(Daily Motion link)
How similar are housecats and lions? In this TV clip from Japan Probe, you can see how lions play with cat toys, fall under the spell of catnip, learn to open a door, and deal with mirrors. Link -via Arbroath

Scientists report that a new species of animal has been found in Tanzania. Rhynochocyon udzungwensis {wiki} is a type of giant elephant shrew, also called a sengi. The species was first observed on film in 2005, and specimens were collected in 2006. The animal is not a shrew, but is closely related to a group of African mammals which include elephants, sea cows, aardvarks and hyraxes.

"This is one of the most exciting discoveries of my career," said Galen Rathbun, from the California Academy of Sciences, who helped to confirm the animal was new to science along with an international team of colleagues.

It is the first new species of elephant shrew discovered in 126 years. The BBC described it as looking like “ a cross between a miniature antelope and a small anteater.” Link -via the Presurfer

Update 2/1/08 by Alex - Conservation International has the photo gallery (and later in the week, a chat with one of the members of the expedition team) - Thanks Lindsay Walter-Cox!

The folks at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories made their own LED pegboard and named it Peggy. You can change the design or message any time you like without rewiring it, and you can program individual lights to go on and off. You can make your own with a kit and some downloadable instructions. Link

Indy Mogul has posted two Instructables on grisly special effects for film that you can do yourself, How To Rip a Heart Out of Someones Chest (a la Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom), and a Decapitation Effect. With videos. These could be handy for Halloween, too! Link to heart effect. Link to head affect.

(YouTube link)
A rare Sumatran rhino {wiki} was born at the Cincinnati Zoo on April 29, 2007. The Sumatran Rhinoceros is a critically endangered species: estimates are that only 300 exist in the wild. The mother is named Emi and the baby is named Harapan. They call him Harry. Wait til you hear his first sound! Link -via Arbroath

Forbes has published their first list of America’s Most Miserable Cities. This survey is based on each city’s crime rate, inflation, unemployment, commute times, toxic waste, weather, and taxes. The top ten are:

1. Detroit, MI
2. Stockton, CA
3. Flint, MI
4. New York City
5. Philadelphia, PA
6. Chicago, IL
7. Los Angeles, CA
8. Modesto, CA
9. Charlotte, NC
10. Providence, RI

http://www.forbes.com/business/2008/01/29/detroit-stockton-flint-biz-cz_kb_0130miserable.html -via J-Walk Blog

(YouTube link)
Another delicious stop-motion breakfast video from James Provan, who brought you Pancakes in 2006. -via Viral Video Chart

Britain’s first playground for people over age 60 has opened in Manchester. The specially-designed equipment provides not only fun, but movement and exercise to benefit the elderly.

Residents' association chairman Joan FitzGerald said: "When we tested it all the people we took in were over 70 and I have never heard so much laughing. I believe you are never too old to play and this also helps keep you fit."

The playground is next to a children’s playground, so children can watch their grandparents having fun. Link -via Unique Daily

The secret to a good cheeseburger is its freshness. Hot off the grill, with crisp vegetables if you like. Not the kind of food you’d think to put in a can. The graphics on this German site make it clear this product is intended to pack for outdoor sports such as canoeing, but I can’t help but feel you should go with something you’d expect to eat out of a can. Maybe soup. http://www.trekking-mahlzeiten.de/trekking-mahlzeiten-online-shop/produkte/Zwischenmahlzeiten_507/Cheeseburger_in_der_Dose_4641.html -via Cynical-C

Montage-a-google is an online application that builds a montage of images from Google Search. Type in your search term, and the grid is generated automatically. The montage here was generated by the term “Neatorama”. The actual image is larger. Link -via the Presurfer

The Museum of Organs is a gallery of the most beautiful instruments in Europe dating back hundreds of years, and modern pipe organs as well. This picture is of the cathedral of Lavaur, Haut-Garonne, France.

The organ dates from 1523. The case, which was built by the carver Nicolas Bachlier, is one of the most luxurious examples from 16th century in Southern France. The present instrument was built by A. Cavaillé-Coll in 1876.

Link -via Ursi’s Blog

(YouTube link)
The loris tarsier is looking at YOU. -Thanks, Jan!

Agility competitions for cats? It’s a growing trend, although some cats are more keen on finishing the obstacle courses than others are. The contests are fashioned after canine agility contests.

"Some of the cats finished in two minutes, some didn't finish at all, some got distracted in the middle and went off on their own adventures,' says Bengal cat breeder Ree Hertzson, who saw her first agility competition at The International Cat Association show in Syracuse. "And the Persians would stop after a few seconds and lie around looking pretty."

Participants say cats can be trained to compete, although you have to find a unique motivation suited to the cat’s personality. And they have to be in the mood on contest day. Link -via Geek Like Me

(image credit: Richard J. Carson/USA Today)

(YouTube link)
Phil Plait of Bad Astronomy Blog worked hard to counter the rumor that an asteroid would hit earth this morning. He even posted an explanation on YouTube. However, IRONMANAustralia "fixed" that video.

In this leaked Top Secret footage Phil Plait tells the real story, before NASA edited it and no doubt forced him to post it on his blog in order to prevent the inevitable public panic.

Ha! At least the earth is still here today. Link

(College Humor link)
Run! Run for your lives before the germs get you, too! -via Gorilla Mask