Researchers have devised a method that allows them to study neurological activity in moving animals. At first glance this might now seem like a big deal, but it could be the catalyst of some major neurological discoveries in the future, and a lot of the thanks can go to the PC game Quak 2.

While scientists have a general understanding of the brain, what has alluded them is researching single neurons and how they work when being used. The problem with tracking individual neurons is that when the head is in movement, the neurons are all over the place. Thus, making it impossible to study each neuron specifically.

A Princeton neuroscientist, David Tank had this to say about their research, “One of the major research areas of neuroscience is the development of techniques to study the brain at cellular resolution”

In order to be able to study the neurons of mice, they devised a contraption where the mouse’s head could be still while firing the neurons off. A styrofoam fall being kept up with a pocket of air acted as a treadmill where the mouse could run without moving his head. Then a virtual maze was created using the Quake 2 mod, and presented to the mouse. At the end of the maze the mouse would be award.

Here’s a video of the experiment:

It’s amazing what you can do with a latex weather balloon, helium, and a Nikon camera. In fact, what four teenage spanish students were able to do is take photos of the Earth from its stratosphere.

At its greatest height, the teens from IES La Bisbal school in Catalonia had their balloon reach 20 miles above the ground. With some accurate measurements for their experiment, and a little luck the group of students were able to take pictures that have many in the astronomy field a buzzing.

The students were able to track their experiment using Google Earth. At around 100,000 feet the balloon began deflating and the students travelled 10km to retrieve their experiment. Luckily, everything needed to view their results was intact.

Quite an amazing story indeed.

If you’ve ever conducted a meeting, or conference over a webcam then you know some of the problems that can arise. If you’re trying to run a meeting, and Ted has distracting pictures up behind him it can get in the way of business. The WebAround is a device that looks to solve that problem, with a very simple design.

If you want to check out more, you can visit WebAround’s website. The WebAround will cost you $29.99, and comes in an assortment of colors (grey, blue, and green).

There are some stories that fall directly in your lap, and leave a smile on your face. Kind of sounded wrong. Anyway, this sad/funny but true story comes out of Colorado Springs.

I’m guessing it was like any other evening for two dudes working at 7-Eleven. Arguing about who actress they’d rather get with, Megan Fox, or Jessica Alba. Then an event would occur that could perhaps scar these two gentlemen for quite some time.

A white male, in his 20’s, wearing a black mask, black jacket, and blue jeans entered the premises. Anyone with a mask is generally a red flag when you work at a convenient store. If they pull out a Klingon blade then you can start to panic.

The two guys working at the convenient store, instantly recognized the Klingon weapon as what is called a “Batleth”. All the masked Klingon warrior wanted was cash out of the register.

This Is The Weapon The Assailant Used To Rob A 7-Eleven

Funny, I always assumed Klingons were about the thrill of battle, and taking the fight to your opponent. Not snatching money out of a register, and probably making off with a bag of Corn Nuts. Sad indeed.

[via: TheDenverChannel]

It was a sad day yesterday when news spread of Ricardo Montalban’s death, as we lost one of the coolest of cool actors. I haven’t been able to round up details of his death, so I’m assuming it was accounted to old age. Montalban, at least in this humble writer’s eyes will always be an icon.

Ricardo Montalban, started as a famous Mexican actor before making his way over to the United States. He starred in numerous soaps, was the famous Mr. Roarke on Fantasy Island, and was the villain in the original Naked Gun movie. Of course his most famous role will always be of the original Klingon, Khan Noonien Singh.

Montalban played as Khan during the Star Trek series, before famously revising the role in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He brought a certain flair to the character that really made him stand out. It definitely would take something special to cause that ever famous line from Captain Kirk:

If you listen to those who were around Montalban, he was supposed to be one of the classiest people in Hollywood. It’s sad to lose such a figure, but I will honor his life by watching some Star Trek II tonight, remembering the good times.

In Potsdam University that’s just south of Berlin will be receiving what’s referred to as a “flirting” course. The actual class will be teaching a group of IT engineers the mysteries of social skills and talking to other human beings.

Philip von Senftleben, an author and radio personality will be teaching the class. The IT nerds will learn valuable things such as, writing flirty text messages, impressing people at parties, and accepting rejection.

A spokesman of Postdam University had this to say about the course, “We want to prepare our students with the social skills needed to succeed both in their private life and their work life”

I can appreciate the spirit behind the reasoning, but this sounds eerily similar to some bad reality shows I’ve noticed on TV. Suave sophisticated person teaches young budding nerds how to pick up ladies? Should have hired this guy:

[via: Yahoo News]