Odd News

[Denny]

Fresh pizza vending machine delivered to the US

Late-night cravings for pizza may soon be satisfied not by all-night delivery, but by this huge vending machine. Invented by Italians and just now arriving on our fair shores, the Let's Pizza machine actually creates the pizza more or less from scratch, and then bakes it as you watch. The future is here, and it's a bit carb-heavy.

Unlike the frozen and reheated affairs you're likely to find at a 7-11, this pizza is actually created when you order it, from "fresh" ingredients. The dough is mixed and flattened, the sauce spread, the cheese and toppings sprinkled. Some items are no refrigerated, no doubt, but nothing is frozen or pre-prepared. It's thin-crust, since it has to be fully baked in just a minute and a half. Each machine has enough ingredients for 200 pizzas, and offers four variations.

[Denny]

Nanotechnology Used to Harness Power of Fireflies

ScienceDaily (June 15, 2012) — What do fireflies, nanorods, and Christmas lights have in common? Someday, consumers may be able to purchase multicolor strings of light that don't need electricity or batteries to glow. Scientists at Syracuse University found a new way to harness the natural light produced by fireflies (called bioluminescence) using nanoscience. Their breakthrough produces a system that is 20 to 30 times more efficient than those produced during previous experiments.

[mutepointe]

That Nano, always up to something.

Maybe he could help out with the youths of the UK. They don't know where bacon comes from.
http://www.newser.com/story/148136/uk-y ... -from.html

[Denny]

Highest ever wingsuit jump - from 37,265ft!

[Nanohedron]

...the youths of the UK...don't know where bacon comes from.
http://www.newser.com/story/148136/uk-y ... -from.html

Pfft. Even my cat knows that one. It comes from shopping bags.

[dwest]

...the youths of the UK...don't know where bacon comes from.
http://www.newser.com/story/148136/uk-y ... -from.html

Pfft. Even my cat knows that one. It comes from shopping bags.

Not down here, it's bacon everywhere down here. Must be a 38°C in the shade.

[Denny]

TERROR in SEATTLE: Gang of violent LEPRECHAUNS on the loose

Seattle is expected to go into lockdown this weekend, as fears grow that a gang of rogue leprechauns is on the loose and attacking locals.

Komonews.com reports that police were called to reports of a street fight last Saturday. When they arrived they saw a number of people run from the scene, before finding a man "covered in blood and holding his head and screaming in pain".

When asked what had happened to him, the distressed victim said "It was a bunch of leprechauns."

[Denny]

Kepler space telescope peers at hot alien couple

Astro-boffins have located an alien planet pair that are orbiting so close to each other, any inhabitants would see a planet-rise as well as sunrise.

Both of the planets are a little too toasty to play host to life as we know it; the celestial soul-mates are red-hot, too close to their star to be in the habitable zone, but they are the closest planetary comrades ever confirmed.

The cosmic couple was spied by NASA's planet-hunting Kepler space telescope, which lent the couple their names: Kepler 36b and Kepler 36c.

As they orbit their star, with the inner planet 36b going around it every 13.8 days and 36c circling it every 16.2 days, they come within shouting distance of 1.2 million miles (1.93 million kilometres) - just five times the distance from the Earth to the Moon. Naturally, given that it's space, it still sounds pretty far, but it's 20 times closer than any two planets in our own solar system ever get.

[Denny]

Pixar's lucky charm has starred in all thirteen films

Pixar’s ubiquitous good luck charm is popping up again, this time as a Scottish guard in "Brave."

John Ratzenberger, the "Dancing with the Stars" alumnus known for his role as Cliff Clavin in “Cheers,” has voiced supporting roles in all thirteen Pixar films. He's put his talents to use in a variety of roles from Hamm the Piggy Bank in the “Toy Story” series to, his personal favorite, P.T. Flea in “A Bug’s Life.”

[Nanohedron]

TERROR in SEATTLE: Gang of violent LEPRECHAUNS on the loose

Seattle is expected to go into lockdown this weekend, as fears grow that a gang of rogue leprechauns is on the loose and attacking locals.

Komonews.com reports that police were called to reports of a street fight last Saturday. When they arrived they saw a number of people run from the scene, before finding a man "covered in blood and holding his head and screaming in pain".

When asked what had happened to him, the distressed victim said "It was a bunch of leprechauns."

IIRC, yer man said that the "leprechaun" had put on streetwear, including a tanktop, before lauching the attack. Make of that what you will.

[Denny]

ya, white tank top, he said...

well, it's summer now, innit
might'a been a cross dresser...

[Nanohedron]

You know how it is: these days leprechauns are likely required by their union to get paid for being in uniform.

What I found eye-rolling about the thing is the victim made it sound like his attacker changed clothes then and there before putting the hurt on him, or went off to do it while the victim waited to take his knocks. It's not that clear. Imagine that.

They're magically malicious.

[mutepointe]

The Nigerian Scam explained.

http://www.newser.com/story/148506/nige ... vable.html

It's so unbelievable that only the truly gullible will fall for it.

[Denny]

Learn That Tune While Fast Asleep: Stimulation During Sleep Can Enhance Skill Learning

ScienceDaily (June 24, 2012) — Want to nail that tune that you've practiced and practiced? Maybe you should take a nap with the same melody playing during your sleep, new provocative Northwestern University research suggests.The research grows out of exciting existing evidence that suggests that memories can be reactivated during sleep and storage of them can be strengthened in the process.

In the Northwestern study, research participants learned how to play two artificially generated musical tunes with well-timed key presses. Then while the participants took a 90-minute nap, the researchers presented one of the tunes that had been practiced, but not the other.

[Denny]

Lichen Can Survive in Space: Space Station Research Sheds Light On Origin of Life; Potential for Better Sunscreens

ScienceDaily (June 23, 2012) — You can freeze it, thaw it, vacuum dry it and expose it to radiation, but still life survives. ESA's research on the International Space Station is giving credibility to theories that life came from outer space -- as well as helping to create better sunscreens.

In 2008 scientists sent the suitcase-sized Expose-E experiment package to the Space Station filled with organic compounds and living organisms to test their reaction to outer space.

When astronauts venture on a spacewalk, hours are spent preparing protective suits to survive the hostile conditions. No effort was made to protect the bacteria, seeds, lichen and algae attached to the outside of the Space Station, however.