Space Tweet
Ever wanted to tweet E.T.? Instagram ALF? Now you can… for a price. Space tech start-up Lone Signal is using radio waves to send people’s 144-character messages to planets near red dwarf star Gliese 526—17.6 light-years away. The first message is free, while each subsequent text message costs one credit, and a photo costs three credits. Those interested in messaging their intergalactic relatives can buy four credits for 99 cents, or 4,000 credits for $99.99. Would-be space tweeters beware: Social media spam could invite alien invasion. And don’t hold your breath on quick replies. Any returning messages won’t arrive until 2050, giving humanity plenty of time to unfollow pissed-off extraterrestrials.
[colored_box color=”yellow”]If the Sun were the size of a beach ball, then Jupiter would be the size of a golf ball and the Earth would be as small as a pea.[/colored_box]
Fluffy Cows
It’s hard to imagine, but cows, high on the list of favorite farm animals, are being improved upon. Fluffy bovines from an Iowa farm went viral recently, causing the Internet to collectively coo over the cuddly looking cows. But don’t think that the glossy coats of these cows—used in show rings at state fairs—come easy. Like any beauty routine, it takes a lot of time (and blow dryers and hair spray) to give a cow that glamorous glow. In other bovine news, scientists at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland are trying to breed burp-less cows, because cow burps contain methane, which contributes to global warming. Wouldn’t it be easier to tell cows that burping is rude?
To Clap or Not to Clap
Swedish scientists have found that the length of applause depends on mob rule and has nothing to do with the quality of a performance. Think the next concert or play you attend deserves a standing ovation? Simply keep on clapping and everyone else will follow the lead. But, with great cheers comes great responsibility. The scientists also found that just as it takes one or two people to start applause, one or two people can stop clapping and end applause.
Guinness Is Good For You
Bathing suit season is here, which means beachgoers are looking for low-calorie beverages this summer. Among them? Guinness Draught. It has fewer calories than orange juice and the same amount of calories as skim milk. Twelve ounces of Guinness has 125 calories, while orange juice and skim milk have, on average, 155 calories and 125 calories. This is because, compared to milk and OJ, Guinness has zero fat, more plain water content and fewer proteins and sugars. Guinness also has fewer calories than a lot of other beers, including Coors and Budweiser, because it has 4-percent alcohol content per volume versus the 6-percent of other beers. Most of the calorie content in beer comes from alcohol.
