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Apparently,
surviving a nuclear holocaust isn't enough. Science has created a cyborg
cockroach, complete with its own power source. What could possibly go
wrong?
What's next? Lasers? Link (Photo: Shutterstock)In a first step toward making these technologically enhanced insects a reality, scientists have devised a way to power bug-robot hybrids by tapping into their own metabolism.
The secret: an implantable biofuel cell powered by a sugar the cockroaches make from their food.
The device doesn't appear to harm the insect either. Neurobiologists on the team implanted the tiny device into the abdomens of five immobilized cockroaches independently, measured the power it produced and removed it. The cockroaches appeared to behave normally afterward, said Daniel Scherson, the senior researcher and a professor of chemistry at Case Western Reserve University.
Although the device converted the sugar into energy slowly, the electricity it generated could be stored in a battery and used in bursts, Scherson said.
These little guys by Dessy TAB are so cute that they’ll always be welcome in my kitchen. I know: some people don’t like cockroaches. But that’s only because they’re jealous of roaches’ ability to survive a nuclear war.
Plano, Texas is home to a unique museum: the Cockroach Hall of Fame. Exterminator Michael Bohdan has created many dioramas of costumed cockroaches at work and play. You can rent the facility for a birthday party for that special someone in your life. But I have an even better idea for this museum: host the annual Neatorama staff teambuilding retreat.
Link -via Dave Barry | Museum Website | Image: KDFW Fox
RC Roach – $29.95
Do you know someone with Katsaridaphobia? Whatever you do, don’t get them this RC Roach from the NeatoShop. They will not appreciate your humor. Giant remote controlled roaches that have life-like scurrying action are not funny!
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more fun and slightly creepy Toys & Games.
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“Flowers wilt. Chocolates melt. Roaches are forever.”
That’s the advice offered by the Bronx Zoo in conjunction with their limited-time Valentine’s Day offer:
How better to express your appreciation for that special someone than to name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after them? Naming a roach in honor of someone near and dear to your heart shows that you’ve noticed how resilient, resourceful, and loyal that person is. Or maybe it’s in recognition of your one and only’s virility, or strength in the face of high radiation…
For a $10 donation, the Wildlife Conservation Society will name one of the hissing cockroaches after your loved one and send him or her a “truly memorable Certificate of Honor.” About 1,700 names have been assigned during the first two days of this inspired promotion. Details at the link.
Link.
If you’re squeamish, this one is not for you. NCBI ROFL blog presents the weirdest things ever found during a routine colonoscopy:
The procedure was uncomplicated with no gross mucosal pathology, however, an insect was found in the transverse colon (Fig. 1, to the left), was found in the transverse colon on a routine screening colonoscopy.).
The insect was aspirated and sent to the lab for further identification. The insect had three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen) with ventrodorsal flattening of the body and a segmented abdomen, three pairs of legs extending from the thorax (with spikes and claw-like terminal appendages), elongated hind legs, and a pair of elongated antennae extending from the head to beyond the hind legs.
These morphologic findings were most consistent with the nymph form of Blattella germanica (German cockroach) of the Blattellidae family, a common household pest. The patient had a cockroach infestation at home and hence it was hypothesized that she may have inadvertently ingested a cockroach with food.
Now, where’s that can of RAID again? Link
Hate cockroaches? Consider this before the next time you grab a can of Raid: one day, cockroaches may just save your life.
Experts from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science have discovered powerful antibiotic properties in the brains of cockroaches and locusts which could lead to novel treatments for multi-drug resistant bacterial infections. They found that the tissues of the brain and nervous system of the insects were able to kill more than 90 per cent of MRSA and pathogenic Escherichia coli, without harming human cells.
Simon Lee, a postgraduate researcher presented their work at the Society for General Microbiology’s autumn meeting which is being held at The University of Nottingham between the 6 and 9 September 2010. The research has identified up to nine different molecules in the insect tissues that were toxic to bacteria.
Simon Lee said: “We hope that these molecules could eventually be developed into treatments for E. coli and MRSA infections that are increasingly resistant to current drugs. These new antibiotics could potentially provide alternatives to currently available drugs that may be effective but have serious and unwanted side effects.”
I mean, if you find cockroaches cuddly. Or is it a roly poly? I don’t know what this thing is supposed to be, and I can’t find it on the IKEA site. All I know is that I was simultaneously repulsed and amused when I saw a big bin of these at IKEA the other day, so I snapped a picture. His mouth zips open, so he can be used for storage or as a purse or something. I thought about getting this for a friend’s upcoming baby shower, but then decided she probably wouldn’t appreciate the gesture.
I’m torn. What do you guys think – funny? Creepy? Or both?
