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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
These 65 Absolutely Mind-Blowing Photos Just Completely And Totally Shattered My Entire View Of The World Last Month
snapped the day before his death, is one of the last pictures ever taken of Pope Francis: here's what Pope Francis looked like as a young man: Popes: they were once young! Who'da thunk it. is what Niagara falls looks like from way, way above: Would ya look at that. my friends, is what a pregnant horse looks like: I am still searching for what a horse baby shower looks like. I imagine it's delightful. is what a human skeleton looks like next to a gorilla's skeleton: Feel free to pull this image up in your next "Yo Mama" debate on the playground. is Fernand Meyssonnier, France's last executioner, standing next to one of the guillotines he used on the job: Someone was executed by guillotine as recently as 1977 in France. The death penalty has since been abolished. here's a mask an executioner would typically wear: Not creepy at all. is what the USS Midway looks like compared to a person in a kayak: This makes me feel very relaxed. Just kidding. is what the bottom of the deepest trench on Earth, the Mariana Trench, looks like: Imagine being the guy responsible for the trash at the literal deepest part of the ocean. the mid-80s, the Statue of Liberty was completely covered in scafolding while being renovated: A pigeon's dream come true. 2.5 MILLION people attended Lady Gaga's show in Brazil last month. Here's what millions of people in one place looks like: I have to pee just thinking about it. Here's another angle: Again, my bladder hurts. comparison of the graphics of Grand Theft Auto V and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI has been making the rounds. The jump in graphical fidelity is incredible: What a different 13 years makes. is what an x-ray of a baby's hand looks like: A comforting thought. 1731, King Frederick I of Sweden was gifted with a lion that, after its death, he sent to be stuffed and preserved. The only issue was that the people doing the taxidermy had never actually seen a lion. This, the Lion of Gripsholm Castle, is the finished product: Juuuuuust a bit off. of terrible taxidermy and fossil reconstruction, this is the Magdeburg Unicorn, quite possibly the worst fossil reconstruction ever: It was probably done by Otto von Guericke, who thought he had found the remains of a unicorn. Turns out he'd just mixed and matched the bones of a rhinoceros, a mammoth, and a narwhal. is Steven Spielberg on top of Bruce, the animatronic shark that, well, played Jaws in Jaws: And now I'm realizing why the shark in Finding Nemo was named what it was. Here's a look at the full Jaws fake-shark rig: 2001, there was a huge dust storm on Mars that obscured the whole planet from the outside: Imagine leaving your windows open on Mars that day. is what a lizard getting a CT scan looks like: Stay strong, l'il fellah. is the one-time record holder for world's heaviest hamburger: Are the tomatoes really necessary? They're not even that heavy. scars don't sweat, so dirt doesn't stick to them: That's one way to stay clean. quarters can be very, very tiny: They were made by the Franklin Mint in the 1980s. Related: "I Know You Aren't Trying To Hurt Me." Doctors, Nurses, And First Responders Are Revealing The Most "Haunting" Last Words They've Heard From A Patient is what a World War II combat helmet looks like compared to a World War I combat helmet: Here's the other side of the helmets: I'm taking the World War II helmet for anything combat-related and the World War I helmet for anything heaping-bowl-of-soup-related. is what the first iPhone's camera looks like compared to a recent iPhone's camera: What is this... a camera for ants? is what a nuclear warhead looks like: Looks like the next water bottle TikTok is going to convince half the world to buy. 1924, a game of Human Chess was played in the Soviet Union: You know, if you weren't able to watch Babe Ruth hit 46 homeruns back then, you had to find some other way to entertain yourself. is what a four person see-saw looks like: That's a little busy. libraries let you know just how much money you save by going to them: Let's hear it for 'braries, folks. is what a golf course green that's been struck by lightning looks like: Or when my approach shot from 65 yards at hits the screen and bounces directly into the woods behind it. is what a Coke bottle from 48 years ago looked like: It was intentionally a throwback design for Coke's anniversary. original Pledge of Allegiance didn't include "under God": This was changed by Dwight Eisenhower during the Cold War, for, of course, Cold War reasons. year 2025 is the first year that's a square number since 1936: And you will almost certainly be long dead before the next one. Have a nice day! Related: 26 People Who Had Overwhelming Gut Instincts They Couldn't Were Right is "Boy Samson," the 14-year-old "strongest boy in the world" holding up a grown man on a motorcycle circa 1932: Today, that very same boy might have a Podcast. The mind reels. is how much it cost to buy a whole bunch of groceries in 1988, almost 40 years ago: Today that'll get you about two and half bell peppers. is what the first class menu looked like on the Titanic the day the ship sunk: No chicken tenders? No thanks. this is what the Second Class menu looked like that same day: Some similarities to the first class menu, but overall very, very different. for good measure, this is what the third class menu looked like that day so many of them tragically died: Literally getting served "GRUEL." is what the World Trade Center looked like at the very beginning of its construction: Construction began in 1966 and was finished in 1971. is what a fusion reactor looks like compared to a person: This particular reactor is located in China and set a record "160 million degrees celsius for 20 seconds." is Igor Sikorsky, inventor of the world's first "practical" helicopter, getting ready to take off in his contraption: This was in 1939. And here he is in the air: My guy Igor CHILLIN' up there. playgrounds have special "wheelchair only" swings: Love it! is Norwegian speed skater Oscar Mathisen pictured with his many, many, many, many awards and honors throughout the early 1900s: He set numerous world records, some even apparently lasting until the 21st century. is what a pair of maraschino cherries put through a dishwasher looks like: Now you have officially seen everything. a scientist testing out a hands-free shaving machine that used robotic arms: Okay, it was actually meant to be used with radioactive material, but shaving is a cool second use-case. my boy... strawberries can be very, very big: Nature is beautiful. dogs? Dogs can be gigantic: Who's a good... man? frogs, my boy... frogs can be very, very tiny: Now you know. Use this knowledge wisely. is a group of World War I soldiers creating a "Human Liberty Bell" at Camp Dix in 1918: This is what people did before iPhones. is 17-year-old Bryn Owen and his, frankly, ludicrous amount of mirrors on his Vespa: Every single source I've seen containing this picture points out that he used his own "pocket money." Now you know. a scene from the 1924 Olympics gold medal hockey game between the USA and Canada: Canada won 6-1. is what Meryal Waterpark, home of the world's tallest waterslide, looking like while it was under construction in Qatar: I can feel the wedgies just looking at this picture. is what Earth looks like from 3.7 billion miles away: To paraphrase the big man Carl Sagan, everyone and everything you have ever known exists on that little speck. is what the grave of HR Giger, creator of the design of the alien from Alien, looks like: Commitment to the very end. of which, the new Pope Leo went to a World Series game in 2005 and was caught on TV: Slacking off there, Leo. Should've been Pope-ing. is what caffeine looks like under a microscope: Looks about right. is Henry Behrens, at one time the world's smallest man, doing a little tango with a cat: He stood 30 inches tall, and, we can safely assume, was one heck of a dancer. is planet J1407b, a, I quote, "Super-saturn" with "over 30 rings, each stretching over tens of millions of kilometers in diameter:" It's hundreds of times bigger than the Saturn we all know and love. is what the remains of a World War I trench looks like today: These trenches date back to the Battle of the Somme and are located in Newfoundland Memorial Park near Albert, France. picture, from the early 1900s, shows an early basketball game, kneepads and all: Josh Hart would make that man CRY. another photo of a vintage basketball player, standing in front of a piano and striking fear into the hearts of his opponents: I think Jalen Brunson could put up 176 on this dude. is what Stephen Hawking's grave looks like: It reads "Here lies what was mortal of Stephen Hawking." isn't a fake picture of your worst "driving nightmare." It's the Hisashimichi Interchange, located near Tokyo, perhaps one of the most complicated roads in the world: I'll walk, thanks. is what the nerve inside a tooth looks like: (Cartoon cat slamming his finger inside a door voice) YEEEEE-OUCH! is what the knots on the outside of a tree look like on the inside: Neat! medicine used to be very, very, very strong: Add some melatonin to that baby and you might never wake up. there's a copperhead snake in this picture. Can you find it? Well, can you? Also in Internet Finds: 51 Wildly Fascinating Photos Of Disorders, Injuries, And Variations In The Human Body That I Cannot Stop Staring At Also in Internet Finds: 23 People Who Tried Their Best, But Crapped The Bed So Bad Also in Internet Finds: 27 Grown-Ass Adults Who Threw Such Unbelievable Temper Tantrums, Even The Brattiest Toddler Couldn't Compete
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Microplastics: how dangerous are they and how can we reduce our risk?
Recent headlines have raised concerns about microplastics in our bodies and the harm they may be doing. Scientists say it could be years before we have a full understanding of how these tiny plastic particles are affecting human health. But we do know they have been found from the depths of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific to the heights of Mount Everest. And we know that plastic is accumulating in our bodies, too. 'The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat – it's in it,' said Richard Thompson, a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth in England who coined the term 'microplastics' in a 2004 paper. 'We're exposed.' What are microplastics? Scientists generally define 'microplastics' as pieces less than 5mm long. Nanoplastics, which measure less than 1 micrometre, are the smallest of these and the most likely to get into our blood and tissues. READ MORE Microplastics mostly come from larger plastics, which degrade with use or when they aren't disposed of properly, said Jeffrey Farner, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering. 'We use plastics in areas or in ways that lend themselves to the production of microplastics or to the breakdown over time,' Farner said – for example, in construction materials that are weathered outdoors; in tubing that generates microplastics when it is cut; and in agriculture, as plastic mulch or in irrigation systems. More than one-third of plastic produced today is for packaging, including single-use items such as food containers that largely end up as waste. A discarded plastic bag or bottle that makes its way to the ocean or a beach gets hit with ultraviolet light, heat and sand abrasion. From there, it 'is going to break down into just an enormous number of micro- and nanoplastics,' Farner said. How do they get into our bodies? These micro- and nanoplastics end up in our air, soil, water and food. The wear and tear on our car tyres, for example, produces particles that pollute the air and water. Microplastics filtered out of wastewater end up in sludge that is then used as fertiliser. Plastic cigarette filters make their way to lakes and oceans, where they degrade over time. Humans breathe in these particles and ingest them. Some research suggests plants directly take them up from the soil and incorporate them into their roots, said Christy Tyler, a professor of environmental science at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. The higher up the food chain an animal is, the greater the concentration of microplastics likely to be found inside them. Microplastics are also more common in highly processed foods, potentially because of contamination from processing machinery or even workers' clothing. Scientists have a limited understanding of whether and how microplastics might penetrate the skin, said Tracey Woodruff, director of the programme on reproductive health and the environment at the University of California, San Francisco. But, she said, some evidence suggests we can absorb microplastics – and harmful chemicals within them – from personal care products such as cosmetics and from our clothes, which shed fibres as we move. [ Microplastics are in the heart, lungs, penis, breast milk. Can we keep them out of our bodies? Opens in new window ] Our bodies appear to clear out some of these microplastics, particularly the larger ones. Microplastics have been found in human stool and urine. Jacques Robert, a professor of microbiology and immunology, and of environmental medicine, at the University of Rochester, said his own research on tadpoles fed microplastics has found that about 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the plastic was excreted. (That research has not yet been published.) Other studies have suggested that the plastic not excreted in waste appears to pass out of the gut and into the blood, and from there can migrate to other organs like the liver and brain. What do we know about the health effects? Animal studies indicate that microplastics may harm reproduction, particularly sperm quality. They can also affect lung and gut functioning and may increase the risk for lung and colon cancer, said Woodruff, who conducted a review of the research. Robert's research in tadpoles has also shown that microplastics may weaken the immune system. It can be hard to extrapolate the effects on humans from animal studies, Tyler said, since the type and amount of plastics given to animals in experimental settings often differ from the chronic, low-level exposure to weathered particles that we experience. That said, there is early research in humans showing links between microplastics and preterm births, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. And there is well-established evidence that some chemicals in plastics are harmful to humans. These include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, some of which have been labelled known or likely human carcinogens. They also include bisphenol A and phthalates, which disrupt normal hormone function. How can we reduce exposure? One of the most effective steps might simply be not drinking from plastic water bottles, especially if they've been sitting out in the sun, Woodruff said. Another is to avoid heating food in plastic containers. Experts recommended switching to glass or steel containers for food storage, or at least transferring food to a glass or ceramic dish before heating. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables can help, too. Packaged and highly processed foods contain far more microplastics, and the particles can also be concentrated in fish and meat. Regularly vacuuming your house and using an air purifier with a HEPA filter can reduce the amount of microplastics you inhale, Tyler said, and wiping surfaces with a wet cloth may prevent particles from getting back in the air. [ Do plastic chopping boards shed microplastics into food? Opens in new window ] Washing clothes made of synthetic fibres, such as acrylic or nylon, before wearing them the first time can also help reduce your own exposure, by clearing off microplastics left from the cutting and sewing process. (Doing so, though, also introduces microplastics into wastewater.) Clothes made of natural fibres, such as cotton or wool, sidestep the microplastics problem altogether. These measures have limitations, however. Plastic is ubiquitous and often the most affordable option. 'It shouldn't all be on the consumer to have to make those choices,' Tyler said. It's not entirely clear, either, that avoiding plastic water bottles or cutting boards will meaningfully reduce your lifetime exposure when plastic waste has accumulated in our soil, air and water. Experts said governments would have to regulate and reduce non-essential plastics to stop that accumulation. Some already have. The European Union banned the use of microbeads in cosmetics, for example, and several are phasing out styrofoam in food packaging. And 175 countries have agreed to create a United Nations treaty to end plastic pollution. Compared to 20 years ago, Thompson said, there's now 'a public appetite' for change. – This article originally appeared in the New York Times . 2025 The New York Times Company
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
‘Headless Chicken Monster' Captivates Ocean Scientists With Graceful Dance
The headless chicken monster is a type of sea cucumber. Many animals have acquired silly nicknames from amused humans. Raccoons are trash pandas. Snakes are danger noodles. Ocean dwellers aren't immune to this trend. Stingrays are sea flap flaps. But few nicknames reach the height of the headless chicken monster. One of these special animals was recently captured on camera by ocean explorers. The crew of the Exploration Vessel Nautilus spotted a headless chicken monster while surveying the Vogt Seamount east of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. Seamounts are underwater mountains. The vessel deploys remotely operated vehicles to study the deep sea. One of the ship's ROVs snapped the mesmerizing footage of the chicken monster. The monster has no relation to actual poultry. It's a type of sea cucumber in the Enypniastes genus. Sea cucumbers are soft-bodied invertebrate creatures that typically scavenge for their snacks. Many of them have long, bumpy bodies that resemble the cucumbers we eat in salads. Headless chicken monsters 'are unique in that they've evolved webbed swimming fin-like structures at the front and back of their bodies,' the Nautilus team wrote. 'These semi-transparent deep-sea invertebrates are also known to shed parts of their skin to generate a glowing cloud.' The scientists providing live commentary brought some context to the sighting. The sea cucumbers are also known as Spanish dancers because they have 'nice skirts.' This feature is evident as the animal gracefully flaps through the water. The translucent animal has its guts on display. The dark hole at the top is the sea cucumber's mouth. That's where the 'headless' part of its nickname comes from. The rounded and tapered body resembles a plucked chicken. This transparent sea creature is a cucumber relative. The chicken monster isn't the only unusual sea creature in the E/V Nautilus video. 'While exploring the depths, the team also spotted a more transparent swimming cucumber relative from the Elpidiidae family with nearly translucent body cavity with orange digestive track shining from within,' the Nautilus organization said. If you thought the chicken monster was odd, wait until you hear what this transparent swimming cucumber can do. This animal is known for evading predators by shedding weight and shooting upward. It drops the weight quickly by 'doing a big poo.' The researchers also described this process as 'ballast release.' The Nautilus is exploring the Mariana Islands on an expedition funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It's an area littered with submarine volcanoes. Public outreach is a key part of the Nautilus mission. The ship sends out live video feeds of its science adventures. The translucent headless chicken monster is a highlight from one of these feeds. Previous expeditions have turned up unusual sights like a 'yellow brick road' on the ocean floor and an actual nautilus—a marine mollusk known for its artfully curved shell. The headless chicken monster is worthy of note, not just for its funny nickname, but for its jewel-like beauty and grace as a swimmer. Sea cucumbers are fascinating critters. But what do you call a group of them? According to the Natural History Museum in the United Kingdom, 'Due to their fruit-like appearance, a group of sea cucumbers is known as a pickle.'
New York Times
20-05-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Yes, Microplastics Are Everywhere. So What Do We Do?
Recent headlines (including in this publication) have raised concerns about microplastics in our bodies and the harm they may be doing. Scientists say it could be years before we have a full understanding of how these tiny plastic particles are affecting human health. But we do know they have been found from the depths of the Mariana Trench to the heights of Mount Everest. And we know that plastic is accumulating in our bodies, too. 'The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat — it's in it,' said Richard Thompson, a marine biologist at the University of Plymouth who coined the term 'microplastics' in a 2004 paper. 'We're exposed.' What are microplastics? Scientists generally define 'microplastics' as pieces less than 5 millimeters long. Nanoplastics, which measure less than 1 micrometer, are the smallest of these and the most likely to get into our blood and tissues. Microplastics mostly come from larger plastics, which degrade with use or when they aren't disposed of properly, said Jeffrey Farner, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering. 'We use plastics in areas or in ways that lend themselves to the production of microplastics or to the breakdown over time,' Dr. Farner said — for example, in construction materials that are weathered outdoors, in tubing that generates microplastics when it is cut and in agriculture, as plastic mulch or in irrigation systems. More than one-third of plastic produced today is for packaging, including single-use items like food containers that largely end up as waste. A discarded plastic bag or bottle that makes its way to the ocean or a beach gets hit with ultraviolet light, heat and sand abrasion. From there, it 'is going to break down into just an enormous number of micro- and nano-plastics,' Dr. Farner said. How do they get into our bodies? These micro- and nanoplastics end up in our air, soil, water and food. The wear and tear on our car tires, for example, produces particles that pollute the air and water. Microplastics filtered out of wastewater end up in sludge that is then used as fertilizer. Plastic cigarette filters make their way to lakes and oceans, where they degrade over time. Humans breathe in these particles and ingest them. Some research suggests plants directly take them up from the soil and incorporate them into their roots, said Christy Tyler, a professor of environmental science at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The higher up the food chain an animal is, the greater the concentration of microplastics likely to be found inside them. Microplastics are also more common in highly processed foods, potentially because of contamination from processing machinery or even workers' clothing. Scientists have a limited understanding of whether and how microplastics might penetrate the skin, said Tracey Woodruff, director of the program on reproductive health and the environment at the University of California, San Francisco. But, she said, some evidence suggests we can absorb microplastics — and harmful chemicals within them — from personal care products like cosmetics and from our clothes, which shed fibers as we move. Our bodies appear to clear out some of these microplastics, particularly the larger ones. Microplastics have been found in human stool and urine. Jacques Robert, a professor of microbiology and immunology, and of environmental medicine, at the University of Rochester, said his own research on tadpoles fed microplastics has found that about 60 to 70 percent of the plastic was excreted. (That research has not yet been published.) Other studies have suggested that the plastic not excreted in waste appears to pass out of the gut and into the blood, and from there can migrate to other organs like the liver and brain. What do we know about the health effects? Animal studies indicate that microplastics may harm reproduction, particularly sperm quality. They can also affect lung and gut functioning and may increase the risk for lung and colon cancer, said Dr. Woodruff, who conducted a review of the research. Dr. Robert's research in tadpoles has also shown that microplastics may weaken the immune system. It can be hard to extrapolate the effects on humans from animal studies, Dr. Tyler said, since the type and amount of plastics given to animals in experimental settings often differ from the chronic, low-level exposure to weathered particles that we experience. That said, there is early research in humans showing links between microplastics and preterm births, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. And there is well-established evidence that some chemicals in plastics are harmful to humans. These include per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, some of which have been labeled known or likely human carcinogens. They also include bisphenol A and phthalates, which disrupt normal hormone function. How can we reduce exposure? One of the most effective steps might simply be not drinking from plastic water bottles, especially if they've been sitting out in the sun, Dr. Woodruff said. Another is to avoid heating food in plastic containers. Experts recommended switching to glass or steel containers for food storage, or at least transferring food to a glass or ceramic dish before heating. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables can help, too. Packaged and highly processed foods contain far more microplastics, and the particles can also be concentrated in fish and meat. Regularly vacuuming your house and using an air purifier with a HEPA filter can reduce the amount of microplastics you inhale, Dr. Tyler said, and wiping surfaces with a wet cloth may prevent particles from getting back in the air. Washing clothes made of synthetic fibers, like acrylic or nylon, before wearing them the first time can also help reduce your own exposure, by clearing off microplastics left from the cutting and sewing process. (Doing so, though, also introduces microplastics into waste water.) Clothes made of natural fibers, like cotton or wool, sidestep the microplastics problem altogether. These measures have limitations, however. Plastic is ubiquitous and often the most affordable option. 'It shouldn't all be on the consumer to have to make those choices,' Dr. Tyler said. It's not entirely clear, either, that avoiding plastic water bottles or cutting boards will meaningfully reduce your lifetime exposure when plastic waste has accumulated in our soil, air and water. Experts said governments would have to regulate and reduce nonessential plastics to stop that accumulation. Some already have. The United States and Europe banned the use of microbeads in cosmetics, for example, and several U.S. states are phasing out Styrofoam in food packaging. And 175 countries have agreed to create a United Nations treaty to end plastic pollution. Compared to 20 years ago, Dr. Thompson said, there's now 'a public appetite' for change.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Christopher Ward The Twelve 38 is the ultimate Goldilocks watch
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Quick Summary Christopher Ward just launched a new addition to its The Twelve range. That's a 38mm model, marking a perfect hybrid between the 40mm and 36mm options currently available. If you're a fan of some of the best watches on the market, but don't have pockets the size of the Mariana Trench, there are some killer brands you should be aware of. The mid-range market has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, buoyed by the wealth of microbrands and independents offering something different. Chief among those brands is Christopher Ward. The British brand has been around for decades, but has really caught its stride in the last few years. Now – hot on the heels of the release of its beautiful Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian – there's another killer new watch from the brand. After we were teased with it as a limited edition last year, the brand has announced the arrival of a 38mm variant of the Christopher Ward The Twelve. That sits between the regular model and the 36mm variant in the new, expanded range. Why is that important? Well, because 38mm is probably the Goldilocks measurement for a watch like this. The nature of the integrated bracelet means that the lugs extend a little further than its measurement would suggest, which can make the 40mm version look slightly large, even on wrists which would usually be fine with a watch of that size. Aside from the new dial diameter, the model is pretty much identical to both its bigger and littler siblings. It sits a ludicrous 9.95mm tall, meaning you'll hardly even notice it on your wrist. Inside, things are powered by a Sellita SW200-1 movement, which offers 38 hours of power reserve and a 4Hz beat rate. It's accurate to +/- 20 seconds per day, too. One new thing you will notice is a new colour. The Midnight Gold is a yellow-ish hue, and looks really smart – a nice change of pace from the usual suspects. Priced from £850 / $995 on the rubber strap, this is a killer addition to the range. The Twelve is already one of the best value for money picks in the current market, and this new size should mean there really is one for every wrist.
