This is the exact opposite of Netflix discs, which are actually quite clean, comparatively speaking.

You see, those red sleeves and the delectable range of DVDs they contain are relatively free of any funky viruses or deadly bacteria, this according to an interesting slow news day report out of KLTV 7 East Texas.

As part of the report, six Netflix discs and sleeves were sent to an infectious disease expert at the University of Texas for a good swabbing. After some time in the incubator, the petri dishes were removed, and the samples—thankfully for this Netflix user—were no more covered with bacteria than a sample would have been had the good doctor touched them with his bare hand:

"They were fairly clean," said [Dr. Richard] Wallace [in an interview with KLTV]. "If I took my fingers and laid them on the top of the plates, this is what you'd grow." As for the disks themselves, Wallace said he found nothing that could potentially cause disease.

So keep on using that copy of Benjamin Button as a coaster. You'll be relatively safe in doing so—just don't eat off of it. [KLTV East Texas via Hacking Netflix]

At least, that seems to be the safest route, if some amazing test results from a study into teen driving and accident prevention are any indication.

The test involved an in-vehicle data recorder (IVDR) system that monitors unsafe driving events, such as sharp turns, heavy acceleration and abrupt braking. Originally developed by GreenRoad, a San Francisco firm that specializes in trucker safety, the system takes this information and "grades" the driver. Red, yellow and green lights inform drivers how well they are driving at any given time.

The system sounds pretty simplistic, but the data suggests something remarkable. In those cars with the system, dangerous driving events were cut in half.

Impressive, but we imagine angsty teens will still find some way to complain about "the man" and mom and dad's snooping. Fortunately, there's an app for that. The system is accelerometer-based, and the software could easily make the jump over to smartphones, said Swedish engineer Per-Olof Svnesk in an article at New Scientist. You're already secretly looking at your kid's cellphone anyway, parents, so why not install a safety app in there while you're at it? They may even think it's cool, so no snooping necessary. [New Scientist]

Instead of building airbags into plane seats or the bulkhead—that big flat wall at the front of the cabin—AmSafe, the biggest name in the I'm-guessing-not-terribly-crowded commercial jet passenger airbag industry, has hidden them in seat belts: the bag is mounted at shoulder height and connected to a trigger and helium inflation device underneath the seat.

AmSafe's Tom Barth, pictured here holding a comically oversized seat belt that's obviously hiding an airbag or something, told NPR:

The air bag seat belt looks pretty much like a standard seat belt. People don't really notice that it's there.

No need to deny the lumpiness, Tom—I think people will forgive a little bulk if it means they won't splatter their brains all over that darling floral bulkhead carpet next time a landing doesn't go quite as planned.

But alas, the rollout won't be universal. The FAA regulation doesn't require airbags per se, as long as aircraft manufacturers can somehow claim that a 16 G impact is survivable by way of padded seatbacks, open space, or better restraints. Only a handful of commercial jets have exploding seat belts airbags today—none of which have ever deployed, by the way—but the regulation, which only applies to new planes, should make these things a common sight. [NPR]

UPDATE: Now with added video edutainment:
—Thanks, Sergio!

The idea is to teach kids how to bike safely by placing them in a variety of real-world scenarios like "going to school", "going to the grocery store", and the like. Targeted for driving schools and educational institutions, Japanese parents can spend some time with their child learning the basics without having to worry for their safety. After a few years, they just might be ready to go outside on a real bike with a helmet and a cocoon of bubble wrap on. [Far East Gizmos via Coolest Gadgets via DVICE]

If the hat determines the driver's condition to be risky, it relays a warning signal to a computer screen in the cab (and possibly cellphones as the image above illustrates) recommending rest. Apparently, trials of the hat are being credited with reducing fatalities for drivers at CRC Mining from 40 in 2007 to 27 in 2008. Now CRC is hoping that their technology can be made available to all drivers sometime in the near future. [Metro]

They'll sell in October for $30 and come with extra ear caps that tailor toward boys, girls or the Dutch. [Griffin Technology via Gadgenista via Coolest Gadgets]

The device attaches to each side of the ladder and helps improve traction and level control with feet that are fully adjustable. I'm surprised something like this doesn't already exist—but I wouldn't be surprised if that changed sometime in the near future. [Tuvie]

The creators of this concept design, Yusuf Muhammed and Paul Thomas of the Royal College of Art, get about $16,500 to split between them with their school getting the same amount. Presumably, the cash and visibility that they've gained from winning the design award will allow them to make the Automist a product we'll be able to, you know, buy. I just worry that it'll invite a lot of pranking, but I guess time will tell. [James Dyson Award via FastCompany]

The illiterate low-life went on to mock:

"I have the laptop, phones ok but a bit scratched itll do, tv was rubbish so I left it , ds was a bonus, now to the porn shop, thankyou toshiba is my favourite make".

The sick scenario is a cautionary true tale to think twice about what data you store on your laptop, and a reminder that you should use some basic security to protect it. [Telegraph via TechRadar]

Other features include an EverClear No-Fog faceshield and an anti-scratch retractable SpeedView sun visor. Truth be told, this certainly isn't the first modular helmet out there. However, at $270-$280 the Scorpion would be far cheaper than something like BMW's System 6—although the latter has advanced noise canceling features and integrated Bluetooth. [Scorpion via Jalopnik]

It took more than 7-months for KIRO 7 Consumer Investigator Amy Clancy to get her hands on documents concerning Apple's iPods from the Consumer Product Safety Commission because Apple's lawyers filed exemption after exemption. In the end, the CPSC released more than 800 pages which reveal, for the very first time, a comprehensive look that shows, on a number of occasions, iPods have suddenly burst into flames, started to smoke, and even burned their owners.

Within that 800 pages of information, 15 minor burn and fire related incidents reported by iPod owners are discussed. KIRO goes on to describe several of these incidents and how Apple knew that there were defective batteries out there, yet did nothing about it. With over 170 million iPods in circulation, it's not surprising that Apple is trying to keep things quiet. A recall would come at a huge expense—and with that amount of product on the shelves, there is bound to be a few anomalies here and there. The CPSC agrees with this point, claiming that there are not enough cases thus far to warrant any further action.

It probably doesn't matter anyway. As Fake Steve points out, the Seattle connection points to a Microsoft conspiracy. And the burns? Masochists with cigarettes looking for a quick buck most likely. Besides, even if iPods did burn you, you still wouldn't buy a Zune. [KIRO 7 via Fake Steve / Image via Daily HaHa]

Other improvements include an LED light that indicates the status of your sent message, a separate tracking button, an extra message button, universal communications symbols and a stylish new silver finish option. Pricing for the new unit will most likely be revealed in the fall when the new SPOT is scheduled to hit shelves. It probably won't be cheap, and the tracking service already costs at least $100 per year, but that is a small price to pay for peace of mind when you are stuck on some godforsaken corner of the Earth. [SPOT via GearJunkie via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Let me be the first to say "mission accomplished." Kids are creepy anyway, but throw in a system that leeches blood when it rains and you just might scare people into giving up their cars entirely. Not surprisingly, the billboards have been effective. Since they were put in place, there hasn't been a single fatal accident in the area. [Neatorama via Buzzfeed]

Panasonic claims that they did this for safety reasons, and from the horror stories of batteries exploding in phones that have really cheap third-party batteries, we're apt to believe them. But you have to ask yourself, do you want to save $30 or do you want shards of plastic in your eye? The choice is yours. (And if you choose $30, don't update your firmware.) [Panasonic via Slashdot]

The battery packs were sold separately and in laptops between August 2007 through March 2008. Naturally, if you think you might be affected, it might be a good idea to check and see if your battery matches the ones pictured in the gallery before using it again. Hit up the following link for more details. [HP and CPSC via Ubergizmo]

Apparently, the 41% rise in injuries/deaths since 1990 correlate with the increasing popularity of flat screen tvs and the narrow stands that often support them. CNBC cites a mother named Samara Brinkley as an example. Last week her 4-year old daughter was killed when the family's 27-inch television fell on her. Only a fraction of the incidents reported each year end up being fatal, but it goes without saying that if you have children, flat panel TV's with narrow centers of gravity should be secured. Better yet, wall mount them—it usually looks better anyway. [CNBC via Fark]

If there is one bright spot in this whole Swine Flu mess, it's that bacon is not affected. Whew! And I thought I might have to curb my intake. Actually, I might eat more now out of spite.

The creatures found on these handmade helmets were created by a Brazilian artist who affixed bones, teeth and "fine stones" found in the Amazon to a standard open-faced motorcycle helmet. Despite their appearance, the artist claims that the helmets are DOT approved—although I certainly wouldn't want to rely on one skidding along the pavement at 50 mph. Still, you cant beat the $99 price tag if you want a real menacing look without having to endure the permanence and pain of a sleeve of tattoos. [Craigslist via Jalopnik]

Rescuers found the second lost person's body at the bottom of a +60 foot fall next to a stream. The lost snowboarders' friends kept in touch via twitter. It appears that while these skiers and snowboarders went off piste, none of them carried any sort of radio or satellite personal locator beacons, like the moderately priced SPOT. I mean, if you're in the back country, chances are your cellular reception isn't so great. The guy with the iPhone got off lucky being pretty close to a resort. Although the GPS function in any phone would work well in an open area to get someone reoriented. Either way, be safe during these storms, friends. [Scotsman, thisislondon]