World’s Strangest

Crysomallon squamiferum, also known as the scaly-foot gastropod, was discovered at the bottom of the Indian Ocean in 1999 at a depth of 2420 metres. Its shell is remarkably strong because it is flexible, allowing it to absorb blows from predators and dissipate their energy, rather than shatter: For example, the shell’s outermost layer consists of [...]

Photo by Carsten Peter Perched above the lighted city of Catania, Italy, Mount Etna hurls a fountain of fire skyward as rivers of lava spill down its flanks. In spite of its dazzling displays, Mount Etna is a relatively safe volcano with rare, compact eruptions and slow-flowing lava that gives people a chance to escape. – [...]

(YouTube Link) Parahawking involves skydiving while specially-trained birds of prey swarm around you, including vultures, eagles, and falcons. It’s available in Nepal courtesy of a bird rescue group called Himalayan Raptor Rescue. Hypothetically, it should lead to a superior paragliding experience: Birds of prey have a natural instinct to conserve energy wherever and whenever possible. During a [...]

Photo: Norfolk Southern Norfolk Southern’s NS 999 electric locomotive runs entirely on 1,080 12-volt batteries and produces 1,500 horsepower. From the company’s press release: NS 999 is an entirely electric locomotive that uses a lead-acid energy storage system comprised of 1,080 12-volt batteries to operate in railroad switching applications without the use of a diesel engine and [...]

Photo: Urban Collector Calm down, it’s not actually blood. It’s just an energy drink made to look like blood, and it’s served in an IV bag: The fruit punch flavor packs 4 hours of energy along with iron, protein, and electrolytes. Not only does Blood Energy Potion have a similar nutritional makeup to real blood, but it [...]

Every other day, we get to hear about some new solar powered creation. Here are 13 amazing solar concepts that draw inspiration from plants. After all, plants are Mother Nature’s solar generators. Pictured is the Power Flower by Art Energy Design, which collects wind energy in the petals and solar energy in the leaves! Link From the [...]