The Lantern Blog

After doing some personal browsing tonight, I came across a new search engine—Wolfram Alpha—which is a highly interesting website.

If you went out and asked anyone about where they go to do a web search, a significant portion of the group would probably say Google.  But Wolfram Alpha—a new breed of search engine—is a step forward with web search and functionality.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Math majors, as well as other people who love numbers and statistical data, will find Wolfram Alpha very relevant.  Almost anything can be computed through the search engine, and it also delivers statistical data, depending on the input.

For instance, if “Ohio State University” is entered into the search engine, one can get all kinds of interesting information on Ohio State, including location, tuition, number of degrees distributed (annually), as well as other useful, interesting data.

As Wolfram Alpha continues to add more algorithms and information into their rapidly-expanding database, their search engine could become one of the best on the internet—possibly even challenging Google in the future as a viable alternative.

Check out Wolfram Alpha, and let me know your thoughts on one of the most exciting search engine debuts in a while.

If you want additional information on the search engine, check out this article from the Los Angeles Times.

According to a study found on WebMD’s website, THC, the active chemical in marijuana, may actually help to fight brain cancer.

Marijuana was tested in both laboratory rats and humans with brain cancer tumors, and in both studies, the growth of the tumor actually shrank after being exposed to the THC.

The study is a big step in cancer treatment—if THC is continuously tested and proven to help stop the growth of tumors (brain cancer-related or not), it could help save a significant number of lives.  The article states that “new strategies for preventing tumor growth” would be examined.

For individuals involved in the study, the THC did not appear to cause toxic effects, or worsen symptoms of any kind.  Many who have used chemotherapy to treat malignant tumors, and the treatment can have a great number of side effects.  If patients are able to take THC treatment without any significant side effects, it could improve the overall morale of nearly any cancer patient.

What are your thoughts on the use of THC in cancer treatment?

American Idol has finally cut down to their final two contestants, and they are Adam Lambert and…Kris Allen?

Yes, America, Kris Allen will compete in the American Idol Finale against a heavy favorite.  When reflecting upon this season, however, it does not seem that ridiculous.

This season’s show was almost predictable.  Think about it—week to week, it was almost crystal clear on who was going to get the boot.  Adam established himself as an early favorite, and was able to garner a gigantic fanbase that should heavily support him—good performance in the finale or not—all the way to the American Idol championship.

Many people thought that Danny Gokey and Allison Iraheta were going to be in the finale with Lambert, but both of them fell short.  What was left?  Kris Allen—a John Mayer like singer who has played the darkhorse role.

What kind of chance does Allen have to win it all?

In my opinion, slim to none.  Unfortunately for him, Lambert is one of the toughest competitors on the past few seasons of American Idol.  Even with a stellar performance, it may not be enough.

Do you think Kris Allen has a chance to win American Idol this season?

According to a report by Telegraph.co.uk, Google has decided to launch a television campaign promoting their latest web browser to the public.

Google Chrome, the browser, was launched last September, but it has not gained as much steam as the other two main competitors in the browser competition, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer.

According to Google’s blog, they had originally created the video just for YouTube and other internet video sites to continue to promote their browser creation.  Apparently it gained enough steam through the internet platform that they decided it should go to the television channels.

Personally, I have used Google’s browser very little since its launch.  I downloaded a copy of the browser for my PC at home, but have stuck with Mozilla’s Firefox and Apple’s Safari browsers as my browsers of choice.

What kind of browser do you use to surf the web?

Manny Ramirez, the star left fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was handed a 50 game suspension for use of performance enhancing drugs.  Manny’s suspension has had a profound impact all around Major League Baseball, as well as the Dodgers organization and its fans.

Credit: ZDNet Blogs

Manny is one of the biggest stars to be tied to performance enhancing drugs.  Alex Rodriguez, the New York Yankees’ third baseman, also has been accused of using PEDs.  The latest book on Alex Rodriguez, written by Selena Roberts, discusses the possibility that A-Rod may have used PEDs during high school play.

Losing Ramirez is a big hit for the Dodgers’ organization.  Manny has been one of the team’s biggest marketing tools, with some fans and members of the organization referring to LA as “Manny-wood.”  It is going to be interesting to see how Manny’s suspension for PED usage will affect the way the Dodgers go about marketing their team.

How do you think Manny’s suspension will affect baseball in the bigger picture?

Are you a big fan of the social bookmarking site, Digg?  Well if you are, you are in real luck.  Digg has teamed up with Facebook to launch a Facebook application that allows users to login on to Digg through Facebook and connect the two accounts.

If you have a ton of friends on Facebook, you can find them on Digg through this easy-to-use application.  It makes it much, much easier to share great internet content with your friends.

This is one of the big first steps in the connection between social bookmarking and social networking—allowing for a potentially powerful combination for businesses, blogs, and companies looking to expand social proof and readership.

Even if you don’t fall under one of these categories, this application still can be used by internet users who just want to easily discover great web content.  Take a look at the application and check it out for yourself!

More information is available at the Digg blog.

Mark Martin, one of NASCAR’s most heralded drivers, has decided to turn his part-time duty in 2010 into a full-time contract.  Driving for arguably the best NASCAR team on the circuit, the 50-year-old Martin has decided that he will race the entire season next year for Hendrick Motorsports.

Credit: RacingOne

This is great for NASCAR and for Martin’s fans.  He is one of the most well-respected drivers in the garage, and will be a real threat to compete for the Chase for the Cup in 2010.

Apparently, Mark Martin had discussed the possibility with former teammate and current Richard Childress Racing Motorsports driver Jeff Burton.  They had a close bond when they raced for Roush Racing in the early 2000’s.

The #5 car has a rich history, and Martin will only carry on that tradition.  Terry Labonte, one of NASCAR’s good guys and solid veterans, drove the car from 1994-2002.  Kyle Busch drove the car as a rookie, and was somewhat successful in the ride.  Casey Mears was brought in for one season to drive the car, but was a bust in what was supposed to be the opportunity of his life.

Only time will tell to see if Mark Martin will find continued success in the #5 car.  How do you think Martin will fare in 2009 and 2010 in the ride?

Just over 18 years ago, Brett Favre was drafted 33rd overall by the Atlanta Falcons. Today, he is considering the addition of another team to his Hall of Fame resume.

Favre and Vikings head coach Brad Childress are planning to meet this week to discuss Favre’s potential future with the team. Last season, the Vikings were lead by Gus Frerotte—now a free agent—to a 10-6 record to win the NFC North. They were knocked off by the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs.

Favre’s ability to turn around the Jets last season is desirable to the Vikings, who would be definite contenders in ’09.

But really, Favre is going through this emotional retirement saga again? In the spring of 2006, we had to wait for him to make a decision about his future following a disappointing 4-12 season.

In January 2008, ESPN covered every tear during his “retirement” press conference, only for him to “itch” for a comeback in June. A movie-like break up between Favre and the Packers landed Favre in New York for the ’08 season.

A week and a half ago the Jets drafted Mark Sanchez, and in turn, they released Favre.  This was because he was set on retirement and wanted to spend more time with his family—they never expected him to come out of retirement again.

No one besides Favre knows if he will last 16 (or more) NFL games, but I know that many career-long Favre fans will side with the future of the Packers, Aaron Rodgers, when the respective teams face off twice next season.

What do you think Favre will end up doing this time?

The Chicago-Sun Times is reporting that Miley Cyrus has made her stance on virginity public for everyone to hear.

In an interview with a London newspaper, Cyrus stated that she intends to remain a virgin until marriage.  After declaring her intentions, Cyrus also stated that she grew up in a Christian family.

The Sun-Times report also states that Cyrus said she is highly dependent on her parents and religious faith to “keep her grounded.”  She also acknowledged that she recognizes that some child stars go “off the rails”, and she mentions Jodie Foster as a positive influence in her life.

While it is not a bad thing that she has made her decision on virginity public, the blogosphere has really taken her words to light.

In a way, Cyrus has established a public standard that will be with her until marriage and throughout the rest of her life.  If a report comes out that she does not live up to her promise, how will it affect her view from her younger fans and from the public in general?

A company in the United Kingdom is developing a Band-Aid that could help to treat certain forms of skin cancer.  The Band-Aid itself is very similar to the one found in the United States.

On each of the Band-Aids, there are light-emitting diodes that react to a cream placed on the skin.  These diodes help to kill any tumor that may be underneath or on the surface of the skin.

While these Band-Aids have not been tested yet on humans, this is a highly encouraging step if these end up working out for the test subjects.  Skin cancer is one of the most extensive types of cancers today, and these Band-Aids would be a big step in treatment.

Do you believe this is a worthwhile alternative for treatment?