Amazing >>

Robot Rescue Rat

“A robotic rat which can scurry through the dark using its plastic whiskers as sensors could eventually help rescue people from smoke-filled buildings, scientists said today. The SCRATCHbot can track down objects using its sensory whiskers and was today called a ’significant milestone’ in the development of animal-inspired artificial intelligence. Its creators at the Bristol Robotics Lab and the University of Sheffield said robots which use sensory feelers, rather than vision, were much more effective in the dark or in smoky rooms – rescue conditions.” w/ photos

Diver’s Close Encounter With Enormous Shark

“Looming from the depths, this huge creature looks as if it is about to swallow diver Sam Bester whole. Luckily for her, it is actually a whale shark, which only eats plankton. The picture was taken by Miss Bester’s friend Fiona Ayerst off the coast of Durban in South Africa. The diver had been completely oblivious to the shark’s presence until Miss Bester pointed it out. Whale sharks are the largest living fish species and can grow up to 65ft (20m) in length. Some experts believe they can live to the age of 100.” w/ photos

Lucky Seal Escapes Killer Whale Attack

“These dramatic pictures reveal the stunning hunting skills of a killer whale and show the extremes the mammals will go to in order to catch its prey. Regarded as one of the deadliest predators of the seas, this killer whale has mastered the art of beaching itself in order to hunt young seal pups in shallow waters. Captured on the coast of Patagonia in Argentina, this amazing sequence of images show how a lucky young seal evaded the giant mammal as it emerged from the icy waters.” w/ photos

Nearly 600,000 Miles Later

“Rachel Veitch, who’s 90 years old, bought her last car in 1964. Forty-five years and 558,000 miles later, the Mercury Comet Caliente she calls “Chariot” is still on the road. So what’s the secret for keeping a car running for more than a half-million miles? Just taking care of it. “I was never a destructive child,” said Veitch, a retired nurse from east Orlando who works as an office volunteer for the Orlando Police Department several days a week. “I still have the first doll I was ever given. I’ve taken care of most everything I’ve ever had, except for husbands.” How many husbands? She holds up three fingers. “I’ll tell you something: This little Chariot has never lied to me, never cheated on me, and I can always depend on it.” w/ video

737-Pulling Competition

“Forget arm wrestling – challenge your friends to pull a large passenger aircraft.”

Bird Snatches Prey In Mid-Air

“Swooping down with its talons at the ready the bird of prey pounced mid-air on the stunned swift. There was a burst of feathers in the tussle but it was always clear who would win. The hobby, part of the falcon family, then flew off with its lunch gripped beneath it. These stunning pictures were captured by keen birdwatcher Clive Newcombe who had been enjoying a picnic when the astonishing scenes unfolded.” w/ photos

Working 50 Jobs In 50 States In One Year

“For three years after college graduation, Daniel Seddiqui struggled to land a job. So he shifted gears and went after 50, one in each state, for one week apiece. It’s a tall order, made taller earlier this year when he worked at Universal Orlando as a stilt walker. The Florida theme park was his 33rd stop on the journey that began in August. Seddiqui has pulled shifts as a border-patrol agent in Arizona, a rodeo announcer in North Dakota and with a maple-syrup maker in Vermont. “It smelled really good,” he said. His goal is to work in a wide range of occupations and absorb the diverse cultures of the United States.” w/ photos

Huge Waterspout In Jacksonville

“A water spout lingered for about 15 minutes on June 26, 2009 between downtown Jacksonville and the Buckman Bridge. Taken from a backyard in Mandarin.”

World High Kick Record

“An Indian Wushu expert jumps nearly 10 feet to kick a ball.”

World’s Loudest Dog

“There is no need for a doorbell on Peter Lucken’s bungalow. When you live with a dog that barks louder than a pneumatic drill, then your pet does the job instead. Daz, Mr Lucken’s four-year-old German Shepherd, has recorded a bark of 108 decibels to get him in the Guinness World of Records as the loudest dog in the world. Yet Daz’s din hasn’t disrupted the old maxim about a dog being man’s best friend. Like any true soulmate, Mr Lucken just doesn’t notice the deafening flaw in his best pal. “It’s a powerful bark but I didn’t think it was that powerful until now,” says Mr Lucken. “”He doesn’t do it excessively.” w/ photo + audio