links for 2010-03-19

According to research by the CIA, Bueno de Mesquita's model is more than 90% accurate. How is such accuracy possible? What Bueno de Mesquita is not doing is predicting random events such as lottery draws. Nor does he claim to be able to forecast the movement of stock markets, the outcome of general elections or the onset of financial crises – events where millions of people have a small influence, but none is able to move the market on their own.
Rather, he confines himself to "strategic situations" where relatively small numbers of people are haggling over a contentious decision. "I can predict events and decisions that involve negotiation or coercion, cooperation or bullying," he says. That includes domestic politics, foreign policy, conflicts, business decisions and social interactions. (…)

Share music through the cloud. Via Aardvark

By shutting off a single gene, researchers think humans could regenerate damaged tissue just as newts do

Neurofeedback (NFB), also called neurotherapy, neurobiofeedback or EEG biofeedback is a type of biofeedback that uses realtime displays of electroencephalography to illustrate brain activity, often with a goal of controlling central nervous system activity. Sensors are placed on the scalp to measure activity, with measurements displayed using video displays or sound.

via @bcurdy

(…) The Stanford group has created a prototype lithium-sulfide cathode that forms the partner electrode to an earlier anode developed in 2007. The non-metallic form of lithium avoids a safety issue where the lithium metal can grow branchlike structures that penetrate the polymer layer which keeps the battery's two electrodes apart. Such incidents can lead to short circuits and possible explosions.(…)

Pay first and discover where that leads to once you've checked out… Cheap, but I'm really not sure I'd dare…