I’ve got your missing links right here (2 July 2011)
Top picks
“If this were true adios theory.” Darwin’s margin scribbles show the evolution of a theory
Video games that use living microbes
It’s survival of the weakest when bacteria play rock-paper-scissors
Humans guided evolution of dog barks
The last Indian vultures, and the feral dogs that are replacing them
A fascinating piece about the real secrets behind Area 51 (no, really), involving stealth planes and a mystery illness
Thomas Knudsen carefully poisons a 3-week-old human embryo… in a computer.
What do you get when you put a terrorist inside of a brain scanner? We don’t know. Important piece by Virginia Hughes
“These critters are hell-for-leather, flat-out just gonna get there.” Wonderful David Quammen piece on animal migrations
The evolution machine: genetic engineering on fast-forward, a great story by Jo Marchant
Beetles with screws and nuts in their legs
News/science/writing
How airplanes punch spreading holes in clouds, cause snowfall
The value of simulations – why crew/pilot errors have become a minor cause of plane accidents
Bacteria in Carl Zimmer’s belly button was previously known mainly for being in Asian soil. What has he been putting in there?
Electrocuting women who look at photos of their partners… for SCIENCE
“Garcia inserted the compressed-air hose & blasted the pigs’ brains into a pink slurry” The Spam factory’s dirty secret
King of headbutts
“We need to ensure the anti-nuclear chaps and chapesses do not gain ground on this.” PR campaign to play down Fukushima
X-rays illuminate fossil pigment
Jellyfish force nuclear reactor shutdown
The failure spectrum, from Apple’s iPhone antenna to the Jamaican bobsled team to evolution
Crows never forget, and CROWS NEVER FORGIVE
A marketing programme for an epilepsy drug, designed to look like a clinical trial
Snake-eating opossums have evolved venom-resistant blood
Wilhelm Reich – the inventor of the orgasmotron, profiled in Slate
Finches tweet with grammar. Insert social media joke here.
Pics of the asteroid that buzzed the Earth. Damn thing probably scratched the mirror.
Tasmanian devils were sitting ducks for deadly cancer – and yes, it’s our fault
“The opportunity to get bitten by a ground hornbill presented itself to me… so who was I to miss out?”
Orca ears inspire all-depth hydrophone
“Fukushima residents’ urine now radioactive” 3 mSv = half a chest X-ray
Wildlife filmmakers use the fact that most species fail the mirror test to develop a hidden camera
Case of intense hallucinations triggered by, and of, faces
Intriguing. A design competition to re-design the food label
Heh/wow/huh
“Microbiological Laboratory Hazard of Bearded Men”
Hilarious vid of kids trying to resist eating a marshmallow, and failing
New Zealand land snail consumes earthworm in sudden, rapid attack.
Internet/journalism/society
Journal pulls paper on meditation and heart disease after “additional data” surfaces. Authors presumably calm about it
“Why’s this so good?” series analyses tricks of long-form. First up, Alexis Madrigal on Truman Capote. As good as it sounds
“Elegant bribery” – The fascinating Chinese art of bribing people with Chinese art. Also, step-by-step guide to forging
A kid’s view of marriage equality: “So what’s the big deal?”
“Influence scores” like Klout are complete nonsense – less-than-useless abstract numbers for fans of pissing competitions.
Splendid rant against the “aural ordure” that is UK train and station announcements
Gay Girl in Damascus hoaxer accused of defending himself with new persona, says it was a visiting friend
In 1906, people thought that in 2006, we’d have too much leisure time, with 16 hour work weeks
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet?
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
- See how ancient Indigenous artists left their markSee how ancient Indigenous artists left their mark
Science
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
- Every 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost timeEvery 80 years, this star appears in the sky—and it’s almost time
- How do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tipsHow do you create your own ‘Blue Zone’? Here are 6 tips
- Why outdoor adventure is important for women as they ageWhy outdoor adventure is important for women as they age
Travel
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads
- Slow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capitalSlow-roasted meats and fluffy dumplings in the Czech capital
- Want to travel like a local? Sleep in a Mongolian yurt or an Amish farmhouseWant to travel like a local? Sleep in a Mongolian yurt or an Amish farmhouse