Bird Migration

Do they not see the birds suspended in mid-air up in the sky? Nothing holds them there except Allah. There are certainly signs in that for people who believe.

[Surah An-Nahl, 79]

~Courtesy: A friend

Scientists use monkey's brain signals to control robot

Computer World: Scientists in the U.S. and Japan have successfully used a monkey's brain activity to control a humanoid robot over the Internet. This research may only be a few years away from helping paralyzed people walk again by enabling them to use their thoughts to control exoskeletons attached to their bodies.
The brains signals of the monkey were transmitted over the internet and fed into a humanoid robot that immediately began to respond to the monkey's brain activity -- walking at the same pace, slowing down when the monkey slowed, and changing its walking pattern to exactly match the animal's. Read More

This research reminds me of a cute movie; Ratatouille in which a rat controls a humans action by pulling his hair and helps him make the delicious of dishes.

Scientists create Fearless Mouse

By tweaking genes to disable certain functions of the olfactory bulb (the area of the brain that receives information about smells directly from olfactory receptors in the nose) researchers have used genetic engineering to create a “fearless” mouse that does not try to flee when it smells cats, foxes and other predators.

The research indicates that behavior in the mammalian brain is determined both by instincts coded into the genes and by “associative circuitry” that allows responses to be learned through the environment.

Read More

This recent discovery reminded me of a movie I watched ages ago in which humans were genetically engineered to show no signs of failure and mercy and hence serve as lethal weapons in war. Lets hope that the discovery is not misused.

Mice don't like cheese

To date, Tom and Jerry is my favorite cartoon. Jerry always manages to sneak away with the cheese. Anyhow, here is an interesting find : Mice, contrary to popular belief and cartoons like Tom and Jerry, don't actually like cheese. But they do like cheese cake (kidding)

A study made by the Manchester Metropolitan University has found that mice really don't like cheese, debunking the myth that was popularized in the cartoon show "Tom and Jerry."

Dr. David Holmes of the university said studies found that mice prefer foods with lots of sugar like chocolates and cheese does not fit that.

He said, "Mice respond to the smell, texture and taste of food. Cheese is something that would not be available to them in their natural environment and so not something they would respond to."

According to their findings, a mouse diet is usually made up of grains and fruit that were both high in sugar. The study were part of a wider findings into what foods attract and repel animals.

They say a real mouse would turn its nose up at something as strong in smell and rich in taste as cheese.

Nature

Wild Bully Cat that beats up all the kitties in the neighborhood

Anthood

Photographer: Waqar Azim

Battle at Kruger

Now thats what I call,Unity and brotherhood!If the weak stand united, they can come out strong in the toughest of battles.