A translucent snail has been found in one of the world’s deepest caves

Scientists working in the Lukina Jama–Trojama cave in Croatia — one of the 20 deepest cave systems in the world — have unearthed a completely new species of snail that’s adorned with a beautifully shaped, dome-like translucent shell. Read more…        

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A translucent snail has been found in one of the world’s deepest caves

Virgin Galactic says it’s on track to begin tours of space in 2014

Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo underwent its second successful rocket-powered test flight yesterday, demonstrating its “wing-feathering” capabilities for the first time. In a video announcement released soon thereafter, Virgin CEO Richard Branson stated the company is “on track for a 2014 start of commercial service.” Rich space-enthusiasts, rejoice! Read more…        

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Virgin Galactic says it’s on track to begin tours of space in 2014

Transparent skull implant is the next step in body mods (and medicine)

Researchers have been kicking around the idea of a cranial porthole for years – a skylight for your skull that doctors could peer through to monitor brain cancer, or treat neurological disorders. But glass is too fragile, and traditional skull implants are opaque. Now, a team of bioengineers has developed an implant using a strong, transparent material that could make brain-windows a reality. Read more…        

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Transparent skull implant is the next step in body mods (and medicine)

The Southern Pole of Mars is more beautiful than we ever imagined

Using images captured at a variety of wavelengths by the European Space Agency’s Mars Express Orbiter, Riding with Robots creator Bill Dunford has crafted a composite image of the Red Planet’s south polar cap that’ll make you stop and stare. Read more…        

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The Southern Pole of Mars is more beautiful than we ever imagined

China’s brand-new abandoned cities could be dystopian movie sets

China’s building boom has created a ton of abandoned cities and massive ruins — most of which are brand new, and have never had people living in them. Here are the deserted Chinese cities, mostly built in the last 10 years, which could be sets for your next dystopian movie. Read more…        

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China’s brand-new abandoned cities could be dystopian movie sets

Legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki announces his retirement

Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and director of such films as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro , and countless other masterpieces, has announced his retirement from feature films. Read more…        

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Legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki announces his retirement

How to use electricity to spin liquid into nanostring

When left to its own devices, liquids form into spherical drops. But add a little electricity, and you get “electrospraying” and “electrospinning, ” and you can watch electricity play Rumpelstiltskin. Read more…        

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How to use electricity to spin liquid into nanostring

New research suggests women can make sperm, and men can make eggs

What started as an investigation into developmental mouse biology has become a lot more than that. Biologist Katsuhiko Hayashi discovered a way to turn mouse skin cells into sperm and egg cells — and actually used these modified cells to create a living baby mouse. The question is, can it work in humans? Read more…        

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New research suggests women can make sperm, and men can make eggs

Get your 1980s retro Dungeons & Dragons fix with this crazy short film

This Must Be the Only Fantasy is a Dungeons & Dragons style collaboration between fashion line Rodarte and photographer Todd Cole. The short movie is packed with amazing unicorns, badass ear cuffs, Elijah Wood drop ins, and self important pauses. But it does 100% feel like the 80s. Read more…        

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Get your 1980s retro Dungeons & Dragons fix with this crazy short film

Robbers used special effects masks to disguise themselves as white

How convincing can special effects be in real life? A trio of black men wore masks purchased from a special effects company while committing a robbery in order to make witnesses believe they were white—and it actually worked. Read more…        

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Robbers used special effects masks to disguise themselves as white