Internet Scout Weblog

Freakonomics Blog

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:37:59 -0600

If you enjoyed the book Freakonomics, or saw the documentary by the same name, check out this blog from creators Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner. The posts discuss a variety of topics, and usually dissect a statistic or fact that we tend to take for granted; the discussions may make you think differently about the world as we know it. The blog's editors include professors of law, economics and sociology. Links to the site's podcast, Freakonomics Radio, are also included in the blog.

Atlas Obscura

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:13:24 -0500

Atlas Obscura is a self-proclaimed "compendium of the world's wonders, curiosities and esoterica." Armchair travelers will enjoy reading about interesting sites around the world, and may be inspired to compile a list of places to visit one day. Natural wonders, museums, national treasures and landmarks are included, and users can contribute to the site or help edit content already present. My favorite places on the site include Chicago's Busy Beaver Button Company, Costa Rica's Aviarios Del Caribe Sloth Sanctuary and Palau's Jellyfish Lake.

Two New Elements Added to the Periodic Table

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:13:14 -0500

Two new radioactive elements, which have yet to be named, have been added to the periodic table after three years of review by the governing bodies of chemistry and physics. Both of the new elements were discovered by a joint team from Dubna, Russia and California. The elements are said to be highly radioactive and exist for less than a second before decay.

A Curious Case of Foreign Accent Syndrome

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:22:31 -0500

This story from NPR highlights Foreign Accent Syndrome, a rare but fascinating condition that can happen after a brain injury, resulting in the patient's accent changing drastically. The story profiles Karen Butler, a woman from the United States who developed the condition after being put under anesthesia while having dental work done. I recommend listening to the audio of the news story to hear Karen's accent, which sounds somewhat Scottish. Running time for the audio clip is 3:58.

Exclusive Area 51 Pictures: Secret Plane Crash Revealed

Thu, 26 May 2011 13:31:36 -0500

Conspiracy theorists have long wondered what exactly has been concealed by the U.S. government at Area 51, a large military base located in southern Nevada. National Geographic presents a series of recently declassified photographs of an experimental spy plane which crashed there in 1963. The photographs depict the government's cover up of the crash, and may answer the questions that still exist for many people who have heard a variety of conspiracy theories about the site, most of which relate to government research and concealment of UFOs.

How People Really Use the iPad

Thu, 19 May 2011 11:38:23 -0500

This article from the Atlantic includes data from a recent survey of iPad owners. The results show how iPad owners are utilizing the new, some would say, trendy tablet-style devices. The survey covers topics such as news consumption via the iPad, and use of the devices as e-readers.

Help New Computer Users Learn to Copy, Cut, and Paste

Fri, 13 May 2011 09:32:11 -0500

Despite the fact that many of us are computer savvy enough to have learned the basics long ago, a digital divide still exists between those who know how to use technology and those who struggle with it. If you've ever had to teach the basics to someone, you know that many people do not understand all of the shortcuts right away. This article from Lifehacker provides a good starting point for anyone teaching new computer users basic commands like copy, cut and paste. It would be particularly useful for public librarians or educators working with nontraditional students who struggle with technology.

San Francisco Will Juice Your Electric Car For Free

Wed, 11 May 2011 09:33:25 -0500

For those of you that are excited about electric cars then here is an article for you. San Francisco will be installing electric charging stations that can be used for free until 2013! This is a huge victory for electric car advocates and a really interesting read for all of us!

Breathtaking Undersea Aliens: Deep Sea Photography

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 09:35:43 -0500

This page includes a few examples of marine biologist Alexander Semenov's undersea photography. His images of sea life are not only interesting scientifically, but are also visually stunning. In a brief interview, he explains the photographic process. More examples of his work can be found here; the site is entirely in Russian, but the images are content enough for those of us who don't understand the language.

Researchers Succeed in Quantum Teleportation of Light Waves

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 07:22:12 -0500

Here is one for all of the Trekkies. Researchers have just successfully teleported information using lightwaves. This is a huge step towards making quantum computing a reality. If you have some spare time be sure to check this article out!

Video Games Help Stroke Victims Rehab Motor Functions

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:08:21 -0500

This is a very cool article about a new study that shows how videogames peripherals, such as the Eye Toy or Wii-Mote, can be used to help stroke victims. If you have some time you should really check this out!

Yale Law Library Offering Therapy Dog For Checkout

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:07:02 -0500

Any student knows that school can be stressful, particularly during midterms and finals. Yale's law library is trying something different to help students cope: offering Monty, a certified therapy dog, for checkout. Students can hang out with Monty for a period of 30 minutes and hopefully relieve a little bit of stress. He even has a record in the library's catalog. A picture of Monty at play can be seen here.