MikeBenton.org » Science

Russia Rattles a Saber

Mike! — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 07:16:14 +0000

Calling it the ‘Father of All Bombs’, the Russians have flexed a muscle and countered the US’s MOAB, affectionately known as the ‘Mother of All Bombs’ claiming to have held a successful test. The specs sound impressive but I have yet to see a video or picture. It supposedly is as powerful as some nuclear weapons but doesn’t leave radiation. So that’s a good thing. It operates by dispersing a cloud of incendiary material over an area and then ignites it. Some sources are calling it a ‘vacuum bomb’.

There’s a saying going around on the internet when it comes to news; “No picture? No Video? Then it didn’t happen” However! I have a picture…of something.

EDIT: Apparently there are pictures…I still want before and after photos of the lil green GI Joes

Boom…Capt Ahab found his whale.

The ‘bomb’…looks like a cinnamon roll maker to me

2^nd Edit Apparently they did make a video. Doesn’t look like it did too much because they didn’t show the before. I like before after photos. See the video at Reuters.

Source Bloomberg via Slashdot EDIT: USAToday

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Physics Honors Project; need input

Mike! — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 07:38:18 +0000

Hello and thanks for coming. This semester I have an Honors Project for my Physics class and I would like some input from people in the know.

The project is basically a comparison and analysis of Newtonian Physics versus MoND (Modified Newtonian Dynamics) and Dark Matter hypotheses. This is for a Phy121 level class but I like to push the envelope a little. Obviously I know how to use a library, bookstore and the internet to search for articles but what would really help is if you know of any really good sources on the subject(s) or have any interesting twists or thoughts on the matter.

I appreciate all input and will reciprocate with mention of reference and keep you up to date on my progress and the final outcome.

Thank you!

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Walk to End Alzheimerâ€™s

Mike! — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:46:31 +0000

Alzheimer’s affects everyone! People over the age of 65 are most at risk and currently there are about 24 million people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer’s. As the baby boomers of our country and most of the median age of the industrialized world’s population reaches 60 more cases of Alzheimer’s will become prevalent. This is bad juju. You, your parents or even your grandparents are at risk.

The only treatments for Alzheimer’s only alleviate the symptoms but do not halt the disease’s progression. Many great minds of today can be lost to this disease. There are mild, moderate and severe stages to this disease with symptoms ranging from minor cognitive impairment to inability to perform even simple tasks.

That’s where the Alzheimer’s Association and you come in. There are Memory Walks happening nationwide to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research you can sign up to be a Team Captain and recruit others to aid in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Every step you take will be good you and countless others helped with the money you raised. The Alzheimer’s Association has risen over $225 Million dollars since 1989 to combat this degenerative disease.

Think of all the brilliant characters, personalities, wisdom, stories and knowledge that is lost every year to Alzheimer’s. Now imagine it is you losing that, or a loved oneâ€¦

So do your part to help grandma and grandpa. Go take a walk!

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Smoke Bomb Part Two: The Pull Ring

Mike! — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:12:16 +0000

In case you missed part one on how to make the ultimate colored smoke bomb you can find it here. Here is part two where the video shows you how to make a pull ring for that smoke bomb to make it even cooler!

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How to make Thermite

Mike! — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 01:53:19 +0000

Yeah that’s right, first smoke bombs now thermite. It’s easy to make but can be dangerous so use with caution and for goodness sake, kids don’t do this without the army guy nearby.

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Ultimate Colored Smoke Bomb

Mike! — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 08:07:09 +0000

I found this neat how to video on making the ultilmate colored smoke bomb. As always be careful when doing things like this and never use these in an unsafe manner. I accept no responsibility for your actions Click the picture for the video.

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Giant Crystal Cave

Mike! — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 07:32:51 +0000

***WARNING***

This might drop your jaw but rest assured these photos are real and so are the crystals

Giant Crystal Cave near Delicias, Mexico (click picture for more)

I found this article on the National Geographic site discussing a cave that was discovered in 2000. It wasn’t until the water was pumped out that they discovered the massive crystals growing inside. The heat of the caves is around 136^oF and the water is mineral rich allowing for such luxurious crystals to grow. The water was pumped out to support a mining operation, the issue of preserving the caves is being discussed. When I first saw these pictures I thought “cool picture” then as I read the article and realized these are real crystals. Read the full article here Below is a map of the area near Delicias, Mexico

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Visualizing DNA in a New Way.

Mike! — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 05:36:49 +0000

Neatorama has an interesting post about a way to visually compare DNA using directions attached to the GATC’s of DNA. This is the link to neatorama’s post on it. This is a link to the video on youtube

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What color paint is that? No color

Mike! — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:29:13 +0000

From Slashdot

“Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created ‘the world’s first material that reflects virtually no light.’ This anti-reflection technology is based on nanomaterial and could lead to the development of more efficient solar cells, brighter LEDs, and ’smarter’ light sources. In theory, if a room were to be coated with this material, switching on the lights would only illuminate the items in the room and not the walls, giving a sense of floating free in infinite space.”

I am predicting a whole new interior design style being birthed out of this development. Now instead of ’surfacesâ€¦surfaces’ we will have ‘voidsâ€¦voids’ Honestly, I am wondering what the long term effects would be on someone who spent a good deal of time in a room like this would be. Perhaps we could coat the entire exterior of a house with this and truly have a dark mysterious nature. Since it does not reflect light does it also absorb Radar? Could be dangerous. Maybe that’s what all the ‘dark matter’ in the universe is coated with?

“Hey let’s cover ourselves with this stuff and run through the mall”

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