Links & Blinks

Here's a weird optical illusion that I received via spam-mail, courtesy of Alma. To quote: "If you look at the above images from your seat in front of the computer, Mr. Angry is on the left, and Ms.Calm is on the right. Get up from your seat, and move back 12 feet, and PRESTO!! they switch places!! (it has to be 12 feet) It is said this illusion was created by Phillippe G.Schyns and Aude Oliva of the University of Glasgow. Does this prove that we sometimes may not be seeing what's actually there?" Note: Click on the image to enlarge it.

In other interesting science news, did you see this article about the new type of particle accelerator that is only one metre long? It uses a trick with plasma to duplicate results that the normal version can create, but the normal version is a loop that is 3 km long and costs billions of dollars to build. It still has some limitations but that's still an impressive feat of downsizing.

Or what about this idea to use a special kind of protein that exist inside our ears? This protein converts electrical voltage into motion, allowing us to amplify sound. However, this process can be reversed and motion can be converted backwards into electricity. Cover a space suit with a membrane of these protiens et voila, renewable energy source created by the movement of the astronauts.

If you just want some fun nature videos, check out this article with links to various videos showing squid in their natural habitat, attacking and moving in a bunch of cool ways. I particularly like the one in which the squid attacks its prey and flashes a light inside its body just before it strikes.

And in case anyone has not heard the fantastic news, my friend Lori gave birth to her first child on February 10th, 2007. Check out her blog for numerous photos. Such a beautiful family. And it's nice to know that Brooke had a family blog before she was even born. The rest of us are just technical wanna-bes in comparison.