Wednesday, January 30, 2013

For 40 years, this Russian family was cut off From all human contact

In 1978 a team of Russian geologists took a helicopter to a remote part of Siberia and encountered a family that had not had contact with anyone for 40 years. The family were Old Believers -- members of a "fundamentalist Russian Orthodox sect, worshiping in a style unchanged since the 17th century." They fled to Siberia in 1936 to escape persecution.
For 40 years, this Russian family was cut off From all human contact, unaware of World War II

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

See What Astronauts Really Eat in Space

Freeze-dried Neapolitan ice cream often comes to mind when we think about what our astronauts are eating high above Earth in the International Space Station. But the extraterrestrial culinary world is a bit more refined these days.
See What Astronauts Really Eat in Space

Monday, January 28, 2013

Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 2/2013

The latest issue of new Family Friendly sites listed on The Black Stump.
Family Friendly sites listed on Blackstump Australia Issue 2/2013

Science Proves Whether The Chicken Or The Egg Came First

ASAP Science definitively answer the question of which came first — the chicken or the egg.
Science Proves Whether The Chicken Or The Egg Came First

Saturday, January 26, 2013

This Is The New South Pole

There’s a new Geographic South Pole Marker, a pretty shiny metal pole that marks the actual geographic pole. Since the ice sheet that covers Antarctica moves, the previous marker moves along — about 10m from its real position. So the scientists from the Amundsen-Scott base celebrate each New Year by unveiling a new pole in the actual geographic pole position.
This Is The New South Pole

Spotting science mistakes in the movies

Today's movie-watching tech makes it easier to spot flaws, and the Internet makes it easier to share them. But different people notice different kinds of flaws, in different contexts. In a post from 2010, journalist Colin Schultz writes about a study that examined the differences between the kinds of scientific movie mistakes that men noticed, and the kind that women found. Everybody saw the errors, but the context was different.
Spotting science mistakes in the movies

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Which Country Has The Fastest Internet, And How Does Australia Compare?

Akamai ranks countries based on their broadband speeds every quarter. In its latest report for Q1 2013, the top-ranking country has an average peak connection speed of 54.1Mb/s. Which country do you think that would be? Hint: Its the third time in a row to be in first place.
Which Country Has The Fastest Internet, And How Does Australia Compare?

The Best Sites Where ELL’s Can Learn About The Super Bowl

Larry Ferlazzo: Friday is one of the days my Intermediate English class spends a period in the computer lab, and I thought it would be a good opportunity for them to spend a few minutes learning about the Super Bowl (which is being played on Sunday). Here are my picks for The Best Sites Where ELL’s Can Learn About The Super Bowl:
The Best Sites Where ELL’s Can Learn About The Super Bowl

These Amazing Optical Illusions Are Simply Beautiful

I love the work of Shintaro Ohata. His canvases are beautiful on their own but, when he mixes painting and sculpture, he creates optical illusions that take his art to a whole new level.
These Amazing Optical Illusions Are Simply Beautiful

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Earthereal: A Time Lapse Trip Around the Earth

This stunning video is a combination of dozens of time lapse sequences shot by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, all artfully spliced and set to a musical score.
Earthereal: A Time Lapse Trip Around the Earth

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Australian Library Moves All Lance Armstrong Titles to Fiction Section

Following Lance Armstrong's doping confession to Oprah on Thursday, an Australian library has moved all books about the American cyclist from the nonfiction section to the fiction section.
Australian Library Moves All Lance Armstrong Titles to Fiction Section

Foolproof card trick your kids will love

Here's a great self-working card trick to teach your kids. If they are old enough to spell, they will love performing it for their friends.
Foolproof card trick your kids will love

Radio Telescopes and Star Trails: A Time-lapse Video

This beautiful time-lapse video frames Australia’s newest radio telescope array against a backdrop of stars.
Radio Telescopes and Star Trails: A Time-lapse Video

Moon landing not faked

FStoppers has the story and the proof. "Mr. SG Collins makes a pretty compelling argument claiming that neither NASA nor Stanley Kubrick were actually technologically capable of producing a video that could stand up to modern scrutiny.
Moon landing not faked

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Take Mensa’s Free Test And Find Out If You’re A Genius

Mensa — the club for people who know they’re smarter than you — is offering its home test for free during the month of January. It’s an IQ test that takes 32 minutes to complete and will tell you whether you’re Mensa material.
Take Mensa’s Free Test And Find Out If You’re A Genius

Useful words with no English equivalent

Surprisingly, they're not all long, Germanic compound words (generally a font of useful no-equivalent words).
Useful words with no English equivalent

Shipment of 18 human heads intercepted at airport

Because the shipment's paperwork was not in order, agents confiscated the heads and sent them to the Cook County Medical Examiner for safekeeping.
Shipment of 18 human heads intercepted at airport

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

NASA Unveils Last Moon Video by Doomed Spacecraft

A NASA probe recorded a spectacular flyover video of the moon's far side shortly before intentionally slamming into a lunar mountain last month.
NASA Unveils Last Moon Video by Doomed Spacecraft

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

How To Fix Every Common Zipper Problem

Zippers haven’t changed much since they were first invented, and neither have the problems we all have with them. From stuck zippers to teeth that just won’t clinch, here’s how to fix all of the common problems.
How To Fix Every Common Zipper Problem

10 Commonly Used Expressions and Their Bizarre Origins

Some of them are odd, and some are very funny. Here's a top ten of the most commonly used expressions.
10 Commonly Used Expressions and Their Bizarre Origins