Friday, July 17, 2009

Artistic tendencies linked to 'schizophrenia gene'

A genetic mutation linked to psychosis and schizophrenia may unleash creative potential in some and psychotic delusions in others.

Why Neanderthals were always an endangered species

Neanderthal populations were sparsely distrubuted.  (Image: American Museum of Natural History)

For much of their 400,000 year history, Neanderthals were few and far between, suggests a study of genetic material.

Why Neanderthals were always an endangered species

And I Quote

An astounding 71% of Republicans now say they'd vote for Sarah Palin for president. That means that 71% of Republicans are totally fucked in the head.

~ Andy Ostroy

Woman teaches dog to read

A New York woman has taught her dog to read.

Full Story

Teen Opens Fire On Golf Course

A South Florida teenager was arrested and charged with attempted murder after he randomly opened fire on a South Florida golf course Thursday morning, police said.

Full Story

Abandoned red pandas nursed to health by dog

The two protected baby pandas were born at a zoo in Shanxi province on June 25 and were immediately rejected by their mother in front of a huge crowd of visitors.

Cannibalism in Japan

The country that introduced raw fish, ramen noodles and pocky to the world has a new taste sensation.

Cannibalism is the newest trend to sweep across Japan.

Full Story

Felon arrested for gun sale in McNair killing

Felon arrested for gun sale in McNair killing

Federal agents arrest a convicted murderer for allegedly providing the gun used to kill the ex-NFL quarterback.

Felon arrested for gun sale in McNair killing

Also:

What your handwriting reveals about you

What your handwriting reveals about you

A single handwritten sentence can reveal a lot about your goals and personality.

Handwriting

Also:

Woman linked to incriminating Florida murder evidence

Pamela Long Wiggins, a suspect in the deaths of a wealthy couple known for adopting special needs kids, has a shady past.

Woman linked to incriminating Florida murder evidence

Ham-Apple Breakfast Bake

What you need:

3 cups frozen loosely packed hashbrown potatoes with peppers
1 large red apple, cored and chopped (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon dried sage, crushed
2 tablespoons water
1 cup diced fully cooked ham
1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
4 beaten eggs
1/2 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon garlic
Fresh sage (optional)

How to:

1. Thaw potatoes for 30 minutes. Press between paper towels to remove moisture. Set aside.

2. In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet cook apple, sage, and water over medium heat until apple is tender. Remove from heat. Stir in potatoes and ham.

3. Combine milk, egg product or eggs, cheese, and garlic. Pour egg mixture into skillet. Do not stir. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until center appears just set. Garnish with fresh sage, if desired. Makes 6 servings.

Copernicium

From BBC-Science:
Periodic Table (Science Photo Library)
The latest addition to the Periodic Table is named after an astronomer who "changed our view of the world".

Mystery blob devouring Alaska coastline

An unidentified blob is making its way through the Arctic ocean, engulfing wildlife, and no one knows what it is.
Nobody knows for sure what the gunk is, but Petty Officer 1st Class Terry Hasenauer says the Coast Guard is sure what it is not.

"It's certainly biological," Hasenauer said. "It's definitely not an oil product of any kind. It has no characteristics of an oil, or a hazardous substance, for that matter.

"It's definitely, by the smell and the makeup of it, it's some sort of naturally occurring organic or otherwise marine organism..."

"It's pitch black when it hits ice and it kind of discolors the ice and hangs off of it," Brower said. He saw some jellyfish tangled up in the stuff, and someone turned in what was left of a dead goose -- just bones and feathers -- to the borough's wildlife department.

"It kind of has an odor; I can't describe it," he said.

California teen's big adventure breaks record

Calif. teen's big adventure breaks record

"It's been a crazy 13 months," reported 17-year-old Zac Sunderland of his sailing trip around the world.

California teen's big adventure

Suicide bombers attack 2 Indonesian hotels

Suicide bombers attack 2 Indonesian hotels

Americans are among the injured when a lull in terror ends with blasts at Indonesia's capital.

Suicide bombers

Jumbo squid invade San Diego

Jumbo squid invade San Diego, spook divers

Thousands of jumbo flying squid — aggressive 5-foot-long sea monsters with razor-sharp beaks and toothy tentacles — swarmed the shallow waters.

Jumbo squid spook divers

Also:

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Albacete, Castilla - La Mancha, Spain
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Rome, Lazio, Italy
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Cairo, Al Qairah, Egypt
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Brussels, Brussels-Hoofdstedelijk Gewest, Belgium
Jakarta, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Melbourne, Victoria, India
Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway

as well as Mexico, Brazil, and the United States

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

You cannot always have clarity of thought, so why worry if your mind seems a bit muddled right now?
Any cloudiness you're feeling could be the result of your own self-preservation techniques.
Your mind needs a bit of a vacation, and it's looking for a few moments during the day when it can switch off and veg out.
Make it easier on yourself by finding that time before the afternoon.
Even just turning off the computer or TV and letting your mind wander will help.

Just call me 'Foggy in the Morning' then ...