Life

A study of the microbes in the guts of our closest relatives gives new meaning to the gut-check, finding that the mix of bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract is determined not solely by diet, but by evolution as well.

University of Newcastle researchers may have come up with a biotechnology answer to the roadway printer I posted about yesterday: bacteria modified to colonize cracks in concrete and fix ruined buildings and crumbling roadways.

Squid may be sending each other secret messages by visual means. Whether they use this talent to spam other squid is another question.

To Kelly, the advance guard of the technium is to be found among the quadrillions of computer chips networked into vast electronic systems. But It may be difficult to discern whether the desires driving that process belong to technology, or are our own.

Electronic musician James Blake covers the Feist song "Limit to Your Love"—I've been haunted by this track for a couple of days, and I've finally figured out why.

For as long as intelligent human life has existed, we’ve wondered about our origins. How did it all begin? Theories have ranged everywhere from waterborne molecules, to comets, to alien colonization, but now scientists are turning their eyes in a new direction – towards the heavens. A new experiment that simulates chemical reactions in the atmosphere of Titan, the largest ...

Ok, so it might not be an actual dragon as it doesn’t blow fire, but it’s a lizard… with wings… which is pretty damn close. Hide your treasure and lock up your princesses! Wait a second, what are we scared of, it’s like two inches long. Oh wait, they have parents don’t they? Link [via]

For once, we’ve come across a product that is handmade and not featured on Etsy. This time, we have a coral reef that was painstakingly crocheted and set up on a table. Take a step back and squint hard enough. You might find that this coral reef looks pretty damn real from a distance. Amazing detail and true craftsmanship are ...

Paranoid pet owners rejoice! No longer should you fear scenarios such as biblical floods. With this collar you and your dog will be prepared for anything. Remarkably, the collar is illuminated by LEDs around the neck to make finding your pet during the nighttime an ease. This feature is solar-powered, however, so at night it might not even work. Bummer. ...

Meet Remi Gaillard. He’s a real Italian plumber (except he’s French). The kind that drives a go-kart in live traffic, throwing banana peels at those trying to pass him by in an attempt to thwart their course. Yes, this man is playing Mario Kart for real. A hilarious video that’s well made and fun to watch. Don’t miss out. Link ...