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You Asked: What is tapioca? — Nikki, Sacramento, Calif. Marshall Brain Answers: Tapioca is a starch that comes from the root of the Cassava plant. The roots look kind of like sweet potatoes. You peel them, squeeze out the juice and grind up what’s left to make a flour. That’s tapioca. The beginning of this [...]
What are varicose veins? (and how do you get rid of them?)
by Marshall Brain | December 1, 2009
You Asked: What are varicose veins? — Ned, Pirrsburgh, Pa. Marshall Brain Answers: Varicose veins usually appear on the legs, either as dark purple lines or as raised tubes under the skin. Sometimes they are painful, sometimes not. They are caused when the valves in leg veins stop closing properly and allow blood to flow [...]
The 49 Films That Will Define 2010 – “2010 is just around the corner, and though there aren’t many big name franchises returning next summer, fear not, there is still plenty to keep your local cinema busy…” How to Make Your PC as Fast as the Day you Bought It – “Every few years, we [...]
It’s Dec. 1, and that means it’s World AIDS Day. Celebrated every year since 1988, when it was established by the World Health Organization, World AIDS Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are a few things that everyone can do to observe the day: get the facts, get tested and get involved. Let’s go through these actions one by one.
With concern about global climate change and oil prices both peaking, people are looking for alternatives. Wind and solar are possibilities, but have problems with inconsistency. Traditional nuclear reactors are a proven technology but have perceptual problems with safety and waste products. The Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor has the potential to create a safer and [...]
In the wake of football mascot Uga VII’s death, PETA is demanding that the University of Georgia turn to costumed mascots or, yes, robot dogs instead of subjecting a poorly bred English bulldog to hot, humid games. What say you, football fans, robots and animal lovers?
Stuff that makes you go Hmmm #10 – How Synthol Works
by Marshall Brain | December 1, 2009
A friend asked about Synthol this weekend. It turns out to be kind of like breast enhancement for guys. It is a way to artificially increase the apparent size of muscles by injecting oil into the muscles. This video is entitled “Synthol abuse” and contains a (somewhat disturbing) set of pictures that are widely circulating [...]
Have you been in search of “something for nothing” – the “get rich quick” scheme that causes money to arrive unbidden? This DIY project may be for you. The idea is to create a vending machine that rewards crows when they find something and bring it to the machine. In this video, Joshua Klein offers [...]
Another Tuesday is upon us and that means it’s time for TechStuff Live. Chris and I have nearly recovered from the holiday and we’re here to give you the scoop on what’s going on in technology. We’ve got stories about holiday shopping, a merger between Comcast and a major television and movie studio and more. Plus, you’ll have a chance to experience our cutting-edge special effects extravaganza known as the Tweet of the Week. Which 140-character message will take the title this week?
I hadn’t heard of this before: anxiety sensitivity. I also can’t think of too many worse conditions that don’t involve substantial wounds. Anxiety sensitivity is a clinical condition where an individual suffers anxiety about anxiety. More succinctly, it’s the fear of fear. Well you’ve pretty much lost at the start, haven’t you?
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