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Why is the sky blue?

The next time someone asks you, don't tell them it's simply because gas molecules in the air absorb light waves with short wavelengths and then reflect them back out (or, God forbid, because "the Lord made it that way"). Instead, draw on this wonderful piece from the National Post and answer that it's not blue -- it's violet: The violet wavelengths from the sun, having still shorter wavelengths than blue, should be scattered even more. Given this, shouldn't the sky be violet, not blue? Indeed the sky is... READ ON

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Japanese Hot and Sour Bath

For some reason there's no commentary on this CNN video, but apparently spas in Japan have started offering hot curry treatment for spa-seekers. A little research on the net provided this insight: "... a few of the baths border on the bizarre. For example, a bath house in Osaka offers a curry bath which it asserts is the antidote for almost every nervous disorder and internal illness known to humans. This "treatment" is not just bath water with curry powder sprinkled in; this is a cauldron of hot, soupy,... READ ON

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Science: it's what's for dinner!

Apparently, in the weeks since we first wrote about test-tube filet mignon, it's become a real red-meat issue for vegetarians: The super-veggies and the mere-veggies can't agree on whether they're a green and ethical end-run around farmed animal flesh, or an unholy combination of Matrix-style technoslavery and the horror that is ham sandwiches (I'm not making this up). Follow the link for a fascinating, freewheeling debate on Soylent Green, the pressing need for mitochondrial labor... READ ON

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University Shrugged: Duke ethics professor to launch for-profit college

Sick and tired of how American universities operate, professor Gary Hull is setting out to launch a new, for-profit university. Dubbed Founders College, Hull hopes to do away with "publish or perish" atmospheres and tenured professorships, focus on education, and provide a "classic" liberal arts curriculum. It sounds like a gutsy experiment (he's also cutting the sports teams). Hull hopes to mold great communicators out of his students, and he's definitely talking big: The... READ ON

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I scream, Mangesh screams

My husband was reading Mango's ode yesterday to the emperors of ice cream and volunteered a story about the sweet stuff served to new arrivals at Ellis Island: quite a few of them couldn't identify it, figured it was butter, and spread it on their toast. What's Cooking America confirms this little tale, and also provides the following creamy facts: In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt publicly confessed that he liked to have ice cream at least once a day. During World War I (1914-1918), ice cream... READ ON

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Small Peanuts?

If you've been reading our blog more or less every day (and if you haven't, shame on you), you'll recall that one out of every 200 people is allergic to peanuts. That means there's a good chance that someone reading this right now is afflicted. First of all, to you, the peanut-allergy sufferer, I'd like to say, hello and welcome. We're glad you're with us today. I'd also like to commiserate by letting you know that I, too, suffer from allergies to... READ ON

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Monopoly Applies for a Debit Card

If you thought the unholy alliances between McDonald's & Monopoly, Lord of the Rings & Monopoly and Disney Princesses & Monopoly were terrifying (see horrific pictures above), check out the latest incarnation of the indefatigable board game. Sky.com is reporting that Visa and Parker Brothers have joined forces and eliminated all the paper money from a new version of the game. Instead of counting bills, players will use plastic in the form of mock Visa debit cards to keep track of their funds... READ ON

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Like Water for Advertising

Continuing my theme today of all things wet, I saw this piece on OhGizmo, and found it completely mind-blowing. Apparently, the clever folk at the Akashima Labs in Japan have schemed up a way to actually "print" words on the surface of water using wave generators! Through insanely complex calculations, the generators force various waves to intersect, creating beautiful letters and images out of the water. And while each imprint only lasts a short while before fading away, the machine is capable... READ ON

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Raining Cats and Gods

According to UPI reports, this summer's massive drought has spurred public officials in Lubbock, Texas to plead their case to a higher authority "“ you guessed it, they're taking their case to God! In fact, town officials have decided to petition the Big Man with numbers by organizing a massive community prayer. Mayor David Miller, the City Council and the Lubbock County commissioners "are expected to adopt resolutions this week asking local residents to both pray and fast"... READ ON

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Fish catches man

Last week we wrote about how hard it is to be a member of Class Osteichthyes; this week it seems the fish are fighting back: A fisherman was recovering from surgery after he was speared in the chest and knocked into the Atlantic Ocean by a blue marlin during a fishing competition off Bermuda's coast. ... [Ian] Card and his father, Alan, both operators of a charter fishing boat and experienced marlin fishermen, had just hooked the fish Saturday when it suddenly leapt out of the water, impaled Ian Card just... READ ON