Collection of the things that I find interesting.
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Times Square at the intersection of 7th Avenue and W 47th Street, New York, 1990. From the Budapest Municipal Photography Company archive.
Using the wind force captured by its two giant, controllable sails to boost its speed, Pyxis Ocean reportedly saved an average of 3.3 tons of fuel each day. And in optimal weather conditions, its trips through portions of the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans reduced fuel consumption by over 12 tons a day.
A cargo ship’s ‘WindWing’ sails saved it up to 12 tons of fuel per day
New Technique to Extract Gold From Old Electronics Could Make a Fortune, Scientists Say
A team of researchers at ETH Zurich in Switzerland has made a discovery that they say could turn recycling e-waste into a literal goldmine.
Why the April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse May Blow Your Mind?
Walking the entire length of Manhattan with Jack Coyne and looking at every sign along the route.
In a new paper, a team of philosophers and psychologists at Johns Hopkins University claims to have finally settled an ancient debate: whether you can actually hear the sound of silence.
In a mind-bending conclusion, they found that you absolutely can.
(via Scientists Discover That You Can Hear Silence)
“It’s in the doing that the idea comes”
via How to design like an architect
Scientists have discovered that beneath Antarctica's ice, an expanse equivalent to the combined size of Germany and France is releasing meltwater into a highly pressurized river stretching 290 miles to the ocean. This revelation potentially signifies concerning implications for rising sea levels.
via wired.com
An e-bike rider has found a way to keep their pollution-free vehicle charged while at work, without needing a charging station.
(via Cyclist comes up with a 'genius' solution to one of the biggest problems bike riders face: '[This is] very cool')
Why metalheads are happier people
Music has an undeniable power to uplift our spirits, a sentiment echoed by millions worldwide. Yet, what about heavy metal? Often characterized as raucous and confrontational, how could it possibly contribute to happiness? Do the passionate headbanging, beer-swilling, and dark-clad enthusiasts of metal find greater joy than others? It seems unlikely. However, psychologist Nico Rose offers a different perspective. In his book "Hard, Heavy and Happy," he delves into the impact of heavy metal on the body, mind, and soul. Contrary to common belief, Rose argues that what critics dismiss as "noise" can serve as a powerful tool for managing anxiety and depression.
Rarely Seen Paintings by J.R.R. Tolkien Portray a Lush 'Lord of the Rings' Landscape
“Forest bathing,” or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese term that emerged in the 1980s. Its practitioners say benefits include feeling less stress, boosting your immune system, and even increasing your levels of anti-cancer proteins.
(via Expert reveals unexpected health benefits of 'forest bathing': 'We have a biological need to connect with nature')
Whatever your method, the message from the experts is clear: Getting outside and into nature is good for you.
Ever heard of the superb fan-throated lizard (Sarada superba)? This ground-dwelling reptile can be found in regions of western India. Its body is covered in dusty brown scales that provide perfect camouflage, but males of this species also have a colorful secret: the fan-like structure under their jaws. Also known as a dewlap, this fleshy structure is used for display. It helps males attract mates and intimidate rivals!
Photo: Ashahar alias Krishna Khan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimeda Commons
SpaceX launches first Turkish astronaut aboard private European space mission
Axiom Space's AX-3 mission launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Thursday and is headed to the International Space Station with a four-person crew: Former NASA astronaut and mission commander Michael Lopez-Alegria, Walter Villadei of Italy, Alper Gezeravci of Turkey, and Marcus Wandt of Sweden. The mission was funded and carried out by the private sector.
Keith Sapsford a 14 year old Australian boy hid in the wheel housing of a Japan Airlines Tokyo-bound jet in Sydney. John Gilspin, an amateur photographer, while testing his lense caught Keith’s 200 foot plunge to death.
The World Health Organization is recognizing loneliness and social isolation as a priority health problem as more and more people suffer across the world.
Data from the University of Michigan's National Poll on Healthy Aging showed loneliness among 50- to 80-year-olds had increased from 27% in October 2018 to 56% in June 2020, at the height of pandemic-era restrictions.
It is also another side effect of Covid-19 that worsens the situation further.
(via Loneliness is at epidemic levels and it's killing Americans)
What’s the strangest place you’ve run? For US Olympic bronze-winning marathon runner Molly Seidel, it could well be Phoenix Airport. While waiting for a flight in November, she did what many of us have often thought of doing to kill an hour pre-flight but never had the courage to do – she decided to stretch her legs and get a few laps in at the airport.
(via The Strangest Places People have Logged Activities on Strava)
Since he was 5, Tobi Akbas has been nicknamed "the Mayor" in the affluent suburb of Garrison, New York, where he lives. When his mom would take him to the supermarket, he would say hi to every person they saw. In high school, he'd wait in front of the school building to greet students as they arrived.
Now 22, Tobi still craves human connection like oxygen. He's the unofficial ambassador of a Garrison volunteer firefighting squad, handing out candy canes at the annual Santa Run. He posts motivational "Tobi tips" online — as well as sharing them with anyone who asks.
(via Williams Syndrome: the Joy and Sadness of Loving Strangers)
Williams syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by distinctive facial features, cardiovascular problems, developmental delays, and a unique cognitive profile. It is caused by the deletion of genetic material from chromosome 7, specifically a region known as 7q11.23. This deletion affects multiple genes and can lead to various physical and cognitive symptoms.
Individuals with Williams syndrome typically have a friendly and sociable personality, often displaying strong language and music abilities. However, they may also experience challenges in areas such as spatial relations, motor skills, and certain aspects of visual-spatial processing. People with Williams syndrome often have an affinity for music and may show an unusual level of empathy and social interest.
A beekeeper in Turkiye reluctantly hired some bears as taste testers for his honey.
via jenn 💜 daily happy content 🥰 (@thatgoodnewsgirl)
Adopting the habit of earlier first and last meals with a longer period of night-time fasting may prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease.
(via The Chrononutrition Effect: The Easy Way To Reduce Cardiovascular Risk)
Is it an Irish goodbye, a French exit, or "to leave the English way?"
You can do it Irish, Polish, English, or French. No matter the style, it feels just as good.
In the US, the “Irish exit” or “Irish goodbye” is a satisfying way to deal with pleasantry-overload: When it’s time to leave a party, make a beeline for the door. Don’t tell anyone; don’t thank the host; just get out of there. What you call this rejection of a polite farewell, however, depends on where you live.