Strange & Offbeat News -- ScienceDaily

First detailed microscopy evidence of bacteria at the lower size limit of life Posted: 27 Feb 2015 03:13 PM PST Scientists have captured the first detailed microscopy images of ultra-small bacteria that are believed to be about as small as life can get. The existence of ultra-small bacteria has been debated for two decades, but there hasn't been a comprehensive electron microscopy and DNA-based description of the microbes until now. The cells have an average volume of 0.009 cubic microns (one micron is one millionth of a meter). About 150 of these bacteria could fit inside an Escherichia coli cell and more than 150,000 cells could fit onto the tip of a human hair.

Life 'not as we know it' possible on Saturn's moon Titan Posted: 27 Feb 2015 03:13 PM PST A new type of methane-based, oxygen-free life form that can metabolize and reproduce similar to life on Earth has been modeled. It is theorized to have a cell membrane, composed of small organic nitrogen compounds and capable of functioning in liquid methane temperatures of 292 degrees below zero.

Mystery of the reverse-wired eyeball solved Posted: 27 Feb 2015 10:10 AM PST Counter-intuitively, in vertebrates photoreceptors are located behind the neurons in the back of the eye. Now physicists explain why the neural wiring seems to be backwards.

Zombie outbreak? Statistical mechanics reveals the ideal hideout; and informs real disease modeling Posted: 27 Feb 2015 08:27 AM PST A team researchers focusing on a fictional zombie outbreak as an approach to disease modeling suggests heading for the hills, in the Rockies, to save your brains from the undead.

The biobattery: Turning sewage sludge into electricity and engine oil Posted: 27 Feb 2015 08:25 AM PST Sewage sludge, green waste, production residue from the food industry, straw or animal excrement – with the biobattery‘s modular concept a much larger range of biomass can be utilized for energy recovery than previously. Researchers show that they can convert organic residues into electricity, heat, purified gas, engine oil and high quality biochar using this process.

Neurons controlling appetite made from skin cells Posted: 27 Feb 2015 08:25 AM PST Researchers have for the first time successfully converted adult human skin cells into neurons of the type that regulate appetite, providing a patient-specific model for studying the neurophysiology of weight control and testing new therapies for obesity.

Quantum radar to detect objects which are invisible to conventional systems Posted: 27 Feb 2015 05:46 AM PST A prototype quantum radar that has the potential to detect objects which are invisible to conventional systems has now been developed.

Wind-powered freighters Posted: 27 Feb 2015 05:45 AM PST To make ships more eco-efficient, engineers have been working with alternative fuels. A Norwegian engineer is currently pursuing a new approach: With VindskipTM, he has designed a cargo ship that is powered by wind and gas. Software will ensure an optimum use of the available wind energy at any time.

Talking drone offers aviation safety boost Posted: 27 Feb 2015 05:43 AM PST In a world first, researchers have developed a talking drone that can converse with air traffic controllers just like a normal pilot.