WEIRD FACTS
Three experts review claims of longer life, a healthier brain, and a slimmer body. By Alexandra Pattillo – Ever feel hangry when you miss a meal? Imagine waiting 16 or 18 hours before eating again. Or an entire day without breakfast, lunch, or …
The world’s largest cryptocurrency is hungry for power. By Mike Brown – Image by Grea. – Bitcoin is an energy beast. That’s the conclusion from a University of Cambridge tool released recently, which shows the world’s largest cryptocurrency uses a ton of electricity …
Slow wave sleep could be the brain’s very own rinse cycle. By Emma Betuel – The brain has a rinse cycle that’s activated during the (optimal) seven to nine hours you sleep every night — and it could play a key role in …
By Chris Baraniuk – Antarctica is a haven, but life there is changing. Listen to Andrew Stewart describe the creatures that live in the seas around Antarctica and you will be transported into a world of fantastic shapes and colors. “Banks and beds …
By Loz Blain – This Japanese supercar design is made from incredibly strong wood-based cellulose nanofibers. Kankyosho. – One-fifth the weight of steel but five times the strength, plant-based cellulose nanofiber (CNF) offers carmakers the opportunity to build strong, lightweight cars while sustainably …
By David Szondy – The Panhard 1901 7hp is one of the world’ first modern motor cars. Bonhams. – One of the world’s first “modern” motor cars is going up for auction at Bonhams. “Le Papillon Bleu” is one of only five surviving …
By Rich Haridy – 6th Place winner. Small white hair spider. Javier Rupérez. – Nikon’s Small World competition has been running for nearly 50 years and it is one of the most compelling and reliably spectacular photo contests in the world. Focusing on the …
Scientists can now trick the immune system using tiny tech. By Alexandra Pattillo – Diseases like celiac, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis have no cure and are notoriously hard to treat, but a sneaky way to trick the immune system into operating …
By Ben Coxworth – Although not yet trialled on babies, the pacifier has been tested on diabetic adults. University of California-San Diego. – Because of infants’ soft, sensitive skin, it’s generally not a good idea to rig them up with medical biosensors that …
By Adam Williams – Steampunk is currently installed in Estonia’s Tallinn Architecture Biennial event. Tonu Tunnel. – Installed at this year’s Tallinn Architecture Biennial event in Estonia, Steampunk is an impressive-looking pavilion that has been painstakingly created by steam-bending lengths of hardwood. The …