The 52 Hertz Whale is the cetacean equivalent of a pop-culture phenomenon — a strange creature, known only through recording of whale songs picked up in the Pacific Ocean, who seems to not be a part of any identifiable whale group. Also known as The Loneliest Whale in the World it is a source of pity and fascination among the general public. At PLOS Blogs, Hannah Cheng has a three-part feature on what we do and don't know about the Loneliest Whale. Why, despite 20 years of tracking this thing in sound recordings, do we not have any direct observation of the Loneliest Whale? She's got the answers.
Does the Loneliest Whale really exist?
Don't dip your hand in boiling hot oil like this
Don't try this. Dianna from Physics Girl showed how under highly controlled conditions it's possible to dip one's hand into boiling oil without injury. The video is unlisted and age-restricted to keep children and dummies from trying to replicate the physics demonstration that's often done with molten metal. Image: YouTube / Physics Girl READ THE REST
Scientific American endorses Joe Biden, breaking 175-year tradition of never endorsing a presidential candidate
Because Trump is an enemy of science. "Scientific American has never endorsed a presidential candidate in our 175-year history—until now," tweeted the publication today. "The 2020 election is literally a matter of life and death. We urge you to vote for health, science and Joe Biden for President." Excerpt: The evidence and the science show… READ THE REST
Scientists find preserved cave bear frozen more than 20,000 years ago
Reindeer herders in the Russian Arctic's Lyakhovsky Islands found a preserved carcass of a cave bear frozen in the ice between 22,000 and 39,500 years ago. From the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk: [North-Eastern Federal University} scientist Lena Grigorieva said of the island discovery of the adult beast: 'Today this is the first and only find… READ THE REST
MATLAB is computer science for legit scientists, but you can learn it too with this training
If you've never heard of MATLAB or think it sounds vaguely like certain TV shows from the '80s, you'd be forgiven. Because even in a tech sector chock full of intricate, complex programs and systems that routinely leave lay people scratching their heads, MATLAB is science tech for the serious, SERIOUS scientists. Since its humble… READ THE REST
These super-soft bamboo sheets now have a secret weapon: pockets
Every once in a while, you stumble across a new twist on an old idea and ponder, "Why didn't I think of that?" It's often a concept so simple that it feels like it's been staring you in the face your whole life. It's that sense of "duh" that the Bamboo 6-Piece Smart Pocket Sheets… READ THE REST
FogBlock solves the glasses-mask problem with a single spray
Glasses can be difficult at any time, but with a mask on, it seems like you can't go more than a few seconds without an errant exhale blowing up into your face, fogging your glasses entirely. The only upside is the tiny bit of sweet revenge against everyone who called you four-eyes when they try… READ THE REST
