Biology
Sick ‘n’ simple squirmin’ worms effect
OK, so this video from YouTuber beachj0 includes no explanation, but my belief is that there are one or more cylindrical magnets embedded in the plastic bait worms (possibly by casting them in place using the DIY bait molds commonly sold to fisherman), and several more magnets attached to a platter rotating beneath the table. A simple effect, but strikingly creepy. [via Propnomicon]
World Maker Faire NY: DIYbio on the BioBus interview
World Maker Faire NY is taking place on September 25 and 26 at the New York Hall of Science in Queens. We’re really excited to be hosting our first-ever large-scale East Coast Faire and as part of the countdown, we’re showcasing some of the amazing makers who will be present. Today, we chat with Dr. […]
CNC bacteria swarm builds tiny pyramid
Researchers at the NanoRobotics Laboratory of the École Polytechnique de Montréal, under Professor Sylvain Martel, produced this remarkable video showing a swarm of about 5,000 flagellated bacteria–of a type which are subject to manipulation by magnetic fields–being directed to assemble six 100 μm epoxy bricks into the shape of a tiny step pyramid. IEEE Spectrum […]
MAKE 23: How to shoot mosquitoes with lasers
Huge problem: Malaria kills millions, but you can’t just spray DDT anymore to wipe out disease-carrying mosquitoes (DDT also wipes out, oh, majestic bald eagles). What do do? You could search for another toxin to spray. Or, if you’re 3ric Johanson at Intellectual Ventures Laboratory, you could invent a new gadget. A gadget that tracks […]
Exactly perfect little glowing mushroom lamps
I don’t know how else to put it. These lamps, by a Japanese craftsman known as The Great Mushrooming, feature handblown glass mushrooms, with internal LEDs, mounted in found driftwood bases with conspicuous on/off switches. I don’t think they could get any better. [via Inhabitat]
Otyp’s Biotech Project on Kickstarter
Kyle, James and David of Otyp have designed a kit for teaching kids the biological equivalent of writing “Hello, world” and they’d like to share with more kids in the classroom. With this kit, kids start with the gene from a jellyfish that makes it glow green and they insert it into bacteria. They grow […]