Video link. While I'm thinking about particle physics, here's something that might interest those of you who puzzle over why the dried fruit often ends up on the top of your cereal, or why cashews and Brazil nuts often end up pouring out on top in a can of mixed nuts. It's because of a phenomenon called granular convection, also known as the muesli effect or the Brazil nut effect. Shaking the contents of a container effectively liquidizes them, causing the bigger ones to float and cluster together. The phenomenon has been of interest to scientists since the 1930s.
Brazil nut effect: why larger mixed nuts "float" to surface
Social media breaks make you "happier and less anxious"
Would it surprise you to learn that taking time off social media, even for just a week, results in "significant improvements in well-being, depression and anxiety?" [via] We randomly allocated 154 participants (mean age of 29.6 years) to either stop using SM (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok) for 1 week or continue to use SM… READ THE REST
Study: games and video-watching correlate with kids getting smarter, social media a wash
On the impact of digital media on childhood intelligence, games and watching videos were consistent with cognitive benefits. Socializing digitally, however, had no consistent effect. Here we estimated the effect of each three types of screen time (Watching TV and online videos, Socializing via social media, text, and video chat, and Gaming) on intelligence after… READ THE REST
This may be a piece of the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs
Last month, we learned that researchers excavating North Dakota's Tanis fossil site found an incredibly well-preserved leg of a dinosaur. The creature—and others at the site—were likely killed by the impact of the 12 kilometer-wide Chicxulub asteroid that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico 66 million years ago and eradicated 80% of Earth's animals. Turns… READ THE REST
The ultimate gift for any 'Star Wars' fan is here
You know how some movie lines are so iconic, you have to actually imitate the actor's voice when you quote them? Think "I'll be back" from "Terminator" or "My precious" from "The Lord Of The Rings." That's how we feel about "Luke, I am your father" from "Star Wars" (and basically every other phrase Darth… READ THE REST
Capture your memories with this waterproof Polaroid camera for $49.99.
As the years go by, the photos we have are the best and most vivid way to remember our defining moments with loved ones and of great adventure. Typically, though, the family birthday pool parties, epic kayaking adventures on the river, and sublime snorkeling with sea turtles, are left without much photographic evidence. The refurbished… READ THE REST
The OMNIA Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station will make sure you never run out of juice
Getting your act together now that the sun is shining and you have better things to do with your time is hard, especially when you need to focus. Then, as everything turns into busy work and you're just trying to make it through the day so you can enjoy an exhaustive list of fun things, bam,… READ THE REST
