rhamphotheca:
sexyactionplanet: The Vanishing Rhino…
Rhinoceros horns, unlike those of other horned mammals, consist of keratin only and lack a bony core. They are used in traditional Asian medicines, and for this their horns are worth many dollars to poachers.
- Javan Rhino; Critically Endangered (Declared Extinct in Vietnam 2011)
- Sumatran Rhino; Critically Endangered
- Northern White Rhino; Critically Endangered (4 Individuals left)
- West African Black Rhino; Declared Extinct in 2011
If you would like to do something - spread the word on how traditional Asian medicines affect rhino populations, you can also adopt a rhino here, or donate money to WWF rhino programs here.
4:00 pm • 16 November 2011 • 101 notes
evaporites:
staysandstories:
Nail Polish That Can Be Altered Magnetically
If you’ve ever wished your makeup could better incorporate scientific principles, then you might want to check out Sephora’s newest nail polish, one that creates cool 3D effects once you put a magnet over it while it is drying.
Reasons. Yes, that’s it. *reasons*
(via 14-billion-years-later)
4:01 pm • 15 November 2011 • 288 notes
14-billion-years-later:
The Slipperiest Slope
A new material has been designed and made by Harvard university which has the slipperiest surface known. The design itself takes inspiration from nature in the form of the insides of carnivorous pitcher plants (which work to repel the oily feet of insects). The material itself is called SLIPS or “Slippery Liquid Infused Porous Surface” and comprises of a porous material filled and slightly covered with a lubricating fluid which acts to repel a wide range of materials. Other slippery materials typically displace materials at 5 degrees of tilt while SLIPS manages this at only 2 degrees.
The applications for this technology are plentiful, from aeronautics right down to getting those last few drops of ketchup out of the bottle.
8:01 am • 15 November 2011 • 295 notes
Gunther von Hagens, acid-corrosion cast of the arteries of the adult human hand and forearm
(Source: likeafieldmouse, via fyeahanatomy)
8:01 am • 12 November 2011 • 29,221 notes
dinosaurcostume:
Presidents of the United States of America eating.
5:05 pm • 11 November 2011 • 79 notes
Crack Research: Doctor cracks knuckles on only one hand for over 50 years, compares to non-cracked hand, finds no arthritis.
cranquis:
I can’t believe I haven’t shared this story with you guys before! Talk about dedication to a cause (or perhaps, a deep-seated resentment towards some relative who wouldn’t let young Unger pop his phalanges)! Dr. Unger won the 2009 Ig Noble award in Medicine for this.
This article by Scientific American mentions other studies in the same area, and is quite loaded with puns too (Ooh, my favorite!)
8:00 am • 11 November 2011 • 119 notes
ohscience:
stratus clouds over inglefield bay in greenland, eight hundred miles south of the north pole.
(National Geographic Photo of the Day)
4:01 pm • 7 November 2011 • 488 notes
