Enlarged External Occipital Protuberance

Young people today are growing horns.  Yes, horns on the back of their skulls. And evidence is pointing to the cause.  Use of modern technology, specifically phones and devices wherein they are constantly tipping their head forward throwing off the normal growth of muscles and bone.  This article from The Seattle Times has in-depth details on this growing phenomena. 

Eating a Credit Card a Week

Credit: Derek Askill/Alamy

There's now so much plastic encasing the globe from mountain peaks to the depths of the Mariana Trench, that humans are ingesting the equivalent of a credit card of plastic each week.  Most of it is coming from water, both bottled and tap. People are consuming up to 250 grams of plastic each year or about 102,000 pieces less than 1mm in size.  Check out some further details in this article from telegraph.co.uk.  

Twistronics

In past posts I shared articles dealing with graphene and its ability to produce electricity when twisted.  This new study is called "twistronics". This article continues that discussion highlighting the unique angle of 1.1 degrees that allows this fascinating phenomena to occur. 

Stiletto Snake

As if snakes weren't creepy enough, scientists have now discovered a new species of snake called the Branch's Stiletto Snake which can strike and attack sideways by using a fang protruding from the side of its mouth.  This also poses a danger to humans as the typical way of handling snakes by grabbing them behind their heads doesn't work since they can twist and strike to the side.  Check out more details here.

Case of the Missing Anus

Scientists have discovered a jellyfish that has an anus that is transient.  That's right, it only appears when the jellyfish needs to rid itself of excrement and then it disappears.  The anus can appear whereever the internal gut touches the outer epidermis. Fascinating!  Read more.

A Shape that Blocks All Sound

Scientists have created a 3D printed shape that blocks, by returning the sound waves to their source, 94% of the sound waves created. This new shape could have tremendous use on engines, HVAC systems, cubicles and more.  Shape your mind by reading here.

Dinnerplate-Sized Tarantula Drags Opossum for Dinner

A dinnerplate-sized tarantula in the Amazon rainforest was seen dragging an opossum across the forest floor for a snack.  The video is quite amazing, yet terrifying.  Check it out!

Zombie Deer Disease, Mad Cow Disease and the Jump to Humans

Mad Cow Disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, has been around for years.  It jumped to humans in the '90's and people still die from it. Basically, their brains are eaten away and there is no cure.  Now researchers have found a similar disease in deer.  The disease causes their brains to become like swiss cheese as prions wreak havoc inside their heads.  The jump to humans is not fiction.  It is feared that this could happen soon.  The whole article can be found here.

Cube-Shaped Poo

Wombats produce cube-shaped poo to attract mates and mark their territory.  But how in the world do they produce poo that's not round!  This article explains it.

Check out this post from last year. 

16 Billion Units on the Scoville Scale!

The Carolina Reaper is the world's hottest pepper coming in at 1.6 million on the Scoville scale of hotness.  Now, a cactus from Morroco has obliterated that with heat on the Scoville scale of 16 billion units!  The active ingredient is resiniferatoxin. What possible use could that kind of heat be used for?  How about killing pain receptors in bad knees? Or killing pain associated with cancer?  The article found in wired.com has much more information on this unique and mind-searing level of heat!