Posts Tagged ‘science’

CQ

Monday, July 12th, 2010


What is it: This article summarises a range of studies on creativity, making startling observations about the decline of creativity (in the US), that it can be traced directly back to poor education practices, and its implications on a society’s ability to solve big problems and move forward. The good news is that creativity can be taught, learned and practiced – so we really have no excuse!

Why is it cool: On a practical level, this shows that, whilst creativity is often seen as the domain of artisans, creative thinking is, in fact, useful to most everyone in solving everything from small, everyday problems to dealing with the big stressors of life. On a theoretical level, being able to measure, teach and articulate the benefits of creativity (via the Creativity Quotient), we gain a new understanding of the human mind, and a foil for the much maligned Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and more recent Emotional Quotient (EQ). Finally, perhaps most cool is that the best thing we can all do to encourage creativity is to ask questions, and keep asking questions.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Dreamtime solutions

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010


What is it: A Harvard psychologist theorises that dreams are basically extra “thinking time”, but thinking that it is more visual and ‘free’, making it better suited for solving problems requiring “projected visualisation” (e.g. innovating a device) or thinking “out of the box” (e.g. approaching a problem from outside the conventional wisdom).

Why is it cool: Evolutionary principles suggest that biology tends not to be wasteful. So, for something like dreaming, which has been around for millions of years, it must have some functionality – and certainly empowering creatures with a second mode of thinking would be an advantage! Besides, it’s a cool way to explain waking up with one of those “ah ha!” moments!

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Living walls

Friday, June 25th, 2010

What is it: A Spanish company has invented two types of tiles: one that can grow a number of different plants, including one that can suck pollution out of the atmosphere.

Why is it cool: Apart from the fact that they can make city buildings easier on the eye with funky patterns and designs, they are also great for the environment. The two tiles work in conjunction, where one tile uses natural light to convert nitrous oxide into fertilizer, which is then used by the plants growing on the other tile, and this plant matter removes carbon dioxide from the air. Both processes improve air quality, making it easier for locals to breathe.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Bernard Visperas

Our parasite overlords

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

What is it: There is a common rat parasite which changes the personalities of cats who have it, to make them easier to be caught and be eaten by cats, in order to complete its lifecycle. Interestingly, when humans catch the parasite, their personality also changes making them more warm, outgoing, attentive, relaxed and calm. More amazing, in countries with higher incidence of parasite infection, the local culture mirrors these traits (e.g. Brazil has two-thirds infection amongst women).

Why is it cool: That a parasite can have a significant influence on personality is pretty cool, but that those millions of influenced people could shift a nation’s personality is nothing short of mind-blowing. Certainly myriad other factors influence local culture, so the world’s cultural differences cannot be simply described by the parasite… or maybe that’s what it wants us to believe!

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Up your nose…

Friday, May 28th, 2010

...with a rubber hose!

What is it: A nasal spray developed by German scientists that improves memory retention! The spray contains interleukin-6 (a molecule from the body’s immune system) and when administered through the nose it helps the brain retain emotional and procedural memories during REM sleep.

Why is it cool: Drugs to make us smarter?! (or at least appear smarter temporarily…) What’s next, surgery to make us prettier?!

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Melissa Yee

Not a tumour

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

I wasn't ready to begin the prostate exam!

What is it: A new study by the NIAID shows that, although 30 percent of people think they have a food allergy, fewer than 5 percent actually do. The reason is that the definition of “allergy” requires that your body exhibits an excessive auto-immune response, but most people don’t exhibit this – instead they have a food “sensitivity”. By over-estimating the severity of food consumption problems, people take on unnecessary stress about their eating habits, and often avoid such a broad range of foods that they fail to get proper nutrition.

Why is it cool: The misdiagnosis of food allergies goes directly back to a misunderstanding and misuse of research data. Doctors who do an IgE allergy test often interpret a positive result as being an allergy, but the IgE test only indicates the possibility of an allergy, and more rigorous (as well as time-consuming, expensive and risky) testing is required to properly diagnose. So even in a field as important and well-trained as medicine, there is always room for better understanding of research.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

The latest in sustainable energy

Friday, February 26th, 2010

We may not get flying cars, but this could be the highway of the future

What is it: An article showcasing innovative energy solutions. Science and technology geeks are working aggressively to provide creative “clean” solutions to the global energy crisis. Clever solutions include rubber sidewalk tiles that transform kinetic energy from people’s steps into electricity, batteries powered from carb-loaded softdrinks, and turbines on street light poles powered by the wind of passing vehicles.

Why is it cool: These are just cool ideas, illustrating the creative power being harnessed to deliver to the world’s energy needs. And as always, it’s worth keeping awareness of the fascinating possibilities on the forefront of the sustainability space.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Bernard Visperas

Document your life

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

What a time lapse reel of your life might look like

What is it: An auto snapping camera documents the wearers life. Users typically wear the camera on a cord around their neck, but it can also be clipped to clothing. Among its features are an accelerometer, a compass and a fish-eye lens to ensure that nearly everything in the wearer’s view is captured. The device can operate either on a timer—taking photos every 30 seconds—or it can be set to take photos automatically when triggered by internal sensors, which can detect body heat as well as changes in temperature, light and motion. Along with images, the camera also stores a time-stamped log file that can be enriched with GPS traces. It holds around 30,000 images, or approximately 6 days’ worth.

Why is it cool: Aside from the potential uses within research (hello first-person ethnography!), this steps eerily close to a truman-show-esque voyeurism.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Dom McCarthy

The known universe

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Yes, right there.

What is it: The Hayden Planetarium has developed a Digital Universe Atlas, which stores, and continually updates, the most accurate observations of the known objects in the universe, including locations and movement (ie it’s four-dimensional!).They’ve developed this data into a video tour of the universe, starting at the biggest natural feature on our planet (the Himalayas), zooming out to the extent of our knowledge of the universe, and then back.

Why is it cool: Humans are visual creatures, and often the sheer scale of the universe overwhelms our ability to perceive just how big, in both size and time, the universe is. This video helps our comprehension just a little bit, and in doing so gives us a bit more perspective on the universe and our place in it.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Clever little octopus

Friday, December 18th, 2009

I'd like to be... under the sea...

What is it: Video footage of octopuses (octopi?) grabbing coconut shells from the sea bed and running away with them.

Why is it cool: Its pretty funny to watch but also amazing how they use the shells as shelter and protection from predators. They will even put the 2 shells back together for a little house.

It’s a bit of nature vs nurture, too… Do the little guys know how to do this instinctively or have they learned to use the tools from each other?

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Mandy Ayles