In the late 1950s, American scientists very publicly readied a crew of monkeys for a series of trips into Earth orbit and back. As far as the researchers knew, Project Discoverer was an actual, honest-to-Ike peaceful scientific program. Naturally, they were wrong about that. In reality, their work was part of an elaborate cover-up masking a spy satellite program. At The Primate Diaries, Eric Michael Johnson reports on some fascinating space history.
A brief history of space monkeys and spies
Watch these miniature Brazilian frogs in all their awkward glory
These miniature Brazilian frogs (aka pumpkin toadlets) don't have much balance and thus jump in reallllly awkward ways. Apparently, their inner ears are too small to provide good balance. New research published in Science explains the phenomenon: Miniaturization has evolved repeatedly in frogs in the moist leaf litter environments of rainforests worldwide. Miniaturized frogs are… READ THE REST
Paleontologists in China find the first dinosaur belly button
Even though people employ the concept of navel-gazing as a pejorative insult, I still find my belly buttons remarkably intriguing. Ever since my mother elucidated the reason behind my belly button as a youth, the deep poignancy around the mark has stuck with me forever. Call me sentimental all you want, but having a visual… READ THE REST
Do deer antlers hold the key to regrowing limbs?
I remember the conversation like it was yesterday. "So let me get this straight," I asked my dad, "your skin can grow back after you cut it, but your arm can't?" "Nope, never," he said. "But they can give one that's kind of like a robot arm." I grappled with this information for a solid… READ THE REST
6 sure-fire ways to keep your personal data safe online
Nearly everyone has scrolled through Instagram only to find an ad for the hotel they were just talking about 10 minutes earlier. Whether it was just a coincidence or you were "being listened to" is always up for debate. Still, it's hard not to feel uneasy knowing someone or something is potentially using your info to manipulate… READ THE REST
Save time manually removing vocals from tracks with over 90% off EasySplitter Pro
Even with today's massive array of innovative gizmos and gadgets at your disposal, getting your hands on professional-grade tech for your home can be a little tricky, not to mention quite expensive. And if you've ever searched for quality audio tools for your home studio, you likely have experienced this frustration. Whether you write and record your own… READ THE REST
Light up your life organically with the PyroDinos GrowPro System
Did you know that 70% of the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean, specifically tiny plant-like plankton called Pyrocystis? Well, what if you can grow those tiny Pyrocystis in your own home and enjoy the benefits? Now, that's a possibility, thanks to PyroFarms. For several years, the citizen scientists at PyroFarms have been growing dinoflagellates Pyrocystis. Their mission is to "bring nature's natural wonder, beauty,… READ THE REST
