Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Weirdie beardie? Must be Germany!
A contestant in a beard championship presents himself to the jury at Gasthof Werdenfelser Hof in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Confused? Don't know where to begin?
Venezuelan Katherine Arias performs in the individual ball competition during the IX South American Games in Medellin, Antioquia department, Colombia.
Is that a sport now?
Is that a sport now?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
How to make a Pin-hole Camera
Above is the plan for making your own pin-hole camera and below is the template for the case construction.
Prof Brian Cox and adult Blue Peter LHC model
Was science this much fun at your school? or did you not have access to the 'equipment?
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Largest Kidney Stone EVER!
A doctor shows the 1 kilogram kidney stone that was removed from Shang Jiuzhi. pictured in a hospital bed in Jilin province, China
Picture: QUIRKY CHINA NEWS / REX FEATURES
Picture: QUIRKY CHINA NEWS / REX FEATURES
Dutch Patient Flies across room in a hospital bedstead
A patient in the Dutch city of the Hague was being wheeled into the MRI scanner room for a routine procedure when suddenly, his bed was lifted into the air and flew across the room, slamming into the scanner.
Not surprisingly, the patient received severe bruising and suffered from shock. The hospital bed remained stuck to the scanner for 5 days before it could be removed. It required the specialist knowledge of the MRI manufacturing company and a team of service engineers, to de-magnetise the unit and rescue the bed.
One can only imagine that both the hospital bed and more importantly the MRI scanner, were out of action for the duration of the 'service call.'
The hospital claims to have changed it's procedures to prevent this happening again but you know that the door is now open for the junior medical staff to use this as an extreme sport.
Picture this, a strong bunji rope with one end attached to the wall and the other end attached to a metal waistcoat. Put on the waistcoat and move as close to the MRI scanner as you dare, so that the attraction of the magnetism and the attraction of the bunji rope balance out. Now your hovering in suspended animation.
Course, if you get it wrong......
This is a true story. Check out it out here, but beware it is in Dutch!
Not surprisingly, the patient received severe bruising and suffered from shock. The hospital bed remained stuck to the scanner for 5 days before it could be removed. It required the specialist knowledge of the MRI manufacturing company and a team of service engineers, to de-magnetise the unit and rescue the bed.
One can only imagine that both the hospital bed and more importantly the MRI scanner, were out of action for the duration of the 'service call.'
The hospital claims to have changed it's procedures to prevent this happening again but you know that the door is now open for the junior medical staff to use this as an extreme sport.
Picture this, a strong bunji rope with one end attached to the wall and the other end attached to a metal waistcoat. Put on the waistcoat and move as close to the MRI scanner as you dare, so that the attraction of the magnetism and the attraction of the bunji rope balance out. Now your hovering in suspended animation.
Course, if you get it wrong......
This is a true story. Check out it out here, but beware it is in Dutch!
A Bicycle Lift in Norway - Getting up City Hills
I am a keen cyclist and spent my formative years cycling in Scotland and no matter in what direction you wanted to travel there was a hill to climb. Such is life.
The same goes for Norway but, I suspect, even moreso. So the intrepid Norsks have come up with agreat and simple idea for assisting their cyclists. Hurrah!
Click on the picture or on this link, to see more images of the Bicycle Lift in Norway.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Bizarre urban camouflage photo gallery
Looking for something fun to do on your next trip to IKEA (other than take a nap in one of the fake bedrooms)?Why not deck yourself out in yellow IKEA bags and scare the bejeesus out of fellow shoppers. A group of clever pranksters in Germany created urban camouflage gear that allows them to blend in with the scenery at stores.
This little hobby will also come in handy if warfare ever breaks out at the hardware store.
China: Female Astronauts Must Be Married with Children
China: Female Astronauts Must Be Married with Children
The men chosen to lead China into outer space are often referred to locally as "superhuman beings" — and not just because they train to cross the final frontier. Would-be taikonauts have to meet near impossible standards that are meant to weed out the less-than-flawless.
Chinese astronauts cannot suffer from chronic sore throats or runny noses. They mustn't have food restrictions, strong regional accents, ringworm, cavities or scars. Bad breath, body odor and a snoring problem are all immediate disqualifiers. And if China's spacemen are expected to satisfy an unlikely string of qualifications, so too are its new spacewomen — with two notable additional criteria. No it's not the toilet problem! (Must be able to use a urinal or pee out the spacecraft window, in an emegency!)
China's first two female reserve astronauts, selected earlier this month from a pool of 15 female fighter pilots, were required to be non-virgins and preferably, wives and mothers. Sounds like the title of an adult movie. No virgins in space! Where no-ne can hear you scream or whimper!
The reasoning behind the prerequisite, according to Chinese 'officials', is that spaceflight could potentially harm the women's fertility. "It's out of the consideration of being responsible for the female pilots," Xu Xianrong, director of the PLA's Clinical Aerospace Medicine Center in Beijing and a member of the 'selection panel.' Yeah, right! The casting couch for Chinese astronauts?
"Though there is little (no) evidence on how the space experience will affect the female constitution, we have to be extra cautious, because this is a first for China."
Ensuring that the female astronauts have already reproduced, he said, will guarantee that their family planning is not disrupted. But at least one authority, Zhang Jianqi, former deputy commander of the country's manned space program, has stated that the requirement stands because married women are more physically and psychologically mature. You can interpret that statement anyway you wish but I find it just a bit dubious, in a sexist kinda way.
So it seems to be essential to loose your virginity prior to entering the Chinese space race. Is this a big problem for Chinese women? Potential candidates looking to address this criteria, please contact me directly for personal coaching. There seems to be a quick and simple way to becoming physically and psychologically mature.
The men chosen to lead China into outer space are often referred to locally as "superhuman beings" — and not just because they train to cross the final frontier. Would-be taikonauts have to meet near impossible standards that are meant to weed out the less-than-flawless.
Chinese astronauts cannot suffer from chronic sore throats or runny noses. They mustn't have food restrictions, strong regional accents, ringworm, cavities or scars. Bad breath, body odor and a snoring problem are all immediate disqualifiers. And if China's spacemen are expected to satisfy an unlikely string of qualifications, so too are its new spacewomen — with two notable additional criteria. No it's not the toilet problem! (Must be able to use a urinal or pee out the spacecraft window, in an emegency!)
China's first two female reserve astronauts, selected earlier this month from a pool of 15 female fighter pilots, were required to be non-virgins and preferably, wives and mothers. Sounds like the title of an adult movie. No virgins in space! Where no-ne can hear you scream or whimper!
The reasoning behind the prerequisite, according to Chinese 'officials', is that spaceflight could potentially harm the women's fertility. "It's out of the consideration of being responsible for the female pilots," Xu Xianrong, director of the PLA's Clinical Aerospace Medicine Center in Beijing and a member of the 'selection panel.' Yeah, right! The casting couch for Chinese astronauts?
"Though there is little (no) evidence on how the space experience will affect the female constitution, we have to be extra cautious, because this is a first for China."
Ensuring that the female astronauts have already reproduced, he said, will guarantee that their family planning is not disrupted. But at least one authority, Zhang Jianqi, former deputy commander of the country's manned space program, has stated that the requirement stands because married women are more physically and psychologically mature. You can interpret that statement anyway you wish but I find it just a bit dubious, in a sexist kinda way.
So it seems to be essential to loose your virginity prior to entering the Chinese space race. Is this a big problem for Chinese women? Potential candidates looking to address this criteria, please contact me directly for personal coaching. There seems to be a quick and simple way to becoming physically and psychologically mature.
Taking guesswork out of diagnosing early-stage Alzheimer's disease
New test takes guesswork out of diagnosing early-stage Alzheimer's disease ScienceBlog.com
A new test developed by Japanese scientists may revolutionize how and when physicians diagnose Alzheimer's disease. According to a research report published online in The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org), the new test measures proteins in the spinal fluid known to be one of the main causes of brain degeneration and memory impairment in Alzheimer's patients: high molecular weight A-Beta oligomers. This tool, once fully implemented, would allow physicians to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease in its early stages, a time when diagnosing the disease is very difficult.
"Alzheimer's disease is a growing problem, due to aging of the population in all developed countries," said Takahiko Tokuda, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher from the Department of Neurology at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Science in Japan who was involved in the work. "We hope that our new diagnostic test will, in the future, significantly improve the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease, and lead to much better ways of treating this devastating disorder."
Scientists developed a tool (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) that specifically measures A-Beta oligomers. They then compared the levels of these protein aggregates in human cerebrospinal fluid samples among three groups of people: 1) patients with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease; 2) patients with mild cognitive impairment who went on to develop Alzheimer's disease; and 3) a control group with no symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Results showed that the levels of the a fragments being measured directly correlated to the extent of memory impairment, with the highest levels found in those with confirmed Alzheimer's and intermediate levels in those with mild cognitive impairment. This shows that by measuring the levels of A-Beta oligomers in cerebrospinal fluid, physicians may be able to identify Alzheimer's disease before it can be clinically diagnosed using current methods.
"Baby boomers are getting older and Alzheimer's disease will have a tremendous impact on the memory of a generation and the lives of its children," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "This test is not only useful for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, but promises to be a marker for the efficacy of newer treatments that are already on the drawing board."
A new test developed by Japanese scientists may revolutionize how and when physicians diagnose Alzheimer's disease. According to a research report published online in The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org), the new test measures proteins in the spinal fluid known to be one of the main causes of brain degeneration and memory impairment in Alzheimer's patients: high molecular weight A-Beta oligomers. This tool, once fully implemented, would allow physicians to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease in its early stages, a time when diagnosing the disease is very difficult.
"Alzheimer's disease is a growing problem, due to aging of the population in all developed countries," said Takahiko Tokuda, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher from the Department of Neurology at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Graduate School of Medical Science in Japan who was involved in the work. "We hope that our new diagnostic test will, in the future, significantly improve the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease, and lead to much better ways of treating this devastating disorder."
Scientists developed a tool (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) that specifically measures A-Beta oligomers. They then compared the levels of these protein aggregates in human cerebrospinal fluid samples among three groups of people: 1) patients with diagnosed Alzheimer's disease; 2) patients with mild cognitive impairment who went on to develop Alzheimer's disease; and 3) a control group with no symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Results showed that the levels of the a fragments being measured directly correlated to the extent of memory impairment, with the highest levels found in those with confirmed Alzheimer's and intermediate levels in those with mild cognitive impairment. This shows that by measuring the levels of A-Beta oligomers in cerebrospinal fluid, physicians may be able to identify Alzheimer's disease before it can be clinically diagnosed using current methods.
"Baby boomers are getting older and Alzheimer's disease will have a tremendous impact on the memory of a generation and the lives of its children," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "This test is not only useful for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, but promises to be a marker for the efficacy of newer treatments that are already on the drawing board."
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Solar powered backkpacks and possibly sex toys?
A pair of Capsoul Soular Back-Up Packs and a Soular Piggy Back Back-Up Pack by Neon Green are displayed at the International CTIA Wireless 2010 convention at the Las Vegas Convention Centre
Picture:
Picture:
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The world's tallest horse Luscombe Nodram, or 'Noddy'
The world's tallest horse Luscombe Nodram, or 'Noddy' to his owner Jane Greenman, gives her a nudge before they depart on an Australian tour.
The Shire horse is seven-years-old, stands at 20.2 hands high (2.05 metres) and at 1.5 tonnes weighs three times more than the average thoroughbred racehorse
Picture: AFP/GETTY
Diamonds are a Girl's Best Toy!
A woman shows an 18-carat diamond ring mounted in a sex toy, sold by a Paris jeweller for 40,000 euros.
The luxury sex toy "was designed for rich people who want to declare their love in a special way," said Jean-Francois Tokars, manager at Maison Victor.
Keep it safe!
The Sea Life Multi-story Aquarium in Berlin Radisson Hotel
A diver cleans the glass of the giant, Sea Life cylindrical aquarium in the foyer of the SAS Radisson hotel in Berlin.
I have had the great pleasure of staying here and enjoying the Sea Life centre next door.
There is a dry lift that moves up inside the aquarium so you can watch the fish and divers swimming around you as you ascend.
Flame-Thrower on your Scooter - I Want one!
A James Bond fan who was fed up with drivers cutting him up has invented the ultimate gadget to gain his revenge - a moped which fires 15ft flames. Colin Furze, 30, spent a month converting the scooter. But sadly Colin, who built the moped in his spare time in his back garden in Stamford, Lincs, will not legally be allowed to use it on the road
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Coloured Braille Rubik Cube For The Blind
This Rubik Cube from Yanko Design has braille for the visually challenged; other versions have textured surfaces to entertain everyone.Colours embossed include green, blue, red, yellow, white & pink.
Augmented T-shirt for Grown-ups, almost!
Play paper, rock, scissors with your T-shirt! No need to start arguments with your pesky friends, just sit down and play away.
....or just play a game of cards!
Augmented Reality T-Shirt. No matching pants?
If you are tired tossing the same old hand-me-down Koosh Ball each day and even worse, if it has left your kids bored with their morning dressing routine. You need a Magic T-shirt.
No, it doesn’t do magic tricks like pulling coins from behind your ear or shout “abracadabra,” but it does incorporate augmented reality technology and, that’s much better than clothes that do card tricks.
Monday, March 15, 2010
An animated History of Evil: Video Mockumentary
This animated mockumentary traces the history of evil from Ancient Greece until today.
Artist is Philippe Faraut sculpt a human head
Watch Artist is Philippe Faraut sculpt a human head...
Friday, March 12, 2010
Shark Fishing: Use the Correct Bait
OK, when shark fishing be sure not to use yourself as bait AND don't put your hand in it's mouth. No matter how close it gets!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Monkeys and Apes cannot be trusted
Monkeys do have the ability to organise and to work as a team. One or two will distract you while another will make a move on you.
Of course, sometimes they just go for the more blatant frontal attack!
Trust me, having little crocodile logos on your luggage, won't help!
Manners - It's rude to point
Why is it rude to point? Well, it can be very disturbing for the pointee and this can raise the emotional atmosphere.
Bird watching - Relaxing but challenging
Sometimes you can spend hours when nothing much happens at all and then suddenly there is a moment of great excitement.
Next time, bring some bread and scraps!
Motivation for Jogging - Choose a good companion
Having said that, a good opponent will raise your game!
10 Geekiest Decoration for your Home
Top 10 Geekiest Decorations for Your Home or Office [PICS]These Meninos coasters are styled after the iPhone’s icons giving Apple fans somewhere cool to stick their cups.
Made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) with a durable vinyl finish and a rubber bottom to stop slips, the anally retentive among you could arrange them on the coffee table as precisely as they appear on the phone’s homescreen, while the rest of us can mix ‘em up as we see fit. Oh, and if the iPhone’s not your thing, then Meninos also offers an Internet-themed set too.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
John Hutchison: Sculpture by the Sea
Because I Said So by John Hutchinson from Western Australia is displayed on the first day of the annual Sculpture by the Sea outdoor art exhibition at Cottesloe Beach in Perth, AustraliaWednesday, March 3, 2010
A cure for baldness - a skip hat with hair
A skip hat with hair for those with a shortage of foliage.
Monday, March 1, 2010
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