A Cybernetic Implant That Allows Paralyzed Rats To Walk Again

Researchers from EPFL have restored the walking ability of paralyzed rats by implanting soft and flexible neural implants directly onto their spinal cord. The incredible new technique, which doesn’t cause inflammation or damage, uses both chemical and electrical stimulation. It’s hoped that this technology, called e-Dura, could be eventually be extended to humans, but the…

These Photos Are More Terrifying Than Most Horror Movies

Taxidermy is already a bit unnerving, but how do you make it even stranger? Photograph people in grotesque costumes holding pieces of taxidermy, and stage it like something from your most surreal nightmare. Mothmeister is a pair of taxidermy collectors and their photo series Wounderland turns their taxidermy pieces into monstrous familiars for lonely and…

The Remains Of Britain’s Missing Lander May Have Been Spotted On Mars

Rumors are swirling that the British Beagle 2 lander — missing since Christmas Day in 2003 — has been spotted on the surface of the Red Planet by NASA’s Reconnaissance Orbiter. Speculation is rampant after the UK Space Agency and the University of Leicester announced a press conference for this coming January 16th to announce…

Red-Band Spy Trailer Is Full Of Swearing And Shenanigans 

Surprise! Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) and Melissa McCarthy made a spy movie called… Spy. The espionage comedy stars McCarthy as the new secret agent who runs with a gang to people who like to cuss and shoot guns. Take a look at the first footage: Looks cute! Truly, we are entering into a very espionage-heavy time.…

This Early Computer Was A Christianity Conversion Machine

One of the most unlikely harbingers of the computer age was a Christian mystic. After getting his ass kicked by Muslim scholars, he thought up a device that would let him win any argument, answer any question, and convert all people to the one true faith. A Man of Many Names and Many Talents The…

Firestorm’s Outfit On The Flash Could Possibly Use A Little Work

So among about a billion other things revealed about the CW’s burgeoning DC TV universe, the outfit for Robbie Amell’s Firestorm was on display at the Television Critics Association event this weekend, and, uh… well, let’s just say it was not what I was expecting. Mainly because it appears to be a hoodie with some…

What Book Changed Your Life?

You never know exactly what path a book is going to take its characters on, but sometimes there can also be something unexpected waiting for you there, something that can forever change the course of where you’re going. Tell us in the comments what the book was and just how it changed your life. Maybe…

It’s Survival Of The Most Useful When Protecting Species

Consensus is growing that we are steering towards a sixth mass extinction event. There are calls for increased efforts to stop the accelerating loss of plants and animals. But do we really need to protect all species from global extinction? Top image: Coral reefs are like an underwater metropolis – and function in similar ways.…

The Venture Bros. Return (Finally!) For An Epic Space Adventure

As the ancient proverb goes, “Any day that features new Venture Bros footage is a good day indeed.” So now that we have a new extended trailer for the next VB special, today ain’t bad — but next Monday, when the hour-long special actually premieres, will be @#$%ing awesome. As you’ll see when you hit…

Do We Already Know Who’s Stepping Up to Fill Star Wars‘ Writing Gap?

The producers of Arrow talk about their plans for more shows in that universe, and we get a sense for what Supergirl will be like as a show. Duncan Jones talks about the crazy special effects in Warcraft. Watch new teasers for Kingsmen: The Secret Service and The Walking Dead. Spoilers now! Top image: Star…

These Cut-Out Style Posters Show the Inspirational Side of Superheroes

Designer Adam Thompson remixed iconic comic work in his own style and paired it with the characters’ quotes that spoke most deeply to him. These pretty much kick the “Hang in there” kitty’s ass. Here’s how Thompson describes his project on its Behance page: My work, centered around comic book characters, comes with the challenge…

Twin Peaks cinematographer Frank Byers will direct a remake Jean-Luc Godard’s 1965 film Alphaville. The original sci fi film noir followed an agent sent to a dystopian city with orders to destroy it. The remake, written by Franc. Reyes, will present a “fresh take” that reflects today’s political climate. [The Wrap]

Satellite Image of Clouds Over the Black Sea Will Take Your Breath Away

On January 8, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite captured an image of “clouds streets” over the Black Sea. Cloud streets are lines of cumulus clouds that run parallel to the wind. That is some beautiful wind. Image credit: NASA/Aqua-MODIS From NASA’s Eath Observatory description: Cloud streets are long parallel bands…

G.I. Joe 3 May Have Its Director. And Is Still Happening, Apparently

I kind of totally forgot that the live-action G.I. Joe movies were a thing that were happening. And now it looks like Paramount is gearing up for a third go at this, with another new director. Deadline is reporting that DJ Caruso, who is currently in the process of making The Disappointment Room with Kate…

Who Is Disrobing In the Newest Avengers: Age of Ultron Trailer?

Marvel’s dropped the latest Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer, and there’s a lot of great action going on, obviously. But here’s where I’m stumped: Who is that taking off their clothes at the :32 mark? We’ve also got the return of on-the-run Nick Fury, fresh from the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Agents…

In Syfy’s Next Show, The U.S. Turns Greenland Into A Giant Prison

This is a fascinating — and super-topical — idea for a TV show. When the U.S. prison population gets too huge, we buy Greenland and turn it into a ginormous co-ed prison where people can supposedly win their freedom. That’s the premise of 51st State, a show in development now for Syfy. Top image: Inside…

An Oil Pipeline Is Suspended Above Alaska’s Melting Tundra

This beautiful photograph reveals an oil pipeline hugging the shore of an Alaskan lake. The lake waters are slowly merging with the melting tundra beneath the pipeline, creating dark fissures around puzzle pieces of land. Photo: Alaska ShoreZone On the NOAA Fisheries blog, Rich Press explains what you’re seeing: Thaw Lake, Prudhoe Bay August 5,…

A Haunting Animated Documentary About Rediscovery Of An Extinct Insect

Dryococelus australis, known as the Lord Howe Island stick insect or tree lobster was thought to be extinct by 1920, but in 2001, a small population of the species was rediscovered. This fantastic animated documentary traces that rediscovery and the species and the attempts to bring it back from the brink of extinction. Sticky was…

No, “Poor Man’s Copyright” Does Not Exist

It sounds almost too good to be true: Instead of going through all the paperwork and hassle of registering a copyright, all you have to do is send your work to yourself by mail to be protected. It’s called “poor man’s copyright” and there’s only one problem with the process. It doesn’t exist. In response…

Penny Dreadful Trailer Has A Lot Of New Monsters And One Big Twist

This new Penny Dreadful trailer will blow your mind. We’ve already spotted what we think is the Phantom of the Opera, but we were NOT ready for what popped up in the end. Things are getting crazy in sexy Victorian monster hump town. Penny Dreadful will return to Showtime on April 26th. So get your…