Judge says he suffered over decision to convict Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito for Kercher murder

Security firm IntelCrawler says it has identified Target malware author

Phil Coale/AP - FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2008 file photo, a customer signs his credit card receipt at a Target store in Tallahassee, Fla.

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By Hayley Tsukayama, Saturday, January 18, 12:41 AM E-mail the writer

Security firm IntelCrawler said Friday that it has identified a Russian teenager as the author of the malware probably used in the cyberattacks against Target and Neiman Marcus, and that it expects more retailers to acknowledge that their systems were breached.
In a report posted online, the Sherman Oaks, Calif., company said the author of the malware used in the attacks has sold more than 60 versions of the software to cybercriminals in Eastern Europe and other countries.

Properly-Designed Rough Surfaces can Reduce Drag: Study

Majorly, objects moving through water are smooth. But as a research, a study carried out by a group of researchers from UCLA, bumpiness can be better in certain cases.
Prof. John Kim from the mechanical and aerospace engineering department at UCLA said that some rough surfaces are able to reduce skin-friction drag. Before, conducting the study, they used to believe contrary to the same.
In their study, fluid movement was monitored between two surfaces coated with small ridge. The study researchers found very astonishing results that the rough surface was able to reduce drag in bumpy conditions generated by the frictions of moving water.
Studies have been taken on the topic earlier as well, but not much success has been achieved. In the current study, the study researchers have modeled a superhydrophobic surface. The surface was coated with ridges and was positioned in the direction of water flow.
Laminar and turbulent flows, bother were modeled. To their surprise, the drag reduction was found to be greater in turbulent conditions. The revelation of the same has been published in the American Institute of Physics.
Prof. Kim said about properly-designed rough surfaces, "It could lead to significant energy savings and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions".

Batman vs Superman pushed back to 2016 by Warner Bros

Warner Bros has pushed back the release date of the as yet untitled film that will bring together superheroes Superman and Batman, delaying it by almost a year to May 2016, the studio has confirmed.

Ina statement, it said this was to "allow the filmmakers time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story.”
The sequel to last year's hit Superman film Man of Steel was revealed at the Comic-Con convention in July by director Zack Snyder, who said the two DC Comics' caped crusaders will face off against each other.
Replacing the Man of Steel sequel slot of 17 July, 2015 will be a still untitled production of Peter Pan, directed by Atonement's Joe Wright.
"We are happy to take advantage of these coveted summer dates, which are perfect for two of our biggest tentpole releases," said Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution.
Many comic bookfans were dismayed by the announcement that Ben Affleck would play Batman
In August last year, Warner Bros President Greg Silverman confirmed Ben Affleck would play Batman in a decision that proved controversial among fans of the DC Comic hero.
Affleck, 41, who won multiple awards as the director of Iran hostage crisis film Argo earlier in 2013, will appear alongside British actor Henry Cavill, star of Superman reboot Man Of Steel.

Snyder said in a statement that Affleck will provide an “interesting counter-balance” to Cavill’s Superman.

“He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne,” Snyder said. “I can't wait to work with him."