Monday February 08, 2010
No Hope for Dope:
Cannabis Ineffective as Treatment for Alzheimer's
by Sir Thomas More
Researchers investigating cannabis as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease have concluded that there is no beneficial effect on the condition.
Although previous animal studies have shown growth of new brain cells after administration of cannabinoids, the new study shows that there may even be detrimental effects.
Posted in: Chemicals :: Health by bubblejam at 11:12 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Sunday February 07, 2010
The Truth About Cats & Dogs:
Cat Owners Are Better Educated
by Simon Magus
The first comprehensive study of UK pet ownership in 20 years has yielded a number of unexpected results.
As well a showing a huge leap in the numbers of cats and dogs, the study shows that cat owners are more likely to be degree educated than their canine counterparts.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 08:28 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Monday February 01, 2010
Black Magic:
How to Get a Good Cup of Coffee at Home
by El Gato Negro
The once staid world of coffee is turning into a real clusterfuck. Once upon a time, it was the domain of borderline autistic AHDH nerds with a penchant for lab-grade glassware.
Now the corporates are leaping in as consumers wake up to the fact that they've been drinking black spew forever.
Even the UK Barista Championships are not immune from the rise of big business -- the likes of Krispy Kreme and Marks & Spencers are fielding competitors in a contest once dominated by independents.
But with corporate hellholes likes Costa offering Flat Whites, how can we avoid sucking Satan's steam nozzle?
The answer is surprisingly close to home.
Posted in: Chemicals by bubblejam at 02:49 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday January 30, 2010
It is Too Early to Say:
Criticism of Novel Products is Nothing New For Apple
by Simon Magus
The launch of Apple's iPad tablet computer has drawn widespread criticism from all and sundry.
But the employees of the company have seen worse reactions to previous launches -- those products went on to make billions of dollars in profit.
Posted in: Net by bubblejam at 12:25 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Thursday January 28, 2010
The End of Days:
Universal Entropy Much Worse Than Expected
by Hermes Trismegistus
Scientists investigating the rate of entropy in the universe have made a shocking discovery.
The universe appears to be running down at a rate 30 times greater than previously suspected.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 12:27 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday January 23, 2010
The Farmer Wants A Wife:
Most European Men Descend From Near East Farmers
by Simon Magus
A new study has found that 80% of men in Europe descend from the first farmers who migrated from the Near East around 10,000 years ago.
Previous studies suggested a Paleolithic origin for Europeans -- but genetic analysis of male Y-chromosomes seems to indicate migration from a single source in the Near East via Anatolia during the Neolithic period.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 09:39 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Wednesday January 20, 2010
Who'd Have Thought It?:
Bacteria Capable of Complex Decision-Making
by Sir Thomas More
Researchers have discovered that bacteria are capable of far more complex decision-making than previously thought.
Their findings could lead to new medicines for combating pathogens as well as benefiting farmers who want to protect their crops from disease.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 09:54 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Saturday January 16, 2010
The Goose is Loose:
Southwark Mysteries Revealed
by Saj Mohammed
John Constable is the poet, playwright, and performer behind the Southwark Mysteries, a secret history of the area initially inspired by a visitation from the Winchester Goose -- the spirit of a medieval prostitute once licensed by the Church to ply her trade in the area.
Ten years after the original production of the Southwark Mysteries, a community-led initiative is planning a revival.
Posted in: Esoterics :: Literature by bubblejam at 11:27 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Monday January 11, 2010
No Sex Please, We're Ants:
Female Insects That Reproduce Without Males
by Simon Magus
US and Brazilian researchers have identified a type of ant that has eliminated the need for males to reproduce.
It is estimated that ants of the species Mycocepurus smithii have thrived without sexual reproduction for at least one million years.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 10:21 AM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Wednesday January 06, 2010
I Feel Lucky:
Google Launches Nexus One Smartphone
by Simon Magus
Google has caused ructions in the mobile phone industry with the launch of a new smartphone dubbed the Nexus One.
The touchscreen device has already been nicknamed the 'iPhone killer'.
Posted in: Net by bubblejam at 05:05 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Monday January 04, 2010
Blue Sky Research:
US Government Invests in Flying Car Development
by Sir Thomas More
Bubble Jam reported in 2007 about flying cars set to go into production this year -- yet our skies are notably devoid of Blade Runner-style personal aircraft.
Now the US government is hoping to succeed where the private sector has failed so far by funding research into the long-awaited flying car.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 10:39 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
Sunday January 03, 2010
Night of the Living Dead:
'Lifeless' Prions Capable of Evolving
by Simon Magus
Scientists have determined that prions, 'lifeless' infectious proteins devoid of DNA, are capable of Darwinian evolution.
Prions (short for proteinaceous infectious particles) occur naturally in the human body and generally do not cause any health issues.
But 'mis-folded' prions are associated with over 20 diseases in humans and animals, including mad cow disease and its human strain vCJD -- all are untreatable and fatal.
Posted in: Science by bubblejam at 08:43 PM | Comments (0) | Email This Entry
