Time of sunrise today: May thru August

The Venusian day is longer than its year. Which means that, on Venus, you can avoid seasonal affective disorder by simply sleeping in one day.


http://www.universetoday.com/47898/length-of-day-on-venus/

Once upon a time the universe had this crazy growth spurt

I can’t imagine a finer greeting than: “Hello. I bring tidings of affirmation and great joy. Your lifetime of work has led to this. We found the proof.”

Watch the joy of Andrei Linde as he is informed of a discovery that confirms his inflationary universe theory. Years from now, you may not remember what is said here, or even what is done, but I bet you will never forget the look on his face and how it made you feel.


http://sploid.gizmodo.com/witness-the-joy-of-the-man-who-predicted-todays-big-ba-1545834924

Dark chocolate is good for your heart. You're welcome.

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology has published a paper that seems too good to be true: dark chocolate is good for you. No really, science says so. Dark chocolate helps restore arterial flexibility while also preventing white blood cells from sticking to the walls of blood vessels. Both of these are significant factors that contribute atherosclerosis. What's more, increasing the flavanol content of dark chocolate does not change this effect.

I find it gloriously hopeful that these recent results were obtained after only eight weeks. Imagine the benefits gained from a lifetime of chocolate indulgence.



http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/…/140227092149.htm

Thank heavens for blue-sky dreamers

Here's a cool little listicle of the five strangest contraptions ever designed in Toronto. Where would we be without people willing to experiment? These are some crazy contraptions, but my heart is with the iconoclasts. I'm still hoping for an Avro-dream revival.

http://www.blogto.com/city/2014/02/the_5_strangest_machines_designed_in_toronto/

Diversity is the spice of life

Word to the wise: If you’re making decisions today (especially *those* kinds of decisions), you should choose the most far-out option. Do it to mix things up a little. Do it for the surprise element. Do it for posterity.

And happy Valentine's Day.

"Mixed genes: Interactive world map of human genetic history reveals likely genetic impacts of historical events"

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/…/140213142305.htm

The Rogue of X-Frogs

Took a trip today to the Canadian Museum of Nature and was fascinated by the frog exhibit they currently have on. So many beautiful creatures, some of them deadly. This little guy is the Blue Poison Dart Frog, mostly found in South and Central America and Hawaii. One of the poisoniest creatures on earth, its glands contain batrachotoxin, a toxin that blocks nerve signals to muscles, causing paralysis and death. It's the Rogue of x-frogs.

Like the Earth slowly reclaiming its swag

I've been really kind of mesmerized by this minute of creeping suspense. Watch a lava flow fully envelop a can of Coke -- twice: First shot with a Nikon D800 and then an old GoPro Hero 2. It's like the 2000-degree molten rock is taking back the precious metals that were borrowed from the Earth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaSjwAu3yrI