Amateur Science

Featured today on Slashdot. Here's a link to the actual site: http://www.mit.edu/~gr20603/Dr.%20Gregory%20L.%20Charvat%20Projects/$240%20High%20Res%20Rail%20SAR.html # High-resolution X-band rail SAR developed for $240 # •Built in my garage and basement # •Built from surplus microwave components # •Point-to-point wiring and other construction techniques # •Utilizes a Geni garage door opener screw-drive for a linear rail # •Surplus cordless drill planetary gear set transmission coupling

Im not a scientist or anything but i was reading 1001 things you should know about science earlier today and i kinda wondering if scientists could like splice the dna of white blood cells to change the outer membrane into not letting the aids virus in? and then i figured its either 1 impossible,2 already been done or 3 i might be able to help science = P i decided to look it up and found myself lost in the science talk of the pages that i found so id like some feedback on this idea of mine and such. and dont be afraid to be like....your an idiot man.... oh and id like it if some people would point me towards a place i can find out more on the subject.

Working on a simple project: I understand that if you wrap a wire into a coil and supply a current through that wire, a magnetic field will be created. What I am trying to do is hook up an LED to a wire which is wrapped around a magnet. Then when the device is placed into the presence of anything metal the current produced will light up the LED. At least, thats what i expected to happen...not even a flicker. Maybe I have my concept of electromagnetism wrong. And if it's right maybe its just not making enough current to light up the LED. Any thoughts or ideas? Using this LED: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Pag…

How to differentiate Gypsum, talc( sichuan Steatite) and magnesium chloride ? Food grade types and I think all are white powders. I've not observed these materials up close yet. From articles, steatite is mainly talc, magnesium silicate. Does steatite contains calcium and other minerals in signifcant amounts ? Is there any good adding talc to the soil ? Some articles says talc is linked to some health problems. If the talc is used for farming, like adding to the soil, instead of for cosmetic use, is it safe ? or is there a possibility that some unknown impurities in talc may accumulate in the crops ? Generally is there any difference between food grade gyps…