Clipmarks | Feet Clips

gecko

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 03:20:04 GMT

clipped by: reelandry

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A new type of dry glue designed to mimic gecko feet is 10 times stickier than the gravity-defying lizards, and three times stickier than other gecko-inspired glues, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

"Our sticky glue has a force 10 times that of gecko feet and three times more than previous sticky glues trying to mimic the gecko feet," said Dai, who also worked with teams from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory near Dayton and the University of Akron to develop the glue.

Gecko-like glue - "stickiest yet"

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:13:25 GMT

clipped by: willhelm

Clip Source: www.reuters.com

A new type of dry glue designed to mimic gecko feet is 10 times stickier than the gravity-defying lizards, and three times stickier than other gecko-inspired glues, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

A 1-inch (2.5-cm) square of the adhesive can support the weight of a 220-pound (100-kg) man climbing up a vertical surface, but it can be easily lifted and reapplied, an ideal material for, say, a Spider-Man suit.

Aside from helping people walk up walls, the glue could be used in electrical components without the need for soldering, Wang and Dai said in a telephone interview.

And because it is dry, it could be used at very low temperatures as in space, where more conventional glues lose their grip.

Tags: innovatio

Hemingway's polydactyl cats

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:07:34 GMT

clipped by: pcmkrfn
clipper's remarks: I am adopting a polydactyl today, so I was doing some research; the Hemingway museum has a neat history with these cats.

Clip Source: www.hemingwayhome.com

The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is home to approximately sixty cats. Normal cats have five front toes and four back toes. About half of the cats at the museum are polydactyl, which means they have extra toes. Most cats have extra toes on their front feet and sometimes on their back feet as well. Sometimes it looks as if they are wearing mittens because they appear to have a thumb on their paw.

Things Taller Than John "Bush" McCain

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:28:43 GMT

clipped by: thinkingblue
clipper's remarks: An interesting comment from demogorgon :
---
As an ex-air force officer (1962-1967) I'm glad it's finally coming out that this man is NO hero! He destroyed 5 airplanes, admitted that he was a "gambler" when he flew; went in alone on a Hanoi target when the bombing run was being called off; and then tried to "outrun" a SAM missile. Things got SO bad that none of his fellow officers wanted to fly with him and he was being re-evaluated for removal from flying status when he was shot down. Words like "reckless", "intemperate" and "lacks common sense" were part of the lexicon of John McCain, naval pilot. I don't mind the "confessions" while he was a POW, that was pretty much SOP, but what I DO mind is that his so-called "selflessness" when he "refused" to accept early release was anything but...he WAS offered early release because of his family connections, but was ORDERED not to accept it! And now, his never-ending use of his "heroism" as if he'd actually been one. MORE BELOW:

Clip Source: www.236.com

Things That Are Taller Than John McCain

Besides

these three people, and the SUV.

A new Rolling Stone article demolishes John McCain's self-anointed maverick status. He was a bad pilot who benefited greatly from his family's Navy lineage. As a POW, he confessed to his torturers. He cheated on both wives and has an uncontrollable temper. Also, John McCain is touchy about his small stature. Sayeth the Stone:

"McCain is sensitive about his physical appearance, especially his height. The candidate is only five-feet-nine, making him the shortest party nominee since Michael Dukakis."

Some people speculate that McCain is actually five-feet-seven, without the lifts.

Either way, Rumplestiltskin is a shorty.

Things That Are Taller Than John McCain:

"Make-Believe Maverick"- Rolling Stone

Sarah Palin: trooper stalker

From The Room: President Palin's Inaugural Address

Tags: mccain, obama, politics, war, hero

SF putting stop to suicides with net below bridge

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:43:36 GMT

clipped by: Nathan_7870

Clip Source: www.reuters.com

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The California panel that oversees the Golden Gate Bridge voted on Friday to install netting to catch would-be suicides throwing themselves off the famous span.

The 4,200-foot-long (1,280-meter-long) suspension bridge, which crosses the entrance to San Francisco Bay, is a tourist magnet that also draws people trying to end their lives.

There were 39 confirmed suicides from the bridge in 2007, with seven unconfirmed cases, and 19 confirmed so far this year, bridge officials said.

The netting would be set 20 feet below the sidewalk and extend out 20 feet from the bridge. Officials estimate the barrier will cost $40 million to $50 million.

A suicide barrier beneath the link between San Francisco and Marin County has been debated since the 1970s, said Mary Currie, a spokesperson for the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District.

Building the barrier will take several years, and the project needs additional environmental study, she said.

Deluxe White Rabbit Halloween costume in an adult size makes you the perfect Bunny for Halloween!

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:56:16 GMT

clipped by: Tracy Mott

Clip Source: rusway.typepad.com

Deluxe White Rabbit Halloween costume in an adult size makes you the perfect Bunny for Halloween!

Meet your friends at the Alice in Wonderland tea party in this White Rabbit adult Halloween costume in a deluxe version. The perfect bunny outfit for White Rabbit.

Go through the looking glass with Alice and arrive at the party in fantastic style in this Deluxe White Rabbit Halloween Costume! This quality-crafted ensemble is perfect for afternoon tea in a topsy turvy wonderland and even doubles as a unique choice for an Easter Bunny Suit. This costume includes a white plush body with a pink belly, black top hat with attached rabbit ears, blue coat, plush bunny feet, mitts, orange vest with attached black bow tie, and watch. Don't be late!

Silverback suddenly stirkes his daughter

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 23:22:52 GMT

clipped by: dmccluredvm
clipper's remarks: She fell and hit her head. She must have just fit it wrong. It was a fluke.

Clip Source: www.omaha.com

Gorilla attacks, kills another gorilla at Omaha zoo

"(Samson) suddenly jumped and slapped (Baina) and knocked her off her feet and down the side of the enclosure," Simmons said. "She fell and hit her head. There was tremendous head trauma."

"The only thing predictable about wild animals," Simmons said, "is their total unpredictability."

Tags: gorilla, zoo

Signs spotted around the world

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:56:52 GMT

clipped by: pcmkrfn

Clip Source: www.bored.com

A sign seen on a restroom dryer at O'Hare Field in Chicago: Do not activate with wet hands.
At a car dealership: The best way to get back on your feet? Miss a car payment.
At A Laundry Shop: How about we refund your money, send you a new one at no charge, close the store and have the manager shot. Would that be satisfactory?
At a Music Store: Out to lunch. Bach at 12:30. Offenbach sooner.
At a number of US military bases: Restricted to unauthorized personnel.
At a pizza shop: 7 days without pizza makes one weak.
At a Santa Fe gas station: We will sell gasoline to anyone in a glass container.
At a tire shop in Milwaukee: Invite us to your next blowout.

unlikely causal link

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:46:48 GMT

clipped by: mona
clipper's remarks: "They found that when otters were abundant, eagle prey consisted of predominantly kelp-forest fish and sea otter pups. When the otters were rare, however, the proportion of marine birds in the eagles' diet was much higher. "

Clip Source: www.wildlifeextra.com

Orca killing Sea otters means Bald eagles kill more birds

In near-shore marine communities, kelp can reach heights of 250 feet and functions similarly to trees in a forest, providing food, homes and protection for fish and invertebrates. The most important enemies of these giant algae are tiny sea urchins, only inches in diameter, which live on the kelp and eat its tissue. When urchin populations become too large, they can defoliate entire kelp forests, leaving only barren remains

Enter the sea otter. Otters can eat the spiky urchins whole, making them the major urchin predator. The otters' presence keeps urchin populations in check and maintains the balance of the ecosystem

presence or absence of otters can also affect the diet of bald eagles

The otter decline has caused a phase shift in the coastal ecosystem from a kelp dominated phase state to a deforested phase state

This shift means many fewer kelp forest fish for the eagles to eat

Gecko-grip material aims to be the end of glue

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:47:18 GMT

clipped by: A53GG4

Clip Source: technology.newscientist.com

Gecko-grip material aims to be the end of glue

19:00 09 October 2008
NewScientist.com news service
Jessica Griggs

A close of up the structures on a gecko's foot, compared with the nanotubes that make up a synthetic mimic that is even stickier than the real thing (Image: Science)

Geckos have long inspired scientists and super-hero fans alike with their ability to scamper up vertical walls and cling to ceilings with a single toe. In recent years, people have attempted to create materials that match those spectacular abilities, in the hope of creating new advanced adhesives, or even car braking systems.

Now US chemists claim to have made one based on nanotubes that it is 10 times stickier than some gecko feet. Even more impressively, like a real gecko foot, it can also be easily unstuck with a tug in the right direction.

The new material was tested for stickiness on surfaces ranging from Teflon to sandpaper.

Tags: science

My Favourite Liar

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:35:19 GMT

clipped by: ninadalton
clipper's remarks: Part 3

Clip Source: www.zenmoments.org

Every once in a while, a lecture would end with nobody catching the lie which created its own unique classroom experience - in any other college lecture, end of the class hour prompts a swift rush of feet and zipping up of bookbags as students make a beeline for the door.

On the days when nobody caught the lie, we all sat in silence, looking at each other as Dr. K, looking quite pleased with himself, said with a sly grin: “Ah ha! Each of you has one falsehood in your lecture notes. Discuss amongst yourselves what it might be, and I will tell you next Monday. That is all.”

Those lectures forced us to puzzle things out, work out various angles in study groups so we could approach him with our theories the following week.

Hundreds of New Marine Species Found

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:35:43 GMT

clipped by: invictus

Clip Source: dsc.discovery.com

Oct. 8, 2008 -- Hundreds of new marine species and previously uncharted undersea mountains and canyons have been discovered in the depths of the Southern Ocean, Australian scientists said Wednesday.

A total of 274 species of fish, ancient corals, mollusks, crustaceans and sponges new to science were found in icy waters up to 9,800 feet deep among extinct volcanoes, they said.

Tags: biology, oceans, marine life, science

New York hotel room, $34,000 a night

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:48:59 GMT

clipped by: Nathan_7870

Clip Source: wcbstv.com

NEW YORK (CBS) ― Most Americans are giving up little luxuries in this tough economy. But some are still able -- and willing -- to pay up for the ultimate in style and service.

Case in point … CBS 2 HD recently got a look at the city's most expensive hotel room. And it can be yours for just $34,000 a night.

"This is the highest hotel in the city," one prospective renter said. "I think the view is just phenomenal."

So what does that type of money buy you? Try some of the most breathtaking views in the city, from 4,300 marble-covered square feet of luxury.

The "Ty Warner Suite" on the 52nd floor of the Four Seasons hotel dazzles with stylish details like waterfalls on its walls, a broken glass chandelier and a crystal sink.

But perhaps its best feature is a round-the-clock butler who showed CBS 2 HD around.

"Everything is custom made or chosen individually to complement," butler Johannes Walz said.

The suite's state-of-the-art features mean you only have to lift a finger.

John McCain Rightly Blames Fannie and Freddie

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:24:22 GMT

clipped by: Cezanne777
clipper's remarks: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are directly to blame for the economic crisis. But McCain missed the opportunity to expand on Obama's part in the financial meltdown.

Clip Source: www.ibdeditorials.com

Pin Tail On Donkey

The Debate: John McCain rightly laid the blame for the economic crisis on Fannie and Freddie, and the blame for that on the Democrats. But he missed opportunities and left much too much on the podium.

The blame for the most serious economic crisis in recent memory should be laid squarely at the feet of Barack Obama and the Democrats. He and they should be denied the reins of economic power.

Tags: john mccain, fannie, freddie, economic crisis, democrats, obama

I've Always Wanted a Library

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:10:31 GMT

clipped by: CarnivalBorn
clipper's remarks: me too

Clip Source: homersoddisnthe.blogspot.com

"Nothing quite prepares you for the culture shock of Jay Walker's library.

Stuffed with landmark tomes and eye-grabbing historical objects—on the walls, on tables, standing on the floor—the room occupies about 3,600 square feet on three mazelike levels. Is that a Sputnik? (Yes.) Hey, those books appear to be bound in rubies. (They are.) That edition of Chaucer ... is it a Kelmscott? (Natch.) Gee, that chandelier looks like the one in the James Bond flick Die Another Day. (Because it is.) No matter where you turn in this ziggurat, another treasure beckons you—a 1665 Bills of Mortality chronicle of London (you can track plague fatalities by week), the instruction manual for the Saturn V rocket (which launched the Apollo 11 capsule to the moon), a framed napkin from 1943 on which Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined his plan to win World War II. In no time, your mind is stretched like hot taffy."