The device is them connected to a battery and computer which can measure and gather information about the pain-carrying nerves signalling the brain.

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And don't think their salespeople aren't well-primed for buyers who walk smugly into a dealership carrying Internet-generated pricing information.

FORBES: Dealers 1 Internet 0

Before long, catalogs-previously just lists of items to be sold-began carrying new information: condition, provenance, even price estimates.

FORBES: Revenge of the Nerds

According to the Centre for High North Logistics, an Arctic-focused information center based in Kirkenes, Norway, 46 vessels used the NSR in 2012, carrying about 1.26 million tons of cargo.

CNN: China eyes Arctic options in energy, transport

Lawyers acting for Mr Ryder said that in the light of the forecast, and other information available to the council, the risks involved in not carrying out further gritting on the evening of 8 December - the day before the accident - were "too great".

BBC: Dead woman's son sues over road gritting on Caithness road