whoa! Kratom: What science is discovering about the risks and benefits of a controversial herb
https://theconversation.com/kratom-what-science-is-discovering-about-the-risks-and-benefits-of-a-controversial-herb-152677
"Which came first, sleep or the brain? Researchers find that, despite lacking a brain, Hydra exhibit characteristics at a molecular and genetic level associated with sleep in animals with central nervous systems." So what they did here was use hydra, which are small, fresh-water organisms related to jellyfish, sea anemones, and corals. They are so simple, they have only 2 layers of cells and no brain. The researchers experimented with neurotransmitters on them. https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/196
Non-classical photosynthesis by earth's inorganic semiconducting minerals
https://phys.org/news/2021-01-non-classical-photosynthesis-earth-inorganic-semiconducting.html
"...minerals and organisms are actually inseparable.."
It's tough when you have some friends that support Trump--I have a few mild trumpsters in my circles, but I stopped judging them based on that. I stopped becoming a 'hater' myself, and chose to be compassionate rather than chastise them. There's healing in that kind of attitude, I have learned. And it works both ways. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-shared-psychosis-of-donald-trump-and-his-loyalists/
Democrats Ask GOP Congresswoman Who Cited Hitler To Resign
Illinois Rep. Mary Miller told a rally earlier this week, “Hitler was right on one thing. He said, ’Whoever has the youth has the future.’”
Great article to inspire devs towards a more diverse and better economy on the web (away from ad-based monetization) https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2021/01/towards-ad-free-web-diversifying-online-economy/
Happy holidays from the Unity ML-Agents team! Cool projects here:
https://blogs.unity3d.com/2020/12/28/happy-holidays-from-the-unity-ml-agents-team/
Biophilic Homes Prove Nature is the Best Medicine
https://neo.life/2020/12/biophilic-homes-prove-nature-is-the-best-medicine/
Lots of great ideas there. We really need to connect back with nature
Scientists Find Remarkable New Snake Species in Philippines
http://www.sci-news.com/biology/levitonius-mirus-09189.html
It was cloudy in my area during that night so i was bummed. But this pic is great, and a good write up below. Amazing sight of 2 planets in one shot.
https://www.livescience.com/great-conjunction-telescope-image.html
Sixty Bottles of Smuggled Whiskey From Prohibition Times Found
https://mymodernmet.com/smuggled-whiskey-prohibition/
I wanna taste this whiskey 😋
It's a race. Which is faster? vaccine development+distribution , or virus mutation+spread?
I hope not, but I think the virus might be quicker. sigh :(
https://theconversation.com/why-it-matters-that-the-coronavirus-is-changing-and-what-this-means-for-vaccine-effectiveness-152383
I've played Mass Effect and I am watching The Expanse https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2020/12/22/the-expanse-helped-me-understand-a-major-mass-effect-plot-point/
Hey Stupid facebook, you should make your products unhackable as much as you can...If your products are secure then it can't be used by hackers. Also, Google should know better than joining this legal battle. https://venturebeat.com/2020/12/22/microsoft-and-google-join-facebooks-legal-battle-against-hacking-company-nso/
Damn. Just as we have good news of vaccine, here comes the virus fighting back https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/362049
160 Years Later, Study Shows Charles Darwin Was Right About Why Insects (On Windy Islands) Are Losing the Ability to Fly
https://scitechdaily.com/160-years-later-study-shows-charles-darwin-was-right-about-why-insects-are-losing-the-ability-to-fly/
What's the biggest group of animals ever recorded on Earth?
https://www.livescience.com/largest-group-of-animals.html
LOL I doubt this hah : Astronomers Locate the Oldest and Most Distant Galaxy in the Universe – Defines the Very Boundary of the Observable Universe
https://scitechdaily.com/astronomers-locate-the-oldest-and-most-distant-galaxy-in-the-universe-defines-the-very-boundary-of-the-observable-universe/amp/
This line kinda makes me chuckle: "Could our universe have been an experiment by an ancient civilization?" But this title makes me think deeper, "Endless Creation Out of Nothing"
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/endless-creation-out-of-nothing/
Fragmenting into ever smaller pieces to explore ever widening spaces.
Pattern-hunter, Thinker and Tinkerer.