D TV also emerged as favourites.
Asking men their opinions on everything from holiday destinations to fashion knowledge, the online survey showed that 27 per cent of men had told a lie at work, 26 per cent admitted to “sucking up” to the boss and seven per cent said they had slept with a co-worker.
Meanwhile, Corona emerged as men’s beer of choice, followed by Pure Blonde and Heineken.
When it came to the best car, men voted for the Aston Martin DB9, which was desired by 59 per cent, while the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Murielago LP640 were also named as top choices.
One of the fashion faux pas highlighted by those who took the survey was wearing white socks with a suit, but on the other hand, men embraced finding a pair of perfectly-fitting jeans or an individually-tailored suit.
A recent cover of the New Yorker was designed on the iPhone, according to geek.com, using the phone’s Brushes application, which allows the user to make their own creations on both the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Read More»Consumers Expect Phones Biannually
Mobile phone customers have now come to expect new models to be introduced by manufacturers roughly once every six months, according to a gadgets website.
Stuff.tv explains that this means handset manufacturers can announce production on future models without the worry of current sales being impacted upon.
An example given by online multimedia editor Joe Minihane is the potential for Nokia to produce a touchscreen handset in the style of Apple’s iPhone.
Should the company choose to do so, he claims that sales of the Nokia N96 are likely to remain strong as it “only came out at the end of last year”.
Mr Minihane adds that the upcoming model from Nokia, the N97, would also be unlikely to be affected when it is launched in June.
This is due to the expectation among consumers that a new model will inevitably be launched within around six months of the previous version.
He also points out that Nokia remains competitive against manufacturers such as Apple, despite holding a lower share of the top end of the market.
Mr Minihane explains that Nokia has historically been a smaller player at the top end, despite making some “brilliant” devices for more demanding consumers.
Read More»Blu-Ray Making Ground in DVD War
Consumer awareness of high-definition Blu-ray media is rising – and so are sales – according to research from the NPD Group.
The market research organisation reveals that the typical selling price of a Blu-ray player fell by around a third between the first quarters of 2008 and 2009.
The market research organisation reveals that the typical selling price of a Blu-ray player fell by around a third between the first quarters of 2008 and 2009.
In the six months to March 2009, awareness of the format topped 90 per cent in the US, the study also found.
Entertainment industry analyst Russ Crupnick says that word of mouth is driving the growth in interest from consumers.
He explains that it is easier to understand the superior performance offered by Blu-ray when seeing it in action in somebody’s home.
Friends who rave about the high quality of image also have a greater effect than salespeople, he points out.
However, the prices could have some way to fall before the average consumer will invest in a Blu-ray player.
Despite the 34 per cent drop since last year, the typical customer hopes to see a further 18 per cent fall before they will buy a player, the survey found.
Children could be a driving force behind sales, as research published by the NPD Group in April noted consumer electronics goods were among the best-performing categories in gift sales for children in the run-up to Christmas 2008.
Read More»Logitech Makes Laptops Cool and Comfy
Using a laptop could be cooler and more comfortable thanks to two new products from Logitech.
The peripherals and accessories manufacturer is addressing two of the main obstacles to effective laptop usage.
Laptop users who like to place their computer on a desk could welcome the Logitech Notebook Riser N110, which aims to elevate the complete system to a suitable eye level.
This folds flat for storage and opens out to angles of 20, 30 or 40 degrees to elevate the screen to the recommended position.
By coupling the Logitech Notebook Riser N110 with peripherals such as an external mouse and keyboard, the manufacturer suggests that complete comfort may be achieved by placing each input device in the desired position on the desk.
Meanwhile, the Logitech Cooling Pad N100 aims to stop laptops from overheating by helping to conduct heat away from core components.
The Logitech Cooling Pad N100 combines an internal fan with air intakes designed to evade obstruction by clothing or parts of the laptop system itself.
With the fan drawing its power via USB, the pad uses the power of the laptop itself to help conduct heat away and keep things running coolly.
Logitech adds that the cooling pad can be used on an individual’s lap or on a desk, whether an external keyboard and mouse are attached or not.
Read More»Learn How to Play Piano Online
Budding pianists who lack a keyboard, synthesiser or baby grand of their own have been told to look to web-based programming language Java as an alternative.
Music education organisation Tritone has launched Javakeys, a program which simulates a music keyboard on a device that is more widely available – the computer keyboard.
The company explains that it believes every student should be able not only to practise the keyboard in educational institutions, but also at home.
By mapping the musical notes on to alphanumeric keys on the computer, Javakeys provides people who do not own a synthesiser of their own with the next best thing – a web-based equivalent.
While the system was initially developed to provide students with access to a music keyboard equivalent, budding musicians of any age could find Javakeys to be beneficial to their art.
Tritone explains that three real-time analysis tools are included in the program, helping to alert users to any timing problems, “expressional errors” or bum notes that they hit.
Subscriptions to the service are aimed at schools and districts, but an individual licence can be purchased for music teachers keen to offer the program to their pupils, with discounted renewal following the first year.
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