Category: Mad Science

Radioactive Venom May Cure Cancer

Radioactive scorpionThis will either cure the cancer or give the patients super human abilities. OK, I realize that the radioactive part is an iodine tracer used to see where the venom is going in the body but the idea is cool. In a comic book sort of way.

The study showed that a synthetic version of a protein found in the venom of giant yellow Israeli scorpions targeted tumor cells but did not harm the healthy cells of brain cancer patients.

Look forward to a whole new crop of bad comic book references in the near future:

Other researchers are investigating whether a protein in snake venom can stop bleeding and whether Gila monster venom can treat diabetes. They also have developed a painkiller based on the venom of a deadly sea snail.

That’s right, he has the powers of the deadly sea snail! Yeah, Spiderman is quaking in his boots now.

[via slashdot] 

Venom protein may lead to brain cancer cure

Pinhole Photos of Lightning

Lightning storm via pinholeA few nights ago a large thunderstorm rolled across the Phoenix area. my immediate thought was to grab my camera and take some pictures. Now I’ve done this before and I have never been all that lucky in getting a fantastic image in the 30 seconds I keep the shutter open. How the heck could I take a picture that had an exposure of minutes and not totally nuke the film? Humm… Well my pinhole cameras are pretty slow and the pinoramic is nice and wide. I decided to give it a try and this is what do you know, the strikes were bright enough to record on the film. Quite nicely I might add. The negs were pretty thin so this is the best I could do. I would have liked the background to be better exposed, or exposed at all for that matter. All in all its good for an exposure that was done without a lens. Its all cloudy right now so I’m going to prep the camera for another run tonight. I’m aiming for an hour exposure, that should cook the film quite nicely.

Lightning storm via pinhole on Flickr – Photo Sharing!

Tape – An Analogue Sound Installation

TAPE

Cool, I’ve been facinated by things like this for quite some time now.

An electro-kinetic sound installation, Tape uses simple analogue playback to allow users an arena in which to play with self-recorded sound and explore the effects of playback and sound synthesis. Housed in a transparent acrylic panel, Tape allows its user not only to view the oft-hidden components needed to record sound, but also to manipulate them as they see fit. Using Tape’s continuous tape loop and assemblage of appropriated and hand built electro-mechanical analogue parts, the user can not only record and play sounds, but physically slide, twist and move these components within the panel to explore their roles and uses.

Tape on Pixelsumo

How to: Make a Harmless Tripwire Mine

Tripwire mouse trap mine

 

Mumm… there’s a hardware store on the way home that sells all the parts I need to build these uber nifty mousetrap tripwire mines. Very harmless (even if you do put roll caps in them) and easy to make these booby traps could mean and end to office desk pilfering. If you have a bag of these mines, a couple of micro-claymores, and a few Nerf guns you would be all set for a very un-productive day in the office

I Make Projects

The Horizon Hydrogen Powered Car

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Toys 

Science should be fun. It’s just that simple. When you hear people talking about alternative fuel sources you are sure to hear the H word but just how can a lighter than air gas make a car move? Well it’s all because of fuel cells. What’s a fuel cell you ask? I guess your rock isn’t in a free wifi zone is it. Fuel cells convert hydrogen an oxygen (typical stuff that powers a fuel cell, but just about anything rich in hydrocarbons will do, like gasoline for example) into electricity by passing them across or through a material that produces electrons when these two gasses hit it. So what could be more fun than having on that runs a car? It comes with an water cracker to make the O2 and H for the car and instructions. If your looking for a fuel cell to play with this would be where to start.

HORIZONFUEL CELL

Gentelmen, I Give You the Hyanide!

Hyanide cycle

This looks like one hell of a cool ride. Think of what would  happe if  a tank had it’s way with a motorcycle, you might think of something like this. The way it turns is cool, the track flexes so you grip the heck out of the ground.

Specs:
Purpose: To move riders over any terrain with unprecedented control
Capacity: Two riders
Engine: 60hp 500cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Dimensions: 40 (h) x 36 (w) x 90 (l) in.
Weight: 450­–650 lbs. (est.)
Top speed: 75–85 mph (est.)

[via neatorama] 

Your Very Own Personal Tank