This microscopic photograph of a mouse’s brain which has been stained with color shares an amazing similarity in pattern with this other shot of the universe…perhaps The Simpsons have it right after all…”weeeird”.

This amazing security camera footage captures the ordeal of one Nicolas White as he takes the longest smoke break ever…not his choice I’m pretty sure, I’ll bet he’s glad it was not a coffee break.

The magazine’s offices were on the forty-third floor of the McGraw-Hill Building, an unadorned tower added to Rockefeller Center in 1972. When White finished his cigarette, he returned to the lobby and, waved along by a janitor buffing the terrazzo floors, got into Car No. 30 and pressed the button marked 43. The car accelerated. It was an express elevator, with no stops below the thirty-ninth floor, and the building was deserted. But after a moment White felt a jolt. The lights went out and immediately flashed on again. And then the elevator stopped. Read Full Story

I am fascinated by the Humboldt squid and squids in general. The Humboldt squids are engaged in a massive takeover of the coast of California due in part to warming water there. The Museum of New Zealand has in its clutches the largest know “colossal” squid ever captured by humans. The colossal differs from the giant squid in that it has sharp swiveling hooks in it’s suckered tentacles, which squid scientists imply makes it a fierce aggressive hunter (who am I to disagree?). They plan to do a live dissection of this great animal and webcast the whole thing! How morbidly fascinating is that. Here is an excerpt from the press release.

The scientists will examine the squid’s general anatomical features, take measurements, remove the stomach (and its contents), beak and other mouthparts; and determine the sex of the squid. In addition, the scientists will take tissues samples for DNA analysis. They will have to work quickly as the specimen, once defrosted, will start to degrade or rot.

Full Press Release- Squid defrosting and examination set for 30 April 2008
Museum of New Zealand- More Info

This fellow is stricken with an immune system flaw that leaves his body unable to control the growth of warts…it started when he was 14 apparently, and as you can see from the picture in the article, has pretty much turned him into a human tree man. Doctors are attempting to remove some of the bark so the poor guy can do a few of those things you and I take for granted. Oh yeah he is also in the market for a wife…so fern girl, if you’re out there somewhere…

Tree man: Article (with photo)