Sawse - Stir it Up!

Hi-tech eye design in a lowly mollusk

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:21:59 +0000

Human eyes are well-designed to see objects using light transmitted through air, but not through water, because light travels at a different speed through the two media. However, intertidal-dwelling marine mollusks called chitons can see equally well in both environments. How did they acquire this unusual ability? (more…)

Maya civilization created by volcanic eruptions?

admin — Sat, 07 May 2011 21:11:59 +0000

American archeologists believe that the high productivity of land of the ancient Maya was possible because of volcanic ash that rained down on the fields quite frequently. The natural fertilizer maintained the existence of thousands of people on unfruitful lands. Was it really so? It is an open secret that volcanic ash does not bring any good to the soil. (more…)

Aliens live near red dwarfs?

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 21:58:15 +0000

Planetary scientist Christopher McKay of NASA Ames Research Center and his colleagues have discovered that the surface of the red dwarfs planets that revolve around the stars may be covered with oceans that contain organic compounds. Thus, the list of potentially habitable locations in the universe has expanded. (more…)

Human excrement can help ensure food security

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:52:41 +0000

Phosphorus present in human feces can be used in basic food crops such as wheat (more…)

From El Niño to La Niña

admin — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 21:26:27 +0000

Extreme weather conditions are predicted on a global scale as experts come to terms with the latest details emerging from the La Niña event, climate-changing ocean temperature alterations which follow El Niño and affect vast swathes of our planet on an intercontinental scale.

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Europeans panic over filament bulbs ban

admin — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:13:17 +0000

It turns out that the propensity to purchase essential goods “as a reserve” is not common only for the residents of the former USSR. Western Europe, spoiled by a surplus, is now also faced with this phenomenon. Instead of Russian buckwheat, traditional salt, matches and toilet paper, the local citizens are sweeping filament bulbs off the shelves. (more…)

Time will stop in 3.7 billion years

admin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:02:25 +0000

A group of physicists from the United States and Japan argued that, according to their calculations, there is a 50% probability that the time will “cease to flow” in the next 3.7 billion years. However, other theorists are extremely skeptical about their conclusions, calling the authors “sophists.” (more…)

In 2013, the Sun will destroy all means of communication on Earth

admin — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:35:44 +0000

A frightening forecast was published recently by experts of Space Agency NASA. According to American astronomers, in 2013, after years of hibernation, the Sun will wake up, and Earth will be threatened with unfortunate consequences. Widespread outbreaks on the hot star can lead to a global failure of satellite communications. As a result, the planet is awaiting chaos (more…)

Human brain measures time by observing movements

admin — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:46:37 +0000

If someone put you in an empty white room with no furniture, no doors or windows, no clock … you would begin to lose track of time. For a few days, your mind will detect the passage of time feeling the internal reactions of the body, including heart rate, sleep cycles, hunger, thirst and blood pressure. (more…)

Waters of Lake Titicaca on Peru and Bolivia down remarkably

admin — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 12:50:11 +0000

The director of Naval Hydrography in Bolivia confirmed the possibility of declaring a drought alert for Titicaca Lake because its waters are down to only 15 centimeters from the level that would require a state of emergency. (more…)