Ceres is the largest object in the asteroid belt that lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Take a flight over dwarf planet Ceres in this video made with images from NASA's Dawn spacecraft.
YouTube link
Sunday 31 January 2016
10 Writing Systems Used By Only One Language
Writing first appeared around 6,000 years ago, with the earliest evidence being clay tablets from Mesopotamia. The earliest alphabetic writing was developed by the Phoenicians. The Greeks borrowed that alphabet, with modifications to suit the sound system of Greek.
Most modern writing systems use some form of the Roman alphabet. However, there are a few cases of unique writing systems that were invented to suit the needs of a single language. Here are 10 writing systems used by only one language.
Takoosa
Takoosa is about a fiercely strong, muscular and raging Viking who attempts to start his day the 'Viking Way' right until he meets his biggest challenge.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
Humans Are The Only Animals With Chins, And No One Knows Why
Animals don't have chins, except for us. The lower jaw of a chimpanzee or gorilla slopes backwards from the front teeth. So did the jaw of other hominids like Homo erectus. Even Neanderthal jaws ended in a flat vertical plane. Only in modern humans does the lower jaw end in a protruding strut of bone. So, why do chins exist?
Which Dog Breed Are You?
Like people, dogs come with an infinite variety of unique personality traits. In this quiz, you'll answer some basic questions about yourself, and you'll see what dog breed you'll be based on your answers. I'm a Golden Retriever.
Saturday 30 January 2016
Luchador
A luchador is a Mexican Lucha libre wrestler. Two grandfathers are shopping at the market. Will a few squabblings and some old rancors lead them to enter the ring?
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
24 Of Britain's Best Castles
A brief history of some of the best castles existing in Britain today. Some are well preserved, while others are ruins. All possess a rich history, making them some of the most fascinating places to visit in Britain.
Top 10 Pyrrhic Victories
Pyrrhic victory occurs when a battle or a war is won, but the cost of casualties or the following events greatly outweigh any benefits from winning the conflict. It's a victory that just isn't worth it. Here are 10 Pyrrhic victories.
How To Cook That: 10 Best Chocolate Truffles Recipes
From the Australian How to Cook That channel: 10 Best Chocolate Truffles Recipes.
YouTube link
(via Humanyms)
YouTube link
(via Humanyms)
Giant Clams Could Help Light Up Color Displays In A Cool New Way
Iridescent cells in the flesh of giant clams could one day help scientists design more efficient solar panels, and television and smartphone screens that are easier on the eyes, researchers say. These cells, known as iridocytes, generate a dazzling array of colors, including blues, greens, golds and, more rarely, white.
(via Nag on the Lake)
Boop-Oop-A-Doop: The Story Of Betty Boop
If you're a cartoon fan but have never seen the original Betty Boop cartoons of the late 1920s and early 1930s, do yourself a favor the next time you rent a movie: rent some Betty Boop cartoons, too. Here's a look at the origins of some of the earliest and most controversial cartoon 'superstars.'
Friday 29 January 2016
Branded Dreams - The Future Of Advertising
We see ads everyday and everywhere. While some people try to avoid seeing ads, advertisers keep finding new ways to reach us. However, they are unable to reach us when we sleep. Our dreams are the last safe and add-free place so it seems.
But what happens when advertisers have the possibility to enter our dreams? Based on recent developments in brain science and technology this might be possible in the near future. This animated short is an impression of a dream infected by a brand we all know.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
But what happens when advertisers have the possibility to enter our dreams? Based on recent developments in brain science and technology this might be possible in the near future. This animated short is an impression of a dream infected by a brand we all know.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
10 Easy Ways You Can Tell For Yourself That The Earth Is Round
There are still a lot of people who believe the Earth is flat. But humanity has known the Earth to be round for a few millenia. Here are the top 10 ways to know the Earth is unequivocally, absolutely, positively, 100% not flat!
Scandinavia's Most Metal Sound Systems Are Made Of Horse Skulls
When you renovate a house, you expect to find little bits of its history, like an old photo lost behind the refrigerator. What you don't expect is two very large, nicely preserved horse skulls buried under the floors. That's exactly what Colm Moriarty's aunt found when she was having some work done on her house in the 1980s.
This sounds like the set up for a B-grade horror movie, but horse skulls have actually been found under buildings - dating from the Iron Age well into the 19th century - across Northern Europe, from the UK to the Baltic states. And they didn't wind up there by accident.
What Is The Zika Virus And How Can It Be Stopped?
The most widespread outbreak of the Zika virus in history is currently ongoing in the Americas. The outbreak began in April 2015 in Brazil, and subsequently spread to other countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The Zika virus, which is spread by mosquitos, has been causing birth defects in thousands of children.
The virus has 'explosive pandemic potential' according to two US scientists, who have encouraged the World Health Organisation to take urgent action against it. But what is the Zika virus, how did it spread, and how can people stay safe?
Tortus: Spin
At Tortus Copenhagen pottery, materials are alway at the center of the process. Watch potter Eric Landon at work from the material perspective.
Vimeo link
Vimeo link
Driverless Bus Trial In The Netherlands Is First On Public Roads
An electric, driverless shuttle bus has taken to Dutch public roads yesterday, rolling six passengers along a 200m stretch of road in the first trial of its kind worldwide.
The WePod, one of a fleet to be rolled out in coming years, took a few people on a short journey back and forth along the side of a lake in the central Dutch agricultural town of Wageningen.
The Windmills Of Lasithi Plateau
The Lasithi Plateau in eastern Crete, Greece, is situated 800 meters above sea level. Despite the high altitude, the water table here is extremely shallow. This plain is covered with fields of grain and plots of vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, beans and onions, which are irrigated by means of thousands of windmills with white sails.
Thursday 28 January 2016
Rio Celeste, The Blue River
Winding through the verdant rainforest of Tenorio Volcano National Park of Costa Rica, is a bright blue river called Rio Celeste. The river is formed by the confluence of two smaller rivers called the Sour Creek and the Good View River. At precisely the point where the waters of the two completely transparent rivers meet, the blue color starts.
It is now known that the blue color arises due to a physical phenomenon known as Mie scattering triggered by the presence of certain minerals in the river's water that causes sunlight to reflect in such a manner that it gives the water its incredible hue.
Scientists Say Venus Flytraps Can Count
The carnivorous plant Dionaea muscipula, also known as Venus flytrap, can count how often it has been touched by an insect visiting its capture organ in order to trap and consume the animal prey.
9 Mysterious Ape-Men From Around The World
You're probably familiar with the cryptid Sasquatch (or Bigfoot) and its Asian counterpart the Yeti (or Abominable Snowman). Those are far from the only mysterious giant apes or hominids lurking in either deep forests or our imagination. In fact, such rarely-seen animals are reported all over the world.
(via Miss Cellania)
Wednesday 27 January 2016
100 Years Of Cars
Buckle up and take a ride down memory lane in this homage to 11 cars that have defined the past century of driving.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
10 Fascinating Experimental Aircraft Of World War II
It should come as no surprise that during World War II, airplane designers around the world built some fascinating experimental airplanes. From early helicopters to bombers meant to attack the United States, these are some of the most interesting airplanes to ever fly.
The Women Who Rose High In The Early Days Of Hot Air Ballooning
On the evening of July 6, 1819, French aeronaut Sophie Blanchard ascended to the sky in a balloon, and was set to discharge some fireworks from the basket. But the fireworks ignited the gas in her balloon. Blanchard fell with a frightful crash upon the slanting roof of a house in the Rue de Provence.
The death of Sophie Blanchard signaled the beginning of the end of 'balloon-mania,' which swept continental Europe and England for almost 40 years and involved women playing crucial roles.
The Famous Photo Of Chernobyl's Most Dangerous Radioactive Material Was A Selfie
At first glance, it's hard to know what’s happening in this picture. A giant mushroom seems to have sprouted in a factory floor, where ghostly men in hardhats seem to be working.
But there's something undeniably eerie about the scene, for good reason. You're looking at the largest agglomeration of one of the most toxic substances ever created: corium.
Red Bull's Chain Reaction
The Red Bull Air Force is a team assembled from the most accomplished and experienced aviation experts on the planet. Set against the backdrop of the Fisher Towers in Moab, Utah, the team uses pain-staking coordination to showcase their aerial talents all at once.
With the help of some impressive precision driving in an Audi RS 7, the different feats flow together like a chain reaction, providing a snapshot of the amazing possibilities when humans take flight.
YouTube link
With the help of some impressive precision driving in an Audi RS 7, the different feats flow together like a chain reaction, providing a snapshot of the amazing possibilities when humans take flight.
YouTube link
The 100 Best Infographics
If you love infographics, this post is for you. Here's a list of 100 amazing infographics. Each infographic on the list is annotated with an icon that allows you to subsegment by the types that interest you the most. The list was made by Siege Media.
(thanks Ross)
Ten Giant Animals That Are Long Since Dead
While the large dinosaurs tend to grab more than their fair share of attention, there have been many other giant animals that we will never get to see in the flesh. Some are the super-sized ancestors of creatures alive today, while others appear especially bizarre to us because they left no descendants.
There is something inherently fascinating about big animals that we can only see in our imaginations. Here are 10 particularly awesome extinct giants.
Tuesday 26 January 2016
A Brief History Of Time
Every actor that participates in this space is trapped in an infinite loop where their actions simultaneously bare and yet bare no consequence to another. Hilarity ensues as every absurd action cumulates in an amalgamation of intricately choreographed antics.
Vimeo link
Vimeo link
Top 20 Best New Action Movies Of 2016
Let's take a look at the biggest and best action movies of 2016 with a Top 20 countdown. It's another huge year for superhero movies (Batman v Superman, Civil War, Dr.Strange etc). There are some long-awaited returns (Bourne 5, Independence Day 2, Kickboxer) and prepare yourself for another Star Wars.
(thanks Sheridan)
Explore New York's Guggenheim Museum With Google's Street View
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, has made over 120 artworks from its collection available for viewing via the Cultural Institute.
Google engineers stitched together images taken by drones, tripod and 'trolley' cameras to create a 360-degree experience of the museum's distinctive galleries, which you can explore from the comfort of your home.
(via engadget)
Out Of The Shadow Of Aunt Jemima: The Real Black Chefs Who Taught Americans To Cook
When you picture Aunt Jemima, what do you see? While she generally makes white people feel nurtured, she tells black people they're destined for servitude. The fact that this one advertising character telegraphs such different messages to different races is what food writer Toni Tipton-Martin refers to as the 'Jemima Code.'
In her book of the same name, Tipton-Martin explores the lives of the real black women, and men, who worked as cooks and chefs after the Civil War and contrasts them with the racist 'mammy' propaganda of the day. Discovering their artistic and scientific contributions to the culinary world was her way of breaking the Jemima Code.
(thanks Lisa)
Juan's Snow Cone Machine
Juan Ushka retired from the ice mines of Chimborazo in Ecuador 10 years ago. In the past, Juan made snow cones from Chimborazo ice, which he sold to children at local schools. Juan shows us his old snow cone machine that he used when he still worked with ice.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora
The Fastest Bikes In Pop Culture
From Batman's Batpod to Maverick's bike in Top Gun, all kinds of bikes and motorcycles have had memorable roles in pop culture. Riding a two-wheeler is undoubtedly fun, and fun to watch in films too. Evelo gathered some of the most iconic bicycles in pop culture and ranked them to see which were the fastest.
(thanks Bryan)
The Sunken Tugboat
Just off the coast of the Caracasbaai Peninsula in Curaçao, a small tugboat rests in its watery grave, slowly becoming a part of the sea's coral landscape.
This is one of Curaçao's most popular snorkeling sites, and for good reason; with the sunlight illuminating its shape and schools of fish darting through its windows and doors, the tugboat is an enchanting discovery.
(thanks Juergen)
Monday 25 January 2016
Nomads Of Mongolia
Life in Western Mongolia is an adventure. Training eagles to hunt, herding yaks, and racing camels are just a few of the daily activities of the nomadic Kazakh people.
Vimeo link
Vimeo link
5 Mysterious Structures From The World's Smallest Architects
The rainforest is a giant trove of mysteries. When zooming into the micro world, you will see natural creations which appear so man-made, that they have to be showcased as nature's smallest architects.
5 Mysterious Structures from the World's Smallest Architects will showcase the log cabin, jungle tent, cage fortress, poop barricade, and the mysterious web tower.
If Old Drug Ads Told The Truth
Through the late 19th century and mid-20th century, many of today's illicit drugs of abuse were available legally. Products containing cocaine, heroin, or amphetamine were readily available for over-the-counter purchase - no prescription required.
Here are 10 vintage advertisements for some of the period's most popular pharmaceuticals. Their outlandish claims are updated with current medical knowledge to show the seismic shift the industry has undergone over the past century.
(via AdWeek)
The Voracious Fish That Looks Like A Pug And Stings Like A Bee
Unless you've got a coral reef to duck into, the bottom of the ocean is a place of constant peril. The stargazer's bulging eyes and frowny mouth that make it look like an aquatic pug are brilliant adaptations for an ambush predator.
And even beyond its singular looks, this is one of the sea's most remarkable fishes. The stargazer is venomous and it shocks like an electric eel.
What Some Of The Best Minds Had To Say About Aliens
Some of the greatest minds to ever have existed did not shy away from lobbing their own thoughts on extraterrestrials, the people who believe in them, and those who don't. Here's what they had to say.
Sunday 24 January 2016
Kham La And Darrick
This is the amazing bond between baby elephant Kham La and Darrick, a tractor driver. They are always looking for each other at the Elephant Nature Park in Thailand. When Kham La sees him, she and her herd always run to say hi to him every morning.
YouTube link
YouTube link
Is It Safe To Eat Snow?
Many people will see the snow currently blanketing much of the U.S. Eastern Seaboard as a nuisance coating sidewalks and roads. Others are celebrating it as an excuse to spend the day swooshing down a hill.
Snow is one of the first 'wild' foods small humans learn to forage. And this time of year it's both free and plentiful to many. But is snow a magical, local and seasonal specialty, or is it an adventure in extreme eating? As with many wild foods, it can be a bit of both.
World's Most Beautiful And Outstanding Piers
Piers were originally built for the purpose of getting people and cargo from the boat to the shore without getting their feet wet, before they developed into pleasure devices. Now fitted with shops, restaurants, carnival rides and dance floors, they have become an integral part of every beach town culture.
Piers are places where people gather, have fun or a leisurely walk above the ocean waters. Many piers are now historic treasures featuring some of the area's oldest architecture and vestiges of the past.
Moving With The Reindeer In The Winter
Jan Helmer Olsen filmed the reindeer herd moving to Magerøya, Stiikonjárga and Ravdol. Quite a sight to see the herd traveling to the reindeer fence.
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
Vimeo link
(thanks Cora)
11 Unforgettable Snowmen
By now, you're probably either stuck at home thanks to snow, waiting for the snow to arrive, or wishing that you had snow. If you can't make it to work or school, you might pass the time by making a snowman. Here's some inspiration for your creations - or, if you live in a warmer climate, some pictures to cool off with.
The Marvel Of North Africa During Roman Times
The origins of the name 'Africa' are not entirely clear. We get the word from the Roman province gained via their first conquest on the continent. Romans used the term 'Afri' to refer to the inhabitants of Carthage, and more specifically a native tribe of Libya.
In order to facilitate trade, especially of the agricultural variety, various emperors set up colonies along the North African coast. Rome had the people, but the people needed bread. Africa was rich in fertile soil and became known as the 'granary of the Empire.'
Saturday 23 January 2016
How Tabasco Is Made
Tabasco sauce is a brand of hot sauce made exclusively from tabasco peppers vinegar and salt.
YouTube link
YouTube link
5 Wild Ideas That Used To Be Science
Would you believe that scientists once thought that fire was caused by an element called phlogiston? Or that bad smells were a poisonous mist of decomposed matter that caused disease?
Here are 5 wild ideas that once used to be science.
15 Vintage Photos Of Terrible Steam-Train Accidents That Are Hard To Explain
You've probably seen the photo above before. The Montparnasse derailment occurred October 22, 1895 when the Granville–Paris Express overran the buffer stop at its Gare Montparnasse terminus. It entered the station too fast and the train air brake failed. After running through the buffer stop, the train crossed the station concourse and crashed through the station wall.
Here are 15 photos of other steam train accidents that are hard to explain.
After You
Eli O'Dowd has been a doorman at Dublin city's grandest hotel since 1920. One day, much to his horror, Elli sees the city's latest arrival... the revolving door.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
Is Falling Asleep With The TV on Actually Bad For You?
Self help websites, marginally researched articles in popular health magazines, and websites run by sleep experts who also happen to sell 'blue light' filters tell us that falling asleep with the TV on is one of the worst possible things you can do. But is falling asleep with the TV on actually bad for you?
Fairytales Are Much Older Than Previously Thought
Fairy stories such as Beauty and the Beast and Rumpelstiltskin can be traced back thousands of years to prehistoric times, with one tale originating from the bronze age, academics from Durham University and the New University of Lisbon have revealed.
Using techniques normally employed by biologists, they studied common links between 275 Indo-European fairy tales from around the world and found some have roots that are far older than previously known, and 'long before the emergence of the literary record.'
Friday 22 January 2016
Tale Of Tall Boy: The Origin Of The Inflatable Man
You have definitely seen those weird floppy inflatable men on roadsides around the country. But did you know these spineless vinyl shills have a real back story? Delve into the history of advertisings most dynamic pitchmen.
YouTube link
(via Neatorama)
YouTube link
(via Neatorama)
Stop Hurting Your Engine By 'Warming Up' The Car When It's Cold Outside
Harsh driving conditions in winter are already hard on your car, but you could be making things a lot worse if you're turning your vehicle on in the morning so it can 'warm up' before you drive off.
If you're one of the many drivers who thinks it's important to idle your car in these frigid winter months to protect the engine, you've likely fallen victim to a myth that may be doing more harm than good.
This Is What 17 Different Foods Look like Growing In Their Natural Habitats
Before our favorite fruits, nuts, spices, and veggies are harvested and distributed around the world for our culinary enjoyment, they often look astonishingly different from what we're used to seeing.
Do you know what forms your snacks took in their natural habitats? Here are some common foods in their raw, untouched states. What you see may surprise you!
How Many Mass Extinctions Have There Been?
A mass extinction is a widespread and rapid decrease in the amount of life on Earth. Such an event is identified by a sharp change in the diversity and abundance of multicellular organisms. It occurs when the rate of extinction increases with respect to the rate of speciation. How many mass extinctions have there been?
YouTube link
YouTube link
This Robotic Suitcase Follows Its Owner Around
The Israel-based company NUA Robotics has created a prototype for a smart suitcase that syncs with your smartphone via Bluetooth and follows you around.
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
YouTube link
(thanks Cora)
2015 Was The Hottest Year On Record
NASA and NOAA have independently determined that Earth surface temperatures in 2015 were the hottest since record-keeping began in 1880, beating the 2014 average by a sizeable 0.13 degrees Celsius.
Most of the on-record warming happened within the past 35 years, too. And you can't pin this on weather patterns like El Niño. While those conditions certainly contributed to 2015's higher temperatures, it was the 'cumulative effect' of decades of warming that led to the new high.
Thursday 21 January 2016
Why Are Airplane Windows Round?
Ever wondered why airplane windows always have rounded edges? There's a simple and very good reason.
YouTube link
YouTube link
Are Beards Good For Your Health?
Beards, as you may have noticed, are back. The chin-strap, the goatee, the neck beard and the Van Dyke, they all have their fans. But with beards sprouting everywhere, like new grass in the spring sunshine, there has inevitably been a backlash.
Critics claim that beards are not only an irritating affectation but can potentially harbour unpleasant bugs. So, what's the evidence that beards pose any sort of health risk?
10 Tragically Funny Facts About North Korea
Some nations are known for their neutrality, others are known for belligerence, and some even for chocolate. North Korea, on the other hand, is known simply for the madness of its institutions and the laws that govern its land.
It has to be said that although the country's treatment of its population is tragic, some of the nation's history is simply funny. From the former supreme leader Kim Jong-il's hair to his glasses, there is plenty to laugh at when it comes to North Korea.
Star Wars: The Top 20 Coolest Spaceships
What would Star Wars be without the many cool space ships that populate its universe? From starfighters to military cruisers and worn hunks of junk that separate Star Wars from the chrome aesthetic of countless other sci-fi stories, this vast armada is a true marvel of cinema and the science fiction genre.
The top 20 of the coolest spaceships of Star Wars in no particular order.
(via Miss Cellania)
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Captures Cascading Magnetic Arches
A dark solar filament above the sun's surface became unstable and erupted on December 16-17, 2015, generating a cascade of magnetic arches. The arches of solar material appear to glow as they emit light in extreme ultraviolet wavelengths, highlighting the charged particles spinning along the sun's magnetic field lines.
YouTube link
YouTube link
10 Unsettling Mysteries From Asylums And Institutions
Nothing good ever came from the history of lunatic wards and insane asylums. But sometimes, the events that occurred behind these closed doors are shrouded in so much mystery that we'll probably never know the truth.
With countless lives lost and so many names forgotten, there are at least a handful of stories that we know just enough about to stand out from the history books.
Here are 10 unsettling mysteries from asylums and institutions.
Wednesday 20 January 2016
How Animals and People See The World Differently
Scientists may understand how the eye works, but seeing what other animals see is another matter entirely. Learn how eyes evolved, and find out which animal's eye biologist Tom Cronin would look through if he had the chance.
(thanks Leah)
(thanks Leah)
Stove-Pipe Hat - A Favorite Fashion Style For Gentlemen
A stove pipe hat is a tall, flat-crowned, broad-brimmed hat, predominantly worn by men.
Stove-pipe hats, also called top hats were one of the favorite fashion styles of gentlemen from the Victorian era.
The Spooky, Deserted Towns Of America (And Their Tragic Histories)
A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters.
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