Somethin Bizarre

Ridiculous Dog's tongue

2012-01-19T15:19:00.001-08:00

Bizarre Portraits Art Made Entirely of Potatoes

2012-01-18T03:18:00.000-08:00

Human beings and potatoes have much in common or at least, that’s what Ginou Choueiri thinks. From pop starts to politician, this Lebanese artist made an installation of over a thousand portraits made entirely of potatoes

10 Weirdest Necks

2012-01-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

Amazing Transparent Swimming Pool

2012-01-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

Modern swimming pool with transparent shatter-resistant windows at both ends designed by OFTB architects.

Constructed out of acrylic glass, concrete, wood, and ceramic tiles, this beautiful transparent pool is located in Melbourne, Australia.

10 Weird and Bizarre Death Statistics

2012-01-01T11:37:00.000-08:00

Texting while driving kills 6,000 annually in the U.S. alone

Hippos kill 2,900 people annually in Africa

Autoerotic Asphyxiation Kills 600 people annually

Falling out of bed kills 450 people annually in the U.S.

Icicles kill 100 people per year in Russia

Jellyfish kill 20-40 people per year in the Philippines alone

Dogs kill 34 people per year in the U.S.

Ants kill 30 people per year

Vending machines kill 13 people per year

Roller Coasters kill 4 people per year

Bizarre Concrete Road at the Cliff

2011-08-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

Shifo Mountain in China, Here worker's Walkway to reach out to 3 kilometers. And build it on a steep wall. Pierce studs in stone, concreted ... It will be the longestroad excursion in China.

10 Most Dangerous Snakes

2011-08-12T14:52:00.001-07:00

Emerald Tree Boa
Cobra's Hood
Blind Snake
Albino Burmese Pythons
Bright Pink Snake
Albino Nelsoni
Blue Coral Snake
Elephant Trunk Snake
Langaha Nasuta
Horned Viper

Most Strange Hotels of the World

2011-08-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

Mind Blowing X-ray Effect images

2011-07-14T14:56:00.000-07:00

Amazing Epic Prank

2011-07-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

In brief, allegedly were discovered skeletons of giant people, during the gas exploration in the south east region of the Arabian desert. I’m almost sure this story is fake, but I will let You decide by yourself. I have received images from a friend, and then saw this same story on many blogs, but without any explanation, and usually with same comment like “Great Discovery” etc. Then I found it on Hoax Slayer. Lol! If Hoax Slayer is right (and I believe it is), this is one of the best pranks I have ever seen!

10 Bizarre But Deadly Plants

2011-07-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

Manchineel (Hippomane Mancinella)

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna)

Castor Beans

Water Hemlock (Cicuta)

Oleander (Nerium Oleander)
Rhubarb
Daphne
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Jimson Weed (Datura Stramonium)
English Yew (Taxus Baccata)

Weird Neck Rings of Thailand's Kayan Women

2011-07-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

The World's Bizarre Lip Plates

2011-07-03T15:12:00.001-07:00

8 Strangest Dog Breeds Ever

2011-06-23T16:12:00.001-07:00

Puli
Xoloitzcuintli
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Norwegian Lundehund
Chinese Crested
Carolina Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Neapolitan Mastiff

Amazing mechanic man with no arms who can still change a tyre in minutes

2011-06-21T16:09:00.000-07:00

Amazing escape of 3-year-old boy who became wedged behind air-conditioning unit

2011-06-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

A lucky three-year-old boy had a miraculous escape after he fell from a eighth floor balcony and became trapped in the building's air-conditioning unit.

14 Funniest Wedding Cake Toppers

2011-05-15T15:52:00.000-07:00

World's Most Extraordinary and Biggest Fish

2011-05-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

Strange Creatures from The Deep Ocean

2011-05-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

World's Most Amazing and Craziest Wrong Pair

2011-05-06T15:58:00.000-07:00

Unblievable and Extreme Babies

2011-05-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Frog-like Baby
On 2006, this bizarre-looking baby was born in Charikot, the headquarters of Dolakha district, attracting a huge number of onlookers to witness the astonishing sight.

The neck-less baby with its head almost totally sunk into the upper part of the body and with extraordinarily large eyeballs literally popping out of the eye-sockets, was born to Nir Bahadur Karki and Suntali Karki at the Gaurishnkar Hospital in Charikot. The Karki couple is a permanent resident of Dolakha's Bhirkot VDC.

The bizarre baby, however, died after half an hour of its birth, Suntali, the mother, informed. It was taken to the hospital after its death. The news about such a baby being brought to the hospital spread like wildfire and there were hundreds gathered at the hospital to have a look. The police had to be deployed to control the crowd.

The baby weighed 2kg at birth and was born after the normal nine-month gestation period. Suntali, already a mother of two normal daughters, was not suffering from any illness during the pregnancy. Nir Bahadur, the father, says he does not feel any remorse for the newly-born baby's death. "I am happy that nothing happened to my wife," he said.

NOTE: Our readers, Becca and Andrew, report us that "the baby has a condition called anencephaly, a neural tube defect (like the cyclops baby), with no proper brain formation. The baby would have died a few days later. That's why women are advised to take folate in early pregnancy." --Thank you!
World's Smallest Baby: 21 weeks and six days
On October 24th 2006, Amillia Taylor was born at 21 weeks and six days. No baby born at less than 23 weeks gestation had ever survived, but 10 ounce Amillia was able to pull through (and even was trying to breath and cry on her own at birth). Hospitals had initially hoped to release her yesterday, but decided to keep the now healthy baby a few extra days for observation.

Her mother doesn't mind the wait, she's just proud and happy that Amillia is healthy: "Even though she's only four pounds (1.8 kilos) now, she's plump to me."
Cyclop Baby
On 2006, this baby was born with a only one eye in India. Medical staff who helped deliver the child believe that the child's condition was caused by an experimental anti-cancer drug. Another cause written in the report by the hospital was that it could also be the result of a chromosomal disorder. The child was diagnosed with a rare chromosomal disorder, known as cyclopia. She was born with a single eye in the center of her forehead, no nose and her brain fused into a single hemisphere. With such severe deformities, it was a miracle that the girl survived even a few minutes after delivery. The baby died days later
This 2-month-old baby named Liu Junjie from Anhui Province, China, was born with a third arm on 2006. Doctors successfully removed the extremely rare and well-developed third arm, but the baby required long-term physical therapy to gain function in his remaining hand, which has no palm and flexes in either direction. "We're hoping to exchange information with doctors who've dealt with similar cases anywhere in the world," said Chen, head of the orthopedics department at Shanghai Children's Medical Center. "This is so rare that we have virtually no information to go on."
World's Smallest Baby: 21 weeks and six days
On October 24th 2006, Amillia Taylor was born at 21 weeks and six days. No baby born at less than 23 weeks gestation had ever survived, but 10 ounce Amillia was able to pull through (and even was trying to breath and cry on her own at birth). Hospitals had initially hoped to release her yesterday, but decided to keep the now healthy baby a few extra days for observation.

Her mother doesn't mind the wait, she's just proud and happy that Amillia is healthy: "Even though she's only four pounds (1.8 kilos) now, she's plump to me."
44 pound Baby

This baby born in Iran six months ago, currently weighs an enormous 20 kilos (44 pounds)! The parents say the baby was born a normal weight close to 8 pounds when he was born, but he keeps eating every hour. The Iranian doctors do not know what this eating disorder is or where it came from.
Born with 17 pounds

A Siberian woman who gave birth on 2007 to her 12th child was stunned to find that little Nadia weighed in at a massive 17.1 lb (7.75kg). "We were all simply in shock," said Nadia's mother, Tatyana Barabanova, 43. "What did the father say? He couldn't say a thing - he just stood there blinking." "I ate everything, we don't have the money for special foods so I just ate potatoes, noodles and tomatoes," she told the reporter, adding that all her previous babies had weighed more than 5 kg.

20 Amazing Rare and Newly Discovered Species

2011-04-30T14:47:00.000-07:00

20. Satanic Leaf Tailed Gecko

18. The Walking Shark

16. Nyctimystes sp.

14. ET Salamander
13. The Conservation International (CI) Blattodean
12. Fish-hook Ant
11. Gola Malimbe
10. Dragonfly Platycypha eliseva
9. The RAP katydid
8. Pseudancistrus kwinti
7. Strumigenys tigris
6. Paracheilinus nursalim
5. Goliath Bird Eating Spider
4. Emperor Scorpion
3. Pinocchio Frog
2. Chinchilla Tree Rat

1. Tube-nosed Fruit Bat

Bizarre Banana Carvings

2011-04-17T16:51:00.001-07:00

Japanese artist named Suu transforms regular bananas into 3D sculptures.

Scary three-dimensional characters are carved into ripe bananas.

Bizarre Mexican 'vampire mother' with titanium horns and tattoos on every inch of her body

2011-04-05T16:28:00.000-07:00

She was a trained lawyer from a deeply religious family who married at the age of 17.

But Maria Hose Cristerna, a 35-year-old mother of four from Mexico is known as vampire woman after becoming a tattoo artist and taking her body art to the extreme.

She says she turned to body art after suffering years of domestic abuse.
Horn again Christian: Maria Hose Cristerna was raised in a deeply religious family but turned to body art after years of domestic abuse by her ex-husband

She has tattooed almost 100 per cent of her body, had titanium 'horns' implanted into her skull and dental implants that give her 'fangs'.

'The horns I have are a symbol of strength and were implanted without anaesthetic.'

I had the fangs done because I loved vampires as a little girl and I changed the colour of my eyes so they were how I really wanted them to be,' she told the Sun.
Totally covered: Maria claims to live a normal life with her four children at her home in Mexico. She showed off her looks at a tattoo exhibition in California

She showed off her looks at a tattoo exhibition in Monterrey, Californa.

But her transformation is not complete. She says she wants to have more titanium horns implanted in the back of her head

She claims to live a 'normal life' at her home in Mexico.

Top 10 Amazing Treehouses

2011-04-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

Cedar Creek Treehouse, Ashford, Washington
Treehouses of Korowai and Kombai, West Papua

Beach Rock Treehouse, Okinawa, Japan

Rooftop Treehouse, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Takasugi-an Tea House, Chino, Japan
DIY Treehouse of Yesteryear, Location Unknown
Beach Rock Treehouse, Okinawa, Japan

2. Inkaterra Canopy Tree House, Tambopata, Peru
1. Nameless Treehouse, Location Unknown

10 Most Ugliest Dogs in the World

2011-03-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

Dogs are wonderful, loving animals who don't care about superficial things like appearances... which is a very good thing because these pets are downright fugly!

Sam, Crypt-Keeper Dog
He looked like a cross between the Crypt-Keeper and a Gremlin, which made registered Chinese Crested dog Sam a shoo-in to win the "World's Ugliest Dog" competition at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California in 2005. That was the third year in a row that Sam had won this dubious title.

Sadly, the 14-year-old Sam suffered from a myriad of health problems. He died of cancer in November of 2005.

Munchkin the Mystery Mutt
Munchkin is perhaps one of the most decorated ugly dogs in recent history, having won several competitions for Ugly Dogs/Mutts and been featured on television and print media outlets all over the world.

Her breed is completely indeterminable; her vet calls her a "Canardly," as in "Can hardly tell [what she is]." Munchkin snorts when she walks (waddles?) and has wiry gray hair around her neck that sticks out on its own without the use of any combing or hair products.

"Ug" No More
With a face that only a mother could love, this 2 year-old half-blind Pointer mix was abandoned in an animal shelter in England before finally getting lucky. When he was named Britain's Ugliest Dog in 2010, suddenly hundreds of people flooded the Mayflower Animal Shelter with inquiries about adopting him.

The lucky adoptive "parent" was April Parker, a 35 year-old mother of two. Upon adopting him, Parker's first order of business was to change his name from "Ug" to a slightly kinder moniker: "Doug."

The Infamous Miss Ellie
This Southern Belle won first prize at the World's Ugliest Dog competition at the Sonoma-Marin fair in 2009 at the age of 17. A Chinese Crested dog who was adopted when she was about seven, Miss Ellie's looks earned her worldwide media attention.

Miss Ellie was entered to compete again in the 2010 competition but sadly, fate had other plans. She died last November at her home in Tennessee. (Link | Photo)

Elwood: Don't Feed After Midnight
2007's World's Ugliest Dog competition introduced us to Elwood, a 2 year-old Chinese Crested/Chihuahua mix who won the blue ribbon that year. Elwood's owners were thrilled to win the competition (and the $1,000 prize money), especially because Elwood's breeder had planned to euthanize him when he was born because she deemed him "too ugly to sell."

Representing Great Britain: Hubble
Poor Hubble had no home when he won the title of Britain's Ugliest Dog. He was living in a shelter in Leeds, U.K. after being found stranded in the woods. He was estimated to be about eight years old when he beat out the competition thanks to his mouthful of rotting, twisted teeth and mangy, pseudo-Terrier coat.

Rascal: It's In The Genes
Rascal comes from a long line of ugly dogs: his mother, grandmother, and grandfather have all won Ugly Dog competitions. In fact, Rascal's grandfather "Chi-Chi" is in the Guinness Book of World Records for winning the most ugly dog competitions of all time.

Naturally hairless and covered with spots and warts, Rascal is a purebred Chinese Crested dog.

Gus's Last Stand
Gus had only three legs, one eye, and was riddled with cancer, but that didn't stop him from winning the 2008 title of World's Ugliest Dog.

This 9 year-old pedigreed Chinese Crested dog had been rescued from an abusive home before losing a leg to skin cancer and his left eye in a brawl with a cat. Poor Gus didn't live long enough to truly enjoy his reign as World's Ugliest Dog, however. He died just five months after winning the competition.

Pabst Wins Blue Ribbon
Pabst here is one of the few dogs who was able to beat out all of those scrawny Chinese Cresteds as the overall champion at the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog competition in California. In fact, he even beat Miss Ellie!

A boxer mix who was four years-old when he won the prize, Pabst was named after a cheap brand of beer due to what his owner calls his, "bitter beer face."

All Hail Princess Abby!

Worlds Most Overweight Girl

2011-03-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

12 Wonderful Practical Tattoos

2011-03-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

This would be great for the ophthalmologists who work in the countryside, a portable eyesight checker.
This woodworker-graphic designer uses a tape measure or ruler almost every day. He decided to have one tattooed so he would have a ruler always within his arm's reach. He uses it for his work, but also for playing. He measured some trout for length with it on a fishing trip to Mount Hood, for example.
Don't ever worry about being in jail again. This datestamp will assure you the girl isn't underage.
Subway map tattoo.
Erik Burke got himself a very useful tattoo to write down his to-do lists.
Medical alert tattoo.
Although there are only temporary, these tattoos can be very handy. Especially for those crowded days at the mall.
Avoid those moments of boredom with a “connect the dots” tattoo.
A very good reminder, a Pi tattoo up to 80 digits.
This tattoo also works as a ruler but with a much vainer purpose.
If you can't afford a pair of glasses or always forget to use yours, this could be your solution. MatthewG15 decided to get a pair of glasses tattooed to his face.

Get an instant moustache anytime you want to by tattooing one in your finger.

10 Wonderful Microscopic Images from the Natural World

2011-03-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Wellcome Trust awarded prizes for the top scientific images of the year and these 10 winners from the Wellcome Image Awards. These aren't your run-of-the-mill x-rays or pictures of bacteria in a petri dish; they are detailed, incredible images that would make any photographer proud. They stand on their own aesthetically while also standing for their importance in science.

10. Mouse Embryo Kidney
Whoever expected to call a mouse kidney beautiful turns out to be right! In the image above, the green is the embryonic connective tissue while the red is the embryonic ductwork developing. The 3D-image was taken with something called optical projection tomography (OPT), so no Nikons for these scientists!

9. Crochet of hooks at the base of a caterpillar's proleg
Caterpillars can be creepy crawlies at the best of times, but one thing most people don't know is that they have prolegs. These are short, stubby little protuberances from the bottom of their tummies, and each one has a series of hooks, like velcro hooks, that are used to grip and help them travel vertically. As per Wellcome's specifications, the "brilliant colours seen in this image were created using a technique called differential interference contrast illumination."

8. Cavefish embryo
This eerie-looking image is of a cavefish embryo, a fish that is found in dark caves and is generally white in color. The green stain is an antibody that detects specific neuronal processes (e.g. nerve systems) as well as the larger number of taste buds around the mouth and its body - the green dots.

7. Ergot fungus growing on wheat
Ergot is a fungus that grows on wheat and is highly, highly toxic. The light pink is the ergot while the blue is the wheat. Back in the Middle Aages, ergot poisoning was often the reason for supposed "bewitchment", and monks in the order of St. Anthony became famous for treating the illness that then became known as St. Anthony's fire. The symptoms are brutal: spasms, hallucinations, psychosis, intense itching and gangrene.

6. Honeybee
For some, this will be a nightmare image, but the close-up of the honey bee is spectacular in its detail. Each pair of legs has three segments and also a different "tool" than the others to help pick up and transport pollen. Honey bees are vital to plants, and the more science learns about them, the better off we will be.

5. Cell division and gene expression in plant cells
Here's a "confocal micrograph showing the expression of different fluorescent proteins in the stem of a thale cress seedling (Arabidopsis thaliana). Arabidopsis was the first plant to have its entire genome sequenced."

4. Peridontal bacteria
You have all heard of plaque, the nasty stuff that forms a film on your teeth, but I bet you never knew it looked like this! A photomicrograph of colonies of the bacteria that form, it was taken as they grew in an agar dish.

3. Moth scales
Did you know that butterflies and moths get their color from scales? They do, and these are the scales of the endangered Madagascan moon moth. Scanning electron micrographs are black and white and then colored. Here, the color is light green, which is the natural color of the moth.

2. Sunrise in the eye: zebrafish etina
This incredible image is unbelievably the retina of a 3-day-old zebrafish, looking straight on to it and taking in the whole eye. The scientists managed this by reflecting half the image so that it mimicked the symmetry in a fish.

1. Suckers on joint of foreleg of a male diving beetle.
A glorious photograph of an inglorious subject, the great diving beetle. It actually shows the row of suckers on the male beetle's front legs that females don't have. The suckers are used to grip on to the female when mating. Spike Walker used a technique called Rheinberg illumination to get these colors; it passes light through colored filters.

The actual subjects may not be as exciting as their images but all are of importance to science. The ability to take clearer and more detailed images has allowed science to really see what is going on in certain processes. From micrographs to scanning microscopes to 3D-imagery, science is light years ahead of where it was just 30 years ago.

Strange Thorny Mountain Devil Lizard

2011-02-21T14:10:00.000-08:00

Watching a horror movie at night you could easily imagine one of these creatures emerging from an alien spaceship and stalking you. Its thorns, its face, all are enough to cause nightmares. It has one of the best formal names around, Moloch horridus. Moloch was a god in the Bible whose rituals included human sacrifice and I think we all know that horridus is - just that, horrid! The more you look at that face, though, the cuter he looks... maybe. The animal is an Australian lizard and the only one belonging to the genus Moloch.
They live 20 years on average and the browns and reds of their coloration make great camouflage in the dusty red and brown earth it inhabits. As it gets colder its colors get darker. One reasons most pictures of the devil are a reddish monochrome tone is because they prefer scrub and sandy desert so are rarely found in grasslands.
Their diet is not as scary as their looks would make you think. They mainly eat ants of all things; thousands of ants a day. Water is collected through the dew that forms on its body in the desert and then runs through mini grooves to its mouth. When it does rain, capillary action will take up the water into its body.
Apart from its thorns which are particularly obvious, the animal has a very unique defense - a fake head on its neck. When threatened it drops its real head between its legs leaving only the fake one exposed. All in all, a fascinating and bizarre creature which shows once again that mother nature really does have a bit of a sense of humor!

10 Most Bizarre Mushrooms

2011-01-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

The Brain mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta)
Gyromitra esculenta, one of several species of fungi known as false morels, is an ascomycete fungus from the genus Gyromitra, widely distributed across Europe and North America. It normally sprouts in sandy soils under coniferous trees in spring and early summer. The fruiting body, or mushroom, is an irregular brain-shaped cap dark brown in colour which can reach 10 cm high and 15 cm wide, perched on a stout white stipe up to 6 cm (2.4 in) high. Although potentially fatal if eaten raw,Gyromitra esculenta is a popular delicacy in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and the upper Great Lakes region of North America . Although popular in some districts of the eastern Pyrenees, it is prohibited from sale to the public in Spain. It may be sold fresh in Finland, but it must be accompanied by warnings and instructions on correct preparation. It is eaten in omelettes, soups, or sautéed in Finnish cuisine. Although it is still commonly parboiled before preparation, recent evidence suggests that even this procedure may not make the fungus entirely safe, thus raising concerns of risk even when prepared properly. (Link)

The Bleeding Tooth fungus (Hydnellum pecki)
Allow me to introduce to you one of the more unusual members of Kingdom Fungi, the Bleeding Tooth Fungus, or Hydnellum peckii which goes by various names often referring to juice or blood. This fungus can be found inNorth America where it is more common in the Pacific Northwest and resides mostly in coniferous forests. The Bleeding Tooth also makes appearances in Europe and has recently been discovered in both Iran and Korea. Upon a first glimpse of the bleeding tooth fungus, one may dismiss the ruby-red liquid as the blood of some poor forest creature splattered across the white mushroom cap. When inspected more closely, it becomes obvious that the fungus is oozing liquid through its own small pores. (Link)

The Giant puffball (Calvatia Gigantea)
The giant puffball, Calvatia gigantea, is easily recognized by its size and shape. Typical specimens are about the size of a soccer ball, and more or less round. However, it can be much larger (a 5-foot, 50-pound specimen is on record!), and its shape can be more "blob-ish" than round, especially when it attains enormous sizes. But it is never shaped like an inverted pear, since it lacks the sterile base portion common to many other puffballs. (Link)

The Devil's Cigar (Chorioactis) – world's rarest fungi
A star-shaped mushroom, called the Devil's Cigar (Chorioactis geaster) is one of the world's rarest fungi. It's also known as the Texas star. These fungi had been detected only in central Texas, two remote locations in Japan, and most recently in the mountains of Nara. The Devil's Cigar is a dark brown cigar-shaped capsule that transforms into a tan-coloured star when it splits open to release its spores. It is also one of only a few known fungi that produce a distinct whistle sound when releasing its spores.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Trametes versicolor, often called the "turkey tail," has the dubious distinction of being the only member of the forest fungal fowl community not named for the full bird, but a feathery fraction. However, the chicken of the woods and the hen of the woods look nothing at all like chickens or hens, while theturkey tail does look (vaguely) like a turkey's tail. Who started this clucking menagerie of mushroom monikers, anyway? (Link | Photo)

Sky Blue mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri)
Entoloma hochstetteri is a species of mushroom found in New Zealand and India. The small mushroom is a distinctive all-blue colour, while the gills have a slight reddish tint from the spores. The blue colouring of the fruit body is due to three azulene pigments. Entoloma hochstetteri is not edible, but whether or not it is poisonous is unknown. This species was one of six native fungi featured in a set of fungal stamps issued inNew Zealand in 2002. It is also seen on the reverse side of the $50 bank note, issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in 1990. (Link | Photo)

Bearded Tooth mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
This mushroom that looks like noodles or pom-pom are known to a variety of name like Lion's Mane Mushroom, Bearded Tooth Mushroom, Hedgehog Mushroom, Bearded Hedgehog Mushroom, or Bearded Tooth Fungus. It is an edible mushroom in the tooth fungus group. In the wild, these mushrooms are common during late summer and fall on dead hardwoods, particularly American Beech. (Link)

Dog Stinkhorn (Mutinus caninus)
Mutinus caninus, commonly known as the Dog Stinkhorn, is a small thin, phallus-shaped woodland fungus, with a dark tip. It is often found growing in small groups on wood debris, or in leaf litter, during summer and autumn in Europe and easternNorth America. It is not generally considered edible, although there are reports of the immature 'eggs' being consumed. (Link)

Bioluminescent fungi (Mycena chlorophos)
No, you're not hallucinating; you really are seeing bright green mushrooms, but if you are partial to the odd magic mushie, these images won't faze you in the slightest. These neon green mushrooms, or Mycena chlorophos, to use the technical term, emerge during the rainy season in Japanese and Brazilian forests, scattering the floor with glowing spores. The bases of tree trunks, fallen branches, leaf litter and moist soil provide perfect breeding grounds for the mushrooms. Found mostly on Mesameyama island in Ugui, Japan and Ribeira Valley Tourist State Park, Brazil, the appearance of these garish looking fungi is due to bioluminescence, one of the weird but wonderful reactions that happen naturally in many plants and animals. (Link)

Fly Amanita (Amanita muscaria) – world's most famous mushroom

Also known as the fly Agaric or the fly Amanita, the Amanita muscaria is a poisonous and psychoactive basidiomycete fungi, which is one of many in the genus Amanita. There are several subspecies, and each of them has a different cap color. These include the yellow-range flavivolata guessowii, formosa, the pink persicina, and the brown regalis (although it is now considered a separate species).

Fly Agaric's are one of the most recognizable and widely encountered in popular culture. They have been featured in children's books, films, garden ornaments, greeting cards, and computer games. This toadstool is associated with the famous book turned movie, Alice in Wonderland; the mushroom in Super Mario Bros., and more. It is also known as the mushroom of flies from due to Albertus Magnus' work in De vegetabilibus where he stated, “It is called the mushroom of flies, because crushed in milk it kills flies”.

Source

Wonderful escape after lorry flips over on bridge and is held upside down over 200ft drop by a single punctured tyre

2011-01-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

The driver of this lorry had a miraculous escape after his vehicle was left suspended over a 200ft drop... by a single punctured tyre.

The man lost control of his vehicle along a major road, clipped the concrete wall of a bridge and the heavy lorry rolled over as it slid perilously close to the edge.

A passerby caught the moment on camera as the momentum of the lorry carried it into the barrier and flipped it over the top.

But thanks to the punctured tyre and pieces of torn sheet metal on the ground near the diesel tank, the lorry was somehow pinned in place suspended upside down over the deep gorge below.

Rescuers tentatively approached the vehicle and managed to pull the driver to safety, despite the fact the tyre could have given way at any time.

The barriers on the bridge are clearly too low to be an effective safety measure for lorries and it is unknown if the vehicle was recovered, or allowed to fall into the gorge.

The pictures, which circulated over a year ago on the internet, have just emerged within China which has strict bans on internet use.

Last year, another lorry driver had a lucky escape when the container on his vehicle hit the underside of a bridge and catapulted the cab nose first into the bridge in Changchun city.

Soure

10 Cool Images of Mars

2011-01-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

Staring into the clear night sky, you see a bright light low in the west and realize that from at least 35 million to 250 million miles away depending on orbit, Mars awaits. Was it ever inhabited by life? What secrets does it hold that we hope it will give up? Some of this will be answered by the images and data collected by HiRISE.
Possible Active Dune Gullies

HiRISE stands for High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, a coordinated project between NASA and the University of Arizona. It has produced
spectacular images of Mars for our enjoyment and helps researchers to explore the history of water on the planet.

In the top picture, Richardson Crater Dunes are partially defrosted and covered in seasonal carbon dioxide
frost. Dust devils have left their footprints and researchers think larger channels were caused by blocks of dry ice sliding down the dunes and going directly from a solid to a gas (sublimating). However they are caused, it is a stunning photograph
worthy of being at a museum of modern art.
Potential Future Mars Landing Site: Mounds in Acidalia Planitia

These mounds are "mud" volcanoes that occur when a mix of gas, ground rock and liquids deep under the earth's crust (from several meters to kilometers deeo) are forced up to the top. Scientists are looking at it as a potential future landing site because the sediments brought up might contain signs of microbiological past, or even better, present life.
Dark Rimless Pits in the Tharsis Region

These two pits in the Tharsis region align with two depressions of a dark wispy-like deposit. The larger one is 310 m wide while the smaller one is 180 m wide. The deposit itself has a large boomerang shape and scientists believe it consists of darker material blown out of the pits and scattered by the wind.
Frost-Covered Gullies

Gullies in a large crater in Terra Sirenum of the southern hemisphere of Mars are covered in winter frost. In the image, the frost is shown as bright spots and because it is facing south, it's believed to be water frost rather than frost caused by carbon dioxide (CO2). One of the big questions is whether or not the gullies are formed by water and if so, surface or substrate water, or are they formed by dry debris and CO2?
This stunning photo looks like a road alongside an ocean and in actuality may not be so far from that description, albeit Mars style. "Holden crater has some of the best-exposed lake deposits and ancient megabreccia known on Mars," said HiRISE’s principal investigator, professor Alfred McEwen of the UA’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. "Both contain minerals that formed in the presence of water and mark potentially habitable environments. This would be an excellent place to send a rover or sample-return mission to make major advances in understanding if Mars supported life."

Rocky Mesas of Nilosyrtis Mensae Region

Clay minerals
have been found in this area and scientists are excited at the idea of exploring it further. It may be difficult because an exploration vehicle like the Mars Rover would have to land further away and then make its way across the rocky mesas but it is hoped that it is possible.

Layers in Columbus Crater

The different levels of brightness in this image are most likely different sediments in the basin of the crater. This is an old impact crater and researchers believe that erosion from the rim of the crater (which is now much flatter than it was originally) deposited the sediments.

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Strange pup who put his nose where it wasn't wanted

2011-01-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

Dogs may be inquisitive by nature, but this eight-month-old German Shepherd was heading for trouble when he decided to check out this hole in the wall.

Rebel somehow squeezed his head into a tight spot in the 18in wall in his garden at home in Los Angeles, California, and got well and truly stuck.
It was only when a friend of the owner, who was out at the time, heard Rebel whimpering that he found the pup was in a bit of a tight spot and called the authorities.

County Animal Services officers arrived and decided the dog was not in serious danger. They also concluded that if Rebel could get his head into the hole, they would be able to pull him out, but their main concern was doing so without hurting him.

With officers on either side of the wall, they tucked in the pup’s ears and nudged him back and forth for about 30 minutes before freeing him none the worse for wear.

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Huge Solar Storm Triggers Amazing Auroras

2010-12-19T16:13:00.000-08:00

Aurora Over Quebec
Photograph courtesy Ian Diamond
Auroras create green curtains of light August 4 over the Rupert River in Waskaganish (see map), a Cree Nation community in Quebec, Canada.
Last week's northern lights—which lasted a few days—were products of a large burst of plasma, or charged gas, from the sun known as a coronal mass ejection. A NASA orbiter called the Solar Dynamics Observatory saw last Sunday's eruption, which was aimed directly at Earth and sparked predictions of a shimmering sky show.
Now it seems aurora fans may be in for another treat: A solar flare spotted Saturday by NASA's Solar and Heliospheric Observatory was even more powerful than the previous eruption. Although this time the bulk of the plasma burst isn't aimed right at Earth, scientists say it could still trigger another round of colorful auroras.
Beach Aurora
Photograph courtesy Federico Buchbinder
An aurora created by last week's coronal mass ejection glimmers over Laurentian Beach, on the shores of Lake Manitoba in Canada (map), on August 6.
Auroras happen when energized particles from the sun wash over Earth and flow down the planet's magnetic field lines toward the Poles. Along the way, the charged partices bang into nitrogen, oxygen, and other atoms in our atmosphere.
The charged solar particles give Earth's atmospheric atoms an energy boost, which then gets released as light, producing the shimmering curtains of greens, reds, blues, and other colors. (Related: "Aurora 'Power Surges' Triggered by Magnetic Explosions.")
Purple Haze
Photograph courtesy Shawn Malone, LakeSuperiorPhoto.com
Seen from the shores of Lake Superior, an August 4 aurora glows green topped with blueish-purple. Auroras glow in different colors based on the types of atoms in the atmosphere and how high they are in the sky.
Humans mostly see auroras in shades of yellowish-green. That's because the eye sees a light show created by oxygen atoms at lower altitudes, about 62 to 186 miles (100 to 300 kilometers) above the surface.
Blues and purples are created by lighter gases such as hydrogen and helium, while low-level nitrogen can add red fringes to the bottoms of green auroral curtains.

Oslo Light Show
Photograph courtesy Otto L. Motzke
Green light curls over Oslo, Norway, August 4 in an auroral display caused by last Sunday's coronal mass ejection.
In the Northern Hemisphere, auroras are more commonly seen at high latitudes near the Arctic Circle, such as northern Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia.
But scientists predicted that last Sunday's strong burst would bring the light show to slightly lower parts of the globe. In fact, sky-watchers were snapping pictures of auroras as far south as Oslo, Lake Manitoba in Canada, and Lake Superior (map) in the United States.
"Superior" Aurora
Photograph courtesy Shawn Malone, LakeSuperiorPhoto.com
The view from a Michigan shore of Lake Superior included multicolored auroras on August 3, as seen in a panoramic picture.
A solar storm headed for Earth isn't a guarantee of auroras. Without more sun-watching satellites, scientists are hard-pressed to know the exact effects a coronal mass ejection will have on Earth's atmosphere.
Last week Leon Golub of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics had put the odds of the August 1 solar flare producing auroras at about 50-50.
Sky Glows Green
Photograph courtesy Miguel Yetman
Clouds over Manitoba, Canada, are bathed in green light from an August 4 aurora.
The solar ejections that cause auroras can also create geomagnetic storms that can affect spacewalking astronauts, Earth-orbiting satellites, and even communications and power systems on the ground.
But like the previous solar storm, which was strong but relatively slow, the oncoming burst of charged particles shouldn't create significant problems for people, according to the website SpaceWeather.com. Instead, the site says, "high-latitude sky-watchers should be alert for auroras when the cloud arrives, probably on August 10."
Green Glow, Orange Clouds
Photograph courtesy Tania A. Berntsen
Green aurora borealis curtains light up the skies over a beach in Grimstad, Norway (map), just after midnight on August 4.
The cloud of solar particles that sparked last week's northern lights weighed about a billion tons, according to NASA. The space agency's Solar Dynamics Observatory and other sun-studying spacecraft are about more than just advance notice of sky shows.
Because solar wind can disrupt communications systems and power grids, "one of the main reasons to have these instruments in space is so that you can issue alerts or warnings, pretty much like you would with a hurricane," Golub said.
That way "people can know ahead of time when there is a possibility of an event that will have an impact on Earth."
Solar Extreme
Image courtesy NASA
A bright swirl (left of center) on the sun marks the spot where a tumult of plasma sent out the August 1 coronal mass ejection that sparked last week's auroras, as seen in a mosaic picture taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Different colors show regions of temperature variation on the sun.
Solar activity rises and falls on a regular cycle of about 11 years. The last period of peak activity ended in 2001, and it led into a long-lasting quiet spell. (See "Sun Oddly Quiet—Hints at Next 'Little Ice Age'?")
Along with a recent flurry of sunspots, the August eruptions seem to be signs of the star's reawakening—good news for aurora fans, but potential trouble for satellites, astronauts, and some Earthly technologies.

9 Strange and Bizarre Animal Facts

2010-12-19T15:06:00.000-08:00

The world of animals is vast, colorful and strange in its natural perfection. We know various interesting and curious facts about animals. Yet, some of the facts related to the animal kingdom are stranger than fiction.
Trying to rank the most bizarre animal facts could be difficult. Many wild facts will make it to the top 10.

THE ELEPHANT
Several intriguing facts are related to this nice, large animal. The elephant is the only animal in the world that has four knees. It also happens to be the single animal that cannot jump. The brain of an elephant weighs four to five kilograms on the average. A newborn elephant weighs approximately 100 kilograms. Though they appear large and clumsy, elephants are really mobile. Each elephant travels about 100 kilometers per day.

THE MOOD OF THE CHAMELEON
We all know a simple fact – chameleons change their color to blend in the environment. Another fact about the animal that very few of us know is that chameleons also change their color based on mood. If they feel scared, hungry or sad, chameleons become gray. The eyes of a chameleon can move independent of each other.

HOW DO DOLPHINS SLEEP?
Did you know that while sleeping, dolphins keep one of their eyes open? Further, if a dolphin is wounded, it calls the rest for help. Other dolphins keep the wounded one close to the water surface to facilitate breathing.
THE TONGUE OF THE BLUE WHALE
The tongue of the blue whale weighs more than a fully-grown elephant. Apart from being the largest animal, the whale is the noisiest one. Blue whales are also known for having the slowest pulse out of all mammals – nine beats per minute.
THE OWL’S EYE MOVEMENT
Instead of moving its eyes, the owl turns its head.

WHY DO RATS CHEW ALL THE TIME?
Rats are forced to constantly chew. Their lower teeth have the power to grow exceptionally fast. This growth rate endangers rats, since the lower teeth could pierce through their mouths.

SCORPION FACTS
A scorpion can survive for an entire year without eating. It can glow when exposed to UV light. Another extreme fact – a scorpion can survive frozen for up to three weeks.
THE AGE OF MOSQUITOES
Mosquitoes are actually very ancient. Some scientists claim that dinosaurs suffered from their bites.
WHAT DO PENGUINS DRINK?
Penguins have no need for fresh water. They can drink the salty ocean water, since special glands in their bodies can separate salt from water.

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12 Most Strange Mug Shots Of 2010

2010-12-10T11:44:00.000-08:00

No, it's not photoshop. Carlos Rodriguez was arrested for attempting to solicit a prostitute. The profile shot showed the man's striking cranial cavity, the unfortunate result of a deformity or an accident.

What the... neck?
What the... head?
Two words: dental work.
Ain't that funny behind bars, ha?
Just a liiiittle touch of drawings here and there...
The mustache ladies crave for!
The third NY Yankees eye.
So much... redness in your life, dude...
Surprise!!! Happy birthday!!!
You can leave your hat on, grandma.

Because jail time is FUN!

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World’s Hotter than Hot Chili Pepper

2010-12-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

Despite what you might think, the world’s hottest chili pepper was created not by a Mexican or Indian farmer, but by a “hot” British farmer.

Gerald Fowler grew the Naga Viper on his farm in Cumbria, northern England, and got to a record level of spiciness by crossing three of the hottest varieties of chili, including Bhut – Jolokia, the previous record holder.

There is a special way to measure their hotness. It’s not like someone tastes this babies. The heat of a chili pepper is measured using the Scoville Scale – the number of Scoville unites indicates the amount of capsaicin found in the chili, this being what gives it’s spiciness. Bhuta – Jolokia reached a maximum of 1.001.304 units whereas the Naga Viper has 1.359.000.

In an interview for The Daily Mail, Mrs.Fowler confirmed : ‘It’s painful to eat. It numbs your tongue, then burns all the way down. It can last an hour, and you just don’t want to talk to anyone or do anything. But it’s a marvellous endorphin rush. It makes you feel great.’

What I find interesting is that he makes people vouch in writing for their sanity, before letting them taste his chili.

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Bizarre Body Modification

2010-11-30T13:19:00.000-08:00

Tattooed Head
A man shows off his tattooed head at the London Tattoo Convention. Last year, more than 20,000 enthusiasts attended the event.

Tattoo enthusiasts from around the world gathered in London for the fifth annual Tattoo Convention. Here, Samon shows off his ink.
How much do you love your Volkswagen? Chris Redford got a real "Bug" bite... and tattooed his affections to his toes.
I've done a lot of "colorful" stories over the years, but none of them can top this one.
There's a reason they call him Spiky Bob -- just take a look at those extreme modifications. Bob sipped a cold one at the London Tattoo Convention.
Dutch tattooist Jeroen Derks waits for business at the London Tattoo Convention.
Kriss Poison shows off her tattoos at the London Tattoo Convention. The annual body art convention is one of the top destinations for European tattoo lovers.
In early 2009, Guinness World Records certified that Brazilian-born nurse Elaine Davidson sports 6,005 piercings, including 1,500 that are internal.
With sharpened teeth, a split tongue, and a full-body tattoo of creen scales, sideshow star Erik Sprague of Austin regularly appears at Ripley's Odditoriums.
"I am Huron and Lokota," says Dennis Avner. "And in following a very old Huron tradition, I am transforming myself into my totem, a tiger."
Two masters of extreme body modification -- Dennis Avner and Erik Sprague -- at the opening of Ripley's Odditorium in London.
Sideshow Bennie the Human Pincushion cuts the ribbon at The Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Odditorium on May 1, 2008 in San Antonio, TX.
The Traumatic Stress Discipline Suspension Club performs at The Ripley's Believe It Or Not! celebration on May 1, 2008 in San Antonio, TX.
Using her body like a canvas, Isobel Varley, who turned 71 in 2009, is recognized as the most tattooed septuagenarian woman.
You have to be really committed to life as a lizardman to sport a forked tongue. Erik Sprague is committed -- he's the real "Lizardman."
Lizardman is more than just a man who looks like a lizard. The self-proclaimed professional freak is a certified Ripley's star.

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Bizarre Food Fashion

2010-11-27T12:42:00.000-08:00

Cool photo series by Ted Sabarese features clothing made out of real food.

Hunger Pains project was created in January of 2009 (before Lady Gaga’s meat dress). Each outfit took hours to cook and assemble.

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Little boy who hasn't eaten anything in FOUR years

2010-11-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

A little boy has become so frightened of food and drink he hasn't eaten anything for four years.

Daniel Harrison's problem began when he suffered a severe case of acid reflux as a baby.

Because the four-year-old also suffers from autism, the memory of that painful time has stopped him from eating anything solid since.

Daniel's phobia means the only way he can get nutrition is through a tube in his stomach.

His parents, Kevin and Catherine, regularly shell out for costly trips to London's world famous Great Ormond Street Hospital from their home in Carlton, Nottingham, in a bid to find a solution.

But experts have found no way to help Daniel.

Now, in what father Kevin describes as his 'only hope', the family are determined to raise the £20,000 needed to fund a trip to a unique clinic in Austria which might be able to solve Daniel's difficult case.

Daniel has had numerous medical procedures and operations to try and correct his condition medically but with no success.

And in November 2009 he bravely fought off swine flu which developed into pneumonia and a collapsed lung.

Boots manager Kevin, 41, said his dream was to see his boy eat like any other little boy and that it would mean everything to the family.

He said: 'As a dad sitting with my boy at a table with all his feeding tubes and machines I know what it feels like to have people looking at him.

'Catherine and I worry about what would happen if something happened to us, we want Daniel to be able to eat and feed himself.
'The strain on Hannah is enormous also, to see your brother starving himself would be traumatic at any age, but she has been wonderful and is a credit to her brother

'There is nothing medically stopping our son from eating, it is in his mind, but there has been nobody yet that has managed to help him overcome that.

'The doctors at Great Ormond Street have been great, but even they don't know what to do with Daniel.
Our only chance is to take him to University Hospital in Graz, Austria, as they are the only people who say they have treated a condition like Daniel's successfully.

'The problem is Daniel's case is so rare, even in Graz they have only seen and cured 12 youngsters and that is over 22 years.'

Using a technique not practiced in the UK the Austrian model uses a variety of in-house techniques to make a youngster realise they need and want food.

But for Kevin and his house letting manager wife Catherine, 37, their goal of helping their son is still far away as they have been told they will get no NHS help to send him abroad.

Kevin added: 'Daniel is a great little boy and his autism can be managed, but how is he meant to function in adulthood without being able to eat.

'Our local Public Health Trust (PCT) have refused to offer us any funding and even for things like help with travel costs we have been told we can't get help because we are working.

'Both Catherine and I have to take time off to take Daniel for treatment and we simply can't afford the huge cost it would take to get him to the clinic.

'There is a practical side to Daniel's condition as well, any outing is difficult to organise as we have to take lots of equipment. Our last holiday took six months to organise.

'It is also not fair for Daniel because taking his food through a tube means he has to sit still so we have to strap him down. If he could eat things would be different.'

Bizarre and Strange Pictures

2010-10-31T16:25:00.000-07:00

World's Biggest Climbing Wall

2010-10-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

Bizarre 88-Year-Old Cottage Made Of Newspapers

2010-10-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

What began as a hobby, turned into a serious project for Elis Stenmen that in 1922. began to build a cottage of newspapers.

The American engineer, inventor of machines for making paper clips, he wanted to test the durability of paper and see how this is a good insulator.
Stenmen is using glue and old newspapers that he received from friends and neighbors not only made house, he made also and complete furniture, including piano.
It took more than 100,000 newspapers to a house whose walls and roof of smeared paint to protect them from rainfall. In places where the nail fell off can be seen titles and parts of old messages almost a century, quoted by local media.
For two years he worked on building his own “paper” cottages, and she withstood the ravages of time and after 88 years.

China's Wonderful Invention - Toilet Seat in a Car

2010-10-01T14:33:00.000-07:00

Internet is full of stupid inventions from Japan, China and other Asian countries. Here is one more hilarious invention - "Toilet seat" by China. Invented for those who have to spend more time in traffic jams. I think, this if used would be embarassing for others accompanying you in the car. Also, would smell a lot ...lolz.

Other news is "Beyonce is sued for smelling. Smelling good! Beyonce had a lawsuit slapped against her by retail giant Abercrombie & Fitch over some perfume copyrights."

So just in case if you plan to install such toilet seats in your car, inform your lawyers too! Check out 11 more pics after the jump.

Bizarre Cat Without Eyes - 13 Pictures

2010-09-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

You are looking cute Kitty who was born without any eyes but despite that he lives a life of a normal kitten like other cats. They say that people who are short one sense are more acute in their others. He enjoys the life and explores the world, plays with people and its mom.

5 Awesome Yet Deadly Animals

2010-09-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

Striking combinations of red, yellow, green and black are all too often seen wrapped around the bodies of very deadly, poisonous species. Flaunting these glaring colours is not about beauty, but actually about warning – advertising to passing predators that they either hold poison, a sting or a foul taste as a clever tactic of self protection. So let’s take a look at ten of the most vibrantly coloured and deadly species out there!

1. Deadly Glamour – the Sea Slug

Like most of its soft bodied relatives the sea slug is lacking in shell, however, its main protection against lurking predators is its exotic plumage. Composed of a diverse colouration, the warning colours display to predators the slug's remarkable capability of secreting strong acids and poisons, stored in the glands just below the skin on its back. This glamorous marine slug can be found in the sea off Japan.

2. Deadly Colours That Flip – Oriental Fire Bellied Toads

When gazing down at the fire bellied toad their colours appear more modest and calm – in fact the colours provide an example of camouflage, making the toad almost impossible to see on the rainforest floor. When this is not enough to avoid the predator's gaze, and they become threatened, the fire bellied toad flings its body into the air, flipping belly side up, throwing the gleaming red and black underside into the predators face. This is an instant warning of its poisonous glands that settle under its skin.

3. Brightly Ringed Warnings of Deadly Neurotoxins – Blue Ringed Octopus

The bright blue rings on this small octopus are a vital warning of is deadly nature. When agitated or threatened, these markings, just like a disco light, pulse a vivid and iridescent blue allowing others to see that they are ready to strike. This often puts predators and passers-by off the blue ringed octopus – escaping its deadly venomous saliva. If not clever enough to leave, this deadly saliva is capable of subduing or killing predators. This species is not alone and shares very similar characteristics with five other venomous blue ringed octopuses.

4. Toxic Skin – Poison Dart Frogs

The family of poison dart frogs are extremely popular for their vivid, bold colours that paint their slippery skin to advertise their extreme toxicity and unpleasant taste. These bright colours, and the corresponding toxicity, have developed through an evolutionary adaptation to the many predators in the rainforests of America. The reason behind this is that a lot of snakes and spiders have become resistant to the many mild toxins that thrive within the environment. Evolution has forced these poisonous dart frogs to develop stronger toxins that alternate across each species.

The most toxic species of frogs have become very confident and hunt for insects out in daylight, knowing that their extreme colourations will soon scare off predators with their toxins. These toxins have been used by the Amerindians to poison the tips of blowpipe darts. The poison of harlequin frogs inside contains a painkiller more powerful than morphine and stronger than antibiotics which protects the frogs from the disease-carrying bacteria that plague most rainforest amphibians.

5. Yellow and Blacked Striped Venomous Injection – European Hornet

One of the most famous scourges of them all is the European Hornet that so easily sends people off their backsides and feet when approached by the yellow and black stripes of the insect. Like all wasps, the hornet is protected by a powerful sting and one big enough to deter predatory birds and lizards. The bright yellow stripes are key indications of their painful sting and the capability of releasing alarm pheromones! When close to their nests these summon other hornets, resulting in predators and even humans suffering from multiple stings

Strange Man Without a Face

2010-09-25T15:06:00.000-07:00

THE MAN WITH CURSED FACE-JOSE MESTRE

Jose Mestre has been born as a normal child with a birth mark on his upper lip. Brought up in Lisbon, Portugal, he has led a normal life until he realized that the so called “birth mark” has started to grow covering his whole face at the time of puberty. The mark was actually a symptom of ‘haemangioma’, a tumor formation due to vascular malformation caused as the blood which should be like a stream of flowing river has turned into a lake thereby leading to deformation of face and it’s features.

The tumor started growing when he was 14 and has continued to grow even more smothering his lips, nose and one of eyes.

It’s now a 40cm wide, 5kg shockingly massive tumor.

He never treated his tumor due to medical misinformation, lack of finances and religious beliefs. Doing tasks like brushing, eating or drinking is an ordeal that he faces everyday.

The tumor has blinded him in one eye and has mode the jaw so massive that he requires the effort of his hands to open and close them.

Unable to find a job or more likely people willing to offer him job, Mestre has been supported by his sister for all financial and psychological needs.

A Discovery Channel series “My Shocking Story:The Man With No Face” has tried to capture what it feels to be like Mestre with people staring, ridiculing and taking photographs as if it was some caged animal walking freely.

But now one of Britain’s leading facial surgeon has proposed to treat Mestre off his curse. Using ultrasound technique to coagulate blood before operation the doctors have tries to cure Mestre.

Meanwhile rumors have it that Mestre has dies during his operation but no source has confirmed it so far.

Strange hen that walks like a penguin

2010-09-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

A strangely behaved hen has appeared in Jiang Su Province, China. The strangeness began when the hen was learning to walk, the hen’s owner noticed that it walked exactly like a Penguin – it stood straight up while walking, and forgot how to fly back to the roof-top chicken coop with the other chickens, and can only stay on the ground alone.

According to the owner, the hen was bought in the Spring, and when it was young and learning to walk stood out from the others, and now walks just like a Penguin. The more the owner watched the hen’s unique walk, the more they came to like her, and now treat the hen just like a pet.

Strange Big Bambu Artistic Installation Made by Beacon Duo

2010-09-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

Two brothers from New York, Mike and Doug Starn are performing pretty unusual kind of art. They are artist duo known by the Beacon name and they perform some rooftop art. This year they performed in Metropolitan Museum where they made amazing artistic installation of bamboo trees called Big Bambu. The whole construction is made of bamboo poles connected by the ropes. The construction has a shape of huge bridge. They used about 3200 bamboo poles. The most unusual thing was they allowed visitors to climb on their artistic installation. If you missed this event and would like to climb or see their construction live, you could do it at the South Ferry subway station where they set up permanent public installation for visitors.
Big Bambu at the Metropolitan Museum

Wonderful Black-and-white Portraits of the People at the Margins

2010-09-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

The excellent black-and-white photos made by Dr. Vaggelis Fragiadakis, amateur photographer and professional mathematician. He was born in Greece, on the island of Crete, where he lived in the Mediterranean environment, but very poor. After completing his University of Athens, he decided to leave Greece and go into the unknown. After much difficulty he found himself in the U.S., where he lives and works today. From his native Greece he took a Mediterranean spirit and understanding for the poor and older people. His love for art and the world that surrounds him, he tried to focus on the photography, for which definitely has talent. He is fascinated by the portraits of old wrinkled people, anguished by hard work and life. Traveling around the world, Fragiadakis photograph these people on the streets in various situations, primarily, immerse oneself in their character, supporting each person’s individuality and placing human dignity above everything. For him they are not statistics, but someone who has his soul and his character, and who wears his life on his face. He likes people who everyone else avoided, and with black-and-white photo he succeed to highlight what is important for him: the shadows, brightness, contrast, wrinkles, texture of clothing… It is currently actively involved in helping the homeless, as well as education of youth. And his life motto reads: You work hard, and if you can, give your contribution to the world! It’s wonderful, is not it?

Bizarre river creatures

2010-08-29T14:49:00.000-07:00

River is home to some of the millions of fresh-water type of animals – not to mention its body is being lurk by the creepiest river monsters day and night. These type of monsters are like the ones your mom used to scare you when you’re just a kid. Creatures straight from your nightmare, actually.

Vampire Piranha

A close relative of the piranha, the payara is often called the “vampire fish” because of its long fangs, which can grow to 6 inches in length. This little-known but frightening-looking fish is found in the Orinoco River in Venezuela.

Goliath Tigerfish

When your name is “Goliath,” you’d better be one humongous, ferocious creature, and the goliath tigerfish definitely lives up to its moniker. A native of the Congo River basin, the Lualaba River, Lake Upemba and Lake Tanganyika in Africa, it’s the largest member of the tigerfish clan, a genus of fierce predators with protruding, daggerlike teeth. The biggest one on record was nearly 5 feet long and weighed 154 pounds, the equivalent of a super-welterweight prizefighter. And it outclasses other African game fish in speed and power.

African lungfish

Not a pretty fish, the African lungfish is a harmless but truly frightening-looking river monster. The largest specimens can reach about 6.6 feet in length. African lungfish are periodically exposed to water with low oxygen content or situations in which their aquatic environment dries up. Their adaptation for dealing with these conditions is an outpocketing of the gut that serves as a lung.

Piraiba Catfish

Jeremy Wade holds a 72-pound, 5-foot-long piraiba catfish. These formidable fish can grow to over 10 feet in length and 600 pounds in weight. This powerful fish can drown a wrestling fisherman by dragging him to the bottom of the river. One story tells of a fisherman diving down to untangle a fishing net and vanishing, only to reappear hours later over halfway down the gullet of a giant piraiba.

Nile Perch

The Nile perch is considered one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species, though Jeremy caught this one in its native habitat. This species can grow to 6 feet in length and weigh over 500 pounds. This river monster has caused catastrophic declines among native fish populations in areas where it’s been introduced.

Weird handbag ever

2010-08-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe there are people who would actually buy this sort of hand bag. In my opinion it is not cute at all, if that was the original idea, but it is deeply disturbing and I can’t bare looking at it.
It looks like some sick taxidermist killed, shaved a stuffed some poor puppy and then made a handbag out of it.
There are even signs of Louis Vuitton over the bag. Maybe it was made as some sort of protest against using real animal leather in making handbags, but I couldn’t find any info about it on internet.
What do you think about this handbag? Would you ever buy something like this or do you think it’s a bit too much?

Man in a red England shirt get Weird Bull attack face to face

2010-08-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

Resting his chin in his hands and enjoying the Spanish sun, this man in a red England shirt has no idea that he is about to come face to face with a rampaging, enraged beast.

Seconds later he is fleeing for his life as one bull leaps into the stands at a bullring and charges through the crowd.

At least 40 people were injured when the 1,100lb animal scaled the perimeter fence in Tafalla, Spain.
Hmmm, that bull is starting to get a little close to the fence: The man in the England jersey, circled, watches the creature - seemingly oblivious to what is about to happen

OMG: The Lion comes face to face with 1,100 pounds of fury as the bull leaps over the perimeter fence. The England fan must have been able to feel the creature's hot breath in his face

I'm an England fan, get me out of here! The fan - who by now has lost his sunglasses - puts valuable feet between him and the bull

Among the injured was a ten-year-old boy, who was taken to hospital with serious stomach wounds. One man was gored in the back.

The incident happened during an event attended by about 3,500 spectators, in which contestants known as recortadores try to get a bull to charge at them so they can dodge it.

But the bull jumped out of the ring, clearing two barriers before landing in the stands and lurching through the screaming crowd, charging at everything it could.

* Do you know the man in the England shirt taking evasive action? Call the Mail Foreign Desk on 0207 938 6040

He appeared to be taking particular aim at the man in the England jersey.

But, despite the phrase 'like a red rag to a bull', the animals are actually colour blind. When a matador waves his red cape in the ring, it is the movement, not the colour, that attracts the creature.

One brave spectator even grabbed the bull by the tail in an attempt to slow it down. The animal had already tried to jump into the stands twice.

After damaging a horn, it was about to be returned to the corral and replaced with another bull when it tried a third time and succeeded.

The panic on Wednesday lasted for several minutes before handlers managed to rope the bull and bring it under control. It was later killed.

Most of the injuries were minor and were treated by medical staff on site, but five victims were taken to hospital in the regional capital of Pamplona, best known for its annual San Fermin running of the bulls festival. Three were still being treated last night.

Among the walking wounded was Inaki Zunzarren, who was badly bruised. He said: 'The bull caught me and hurled me against the concrete seating.'

The incident comes at a time when Spain is split over whether bullfighting should be outlawed.

Last month Catalonia became the first major Spanish region to ban it after a heated debate that pitted animal rights against traditional culture.