Latest

This Single Molecule Drives Cancer Cells to Suicide

A team of researchers has identified a single molecule, called TIC10, that kick-starts the body’s tumor-destroying systems—causing a chain reaction that can kill cancer dead. In a series of experiments in mice the researchers, from Pennsylvania State University, found that TIC10 activities the gene for a protein called TRAIL—that’s short for tumour-necrosis-factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand—which causes…

How Prepared Are You For Snowmaggedon?

With up to two feet of snow expected to dump itself on the east coast today, how prepared are you for snowmaggedon? Meteorologists predict massive drifts, white outs, and power cuts over the next two days. Are you fully loaded with supplies? And what kit do you have to keep yourselves safe in the snow?…

Ultrasound makes sonoluminescent bubbles

What you’re seeing is the rarely-observed phenomenon of sonoluminscence. Gas bubbles are collapsing, and part of the energy of their collapse is being translated into visible light. Here’s how it happens! A liquid is rarely entirely pure. It is usually full of salts, swirling pieces of grit, and dissolved gas. When it is agitated by…

Dinosaurs Went Extinct Almost Immediately After Mexican Asteroid Strike

Scientists using a new and highly precise dating technique have concluded that the late Cretaceous asteroid strike in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula coincided almost exactly with the extinction of the dinosaurs — give-or-take a few tens of thousands of years. While it’s clear that other factors were contributing to the rapidly deteriorating environmental conditions, it’s now…

First look at Man of Steel‘s lady villain Faora

Get a good look at the super-powered lady who is going to stir up all sorts of hell for our newly bearded Superman in Man of Steel. Mattel’s Movie Masters figures have provided the first good look at the evil character Faora (played by Antje Traue) and her strange half-lycra, half-steampunk ensemble. Which is infinitely…

The CEO of UK carrier Vodafone says 4G is for “technofreaks” and that nobody needs “this fast internet.” Good marketing!

Probably the most graphic SFW video you’ll see this week

Because it’s sea-cucumber porn. A solo scene. That’s what this is. Straight up, hardcore sea-cucumber smut. For this is how sea-cucumbers reproduce, by raising their front ends and releasing sperm (or eggs) well clear of the ocean floor, where fertilization can take place. Plus there’s just something inherently pornographic about a creature with a big’ol…

Here’s how you make glass bulletproof — on only one side

We’re used to thinking of things as either/or -– especially when those things are panes of bulletproof glass and we’re sitting behind them. How do people make glass that can stop a bullet one way, but let bullets fly through them another way? We’ll take a look at the physics of bulletproof glass. It’s natural…

Is Your Town on the FAA’s New Drone List?

The Federal Aviation Administration has finally released a new drone authorization list. This list, released in response to EFF’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, includes law enforcement agencies and universities across the country, and-for the first time-an Indian tribal agency. In all, the list includes more than 20 new entities over the FAA’s original…

When the United States Went to War Against the Mormons

It sounds outlandish now, but the United States went to war with Mormons in the late 1850s. United States troops descended on the Utah Territory in 1857 due to growing concerns about actions carried out by the religious group and worries of sedition. What led President Buchanan to send thousands of troops to the region?…

A chatbot’s hilariously nonsensical script has been turned into a short film

A few weeks ago we predicted that the day is fast approaching when a machine will be able to write a scifi novel or a short story. Well, despite the short film presented here, we’re still sticking to that prognostication — though it’s now painfully clear that we’re going to have to wait a while…

This Dragon Turned Out To Be a Pterosaur

This Latin inscription on this his curious beast identifies it as a “dragon as it was recovered in the hands of the engineer Cornelius Meyer”. The picture comes from a 1696 book that Meyer wrote describing his construction projects, and an etching on the cover claims to show the dragon as it looked alive in…

Could the latest villain rumors for Star Trek Into Darkness and Amazing Spider-Man 2 possibly be true?

We debunk one of them, but we can’t entirely dismiss the other. Meanwhile, Marvel’s visual effects head drops hints for Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: The Dark World. Plus one last Walking Dead teaser before this Sunday’s big return! Spoilers from here on out! Top image from X-Men: First Class. Star Trek Into Darkness…

How to Make Dry Ice at Home

Dry ice is amazing stuff, especially in the kitchen—think ice cream or booze—but getting hold of it can be tricky. No problem! Here’s how to make your own. All you’ll need is a fire extinguisher, a pillow case, and a little bit of practice. What are you waiting for? [YouTube]

This Woman Was Fined For Decorating Her Electronic Security Bracelet

When Rebecca Gallanagh was fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet after being arrested, she thought it was boring—so she decorated it using fake diamonds. Sadly, that didn’t play very well with the authorities. In fact, she was fined $220 by Secro, the security company who fitted the bracelet, for “compromising the integrity” of the device.…

A new, smaller Roku puck has landed at the FCC—but sadly all the interesting internal details are witheld.

Hundreds of Full-Length Movies Are Reappearing on YouTube

The Wall Street Journal points out an interesting trend: loads of illegally uploaded, full-length movies are finding their way on to YouTube, and studios are doing nothing about it. And you know what? It’s right. A quick Google throws up full versions of The Three Faces of Eve, Misery, Battle Royale, The Illusionist… we could…

Did Bing Maps Capture the Top Secret U.S. Drone Base in Saudi Arabia?

This past week, reports have come out about a top secret US drone base inside Saudi Arabia. The base was built two years ago, had been used for dozens of drone attacks in Yemen and was originally hidden by the news until it was revealed this week. Now, Bing Maps may have found it, reports…

The Weirdest Thing on the Internet Tonight: Bermuda

All hail the hypno-box! This psychedelic short film by Calvin Frederick of CalArts surprisingly uses zero CGI or other special effects. He instead relies on a Canon 5D mounted in a motion-control rig, a programmable LED board, and mirroring to create this kaleidoscopic mania.

The Future Is Going to Be Hilariously Hovering

This animation, called The Future by Alex Goddard, is pretty much perfect. Everything is going to hover. In fact, I won’t believe we’re in the future until more things start hovering. My favorite part of the clever animation was when hoverboards are still only ‘coming soon’. [Alex Goddard Vimeo]