We reported some days ago that a mysterious figure found on a mars photo might either be Bigfoot (unlikely) or probably rather a Tusken Raider from Star Wars.
The Planetary Society Weblog writes though that color images from space are practically never taken at the same time. The cameras are using monochrome detectors and to obtain color images they have to take the photo of the same spot at least three times with different color filters. In the mysterious mars figure photo Spirit took aim at that particular spot first with blue filters. One minute later after saving the first files it put an infrared filter over the scene and shot the scene again. About half a minute later it took the scene for a third time with a green filter.
During this time the humanoid figure stood perfectly still. If it would have moved the figure would have appeared blurred on the picture. And if thats not proof enough they explain that the same rock-figure was photographed several days earlier at the same place - same position.
If you want to know more then head to the The Planetary Society Weblog
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Mysterious figure found on mars photo debunked?
How to achieve a deep uninterrupted sleep
From Readers Digest:
Today Americans get 25 percent less sleep than they did a century ago. Nearly 4 out of 10 don't get the minimum 7 hours of sleep necessary for optimal health and daytime functioning, while 15 percent get less than 6 hours most nights.
Since we're all in agreement that a good night's sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health and mood, pick three of these tips to follow each night until you get the night's sleep you so desperately crave.
...
3. Sprinkle just-washed sheets and pillowcases with lavender water and iron them before making up your bed. The scent is scientifically proven to promote relaxation, and the repetition and mindlessness of ironing will soothe you. Or, instead of ironing your sheets, do the next best thing: Put lavender water in a perfume atomizer and spray above your bed just before climbing in.
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10. Tuck a hot-water bottle between your feet or wear a pair of ski socks to bed. The science is a little complicated, but warm feet help your body's internal temperature get to the optimal level for sleep. Essentially, you sleep best when your core temperature drops. By warming your feet, you make sure blood flows well through your legs, allowing your trunk to cool.
...
16. Drink water before bed, not fruit juice. One study found it took participants an extra 20 to 30 minutes to fall asleep after drinking a cup of fruit juice, most likely because of the high sugar content in juice.
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21. Take a hot bath 90 to 120 minutes before bedtime. A research study published in the journal Sleep found that women with insomnia who took a hot bath during this window of time (water temperature approximately 105°F), slept much better that night. The bath increased their core body temperature, which then abruptly dropped once they got out of the bath, readying them for sleep.
To read everything follow this link: http://www.rd.com/healthy-living/health/achieve-a-deep-uninterrupted-sleep/article.html
Lovely cat photo from Dr. Hemmert on Flickr
From Milky Way Set to Moon Rise
Beautiful time lapse photography of the Milky Way setting behind the large telescopes of Paranal Observatory, north Chile, followed by light from the moonrise.
Toy Story 1 and 2 coming back to cinemas in 3D
Pixar's Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are returning to theaters on October 2nd, 2009 and February 12th 2010. The two movies will receive a complete digital makeover called Disney Digital 3D. John Lasseter the director of the first two Toy Story films is supervising the 3D process while director Lee Unkrick will continue with his work on Toy Story 3.
via [Slashfilm.com]
Wonderful and funny animal pictures
You can find more funny animal photos if you follow this link:
http://www.linkinn.com/_Some_people_are_great_with_cameras
Friday, January 25, 2008
Fighting with your spouse can make you live longer: study
From Reuters:
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Fighting with your spouse can actually be good for your health with people who bottle it all up found to die earlier, a new study shows.
Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and its Psychology Department released preliminary findings after 17 years of following 192 couples.
The couples fell into four categories: where both partners expressed anger when they felt unfairly attacked, where neither partner expressed their anger, and one category each for where the wife suppressed her feelings and where the husband did so.
"I would say that if you don't express your feelings to your partner and tell them what the problem is when you're unfairly attacked, then you're in trouble," said Ernest Harburg, lead author of the study, in an interview.
To read the whole story follow this link: http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN231153520080123?rpc=64
Photo from rneubi on Flickr
Twin girls lead scientists to breakthrough in childhood cancer research
From Timesonline.co.uk
Identical twin sisters have led British scientists to a breakthrough in leukaemia research that promises more effective therapies with fewer harmful side-effects.
By comparing Olivia Murphy, 4, who is in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and her healthy sister, Isabella, researchers have traced the tumour stem cells that drive the most common form of childhood cancer.
The discovery will enable doctors to screen young leukaemia patients to establish the severity of their illness and spare some the harrowing side effects of aggressive chemotherapy.
via [Timesonline.co.uk]
Bin Laden’s Son speaks out: Why, why, why should civilian people die?
Omar bin Laden:
“Peace isn’t going to come with bombs. Peace isn’t going to come with fighting. To arrest Osama, it’s not going to solve anything. You take Osama bin Laden away, and what are you going to get? You might get something a hell of a lot worse. That’s what we’re afraid of.”
“The world has chance now to find new solution, to find new chance for peace because still my father alive,” Omar bin Laden said. “If my father die, there will be a lot of people say, ‘Now I am head of al-Qaida.’ You will find thousands of al-Qaida everywhere.”
He said he has been moved to speak out, “not for my father, not for President Bush, just for civilian people dying every day, some in Palestine, some in Iraq, some in Afghanistan. Why, why, why should civilian people die?”
Farmer builds castle behind hay bales to hide it from building inspectors (with pictures)
A farmer lived with his wife and children for 4 years in a mock castle which he built behind a screen of hay bales to evade planning regulations. Robert Fidler wanted to take advantage of a provision of planning law that allows buildings without planning permission to be declared legal if no objections are made within 4 years.
The castle includes a conservatory, marquee structure, wooden bridge, patio, decking and tarmac racecourse. There are also two turrets at the back as well as a canon. But chances don't look too bright since Reigate and Banstead Borough Council in Surrey said that the provision does not count because the property was hidden. The building which is about 30km south of London will probably be destroyed.
via [Yahoo]
Here is the proof: Post is slower than snails
An IT worker in Poland who received in January a priority letter which was sent on 20th December calculated that a snail would have been faster than the post.
Michal Szybalski calculated that it would have taken the snail less than 10 days to get to his home. The distance between his home and the senders is 11.1km and he assumed that the snail travels at 0.48km per hour.
You can read the whole article here.
Photo from Miala on Flickr
Thursday, January 24, 2008
German teenagers sent to Siberian labor work camps for therapy
German teenagers sent to Siberian labor work camps for therapy
