Category: Life Is Like Science Fiction


Solar-powered bra ‘able to charge an iPod’

A Japanese lingerie firm today unveiled the perfect gadget for eco-friendly sun worshippers – the solar-powered bra.

Read the rest at the Daily Telegraph

US outlaws genetic discrimination

“It’s the first civil rights bill of the new century of life sciences,” said veteran Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts last week, after the US Senate finally passed the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).

Read the rest at New Scientist

Dope without the high

It’s a stoner’s worst nightmare: pot without the high. But a drug that offers the pain-killing and appetite boost associated with marijuana without the forgetfulness, giggles and general dopiness might appeal to cancer patients and others who would otherwise turn to medical marijuana.

Read the rest at New Scientist

Scientists find monkeys who know how to fish

Long-tailed macaque monkeys have a reputation for knowing how to find food — whether it be grabbing fruit from jungle trees or snatching a banana from a startled tourist.

Now, researchers say they have discovered groups of the silver-haired monkeys in Indonesia that fish. View full article »

Girl’s Twin Found Inside Her Stomach

A 9-year-old girl who went to hospital in central Greece suffering from stomach pains was found to be carrying her embryonic twin, doctors said Thursday. View full article »

Man Uses Steak Knife to Do Self-Tracheotomy

An Omaha man struggling to breathe used a steak knife to perform an at-home tracheotomy. Steve Wilder said he thought he was going to die when he awoke one night last week and couldn’t breathe. View full article »

Man’s Suicide Makes Dozens Sick

TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese farmer who committed suicide by drinking pesticide vomited the poison at a hospital before he died, releasing toxic fumes that sickened more than 50 people, the hospital said Thursday.

View full article »

U.S. has Mandela on terrorist list

Nobel Peace Prize winner and international symbol of freedom Nelson Mandela is flagged on U.S. terrorist watch lists and needs special permission to visit the USA. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls the situation “embarrassing,” and some members of Congress vow to fix it.

Read the rest at the The USA Today

‘Pixie dust’ helps man grow new finger

A man who sliced off the end of his finger in an accident has re-grown the digit thanks to pioneering regenerative medicine. View full article »

Penis theft panic hits city

Police in Congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men’s penises after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.

Read the rest at Reuters