Interesting Stuff Thread

Delirium

Brainless slime mould has an external memory

Slime moulds use a form of spatial "memory" to navigate, despite not having a brain, a study has found.

Scientists in Australia studied the organisms in an experiment normally used to test robots.

They found that the slime mould could navigate around a U-shaped maze to a food source, using their slimy deposits.

Researchers compare its path-finding method to Hansel and Gretel's breadcrumb trail.

"A slime mould is not a fungus or mould, but is in fact a protist, which is really the odds and ends of the natural world that don't fit in with the rest of our taxonomic grouping system," said PhD student Christopher Reid who led the study.

"They are truly alien creatures and yet they are all around us: all over the world, preying on yeast, bacteria and fungi, out of sight in the undergrowth."

joseph brand

Amazing Photos: The Little Things in Life.

A visual delicacy.

pauldla

joseph brand wrote: »

Amazing Photos: The Little Things in Life.

A visual delicacy.

That's just amazing. Thanks for sharing!

Gordon

Am just watching this now: Conspiracy Road Trip: Creationism, haven't seen it yet so it may not actually be interesting stuff. But based on the last CRT type programme* about 9/11 bombings that saw a few tin foil hats change their opinions after meeting with architects, demolition workers, eyewitnesses, family members, it may be interesting stuff!

Comedian Andrew Maxwell takes five British creationists to the west coast of America to try to convince them that evolution rather than creationism explains how we all got here. Stuck on a bus across 2,000 miles of dustbowl roads with these passionate believers, Maxwell tackles some firmly held beliefs - could the Earth be only 6,000 years old, and did humans and T-Rex really live side by side? It's a bumpy ride as he's confronted with some lively debates along the way, but by the end could he possibly win over any of these believers with what he regards as hard scientific fact?

Apologies if you can't watch it as it's UK BBC which is regional, but maybe it's on your TV or satellite or you're in UK or summat.

*9/11 show could have been a different series but same presenter and format.

Obliq

Gordon wrote: »

Am just watching this now: Conspiracy Road Trip: Creationism, haven't seen it yet so it may not actually be interesting stuff. But based on the last CRT type programme* about 9/11 bombings that saw a few tin foil hats change their opinions after meeting with architects, demolition workers, eyewitnesses, family members, it may be interesting stuff!



Apologies if you can't watch it as it's UK BBC which is regional, but maybe it's on your TV or satellite or you're in UK or summat.

*9/11 show could have been a different series but same presenter and format.

Yeah, we were discussing it! http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=81168879&utm_source=notification&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=notify#post81168879 Interesting alright.

Gordon

Oops sorry, I did an inferior search, apologies!

Sulla Felix

And now that I've taken a look at the website that image is from, I think I've found a new fave. Comic strip: (not a funny one so I'll leave it in this thread)

Obliq

Lovely, ta! Reminds me of Tim Minchin's "Storm"

muppeteer

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/429561/the-measurement-that-would-reveal-the-universe-as/

The Measurement That Would Reveal The Universe As A Computer Simulation

If the cosmos is a numerical simulation, there ought to be clues in the spectrum of high energy cosmic rays, say theorists

Kinda cool. In a certain scenario we could determine if we are in a simulated universe. If so I hope the simulation isn't turned off too soon, I still have to finish Game of Thrones.

Gbear

Sulla Felix wrote: »

Evolution Graph

I'm really disappointed with the performance of a few of the western European countries.

Austria seriously need to get their **** together.

Sulla Felix

Gbear wrote: »

I'm really disappointed with the performance of a few of the western European countries.

Austria seriously need to get their **** together.

He made a bunch of others. I'm disappointed to see he actually stopped making them back in early '12. I only just stumbled across it! :mad:

pauldla

muppeteer wrote: »

http://www.technologyreview.com/view/429561/the-measurement-that-would-reveal-the-universe-as/



Kinda cool. In a certain scenario we could determine if we are in a simulated universe. If so I hope the simulation isn't turned off too soon, I still have to finish Game of Thrones.

I'll second that. Not into Game of Thrones myself, but I hope I can get through all of Patrick O'Brian's novels before they throw the switch.

mikhail

pauldla wrote: »

I'll second that. Not into Game of Thrones myself, but I hope I can get through all of Patrick O'Brian's novels before they throw the switch.

I'm three from the end (well, 3 and a bit, if you count this), so I'm reasonably sure I'll be okay.

Also, relevant xkcd:

joseph brand

Chichester Diocese jobs warning as 'finances deteriorate'.

Yesssss!

In his letter, he wrote: "It seems the finances of the diocese have deteriorated far faster than feared."

He added the bishop had "placed a temporary moratorium on all new posts throughout the diocese until at least November".

It hasn't yet got to the point where we have to justify each and every post - although that may well be not far off”

The Rev Stan Tomalin
He said: "It hasn't yet got to the point where we have to justify each and every post - although that may well be not far off."

The flock have started to wander.

Aenaes

joseph brand wrote: »

Chichester Diocese jobs warning as 'finances deteriorate'.

Yesssss!




The flock have started to wander.

I've wondered for a long time what will happen once the money starts running out. Yes, it's been slowing down for years but once they see it's about to stop completely? How desperate will they be?
Will they go back to fire and brimstone scaremongering, urging people to donate so they aren't cast into hell/purgatory/heaven's waiting room?
I can't wait to find out.

Sarky

I could see the pope reinstating purgatory.

Bannasidhe

Sarky wrote: »

I could see the pope reinstating purgatory.

Is that gone? I thought only Limbo was gone but purgatory was still there.

Wow - those people who bought those time off purgatory shares indulgences must be p*ssed.
Imagine paying top Thaler to get 1000 years off purgatory then they abolish it after 400 years. RIP OFF!

Sarky

Purgatory, Limbo, I dunno. It doesn't really matter, the point is that they got rid of a whole plane of existence to make the religion seem a little more friendly.

Dades

Sarky wrote: »

Purgatory, Limbo, I dunno. It doesn't really matter, the point is that they got rid of a whole plane of existence to make the religion seem a little more friendly.

And so as not to lose out to the Muslims competing for the souls of babies who die in Africa - and the mother wants to be told they're in heaven, and not sitting in limbo.

Bannasidhe

Sarky wrote: »

Purgatory, Limbo, I dunno. It doesn't really matter, the point is that they got rid of a whole plane of existence to make the religion seem a little more friendly.

I think it was just Limbo which is where the unbaptised babies went (oh the fun I used to have teasing unbaptised teenage son that if he died due to one of his stupid 'I watch Jackass' high jinks he's end up in Limbo with a gazillion babbies a crying and a ****ting ).

I suppose they had to get rid of it - 'saving' the unborn child and all that.

pauldla

Bannasidhe wrote: »

I think it was just Limbo which is where the unbaptised babies went (oh the fun I used to have teasing unbaptised teenage son that if he died due to one of his stupid 'I watch Jackass' high jinks he's end up in Limbo with a gazillion babbies a crying and a ****ting ).

I suppose they had to get rid of it - 'saving' the unborn child and all that.

You know, I had wondered about that. Why did they abolish Limbo? And doesn't it take huevos of steel to turn around to the Faithful and say "You know that place where the unbaptised babies go? Well, we're wrong, it's all bs. Sorry."

I imagine the angels who tended Limbo were non too pleased. Out of a job, just like that, all on the say-so of some fleshbag with genitalia. How crass!

recedite

pauldla wrote: »

Why did they abolish Limbo?

It turns out Limbo dancing is bad for your back.

joseph brand wrote: »

Chichester Diocese jobs warning as 'finances deteriorate'.
Yesssss!

They have a little quote there at the end of the article;

He said the church had estimated numbers of people attending weekly would fall from the current 1.2 million to 125,000 by 2057.

That seems to be an amazingly pessimistic view (even if realistic) for anyone to take of their own religion. A 90% drop approx. over the next 45 odd years!
They must be tempted to just sell up and move to a nice property in the south of France, like an order of geriatric nuns :pac:

Kivaro

Move over, Hope Diamond. The most famous gems on Earth have new competition in the form of a planet made largely of diamond, astronomers say.

At least a third of the planet's mass is likely pure diamond.
Holy Mackerel!

More here.

How can they tell? By the way it sparkles (I'll get my own coat).

shizz

Kivaro wrote: »

Move over, Hope Diamond. The most famous gems on Earth have new competition in the form of a planet made largely of diamond, astronomers say.

At least a third of the planet's mass is likely pure diamond.
Holy Mackerel!

More here.

How can they tell? By the way it sparkles (I'll get my own coat).

Mass density and possible make up using the wavelengths of light received?

Gbear

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9598148/Italian-church-to-be-stripped-of-tax-exemption-from-2013.html

Italy of all places seems to be taking the lead in breaking down the privileged position that the church enjoys in society, at least with regards to tax exemption.

Italian church to be stripped of tax exemption from 2013
The Italian Catholic Church will be stripped of an historic tax exemption from 2013 after the government upheld a divisive decree under close scrutiny from EU watchdogs.

muppeteer

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-10/09/assisted-suicide-study
It's only a small study but it helps put to bed some of the arguments against assisted suicide based on increasing premature deaths.

A team of psychology and ethics researchers has published a study revealing that liberal legal attitudes to assisted suicide do not increase the desire for death in patients with incurable diseases.

muppeteer

muppeteer wrote: »

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-10/09/assisted-suicide-study
It's only a small study but it helps put to bed some of the arguments against assisted suicide based on increasing premature deaths.

TBH it's one of those things that purists get annoyed about funding being supplied for it. This should be a self-evident truth but then that study came out last week that "free" contraception meant no increase or fewer abortions. Imagine trying and wanting to do something worthwhile and having to spend a few months on one of these things instead.

Sulla Felix

Seeing as we were talking about 3d printing recently.

Long story short, a patent has been filed that would remotely bar a printer from producing copyrighted designs. Haven't read the actual abstact yet but the description in the article makes it sound like they've licensed some Ubisoft software so really, we should have a workaround within days of their service going live.

http://torrentfreak.com/3d-printer-drm-patent-to-stop-people-downloading-a-car-121012

fitz0

Sulla Felix wrote: »

Seeing as we were talking about 3d printing recently.

Long story short, a patent has been filed that would remotely bar a printer from producing copyrighted designs. Haven't read the actual abstact yet but the description in the article makes it sound like they've licensed some Ubisoft software so really, we should have a workaround within days of their service going live.

http://torrentfreak.com/3d-printer-drm-patent-to-stop-people-downloading-a-car-121012

This is actually a good thing. the software is completely unfeasible in that it would have to be ridiculously general to avoid simple alterations fooling it which in turn would cause huge problems. The company applying for the patent are notorious patent trolls so anyone else trying to patent it in a serious way will run into lawsuits with them, delaying any placement of effective drm in 3d printers.

Bring on the 3d printer revolution.

Sulla Felix

For anyone kicking their heels waiting for Felix Baumgartners jump, here's the previous record holders jump from a few years back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MkB6NkQscI

Link to the countdown here and AH thread here.

recedite

Here he goes........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT1DhcQg0Os

Amazing shot of him looking down on Planet Earth, just before he jumps.

robindch

robindch

And a lego meme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFU774q6eVM

robindch

And finally, here's the Mr Bumgardner's helmetcam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KrhbiFylCo

seamus

Crazy height. One of the only times in your life you'd be standing there thinking, "I really, really hope I fall from here".

muppeteer

Some of Europe's most prominent scientists have opened a debate with philosophers and theologians over the origins of everything.

The event, in Geneva, Switzerland, is described as a search for "common ground" between religion and science over how the Universe began.

It will focus on the Big Bang theory.

The conference was called by Cern, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in the wake of its Higgs boson discovery.

I'm sure everything will be settled after this conference.:rolleyes:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19870036

Turtwig

Those things are full of vacuous horseh*t in attempt to appease religious crowds. "Ohh looksee here this bit is mysterious."
"God. Definitely God."

Gbear

Jernal wrote: »

Those things are full of vacuous horseh*t in attempt to appease religious crowds. "Ohh looksee here this bit is mysterious."
"God. Definitely God."

"Now please can I have that Templeton grant?"

Gbear

I must've had my head buried under a rock for the last while because I had no idea that private space travel had developed to the point where they're sending cargo to the ISS.

Holy ****ing ****!


http://www.zmescience.com/space/spacex-dragon-capsule-iss-1010201/

In the almost 500 kg cargo, astronauts also got a rare, last-minute delight: chocolate-vanilla swirl ice cream. The ISS crew was of course really thrilled to see the ship (not only because of the ice cream).

pauldla

Cardboard bicycle 'could change world'





http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1015/breaking20.html?via=mr

Obliq

That's brilliant! I'm sure Ireland could find a way to sell them for more than €20 though. I want one!

seamus

I actually don't see the bike selling too well, but it does open a new door in materials technology. As the guy points out in his video, the only thing people seem to know how to make out of cardboard, is boxes.
But if you can make something out of cardboard with moving parts and stresses and friction, like a bike, then that opens up a whole world of possible applications for it.

Not least of course, less than savoury applications. Cardboard weapons, anyone? Use a piece of machinery to fold/compress a piece of board enough and I'm sure you could make a pretty potent bullet out of it, undetectable by airport scanners.

It is a retrograde step though, environmentally speaking. Building stuff out of trees is part of the reason we spend so much time exploring carbon fibre and nanotubes.

seamus

seamus wrote: »

Not least of course, less than savoury applications. Cardboard weapons, anyone? Use a piece of machinery to fold/compress a piece of board enough and I'm sure you could make a pretty potent bullet out of it, undetectable by airport scanners.

Don't give them ideas ffs.

Dades

Man, hipsters are going to go crazy for those bikes.

For a month. And then they'll be soooo last year.

shizz

Gbear wrote: »

I must've had my head buried under a rock for the last while because I had no idea that private space travel had developed to the point where they're sending cargo to the ISS.

Holy ****ing ****!


http://www.zmescience.com/space/spacex-dragon-capsule-iss-1010201/

Well there had only been one flight previous to that but a fairly big deal was made about it. Suprised you missed it if you have an interest.

Beruthiel

Dades wrote: »

Man, hipsters are going to go crazy for those bikes.

Until it rains.

joseph brand

Creativity 'closely entwined with mental illness'

Creativity is often part of a mental illness, with writers particularly susceptible, according to a study of more than a million people.

Writers had a higher risk of anxiety and bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, unipolar depression, and substance abuse, the Swedish researchers at the Karolinska Institute found.

They were almost twice as likely as the general population to kill themselves.

Lead researcher Dr Simon Kyaga said the findings suggested disorders should be viewed in a new light and that certain traits might be beneficial or desirable.

For example, the restrictive and intense interests of someone with autism and the manic drive of a person with bipolar disorder might provide the necessary focus and determination for genius and creativity.

Similarly, the disordered thoughts associated with schizophrenia might spark the all-important originality element of a masterpiece.

Artists. A quirky sort of bunch. Isn't it that edge, that they have, that drives and enables them to create?

Weird thing is, whenever I get a chance to smoke some weed*, at home on my own, I cannot stop writing lyrics and coming up with tunes in my head. It's annoying, since I can't write music and I'm tone deaf.

John Lennon, Brian Wilson, Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain inhaled.

muppeteer

Alpha Centauri system has a planet! At only 4ly away it's literally pissing distance from earth(ok a little further)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19959531

Astronomers have found the nearest planet outside our Solar System, circling one of the stars of Alpha Centauri just four light-years away.

The planet has at minimum the same mass as Earth, but circles its star far closer than Mercury orbits our Sun.

It is therefore outside the "habitable zone" denoting the possibility of life, as the researchers report in Nature.

However, studies on exoplanets increasingly show that a star with one planet is likely to have several.

CerebralCortex

muppeteer wrote: »

Alpha Centauri system has a planet! At only 4ly away it's literally pissing distance from earth(ok a little further)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-19959531

You'd nearly make it in the Almera.

robindch

Endeavour's last journey, time-lapsed:

http://framework.latimes.com/2012/10/15/time-lapse-video-space-shuttle-endeavours-trek-across-l-a/

cool