February 2010 Archives

Weird Science hero Neil deGrasse Tyson and Sallie Baliunas say not all of Star Trek's science was way off.

In fact, the series and films did a pretty good job of keeping things real.

Those of us lucky enough to have access to the National Geographic Channel might do well to tune in for Nasca Lines: The Buried Secrets.

The documentary investigates the mysterious Nazca (or Nasca) Lines that are etched into the desert in southern Peru.

It will be showing at noon (EST) on February 28 and 3pm (EST) on March 4. Us UK viewers will have to wait until 9pm on March 7.

The internet is a big old place with many a nook and cranny - but lots of sites go unused.

As we know here at Weird Science Towers, it can be difficult to get people's attention amid the electronic din.

Bored at work? Counting down the hours to the weekend?

Then Weird Science can help (as long as the boss doesn't spot ya!)

Weird Science Friday Links give you a nudge towards stuff you'll hopefully find more diverting than the stack of papers in front of you!

What causes chest pain when feelings are hurt?

Amazing photos of Caleb Charland.

Go old school at the Panasonic Online Design Museum.

Take a break and browse through raw images taken by the Cassini probe around Saturn.

World's smallest art.

Technology darlings and funky phone makers Apple are busy building a huge data centre in North Carolina.

It's real big (500,000 sq ft) and apparently will cost around a $1 billion to complete what is essentially a building full of hard drives.

This footage has just got out to give you a sense of the scale of the thing.

Just one question remains. What's it for? These guys have an idea.

Promiscuous females could prevent their species becoming extinct, scientists have found.

According to research by the Universities of Exeter and Liverpool, females that have multiple mates reduce the risk of producing a brood of offspring without males.

Bad Science's Ben Goldacre gives us the skinny on the placebo effect.

Home sweet home.

This is the most accurate, highest resolution shot of the Earth ever taken.

Rockets, although loud and exciting, can look all a bit similar.

But not with these! Rocketeer John Coker launched this amazing pack of DIY stylized rockets in the Nevada desert.

To see how he did it, visit here.

Pain relief from the most unlikeliest of sources.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have come up with a side effect-free painkiller made from scorpion venom.