Jump to content

THE WTF news of the day thread

Gambit

By Gambit
in Chit Chat

 Share

Recommended Posts

Crookbond Newbie

Crookbond

Posted
Posted
:blink::blink: I read something similar sometime back where the NRI guy was a Parsi bachelor.I wonder if this is the same guy.
From the surname "Patel" and the references to "Amdavad" and Gujarat in the article - I would take a punt on this person being a Gujarati.
carnish Newbie

carnish

Posted
Posted

Humans could develop BEAKS, claims scientist

For anyone who has regular trouble with their teeth, science has some good news. Humans could one day grow beaks, a biologist has predicted. Unlike teeth, a beak would not rot, chip or fall out. This would make it ‘more robust and practical’, said Dr Gareth Fraser. The bad news for anyone dreading an imminent trip to the dentist, is that the change – in which the teeth would fuse together to form a tough, pointy beak – is several million years away. Dr Fraser, a biologist at Sheffield University, is interested in why humans make only two sets of teeth – baby teeth and adult ones – while some creatures create an endless supply. A shark, for instance, will grow new teeth around once a fortnight. And pufferfish, or blowfish, constantly produce the tooth-like material that their beak is made from, meaning any wear and tear is rapidly patched up. Dr Fraser will tell a conference in Barcelona this month that he has identified the cells behind this constant regeneration. Nicknamed ‘tooth fairy’ cells, they could hold the key to allowing us to grow set after set of teeth. If scientists can work out the cells’ secret, they may be able to kick-start similar cells that exist in the human mouth. Dr Fraser believes that it could be possible for humans to evolve and grow beaks like pufferfish (pictured), which he said are 'far more robust and practical.' However, he concedes that it might take a while. This would allow us to grow extra teeth as needed. It may also be possible for us to grow teeth that are nicer than nature intended. Dr Fraser said: ‘I guess people will be looking at whether you can make perfect teeth. 'But there will always be orthodontists employed because even when you have new teeth, there is going to be a need for positioning.' He added: ‘With our extended lives and modern diets, the limited supply of human teeth is really no longer fit for purpose. ‘Our research is focused on looking for ways in which we can replicate the way that fish create an endless supply of teeth and bring this capability to humans.’ But don’t stop taking care of your teeth yet – Dr Fraser estimates it will be around 50 years before we can grow extra teeth as needed. In the shorter-term, it may be possible to create gels and creams that repair rotten and damaged teeth, removing the need for fillings.Eventually, evolution may provide its own solution. Dr Fraser said: ‘It could be possible for humans to evolve to grow beaks, like pufferfish, which may be more robust and practical.’ The spiny, highly poisonous pufferfish, begins it life with teeth but they quickly morph into a beak that is used to open shells and crush and cut fish. Despite the durability of a beak, Dr Fraser would prefer to keep his teeth. He said: ‘I am happy with the shape of the teeth I have – although I would like more of them.’
beetle Rising Star

beetle

Posted
Posted

1-year-old US girl buys car using dad's smartphone! Born shopaholic! A one-year-old girl in the US has bought a car through online trading, while playing on the mobile phone of her dad, who has decided to keep the 'purchase'. Paul Stoute from Portland, Oregon, said he got a notice from eBay congratulating him on his purchase of $225. He was the proud owner of a 1962 Austin-Healey Sprite. To Stoute's astonishment, he had not made the purchase. After verifying the purchase, he realised that his young daughter, who really enjoys playing with his smartphone, had logged into the eBay app which can be used to instantly make a purchase. "Tap, tap, tap and now I own a car," Stoute was quoted by KPTV as saying. Stoute had been looking at cars on eBay with the idea of tackling a rebuilding project with a friend. "Fortunately, she didn't buy the $38,000 Porsche," he said. Also fortunate is that the Sprite was located in Tualatin. It's now being stored in Milwaukie and is very much a fixer-upper. The eBay ad listed it as a "Frankensprite." "It comes with two engines," said Christina Stoute, Sorella's mother. "They're both in the back seat." The couple now hopes to take the eBay mistake and turn it into a very memorable gift. Paul Stoute said his goal is to fix it up in time to present it to his daughter for either her 16th birthday or high school graduation. In the meantime, they have added password protection to their phones, and uninstalled any apps that can be used to make a purchase. "It cannot happen again," Christina Stoute said, laughing. http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/NorthAmerica/1-year-old-US-girl-buys-car-using-dad-s-smartphone/Article1-1090863.aspx

CSK Fan Newbie

CSK Fan

Posted
Posted
http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/astronomers-find-new-blue-planet-where-it-rains-glass-sideways-390930?pfrom=home-topstories Astronomers find new blue planet where it rains glass - sideways
Astronomers said on Thursday they had found another blue planet a long, long way from Earth -- no water world, but a scorching, hostile place where it rains glass, sideways. Using the Hubble Space Telescope, scientists from NASA and its European counterpart, ESA, have for the first time determined the true colour of an exoplanet, celestial bodies which orbit stars other than our own Sun. They concluded that HD 189733b, a gas giant 63 light-years from our own planet, was a deep cobalt blue, "reminiscent of Earth's colour as seen from space." "But that's where the similarities end," said a statement. This planet orbits very close to its host star and its atmosphere is heated to over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit). "It rains glass, sideways, in howling 7,000 kilometre-per-hour (4,350 miles-per-hour) winds," said the statement.
rkt.india Grand Master

rkt.india

Posted
Posted
The Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, that was announced for the Indian market earlier this week is now up for pre-oder on the Samsung India eStore at a price of Rs 27990. The website notes the expected availability date as July 18.
Samsung selling S4 mini for 28,000 while better phone Galaxy S3 is selling for 25000 in the market.
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...