Interesting ↓

The Sting That Kills Cancer

“It’s a terrifying prospect – a swarm of bees engulfing a victim to inflict hundreds of potentially lethal stings. Scientists, however, have taken the idea and used it to inspire a treatment to take on cancer tumours. They have developed microscopic ‘bees’ armed with the poison that causes the pain of stings to target cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. The ‘nanobees’ – thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair – rapidly shrank breast and skin tumours in tests. They home in on the diseased cells before pumping out the melittin venom, delivering a deadly ’sting’. At their core are beads made from perfluorocarbon, an inert material used in artificial blood. The nanobees are tiny enough to pass easily through blood and attach to cells but big enough to ferry drugs into the body. Researcher Professor Samuel Wickline said: ‘They fly in, land on the surface of cells and deposit their cargo of melittin, which rapidly merges with the target.” w/ photos

How 9 Cuts Of Meat Got Their Names

“Ever find yourself standing in front of a butcher’s counter and wonder where in the world certain cuts and preparations of meat got their names? Here are the stories behind a few popular meals.” w/ photos

Death Masks Of The Famous

“Modern sensibilities may find them rather morbid but before the age of photography there was a limit to the amount of visual mementos available to those left behind after the decease of a loved one. They were also used for other purposes, such as to record the features of unknown corpses or in burgeoning scientific methodologies. It was the better off who would normally have a death mask created and as such we are left with a surprising record of famous faces from the past. As expensive as they were, the death mask remains an intriguing testament to the time post mortem of many of the world’s famous people.” w/ photos

How Squirrels Learn To Steal

“The ability of gray squirrels to learn from observing others is highlighted in a new study. The research shows how squirrels can quickly learn from watching their peers, particularly if it relates to stealing food. The research adds to growing evidence that animals are primed to learn quickly about what is most important to their survival and that they learn by observing others. It is the first study to test the ability of gray squirrels to learn from observation.” w/ photos

Buddhism Fastest-Growing Religion In Jail

“Buddhism is the fastest-growing religion in England’s jails, with the number of followers rising eightfold over the past decade. Although adherents to the Eastern faith believe in peace and the sanctity of life, almost all of the Buddhists behind bars in this country are serving lengthy sentences for serious crimes such as violence and sex offences. Some jails and secure hospitals including Broadmoor have opened shrines known as Buddha Groves in their grounds, and there is a nationwide network of chaplains to cater for the growing population. It is claimed that most of the Buddhists in jail converted after their conviction, and chose it over other religions because its emphasis on meditation helps them cope with being locked up. Supporters of Buddhist criminals say they also believe the spiritual development they gain in prison will help them once they are released, and prevent them from re-offending.” w/ photos

40 Facts You Never Knew About Woodstock

“Woodstock, the most famous music festival in rock ‘n’ roll history, took place 40 years ago on August 15-18, 1969. To celebrate, here are 40 things you didn’t know about it.” w/ photos

Scientists Find Itchiness Cell

“US scientists have pinpointed a type of nerve cell in mice which appears to generate the itch sensation. The finding suggests itching is not simply a low-level variation of pain – but a distinct sensation. A team from Washington University found itch and pain signals seem to be transmitted along different pathways in the spinal cord. The study, published online by the journal Science, raises hopes of new treatments for itching. Many scientists have regarded itching as just a less intense version of pain. They spent decades searching in vain for itch-specific nerve cells to explain how the brain perceives itch differently from pain. The latest study finally pinpoints these cells – but shows that the low-level pain theory was wrong.” w/ photos

Gravity Cues Geckos When To Use Sticky Feet

“Geckos have an amazing ability to defy gravity and make it look easy. They climb up walls, scurry across ceilings, and even remain calm in free-fall situations. Now, it appears that gravity is actually the trigger that tells geckos when to turn on their sticky-footed skills. The lizards cling only when running up a slope, found a new study, not when the surface they’re on is slippery. While scientists have known for a while that geckos engage tiny hairs on their feet to cling to steep slopes, the new study is the first to explain how they know when to do it, said study author Tony Russell, a zoologist at the University of Calgary, Alberta. The finding might help lead to better wall-climbing robots, car tires that don’t slip, and other gecko-inspired products.” w/ photos + video

Your Kid’s Price Tag: $221,000

“It’s no secret that raising children can be expensive, but how about a quarter of a million dollars expensive? A government report released Tuesday says a middle-income family with a child born last year will spend about $221,000 raising that child through age 17. The report by the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion identified housing as the largest single expense, followed by food and child care/education costs. The $221,000 in expenses rises to about $292,000 when adjusted for inflation. USDA economist Mark Lino, who co-authored the report with Andrea Carlson, often hears people say children cost a lot when the annual findings are issued. “I tell them children also have many benefits, so you have to keep that in mind,” he said. Families with more income spend more on child-related costs, the report said. A family that earns less than $57,000 annually will spend about $160,000 on a child from birth through high school. Those with an income between $57,000 and $99,000 spend about $221,000 and those with higher incomes are expected to spend roughly $367,000 through age 17.” w/ photos

How Different Groups Spend Their Day

“The American Time Use Survey asks thousands of American residents to recall every minute of a day. Here is how people over age 15 spent their time in 2008.” w/ photo