Australia is a land of deadly creatures that seem to take obscene joy in killing you — and not just Queenslanders hunting down anyone who’s brown. No, the entire ecosystem seems specifically designed to kill, what with the horrible desert, deadly animals, annoying insects, and constant worry of drop bear attack. These 13 animals are […]
Continue readingThe world of biological hoaxes is a great one. Some of them are pranks, some are there to make money, and some are just to laugh at those who don’t know any better. There’s something about slapping together of a handful of different animals and convincing tourists that it’s a real thing that exists across […]
Continue readingThis is one of the most beautiful infographics we’ve ever seen: a high resolution view of different levels of the universe. Our favorite parts are the jaw-dropping nebulae and then the point where you see the size of Pluto compared to Texas. Puts things into perspective. Try it out in full-screen mode: Copyright 2012. Magnifying […]
Continue readingThe idea of the earth tearing itself apart is terrifying enough, but the devastation that earthquakes cause is only intensified by the huge waves that can follow a massive seismic disturbance in the ocean bed. Often, coastal inhabitants have just minutes to flee to higher ground, and any delay can cause shocking casualties. In the […]
Continue readingImage Source What’s so great about having eyes anyway? If these eyeless animals could talk, they’d tell you that vision is overrated. Each one of these ten incredible creatures has an amazing story to tell. In the darkest environments, with nothing to go on but smell, touch and hearing, they manage to feed and reproduce, […]
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Those who are inspired by a model other than Nature, a mistress above all masters, are laboring in vain. – Leonardo Da Vinci Biomimicry – The practice of developing sustainable human technologies inspired by nature. Sometimes called Biomimetics or Bionics, it’s basically biologically inspired engineering. 1. Velcro The most famous example of biomimicry was the […]
Continue readingGenetic Algorithm: A heuristic search technique used in computing and Artificial Intelligence to find optimized solutions to search problems using techniques inspired by evolutionary biology: mutation, selection, reproduction [inheritance] and recombination. 1. Automotive Design Using Genetic Algorithms [GAs] to both design composite materials and aerodynamic shapes for race cars and regular means of transportation (including […]
Continue readingEver since the term ‘subliminal advertising’ was coined in the 1950s, the idea of advertisements with hidden messages that can influence us without our conscious understanding has captivated the popular imagination. If adverts can steer us toward a particular product through surreptitiously placed words or images designed to be absorbed at a subconscious level, how […]
Continue readingWith so many rumours about what is and isn’t legal when driving, it can be hard to separate the facts from the fiction. This often leads people to waste concentration worrying about the open sandwich on the front seat instead of paying due attention to the road. So insurance company Endsleigh have put together a […]
Continue readingImage Source From the mountains of China to the warm waters of the Caribbean, sinkholes pockmark the surface of our planet. These phenomena – which almost make the Earth look as if it’s being devoured from within – resemble vertical caves and are home to a plethora of exciting discoveries, including unique floating islands, strange […]
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