The Friday Five – Halloween edition

Highlighting some of the coolest science news we’ve seen lately...Halloween edition!

1. Are ghosts real? Science says there’s not a ghost of a chance!

The scariest thing about this scene:  the paucity of channels on the TV.

2. Looking for a way to merge your love of physics with trick or treating? Check out these physics-themed Halloween costume ideas.

This Halloween, go as anti-matter!

 

3. We have nothing to fear but biochemistry. The American Chemical Society has released a neat little video about the chemistry of fear.

 

4. Ever wonder what would happen if you could cross a panda and an owl? A bird with a baboon? Here is a collection of eerie animal hybrids generated with a little help from Photoshop.

The Pandowl

5. Here’s how to make some creepy Halloween decorations from the comfort of your own haunted house!

Science quote of the week:

“Back off, man! I'm a scientist!” –Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters

Contributed by:  Bill Sullivan

Follow Bill on Twitter: @wjsullivan

The Friday Five

Highlighting some of the coolest science news we’ve seen lately.

1. We are one step closer to helping paralyzed people walk again. Neuroscientists in Switzerland are using electronics to restore movement in paralyzed rats – so far, these rats have been able to take 1,000 computer-controlled steps. 

 

2. The AIDS epidemic gained notoriety in the 1980s, but by using genetics and historical records, scientists have traced the “epidemic ignition” of the HIV virus back to the 1920s in the Congo (called Kinshasa at the time). An excellent piece describing the study is here.

3. Having trouble recognizing the smells coming from the kitchen? Or the flower garden? It could mean your number is up. A new study published in PLoS ONE has found a link between olfactory dysfunction and death.

If something stinks, at least take comfort that you can smell since loss of this sense is a predictor of death!

 

4. Does anything really ever “touch” another thing? Physics says NO! Watch this remarkable video addressing this “touchy” subject:

 

5. Ever wonder why most people instinctively tilt their head to the right when leaning in for a smooch? Find out the answer to that as you learn “The Scientifically Best Way to Kiss”:

 

Science quote of the week:

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.” –Richard P. Feynman

Contributed by:  Bill Sullivan

Follow Bill on Twitter: @wjsullivan

Wenger N, Moraud EM, Raspopovic S, Bonizzato M, DiGiovanna J, Musienko P, Morari M, Micera S, & Courtine G (2014). Closed-loop neuromodulation of spinal sensorimotor circuits controls refined locomotion after complete spinal cord injury. Science translational medicine, 6 (255) PMID: 25253676

Pinto, J., Wroblewski, K., Kern, D., Schumm, L., & McClintock, M. (2014). Olfactory Dysfunction Predicts 5-Year Mortality in Older Adults PLoS ONE, 9 (10) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0107541

Faria, N., Rambaut, A., Suchard, M., Baele, G., Bedford, T., Ward, M., Tatem, A., Sousa, J., Arinaminpathy, N., Pepin, J., Posada, D., Peeters, M., Pybus, O., & Lemey, P. (2014). The early spread and epidemic ignition of HIV-1 in human populations Science, 346 (6205), 56-61 DOI: 10.1126/science.1256739

The Friday Five

Highlighting some of the coolest science news we’ve seen lately.

1. Sci-fi fans across the universe were “stunned” to learn that most space battles in the movies simply aren’t possible. Watch the video below to learn more about “The Physics of Space Battles”.

 

2. Everyone has probably heard by now that bats transmit Ebola, but these critters are vectors for many other diseases, too. Learn why in the video below. A recent review on bat flight and zoonotic viruses can be found here.

 

3. Here is an amazing video of a monster red leech devouring a giant worm. Real world Godzilla-like action!

 

4. Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia. What do you mean you don’t know what that is? Did you just eat some ice cream or something?

 

 5. This is a hell of a good video that reveals some psychological tricks to get others to do what you want. Watch it now, dammit! And let me know if the swearing trick worked!

Science quote of the week:

“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” –Neil deGrasse Tyson

Contributed by:  Bill Sullivan

Follow Bill on Twitter: @wjsullivan


O'Shea TJ, Cryan PM, Cunningham AA, Fooks AR, Hayman DT, Luis AD, Peel AJ, Plowright RK, & Wood JL (2014). Bat flight and zoonotic viruses. Emerging infectious diseases, 20 (5), 741-5 PMID: 24750692

The Friday Five

Highlighting some of the coolest science news we’ve seen lately.

1. The mystery behind Death Valley's 'Wandering Stones' appears to have finally been solved. For decades scientists have debated why hundreds of rocks move across Racetrack Playa, leaving trails behind them. Read this and/or watch the video below to see how this happens.

2. We’ve recently covered some of the things that alcohol does to your brain in this post. Here is a short video that not only addresses the question, “Does alcohol kill brain cells?”, but also explains where this notion originated. Cheers!

3. Now that we know what alcohol does, how about coffee? What does coffee do to the brain? AsapSCIENCE is here to explain in this short video.

4. Economist Richard Reeves uses Legos to demonstrate the chances of upward mobility in America.

5. Richard Feynman’s famous lectures are now available for free here. Go learn some physics from the master who had a knack for making complex principles understandable and entertaining.

Science quote of the week:

“Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.” –Adam Smith

Contributed by:  Bill Sullivan

Follow Bill on Twitter: @wjsullivan

Norris, R., Norris, J., Lorenz, R., Ray, J., & Jackson, B. (2014). Sliding Rocks on Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park: First Observation of Rocks in Motion PLoS ONE, 9 (8) DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105948