Category Archives: links

links

What a Lot We Missed!

In our occasional (well it’s been something like three weeks since the last) series we have a really bumper crop of links to items I’ve spotted but which you may have missed — and which I think may be of interest.

First up we have an item on cracking codes, specifically in this case the easy (to us) but confusing (to our ancestors) Pigpen Cipher

And then there’s a cabal of crackers who have opened a 250-Year-Old Code to find (some variant of) freemasonry within.

Not quite a code? Well maybe it is, because this amazing 120-year-old “musical box” just so perfectly mimics a bird. Well it would be perfect if they could work out what the bird was!

And so to another amazing piece of Victorian engineering: Tower Bridge. Apparently the walkways high above the river are to get (part) glass floors, so people can look down on the bridge when it opens. I wonder how many heads will manage that one? Sadly I doubt mine will.

If a little red wine is good for you … Why you really should prefer red over white.

And talking of red, some clever chemists have been able to tweak one of the key pigments in our visual system so it is sensitive further into the infra-red. The implication is that this would give us much richer red vision. Yep that should be easy, just change the metal in the complex … oh wait there is no metal!

So yes, it’s all down to experimental science; time spent at the laboratory bench. But what about when you have an experiment that outlives you? Yep, you have to find an heir. The story of two such experiments from the same university.

Back to colour for a moment … So why is the sky blue not violet? Excellent trick if you can pull this one off!

We all know how people of Pompeii died, right? Well maybe not so fast. Some interesting perspectives both here and here.

Ash on the floor? Oh dear, you need to know how to clean your house in 15 minutes. No, I don’t believe it either!

Is it a filter? Is it a manufacturing plant? It’s a cleanroom — which is actually a plant that manufactures pure air. And it’s all done by big fans and gravity. An interesting read, especially when you consider this was one of the gateway technologies to our modern electronically connected world … some part of whatever device you’re reading this one was made in a cleanroom.

Ten well-known facts that are nothing of the sort.

But then, once upon a time, we didn’t know how to make cheese either. Seems we learnt longer ago than was thought, like 7500 years ago!

Which is all probably down to some variant of the restless genes which have (and still do) driven some to explore further afield.

Meanwhile back at home in the UK there’s been a project running for the last 10-ish years to photograph and put online images of every oil painting which is owned by the nation. All 211,861 of them! And it has finally achieved it’s aim. Telegraph article about the project. And the Your Paintings website itself which is free for anyone to use. What a fantastic achievement and a wonderful resource!


So from the sublime to the prosaic and worse …

Amusing snippet detailing the top ways we (well Americans) manage to accidentally (one assumes) injure their genitals. Be warned, boys and girls: don’t play with your genitals!

And at long last the UN has got round to approving an agreement on banning female genital mutilation. I don’t care how ancient and how supposedly important a ritual this is, it should have been stamped on long, long ago.

Mind you it seems that pubic hair is in even greater danger extinction than we thought. Oh dear! As if they don’t have anything better to do with themselves.

After all of which we probably all need a bit of stress relief.

Happy popping!

links

Catching Up …

Blimey it’s busy round here! Even when you aren’t trying to get rid of a really dirty cold. At last this morning I have a chance to try to catch up a bit as I’ve been excused supermarket duty, so here is your occasional catch-up on links to items you may have missed. In the order I have them noted …

Does chocolate make you clever? Probably not but countries with a high per capita chocolate consumption also have more Nobel Prize winners.

Rules are there for a reason, allegedly. There aren’t for us to pick and mix the ones we like. A short excursion into why this is.

The received wisdom is that children are natural scientists. But apparently they aren’t, though they are inquisitive — and there’s a difference.

Apparently city birds are adapting to an unusual predator: cats. Yep, over generations the birds are modifying their behaviour towards what is for them a relatively novel enemy.

So who do you trust to tell you the truth? Nobody much it seems.

Mary Rose won’t die! Now scientists are identifying the shipwreck’s elite archers by the fact that their skeleton show signs of RSI.

Who killed Tycho Brahe, the 16th century Danish astronomer? Jennifer Ouellette investigates and discovers that the answer is: nobody.

Please tell me it is 1st April! Apparently San Francisco are trying to ban the obese from wearing clothes. They reckon it’s going to shame them into thinning. I think (hope) it might backfire.

According to the sources who know (ie. the Daily Mail) the Pope is stealing our traditional Christmas. Why should we care?

Earlier in the week the Police shut part of Whitehall because an idiot climbed a statue and then stripped. As usual the reaction is completely OTT. While I don’t condone the damage to the statue but public nudity is not per se an offence. I suspect that if the police had ignored the whole thing the guy would have got bored and gone away within 5 minutes, instead of which they make a huge drama out of it.

Can you identify corporate logos? Probably. Can you identify tree leaves? Probably not. A nice diagram from Evopropinquitous as an antidote to this state of affairs.

Diamond Geezer goes in search of the birth of our favourite supermarkets. Did you know Waitrose was founded by Messrs Waite, Rose and Taylor and their first store was in Acton? Or that Liptons (remember them?) started in Glasgow? No neither did I.

Here’s an important post on a rare but important sleep disorder. But because it can be very like some other sleep disorders it may not be so rare.

How do you lose an island?


The Geese Book, a delightful medieval manuscript is now available online. Here’s a report and here’s a link to the actual book.

And finally here’s one for all you geek girls out there. Hack your vibrator so it listens to your body. This is how Beth did it. And Emily is in awe!

Have fun!

links, science

More Things You May Have Missed …

Another round in our series bringing you links to items you may have missed and which may amuse. In no special order …

So common sense seems to be filtering into government circles with the announcement that there may (notice only may) be a way to vaccinate badgers against bovine TB rather than slaughtering them.

Just so you’re no longer confused, here’s an interesting article on the non-difference between “skeptic” and “sceptic”.

Seems that a lot of those wonderful medieval stained-glass windows in Canterbury Cathedral are early 20th century fakes. My father — brought up in Canterbury — must be having apoplexy in his grave.

I’ve mentioned the Wellington Arch, at Hyde Park Corner, before (here and here). They currently have an exhibition about Egyptian architecture.

Apparently Australian Fairy-Wren chicks have to sing the right password to get fed by their parents. Even more amazingly the female bird teaches them their specific password before they hatch. Mums, what did you teach your child before birth?

Randall Munroe’s brilliant web comic XKCD which often takes a wacky look at science and logic. This week he has produced a blueprint style explanation of the workings of a space rocket in very simple language even readers of The Sun can understand.

Victoria Moore in the Telegraph asks how discerning drinkers can (still) be drinking Beaujolais Nouveau. Well I’ll tell her: we’re not all wine snobs and some of us actually drink it because we enjoy it; we don’t all like thick heavy red wines all the time.

Some while back we reported that archaeologists had found the remains of some old bras under the floor in a medieval Austrian schloss. The bras have now been dated to the late 15th century. Here’s the low down (or should that be the “prominent points”?) on the investigations so far.

Finally, following on from last week’s report of the investigations into the wildlife of the navel, Rob Dunn’s team are making their whole dataset available online so that others can look to see what they can discover from it. So if you fancy some scientific data mining, and maybe getting your name on a discovery, hare’s your chance. All are welcome.

More anon …

current affairs, links, science

Another Catch-up

More links to things which amused or interested me and which may do the same for you. This edition isn’t all science; we start off being rather more light-hearted …

Everyone seems to be flapping about some fungus which is attacking ash trees in the UK. Apparently some government minister is suggesting we should stop it spreading by washing our children. Whatever next?


Meanwhile in Egypt the Copts have used a boy child to to select their new Pope. I love the way they wear a combination of table runners and lampshades! Makes the new Cantuar look very tame. But what I didn’t know is that Egyptian Copts are internationally well known and influential; Boutros Boutros-Ghali (former UN Secretary-General) and Sir Magdi Yacoub (heart transplant surgeon) are among their number.

Not to be outdone, IanVisits looks at two churches in London’s East End and wonders what London would have been like if a Victorian mega-rail project had come off.

And talking of Victorians, a rare books dealer has stumbled upon what is thought to be an authentic Tenniel Alice in Wonderland chess board. And of course he’s trying to cash in.

Finally before the science stuff, nambawan pikinini bilong Misis Kwin (aka. Prince Charles) has been in Papua New Guinea brushing up on his Tok Pisin. The Guardian gave us a guide to this hoot of a language.

When he gets back home Prince Charles will soon be being tested by his doctor for dementia, as will we all. I can’t see why Brenda and Phil the Greek should be excluded though; I would have thought the latter is a cut and dried diagnosis.

Slime molds. They’re slimy, and brainless (yes, there’s a link there somewhere!), and it seems surprisingly intelligent. Though I guess the latter depends in the value of intelligent as well as the price of eggs.

But as far as I know, no-one has yet found slime molds growing in a navel. Rob Dunn and his team have spent two years finding all manner of other life though, including Carl Zimmer. And for their next trick … arm-pits!

While on noxious substances, Puff the Mutant Dragon writes interestingly (well to me anyway) about the chemistry behind wacky-baccy.


Be afraid! Be very afraid! There’s another new pest on the way. It seems Asian hornets, Vespa velutina, (not to be confused with the Asian or Japanese Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia, which is altogether bigger) have established themselves in France and are heading for the UK. They munch on honey bees (as if bee-keepers needed anything more to worry about) and they have a nasty sting!

Finally something cool for those interested in space junk. NASA has launched an app which will email or text you when the International Space Station is due to be passing over your head, so you know when to look up.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

links, science

Another Catch-up

More links to the interesting amusing or curious you may have missed …

Someone has finally realised that there is no way to totally shield children from pornography and that they’re going to find it anyway. So what?, I say. They have to learn these things sooner or later. And how much better to have it out in the open (Oooo, missus!) and that they learn about such things in the comforting environment of home. Oh, they don’t have homes. Hmmm …

Scientists reckon that after a lot of work they’re finally beginning to be able to decode the contents of dreams, without waking up the subject.

This one is definitely not for teatime, and maybe not for work! Pictures of the world’s most revolting cakes. Nah, there must be worse than these, surely!


More pictures, and of all sorts of things. But these are seen microscope photos and many are rather beautiful. See how many you can correctly guess.

So we’re always being told we should drink 8 glasses of water a day. Why? Well actually no-one really knows, or where the myth started. I’ll take my share in beer, thanks!

We’re always being told that fresh pee is sterile. So in another item Mind the Science Gap asks “Mommy, why do I need to wash my hands if I only pee?“. Interesting take on house-training boy children!

Waht to really stand out from Nature’s crowd? Be true blue!

They think it’s good, but from here it looks more like a disaster for book publishing. Penguin and Random House to merge (subject to regulatory approval).

Duke of York Column
Somewhere in London there’s an observation tower, masquerading as a memorial column, which has been closed to the public for 130 years. IanVisits would like to see the Duke of York Column, just off Pall Mall, reopened. I bet most Londoners don’t even know it exists!

And finally it’s party time down in Kent. Archaeologists have found the remains of what appears to be a 6th century Saxon nightclub (ie. a feasting hall) in Lyminge. It sounds seriously impressive.

links, science

Science-y things you may have missed

In this edition of links to interesting items I’ve collected this week, we bring you mostly science-related things. In no special order …

The Bristlecone Pine is an amazing tree which can live for thousands of years. It chronicles climate change past and it looks as if it may be showing the way into climate change to come.

So what are you actually running scared of? Biologist Rob Dunn is always good value and here he looks at how our “fight or flight” mechanism is still running from nasty, big predators.

Still on biology here are a series of amazing microscopy photos of creepy crawlies. Preferably not for mealtime or just before bed, but the images are so brilliant!

We all get earworms. No, not more bugs! I mean that song or tune which loops endlessly in your head despite distractions. Now psychologists are trying to understand why.

Psychologists again! It seems they’ve concluded that what we’ve always been told is true: that men and women can’t be “just friends”. OK, guilty as charged, sometimes — though I’m far from sure it is true of all my opposite sex friendships.

There have been several articles recently about the age of puberty having fallen over the last 100 years in both boys and girls. Do scientists really not understand why? How about better nutrition and hormones in meat? I bet they account for a large percentage of the change. But OK it will be hard to prove.

Finally on the basis of some meta-studies some scientists have come to the conclusion that premenstrual syndrome is probably a myth. Probably true for some women, but I find it hard to believe it’s all in the mind. I think a lot of people will need a lot of convincing.

May your weekend run smoothly!

links, science

We nearly missed …

As I said in my previous post, it’s been another busy week when I’ve just not had either the time or the mental energy for blogging, despite there being many things I wanted to write about. So in summary form here are a few that I picked up, would have liked to write more about, and which you may have missed. Let’s start with the the cute …

Berlin Zoo have some adorable new, but very rare, Rusty-Spotted Cat kittens. I defy anyone not to like these kittens.


Squirrels, L to R: Grey, Red, Melanistic (black) morph of Grey, Brunette morph of Red
While in Britain there’s another colour way of our favourite nut guzzler. But don’t be deceived the brunette squirrel is just a colour morph of our now rare red squirrel — just as there are black, grey squirrels.

Still on things biological the Evopropinquitous blog writes about Things I Learned as a Field Biologist. It’s often interesting and sometimes a bit squeamish. One wonders though how these people actually do any work in the field!

Now here’s something for real science geeks. Make your own Particle Detector from things you have around the house. No, I haven’t tried it (I have far too many left thumbs for craft work) but it certainly looks as if it should work.

From particle detectors, to particle generators. Except they weren’t. In interesting short post from IanVisits about the early plans for an underground railway in London which came to naught.


And finally this week for something different. Mr Bean-Blackadder has been throwing the toys out of his pram and probably annoying the righteous in the process. The Daily Telegraph reported a nice tirade from Rowan Atkinson: we must be allowed to insult each other. Joining in the campaign former shadow home secretary David Davis said:

The simple truth is that in a free society, there is no right not to be offended. For centuries, freedom of speech has been a vital part of British life.

Precisely. It’s called freedom of speech.

links

Things You Might have Missed …

Another selection of links to items you may have missed, and will wish you hadn’t. In no particular order …

Worried about Friday 13th? Or scared by the number 7? Seems that 13 July is the least safe day of the year.


And now they reckon watremelon might be the next super-food. Hmmm … sounds like a load of round things to me.

An interesting article on the pointlessness of Page 3 and the pointlessness of trying to ban it. So it’s another load of pointless round things!

Interesting suggestion that psychedelic drugs, including LSD can cure depression. Not sure I’m ready for that yet!

Well if you British men are feeling depressed, this might cheer you up. Apparently (on average) we’re better endowed than many of our rivals.

So from stiff things to … prosthetics. Ancient Egypt never ceases to amaze. Apparently they not only had prosthetic toes, but they were actually functional for walking.

While in the ancient world, underwater archaeologists are to revisit the wreck the Antikythera machine was found. That could be very interesting, especially if they manage to find more pieces.

And still on the ancient world it seems they now think that Orkney was the centre of the (British) neolithic world. Was there really nowhere less godforsaken?

Finally a different aspect of body adornment. It seems there’s a lot more to tribal tattoos than I had actually realised. I’m still not tempted though.

history, links, science

Missing …

Another selection of links to recent items you may have missed. This edition is an unusual mix of history and science.

Ben Goldacre, writer of the “Bad Science” column in the Guardian, has a new book out this week. Titled Bad Pharma it looks at the ways in which drug companies and their allies distort the evidence about the effectiveness of drugs and mislead regulators, doctors and patients. Here’s an extract.

Can I go back to bed now? We all suffer from insomnia at least occasionally. This Guardian item looks at the problem of persistent insomnia and current ideas on what to do about it.

It seems taking too many painkillers can give you a headache. Duh, my head hurts!

Humans eat humans. Well who knew? But now there is good evidence for prehistoric cannibalism which wasn’t just ritual.

I think we already knew that wild parrots name their babies, but here’s another look at the original study.

This interesting short item from the New York Times looks at the finding of a scrap of papyrus which appears to refer to Jesus’s wife.

Following up on a recent theme the Guardian (well they do have a good science stream) has a piece on the completion of the archaeological dig which may have found the remains of Richard III.

And finally after something like 60 years the experts have decided that three “fake” JMW Turner paintings are actually the genuine article. New technology has provided new evidence that has altered opinions. And finally it’s vindication for the collectors who bequeathed then the the National Museum of Wales.

amusements, links

I missed that …

The latest in our irregular series of links to items you may have missed and which interested or amused me. In no special order …

I know about Tibetan singing bowls (I even have a couple) but I had no idea about the existence of the Chinese Singing Fountain Bowl.

Topology is interesting, but also mind-breaking, stuff and the Klein Bottle is just weird. But three, one inside another?!?!

Excellent spoof article taking the p*** out of “top people’s supermarket” Waitrose. Hold on … I shop there!

Could you pass the 11-plus? I did but anyone under about 55 won’t have been given the opportunity. Try these extracts and find out if you’re up to it now — should be easy for an intelligent bunch like you!

Great hairy faces! Well that’s what was at the British Beard and Moustache Championships earlier this month in Brighton. I was going to say only in this country, but I can think of several places which would sport such championships. Bring back Eurotrash!

The Royal Society, Britain’s “national academy of science” have come up with the 20 Most Significant Inventions in the History of Food and Drink. It’s an interesting list, but I’m not sure they’re all what I would have chosen.

We need crazies; they make life interesting. So why don’t more species have awesome names like the Rasberry Crazy Ant? We should all have awesome names like that, Winston Banana, or Willie McSporran.

And finally this week saw the announcement of the 2012 IgNobel Prizes, awarded for the research papers that most make you laugh, and then make you think. Scicurious has the list and has promised follow-up articles over the next week or so.

Enjoy!