Naming molecules and genes

It's clear that fly pushers are the most talented when it comes to naming genes. Mothers against decapentaplegic, anyone? But chemists are not far behind, it seems.

How do you call a mineral originally found in Cummington, USA? Cummingtonite, of course. And how about adding some moronic acid to your reactions? Check out this extensive list of curious molecules.

That said, molecules and genes are not always named intentionally. Take bacteria, for example. First three letters for the operon, one letter for each gene, in alphabetical order. Unfortunately, the fucose operon contains genes until K.

More instructional science videos

Here's another instructional video for the science nerds among us: Protein synthesis: An epic on the cellular level.

Mitosis in the pool

Don't you just love synchronized swimming? And how about, eh, mitosis? For those that are into both of them, here's little something for you!

Random sights around Heidelberg (III) Beer Rafts

These guys are possibly the coolest people I've seen on the Neckar (Heidelberg's river).
as far as I can tell, they've taken 3 big floats, bolted some decking to them then added garden chairs and some beer. The whole floating beer garden is solar powered.... so these guys can just chug up and down the river drinking beer.

I actually found these guys again a couple of weeks after this. It turns out that the whole thing can be quickly broken down and will fit into a trailer and the back of a car.... (possibly to avoid the police?)

I also spotted another cool raft (although this one looks like harder work). This guy is slightly lower tec/hard work, but it looks like its powered by 4 exercise bikes....

Random sights of Heidelberg (I)

Trams are great.... really great, a fantastic idea. Much nicer than buses, much more predictable.
yep, trams are great, at least until they break down, then they are just damn funny.
(I think I counted about 6 trams before I got bored of watching....)

Random sights around Heidelberg (II)

Here's a few photos of election campaigner for Uberburgermeister (Mayor).... and the strange things they use to buy people's votes....

Candidate number one....

The first one is kind of obvious and safe, its says 'vote for us and we'll give you a rose'.

Candidate number two....


The next guy is so much more original... 'give us your vote and we'll give you some spinach'. (No, I am serious, they were giving away bags of spinach or some similar salad....). It sends a powerful message, it says "trust this guy, (he has alarmingly white teeth), he knows how to fix your city and he wants you to be strong like Popeye".

A great way to pass a little time....

bored between centrifuge spins?
Here's a stupid/simple/addictive game. Just draw a line a watch the little guy sledge down it...

LineRider

Drink coke and die....

Just found this great little movie of a conceptual art project... a little robot that's designed to find puddles of coke, drink them, then spray them over itself, eventually killing itself. (kind of surreal, but a nice metaphor for soft drinks....)

Cokebot