Applied methodology is the bee’s knees. Applied methodology is bling-bling. Applied methodology is a phrase that’s cropping up everywhere. It’s a big, red banner waving gaily in the breeze, telling you something. It tells you that someone likes to use the phrase "applied methodology". This is useful to know…. So begins this week’s Improbable Research […]
Month: June 2005
Intestinal gas video
Mark Nelssen has produced a mostly matter-of-factual video about intestinal gas.
Djerassi: finding what me worry
One of the great underlooked works of literature is "The Quest for Alfred E. Neuman," by Carl Djerassi.
Taxonomists’ delight
A new animal form has been patented. Some biologists may find it difficult to classify.
Seeing Troy in action
We’ve had many requests about film of Ig Nobel Prize winner Troy Hurtubise, the man who built and personally tested a suit of armor meant to be impervious to grizzly bears. The National Film Board of Canada has just prepared a DVD version of its feature film documentary Project Grizzly, which is all about Troy. […]
The Psychotic Security Guard
"Who watches the watchers?" becomes an especially interesting question when the watchers are psychotic. A team of doctors from Texas and California explored that question in 1993 in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. Their names are JA Silva, GB Leong and R Weinstock. Their study is called The Psychotic Patient as Security Guard…. So begins […]
Head-turning dragon
Jerry Andrus’s head-turning dragon, though made from mere cut-and-folded paper, is truly a head-turner. It was designed in honor of Martin Gardner. You can download a PDF version, and cut and fold yourself an object that will startle visitors.
Soup personalities
Thanks to Martin G of ohpurleese.com for reminding us about the enlightening press release , issued in the year 2000, about University of Illinois Professor Brian Wansink‘s reported discovery that ?people’s soup choices reflect their personality types.?
Papa of Ping
Computer science cognoscenti know what Ping is, and also know that Mike Muuss is the proud author of same. (Thanks to Dan Piette for bringing this to our attention.)
Bovine butt simulator for docs
Veterinarians must learn, somehow, to examine the inside of a cow. The definition of "somehow" is now broader than it used to be, thanks to Sarah Baillie‘s haptic cow hind simulator at the University of Glasgow. The official description of this device is almost lyrical: Veterinary students are trained to palpate the bovine reproductive tract […]