The Talking Crow

Parrots talk.  Other birds mimic.  But crows?  Yup.  They can too. Crows and ravens are highly intelligent.  Here's an interesting story of a crow that was raised from a baby, and when it got lost, it went to different areas near its home including children at a school, talking to them.  Eventually, the crow was reunited with its owner.  But what a funny guy/gal.  Check it out here. 

Scrotal Necrosis

The title says it all.  Imagine a toilet, a man and a snouted cobra!  Now, imagine what could go wrong!  Read on.  Owwwwww.  

The Tree of Death

The Bible book of Genesis talks about a "tree of life".  But watch out for the "tree of death"!  

Yes, it's a real tree.  It's called a manchineel tree and is "native to the tropical parts of southern North America, as well as Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of northern South America" according to sciencealert.com.  The tree is deadly.  The fruit can kill, the tree oozes poisonous sap and if it rains, don't stand under it.  Just the watered down excretions can cause severe burns if it drips on you.  However, it is a necessary and important part of the ecosystem.  

Check out the full article to learn more about this intriguing but deadly tree.  

The Worm with 100 Butts

Imagine this.  A marine worm with 100 butts.  As they prepare to reproduce, the butts grow eyes and a brain, then detact themselves and swim off to reproduce again.  Too real to be true?  Nope.  It's real. You have to read this article to get the crumbs of information on this "many-butted weirdo" named Ramisyllis multicaudata.  Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?  

Bacterial DNA - The Perfect Data Storage Material

Large storage mediums are becoming more difficult to find.  With data outpacing storage capabilities, finding somewhere to store data is a challenge.  

Now, for the first time, scientists have written a message into bacterial DNA.  By using what they call an "electrogenetic DNA writer", they are able to use electrical signals to alter DNA inside of living bacteria. In so doing, the potential for mass storage on microscopic scales is possible.  Interested in learning more?  Check out the full article from massivesci.com.  

Transistors Smaller Than a Strand of DNA

IBM has now developed transistors measuring just 2nm in width.  That is narrower than a strand of human DNA.  This means faster electronics, the ability to improve AI and a host of other accomplishments in the fast growing field of electronics.  In this article from newatlas.com, you can view some of the pictures of this feat as well as watch a You Tube video highlighting what was accomplished. 

A Laser with an Intensity of 10 to the 23rd Watts Per Square Centimeter

Imagine a laser beam with "the combined power of  all of the sunlight across the entire planet, but pressed together into roughly the size of a speck of dust or a single red blood cell." That's what a Korean research team has been able to create after ten years of toiling. This mind-blowing power could potentially be used to study cosmic rays or help treat cancer.  Check out all the details in this article from vice.com. 

700 TB of Storage On a Single Disc!

Researchers using "a new nanocomposite material, which combines graphene oxide flakes with upconverted nanoparticles (UCNPs) to achieve an unprecedented data density" have been able to produce a theoretical 12 cm optical disc that can store the data equivalent of 28,000 25GB Blu Ray discs.  Unreal!  Continue learning by reading the article from techradar.com.  

Don't Lose Your Head - Oh, Wait, It's Okay. I'm Fine

Some species of animals can lose body parts or detach them on command (autotomy) and then grow a new one.  But a head?  Really?  Yes.  Scientists have now discovered that the sea slug can detach its body from its head and within about three weeks, grow a new body. The head is independent and can crawl around eating algae.  The new body also grows a new heart and other vital organs.  Check out the in-depth article from newatlas.com.  

Snakes Now Using Lasso Locomotion to Climb

As if snakes weren't already eerie enough and sneaky to boot, along with four other means of locomotion, scientists have now discovered another form of movement known as lasso locomotion.  The brown snake in Guam was discovered using this when scientists put Micronesian starling nests on poles to prevent snakes from attacking them.  To their surprise, the snakes WERE able to climb the poles.  Read the full article here to learn more about these unique and slithery creatures.