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December 06, 2013


Fighting Fire with fire
Professor Carl H. June and his team in Philadelphia, are developing and testing a new ways to turn the power of the immune system on leukemia ( a cancer caused by the white cells growing out of control.
Professor Carl H. June, a highly respected scientist working on cancer, HIV and the immune system and his team developed a technique in which they collect special ‘killer’ immune cells, called T cells, from a cancer patient. These are then ‘reprogrammed’ in the lab using a modified virus, which is very good at smuggling genes into the T cells.
In this case, the researchers added genes carrying instructions that tell the T cells to make a new protein called a “chimeric antigen receptor” – this lets them lock on to molecules found on the surface of cancer cells, killing them in the process.

These reprogrammed T cells are then injected back into the patient, where they grow and multiply, creating an army of killer cells to fight the disease.
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December 04, 2013
Much like its fictional counterpart of books and movies, the vampire bat sleeps during the day - usually in dark caves - ventures out at night to feed. the vampire bats can be found in the tropical forests of South American through to Mexico.  
most of the vampire bat’s victims are large herbivores such as horses and cows, though human attacks are not unheard of. Most of the time, victims will rarely notice as the bats only consume about a tablespoon of blood per sitting; this said, they are often accused of spreading rabies.

Contrary to popular think, they don't actually ‘suck’ the blood either, but rather nip the skin with their sharp teeth and then lap at the blood that flows out.
Like all bats they use echolocation to get around, but they have also evolved some unique ways to hunt. For one thing they have special thermoreceptors on their noses, which - via infrared radiation — enable them to pinpoint where blood flows closest to the prey's skin, while an anticoagulant in their saliva stops blood clotting before they've had their fill. Vampires are also unusual within the bat family for their ability to walk, climb and even hop along the ground — ideal for stealthily approaching slumbering victims.


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November 29, 2013
NASA announced in official press release plans to grow plants on the moon by 2015 in a project, considered as the “A first step in long term presence”. “If we send plants and they thrive, then we probably can . they can be as sensitive as humans to environmental conditions, sometimes even more so. They carry genetic material that can be damaged by radiation as can that of humans”  NASA underlined.


NASA scientists will work together to create a 1kg “self-contained habitat” containing seeds and germination material payload on a commercial lunar lander-”the Moon Express lander, the spacecraft being built by the private company Moon Express , part of the Google Lunar X-prize competition.”


A 3D printed model of the habitat that will contain the seedlings and the materials they need to germinate.
“After landing in late 2015, water will be added to the seeds in the module and their growth will be monitored for 5-10 days and compared to Earth based controls. Seeds will include Arabidopsis, basil, and turnips,” Nasa say.


Scientists underlined that it difficult to encourage the plants growth in the hard environment of the moon. they added that partial gravity and radiation of the moon will need to be accounted for, although the plant will travel with their water and enough for five days.  the plants growth data will be gathered by cameras and sensors and sent back to Earth.


the experiment will scientists to determine the possibility of establishing human habitats in moon and the universe. “Can humans live and work on the moon? Not just visit for a few days but stay for decades? A first step in long term presence is to send plants,” explains Nasa.

Source: NASA Press Release

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November 22, 2013
While in the in the mothers' wombs, sand tiger sharks embryos fight each other, the largest embryo eating all except on of it siblings, engaging an explained cannibalism behavior.  

 A recent research suggests that the reason of such cannibalism behavior is the fight for paternity, a kind of natural selection, where babies from different father fight to survive and be born.After a nearly year long of gestation, the mothers sand tiger sharks give birth to two babies sharks of 3.3 feet (1m) long after a , while the Full-grown is about 8.2 feet (2.5 m).

According to the study, the the sand tiger  shark females mate with multiples partners and the cannibalism strategy is an evolutionary strategy wherein the most aggressive male sharks father the ultimately successful baby and thereby out-compete rivals, The Washington Post reported.


To find out, Scientists studied the samples from 15 pregnant females sharks. using the DNA analysis to determine the paternity. "It's exactly the same sort of DNA testing that you might see on Maury Povich to figure out how many dads there are," Chapman underlined. 10 female sharks carried just two embryos, while the rest in early stage of gestation have five to seven embryos.


the females sharks with seven embryos had at least two fathers while females with two embryos most of time had just one one father. possibly the one that grew biggest first tended to devour embryos from other fathers over its full siblings. this can mean that the  loser fathers ultimately provided food for a rival male.



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November 20, 2013 1
During the Polish-Mongolian paleontological expedition to the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, in 1971, an articulated Velociraptor mongoliensis skeleton was found with hands and feet grasping a Protoceratops andrewsi. Evidence suggests that these two dinosaurs were indeed killed simultaneously, smothered by sand, possibly during a dune collapse.

The active predatory nature of velociraptor is graphically illustrated as it grasps its prey with its forelimbs, while kicking and raking the belly and chest with its hindlimbs. Protoceratops was discovered in a semi-erect stance with the Velociraptor’s right forelimb clutched between its jaws in a desperate fight for survival. Their discovery reveals a snapshot in time, of a life and death struggle, between these ancient adversaries.




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November 17, 2013
On a Oprah Winfrey show that aired on Friday December 1, 2006, a homeless guest on the show was given $100,000 by a film director. The film director gave him this money as a test to see how he would spend the money. The homeless man did not know that he was going to receive the money when he first got the $100,000. He was only told that he would be filmed as a documentary as to how a homeless man spends his days. It was about the day and life of a homeless person.


The man first found the briefcase with $100,000 in a garbage bin when he was looking for soda cans. This is how he made his money. The man was clearly broke and when he found the briefcase with the money in it, he could not believe it. He actually cried in shock. I was amazed to find out what the homeless man did with the money next.
The man first got himself an apartment and then he bought himself a $32,000 truck. He then bought his friends cars by taking them to a car dealership and having them purchase the car that they wanted. He kept on buying more more stuff and then he gave the money away. Was this a smart thing to do?
Shockingly the film maker also gave him the opportunity to use a financial advisor and counselor for free. The homeless man did not take him up on his offer. He instead spent all of the money on whatever he felt like spending his money on. Surprisingly the homeless man lost everything and he stated that he is back on the streets and homeless again. The sad truth here is that sometimes when you give money to someone, you hope that they would do the best with it. However, we can see clearly here from this example that it is not always true. Have you ever given something to someone and asked yourself if you should have maybe let them work for it instead? When you work for something, you tend to value it more because you knew what it took to make that kind of cash.
The homeless man also stated that when he received the $100,000 he also received a lot of friends. He even got married. Once he lost all of his money, the homeless man claimed that his wife did not want him anymore. Does money bring more friends and influence your power? According to this story, it does. You can make friends easily when you have money to spend on them. Many millionaires will tell you that they can have many friends with their money.
It is safe to say that from this example, money is best when it is earned by yourself and not given to you by another person. Especially not in a lump sum. I encourage you to give this year, but to use wisdom when giving as well. If you are wanting to read about money or power, the best book to get on this topic is, "Is Life Worth It? Sex, Money and Power from a Psychics Point of View by Stephen Piperno.


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November 14, 2013
The animal kingdom is fascinating and the process that these amazing creatures develop is equally astounding.
Here are 10 incredible photos of animals in the womb.
10. Dolphin

This picture features a bottlenose dolphin approximately half way through its gestation at six months. Found in relatively warm regions of the ocean, bottlenose dolphins have a twelve month gestation period. At six months the bottlenose dolphin fetus has developed tiny teeth and its tiny tail are developing flukes.



9. Elephant

This perfectly proportioned Asian elephant fetus is halfway through its gestation period at 11 months. Elephants, unlike human infants, maintain physical proportions throughout their lives. You can also see that the fetus already has a perfectly formed trunk and even small hooves.
8. Tiger Shark

Sharks are extremely rare among fish, since they bear their young in the fashion of a mammal. This tiger shark will soon grow into one of the ocean’s deadliest predators. Even in the womb, its sharp teeth are clearly visible and just as intimidating—they even allow it to eat its unborn siblings if it feels the urge to do so. This shark species is responsible for deaths nearly every year, but most of them are avoidable.
7. Penguin Peep

Inside its protective eggshell is a tiny regal emperor penguin chick. Here you can see it is warm down, that will protect this soon to be born chick from the bitterly cold environment. For now though it is happily floating in its egg fluid protected by set of down which, as you can see, has already developed inside the egg. Attached to the belly is the last of the egg yoke.
6. Chihuahua

This tiny canine is already beginning to resemble its dog ancestors. When born this small puppy will develop a more pointed snout and will already be equipped with small sharp teeth.



5. Cheetah

This small cheetah is about two months into its three month gestation period. At around two-thirds to its birth date, this small cheetah fetus is already showing its distinctive spots and small claws. While completely helpless once born, this cheetah will one day be the fastest feline, or carnivore for that matter, in the world.
4. Snake

While snakes are one of man’ s most popular creatures to fear and hate, it is a fascinating creature that seems to have similarities with lizards and young birds at this stage. This ultrasound of a corn snake is observed from inside an egg that is hard and much like a birds egg. It also shares a distinctive brain region and well-defined spinal column with its lizard brethren and young birds.
3. Opossum

The marsupial opossums birth process includes almost two births. This picture is of the fetus opossum that has been born for the first time. While in this stage, the fetus makes its way to its mother’s pouch to fully develop before being ready to be born for a second time.
2. Lemon Shark

This newest member to the fastest tropical shark species in the world is only starting to develop. At this stage the small fetus looks more like a tadpole and you can see the frills that are the start of its gill covers. Once born its immediate prey will be fish but eventually with more maturity this tiny shark will be able to grab seabirds from the tropical surfaces.
1. Polar Bears


These small fetuses will one day grow into the largest carnivore species on land, but right now are only two-thirds through their gestation. Still, these brothers already sport their tiny claws and warm insulating fur. While it looks like these two fetuses are sharing some sibling love, siblingrivalry is inevitable and will only escalate after birth.

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November 12, 2013
The collection above features the terrified - and hilarious - reactions of tourists during a 15-minute, pitch-black tour through the attraction.

Located in Niagara Falls, Canada, the haunted house has a hidden camera that captures petrified reactions at a particular moment during the attraction. From teenagers to soccer moms, no two people seem to react the exact same way.


















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November 11, 2013

Dallol located in north Ethiopia is the hottest inhabited place in the world. Each day, the temperature can reach 41.1 degrees Celsius. Dallol is also one of the most remote places in the world. The only way to visited Dallol is by riding a camel.
Dallol is a settlement in northern Ethiopia. Located in Administrative Zone 2 in the Afar Region Afar Depression, a height of about 130 meters below sea level. Dallol currently holds the record high average temperature for an inhabited location on Earth, where an average annual temperature of 35 ° C (96 ° F) was recorded between the years 1960 and 1966. Dallol is also one of the most remote places on Earth. There are no roads; the only regular transport service is provided by camel caravans roomates travel to the area to collect salt.
In this region there is also a volcano of the same name that is Dallol, which last erupted in 1926. Dallol volcano, hidden under a layer of salt in the Danakil desert in Ethiopia region. Around here there are Dallol volcano hot springs, mountains of sulfur and acid pools are enclosed by mountains of salt. The combination forms one of the most bizarre on Earth.

Dallol  is one of the most remote and there are no people living in this area. Dallol name is taken from the local Afar language means “destruction”. Bright colors that appear around the site comes from sulfur, iron, salt and other mineral substances.

Toxic gas regularly escapes from the numerous fumaroles and geysers, often without warning. Around the area the remains of small animals overcome by the fumes can be found. The gases do, however, also escape through permanent spurts – you can see them on the surface of the poison water pools, accompanied by a strange gurgling noise.

The local population stays away from the volcano, regarded as the abode of evil spirits.

Source: wikipedia









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November 08, 2013
Like clouds perched in the sky on a windless day, the white and billowy bubbles in the frozen blue waters of Alberta, Canada’s Abraham Lake are really beautiful to see. But these Bubbles trapped and frozen under a thick layer of ice are hiding a dangerous secret.

Infact, these frozen bubbles are not air but methane caused the decomposition of organic matter—like plants, animals, and microbes. the extremely flammable gas,   trapped beneath the last remnants of ice., wait  until the thaw of spring to be released into the atmosphere

That’s when the gas can pose a problem.



Methane as a  greenhouse gas has 20 times effect on climate change as the more commonly fingered culprit carbon dioxide.

In fact, ecologist worry that as the planet warms, more methane gas will be released contributing in the changing climate.

Scientists believe that methane-producing lake such Lake Abraham are themselves compound global warming as more lakes melt and release methane.

But Methane is also very flammable and this flammability  can makes methane is also useful.

In fact, Methane lakes can be used as sources of energy, such as the outfit on Lake Kivu in Rwanda. Here, developers have begun tapping into extensive gas deposits underneath the lake to be used in the creation of electricity.



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November 06, 2013
2013 New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography Highly Commended
Growth of fungus, Paecilomyces cicadae, Elma KearneyThis ascomycetous fungus is an endoparasite of underground cicada nymphs. Infection begins when ingested spores germinate and invade the nymph, inhibiting protein synthesis (by cordycepin) and replacing internal organs with mycelia. At maturity, the fungal fruiting bodies (stromata) grow from the killed host and produce white spores.
Photographer: Elma Kearney
Rights: © Elma Kearney
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