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Neil Young Spider
Science Buzz Biologist, Jason Bond discovered a new species of trapdoor spider which he has named Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi in honor of his favorite musician. Young joins the ranks of the late rock ‘n’ roll legend Roy Orbison who has a whirligig beetleOrectochilus orbisonorum named to honor him. I’m not sure if this makes spiders lovable or even creepier.
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Ug99
Science Buzz The U.N. warns that a quarter of the world’s wheat could be threatened by a new, “highly pathogenic strain” of wheat stem rust called Ug99. The scary what blight strain was first detected in Iran and may be making its way towards the bountiful wheat fields of Asia and the Near East.
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Micro Fueler
Science Buzz Efuel 100 has developed a contraption that lets you make your own ethanol out of water, sugar, and yeast, and fill up your car at home. It’s definitely not for the typical lazy American, but given the popularity of Hybrids, DIY ethanol could become a real trend.
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Alkaline Hydrolysis
Science Buzz Dissolving bodies with lye, which has been used to get rid of animal carcasses for years, is being touted as the green alternative to burial and cremation. Burial is expensive, and cremation can be sacrilegious (someone could try to smoke or snort your ashes). The third option of dissolution could become a viable, environmentally-conscious form of corpse removal.
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Platypus Genome
Science Buzz Scientists have mapped the bizarre DNA of the duck-billed platypus. Citing it as a key to understanding all mammalian evolution, scientists noted the platypus also has 10 different sex chromosomes, instead of just X or Y, and say it may finally solve the question about the origin of the scrotum.
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Global Disasters
Science Buzz A major volcanic eruption in Chile, a horrifying cyclone in Myanmar, a series of global earthquakes, most recently in Japan: Have the end times arrived? The Myanmar death toll keeps climbing, and the area around the Chaiten volcano has been evacuated. Relief organizations are doing their best to help out.
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Finger Regrowth Hoax
Science Buzz No, pig’s bladder powder did not regrow a man’s finger. The Guardian’s Bad Science column debunks the long-circulating story about a man regrowing a finger through the magical use of powdered pig’s bladder: First problem, it was a minor injury, not a missing finger.
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The Story of Stuff
Science Buzz This online video - also available for download (beware: it’s 50mb!) - tackles the consequences of American hyper-consumption in a refreshingly irreverent manner. Seriously, shut down your computer, unplug your iPod, turn off your PDA, cap your water bottle, take off your sunglasses, and learn how to make a difference. Don’t worry - it’s only 20 minutes long, so you can get back to texting shortly.
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Frozen Giant Squid
Science Buzz Scientists in New Zealand have finally thawed and examined a giant frozen squid caught in the Antarctic early last year. There were no reports today of a giant squid on the loose in Wellington, so all must have gone according to plan.
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Gastric Bypass Miracle Cure
Science Buzz Gastric bypass surgery can cure obesity, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and reduce the risk of cancer. A recent report by 60 minutes is drawing attention to the benefits of gastric bypass surgery. The operation can reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Now you have an excuse other than vanity for getting your stomach stapled. You will also save money on donuts, egg rolls, and other tempting fried foods.
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Shoes Are Ruining Our Feet
Science Buzz Scientific research shows that sophisticated footwear actually does our feet more harm than good. A new line of shoes created by the son of the creator of indie staples Clarks, Wallabees simulate the experience of walking barefoot. Those of us choosing to eschew shoes all together can join a number of organizations including The Society for Barefoot Living , empowering you to contest that burdensome “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service” sign at your favorite fast-food establishment.
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Lab Meat
Science Buzz PETA is offering $1 million to anyone who can bring lab-made meat to the market by 2012. That’s right: They want to spare animals via man-made meat. Of course, the ability to grow meat in the lab, providing the FDA would approve it, would be so wildly lucrative that $1 million would seem like a pittance in comparison.
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Phoenix Lights Return
Science Buzz 11 years after the first mystery sighting, unexplained lights appeared in the sky again last night over Phoenix. This time, a formation of lights appeared for about 15 minutes, then blinked out one by one. Area airports and military air bases can offer no explanation for the appearance.
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Rainforest Condoms
Science Buzz The Brazilian government is producing condoms made from latex harvested from the tropical forest. The Condom King of Thailand has competition! Brazil, who claims to be the condom capital of the world, is producing new eco-friendly condoms that will preserve the rainforest while boosting the local rainforest economy with condom factory jobs.
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Dancing Bears
Science Buzz Scientists have filmed bears in the wild, on camera and getting down. It’s nice to see bears dancing in a way that doesn’t involved being tortured. Thank you, bears, and sorry about the hot coals.
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Elephant Cinematographers
Science Buzz A new BBC Documentary, Tiger - Spy in the Jungle, is comprised of footage shot by attaching cameras to elephants. By using this innovative technique, the filmmakers were able to get closer to tigers than had ever been possible before, following four newborn tiger cubs through the first three years of their lives.
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Over-The-Counter Paternity Tests
Science Buzz The Identigene DNA Paternity Test Collection Kit is now available for over-the-counter purchase at all Rite Aid drug stores throughout the U.S. with the exception of stores in New York state. No more excuses, no more elaborate games of “Whodunnit?” Now you can know once and for all who your baby daddy is, as long as you live near a Rite Aid.
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I Heart Dot Kitten
Science Buzz A new born kitten bears markings that read “i (heart) dot”. The cutest part is that its mother is named Dottie. Maybe it can be friends with Valentine the pig and that puppy from Japan.
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Vision Training
Science Buzz Eye exercises that improve your vision is now available as a Nintendo DS game. For people who sit in front of the computer all day (ahem), you could probably use some eye exercising.
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