Balloon vs BB Gun in Slo Mo (video)

Seriously, do you need more of a description than the title?

2 comments April 7th, 2008

Incredible Space Shuttle Assembly Pics

Thanks to Brian for sending me a link to these images showing the transport and assembly of various parts of the NASA space shuttle Discovery. Whether or not you think the benefits of space exploration justify its multi-billion dollar budget, you have to admit these are pretty spectacular pictures.

(link)

Add comment April 7th, 2008

The leguminous lies of Mr Peanut

We’ve seen the awesome spectacle of Cock-Eyed Science Club on SciencePunk before - last time they were testing the traffic-slowing capabilities of Mr Potato Head. I’m proud to award them a second Science Punk prize, given to those who’ve made a piece of science both entertaining and educational on a loose-change budget.

This time the club decided to test Mr Peanut’s claim that a tin of Planter’s Mixed Nuts contained no more than 50% peanuts. How awesome is this experiment? It contains glamorous scientists:

hammer wielding action:

and science buddy high fives!

Plus, there’s a thrilling plot twist toward the finish, and it all ends in delicious style. What more could you want? (link)

4 comments April 5th, 2008

Friday Flash Fun: Launchball

Games involving Rube Goldberg / Heath Robinson machines are nothing new, but Launchball, hosted by the Science Museum, is especially well-produced. Use wind turbines, steam engines and batteries to power fans, conveyors and electromagnets to get a ball from start to finish. Try the available levels (after two minutes of puzzling you’ll be offered a hint) or create your own and challenge others. Plus, the easy save option means this game is perfect for taking a short break from your deadlines. Try it for yourself.

1 comment April 4th, 2008

Cinnamon and honey can cure anything!

Here’s a funny email that’s currently hitting the fluffier forums at the moment: ‘cinamon and honey the miracle cure [sic]’. I’m not sure where the claims originated, but can be found here, here, here and here. In fact, this website has a lovely slideshow as well. So what can honey and cinnamon cure? I’m glad you asked.

It is found that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a “Ram Ban” (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases.

I’ve never heard of a Ram Ban medicine, that must be some kind of high-level medical terminology that I don’t recognise. And a medicine that cures all kinds of diseases. Not just one kind. All kinds! Amazing.

But wait, there’s more. Here’s a list of the specific illnesses that honey and cinnamon can treat: heart disease, toothache, bladder infection, cholesterol, the common cold, upset stomach, gas, a weak immune system, indigestion, influenza, longevity (”even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old”), skin infections, weight loss, pimples, cancer, fatigue, bad breath, and hearing loss.

Incredibly, honey and cinnamon can cure cancer in one month, but takes two weeks to cure a pimple. I guess even miracle cures have their limits.

*EDIT* I spotted the source of these claims on one of the sites above.  It is no other than that most venerable of publications, Weekly World News!  It’s not clear that the persons adapting the claims for their website realised that ‘The World’s Only Reliable Newspaper’ isn’t that reliable.  You’d think stories such as ‘Fountain of Vermouth Discovered’ and ‘Alien Bible Translated’ would be a bit of a giveaway.

25 comments April 2nd, 2008

West Coast Geometry

I added this not because I love science, but because I love Oregon.

Available on a shirt from Lonely Dinosaur designs.

Also, I was going to debunk some April Fool’s news stories, but all the good ones were viral ads, and I can’t be bothered to do some ad exec’s job for him.

Add comment April 1st, 2008