Improbable Research

Kristin Harbuck of Montana State University and Tracie Ivy of Illinois State University — the former of Bozeman, the latter of Normal –  have joined the Luxuriant Flowing Hair Club for Scientists (LFHCfS).

The airport handwashing survey report was issued in 2003.

(Thanks to Ron Josephson for bringing it to our attention.)

The practice of reading textbooks for pleasure is just as lively now as it has ever been. More people buy textbooks – actually spend their own money to do it – now than ever before. And in deciding what to buy, they are kids in a candy store….

So begins this week’s Improbable Research column in The Guardian

Waste disposal is a recurring process. A cheap, chilling method is now available for dog owners. The manufacturer describes it in simple terms:

POOP-FREEZE? is a specially formulated aerosol freeze spray that, upon contact, forms a frosty film on dog poop (or cat poop) to harden the surface for easy pick-up. POOP-FREEZE is a great companion to a pooper scooper for clean fast dog poop or cat poop disposal.

POOP-FREEZE is non-flammable, contains no CFC?s and is perfect for both outside and indoor use. Totally safe for both humans and pets when used as directed. Great product testimonials have been given to POOP-FREEZE for dog poop and cat poop removal. POOP-FREEZE, a pooper scooper and dog poop waste bags are the perfect solutions to fast and easy dog poop and cat poop removal.

(Thanks to Jane Eppers and Lee and his dogs for bringing this to our attention.)

Investigator Carlos E. Figueroa Castro writes:

I would like to make you aware of Mr. Fernando Vallejo, a Colombian writer. Two of his most recent books are La tautolog?a de Darwin (Darwin’s tautology) and Manualito de imposturolog?a f?sica (Little manual of physical imposturology"). Mr.Vallejo was able to prove, in less than two years, that Charles Darwin, James Clerk Maxwell, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein were wrong, among others. Some of his other achievements:

1. The description of the "Aquino", a unit used to measure the level of imposture (derived from the work of Saint Thomas d’ Aquin). Example: Einstein: 280 "Aquinos", Maxwell: 180.
2. The Einstein’s formula E=mc2 is wrong
3. Apples and pianos share a common characteristic: They lack a gravitational field.

The scientific publications of James Bond are not as widely read as the publications ABOUT James Bond. The man himself is greatly missed: it was said of him that

The nidification of birds  was one of his most compelling interests, after Caribbean zoogeography, which explains his admiration for Skutch.