Photos credit: Rothamsted Research Visual Communications Unit

This is an unknown species of aphid which was found by a scientist and vice-president of the Royal Entomological Society of London, Dr. Richard Harrington, who bought this fossil on an internet auction on eBay for £20 from a man in Lithuania. The fossil itself is measured 3 to 4mm in length and was encased in a 40 to 50 million-year-old piece of amber about the size of a small pill. It is said that this aphid became trapped in the resin as it seeped from a tree millions of years ago. An aphid expert in Denmark, Prof. Ole Heie confirmed that this insect is a new species which has turned out to be a long extinct aphid from the Earth and he named it as Mindarus Harringtoni after Dr. Harrington, who first named it as Mindarus ebayi. This fossil is now well-kept in the Natural History Museum.

A Spider Musician Called “Neil Young”

Photo credit: ECU News Services

This newly discovered arachnid or a trapdoor spider has been named in honor of a rock musician, Neil Young who is also an activist for justice and peace. Thereafter, this spider has become a famous “rock musician” in the nature. A biologist at East Carolina University, Jason Bond, has named it as Myrmekiaphila neilyongi. Bond discovered it in 2007 in Jefferson Co., Ala. and later this species was described in a journal. This spider lives in a burrow and crafts a trap door to keep out unwanted parasites and predators. Unlike other spiders which make webs out of silk, this spider uses silk to line burrows and an extension of the lining is part of its trap door.

A Genetically Modified Mosquito

Photo credit: PNAS Photo credit: Reuter

This is a genetically modified strain of malaria-resistant mosquito which has been created successfully by a scientist. Undoubtedly, it gives new impetus for controlling the most common and deadly parasitic disease, Malaria (spread by the single-celled parasite called Plasmodium which is passed to humans via the bite of Anopheles mosquito) which makes 300 million people ill, causes 2.7 million deaths and more than 500 million people are infected each year. This epidemic rages furiously particularly in parts of the central and South of America, Asia and Africa. Also, it was reported that children die of malaria every 30 seconds in sub-Saharan African in most cases. The creation of mosquitoes with green fluorescent testicles undoubtedly will help curb the spread of malaria carrying mosquitoes.

This genetic modification of mosquito has a relatively higher survival rate even when not exposed to malaria besides laying more eggs. Scientists hope that by introducing it to the nature, the epidemic of malaria could be reduced as it carries a gene that prevents infection by the malaria parasite. Besides carrying gene that confers resistance to the malaria parasite, it has the gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP) inserted into its transgenic mosquito, making its eyes glow green.

Dr. Rasgon said, "I think it will be 10 to 20 years before transgenic mosquitoes are released into nature. It's very difficult to predict what will happen when we release these things."

"There is quite a lot of research that needs to be done, both in terms of genetics and the ecology of the mosquitoes; and also research to address all the social, ethical and legal issues associated with releasing transgenic organisms into the environment," he added.

The Cat with Four Ears

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Unlike other cats, this popular cat has an extra set of ears which mark its unique appearance. Despite its unusual looks, its hearing and behavior are normal and it meows very softly. It was born on Brenda Pearson's parents' farm in Capron Illinois in May 2007. It was named as Yoda, after the pointy-eared Jedi Knight, a character in Star Wars based on George Lucas' cat. Yoda now lives in Belvidere, Illinois with Tim and Brenda Pearson.

Cloned Cats that Glow

Photo credit: AFP/ Getty Image

South Korean scientists have successfully cloned cats via the advantage of a technological twist that could use to make significant genetic changes in every creature on Earth. These cats carry genes that have been altered genetically to enable them to glow in the dark. Photos from South Korea's Ministry of Science and Technology show cats appear normal in visible light (left) but their skins glow red under ultraviolet light (right).

Photo credit: Yonhap

A research team at Gyeongsang National University in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, headed by Kong Il-Keun, has created several kitty clones that glow a dull red under ultraviolet light.

"The ability to manipulate the fluorescent protein and use this to clone cats opens new horizons for artificially creating animals with human illnesses linked to genetic causes," said the Ministry of Science and Technology.

These gene-altered cloned cats that glow in the dark are really cool. How did scientists do this? According to the researches in South Korea, this is what they did on these cats: They took skin cells from Turkish Angora female cats and used a virus to insert the genetic instructions for making red fluorescent protein (RFP). Then they put the gene-altered nuclei into eggs for cloning. The cloned embryos were implanted back into the donor cats, which effectively became the surrogate mothers for their own clones.

In the near future, these animal clones might be genetically altered to produce human body parts. And it sounds like scientists have gone too far away from the perspective of humanity. Will this clone be a way-out science-fiction play? Well, this is not a fiction in a reality. Instead, it's already happened and will happen very often in the future, which I'm sure will spark a controversy debate. What would you say then? Will you allow this nightmare to happen?

Is Our World a Ground Field for Cloning?

Photo credit: AP images

The researches at National Taiwan University's Department of Animal Science and Technology claimed that they have bred the only three fully fluorescent pigs, while other researchers have managed to breed partly fluorescent pigs. Their heart and internal organs are green. In the daylight, their skins and eyes are greenish tinged. Even their teeth and trotters look green. In the dark, they shine a blue light and they emit torch-light bright. They are about 265 transgenic pigs created by adding DNA from jellyfish into pig embryos which were implanted in 8 different sows. By creating these fluorescent pigs, researchers hope to boost the stem cell research, as well as helping to study human disease.

Photo credit: AP image

A research team at the National University of Singapore led by a fish molecular biologist, Dr. Gong Zhiyuan from the Department of Biological Sciences has successfully bred Zebra fish that are greenish tinged under special lighting. According to Dr. Gong's group, they have cloned over 300 non-redundant zebra fish genes encoding known proteins and soon they may also create a fish that changes color when it passes through different temperatures.

Photos credit: AP images 

This is a nude transgenic mouse which has developed by Anticancer Inc. Under blue light, every cell of the mouse in its body is greenish tinged (left), while under normal light, it seems like not much different from other mice (right).

Human cancers that express DsRed can now be implanted into this mouse to enable scientists to observe and monitor the progress of the cancer cells in live green mouse. The cancers will give off red fluorescence. This creation gives new impetus to the medical field that allows the researchers at Anticancer Inc. to monitor angiogenesis (blood vessels growing into the cancer and supplying oxygen and food) as well as to observe metastasis (cancer cells moving around the body).

With regards with this cloning, different communities act differently, some agree but some object strongly. Of course, the scientific applications of transgenic technology sparks the debate as in some cases, human genes are transferred into other animal species to produce animals that are half-animal and half-human alike as in my article entitled The First Creation of Human-Animal Hybrid Embryo. The genetic differences that separate species from one another create concerns among certain communities as they question whether this technology is morally acceptable. It must be a nightmare that human genes are merged with animal genes, mustn't it? Thinking of this, what'll our world looks like with all these scary cloned creatures? What do you think?

Mushrooms Can Glow in Green Light too, Amazing!

Image sourceImage source

These bioluminescent mushrooms and fungi can be seen in the forests of southern Brazil. They emit light the whole day but are best to observe at night. They appear as “dozens of stars” or “fireflies” that glow at night. There are only 65 species out of 85,000 species in the Fungi kingdom, of which Jack-o-Lantern Mushroom (Omphalotus spp.) and the Honey Mushroom (Armillaria spp.) are the known luminescent species which belong to different lineages. These 65 luminescent species form thin-walled white spores help in spore dispersal, and they are all white rot fungi which are capable to digest both the cellulose and lignin in plant debris. They glow by emitting a constant yellowish-green light at a wavelength of 520 to 530 nanometers. Not all their parts can glow. In some species, the cap or the gills glow; in others, only the stem, but in some species, the fine, thread-like filament called mycelium (from which the mushrooms develop) glow brightly. They glow to attract nocturnal animals to help in spore dispersal as in the closed canopy forests the wind dispersal is very limited. Others may glow to attract the predators of insects that eat the mushrooms.

Golden, Glistering Seahorse

Photo credit: Reuter

This golden, glistering seahorse was created by a research team at Viet Nam National University's College of Science using a shooting method (generated via a strong force to insert the light-emitting gene into the seahorses' egg cells). There are about 108 living seahorses glistering in gold created successfully via genetically engineered technology.

With regards to the creation of this golden, glistering sea horse, the researcher said, “Gene GFP, a light-emitting gene extracted from jelly fish, was combined with tiny grains of gold. Then these grains of gold were injected into seahorse's egg cells. The gold mixed with the jellyfish genes was incorporated into the cells of the sea horses, which glittered when they came into being.”

What's Okapi? Is it a Giraffe or a Zebra?

Photos credit: ZSL

This elusive forest-dweller was officially discovered in 1901. It has a short, dense, velvety coat and a long, black, prehensile giraffe-like tongue and zebra-like stripes on its back. It has a close relationship to the family of giraffe.

This Anteater is not only cool but also an Interesting creature. Want to Keep It as a Pet?

Photos credit: Nick, James, Mahesh

An anteater is about 6 feet long, but its mouth is only an inch wide. It has 42 teeth. It will be nice to have one as a pet at home, as you do not have to worry about ants anymore!

True Love in Animal Kingdom

Photos credit: James, Chong, Max, Bob

These are true love in the animal kingdom, marking no “discrimination” true-loved world. These scenes are very touching and they are the best masterpiece on Earth. This is a beauty world of the nature.

Chupacabra, Vampire in the Nature?

Photos credit: animal.net

Chupacabra (means “goat sucker” in Spanish) is rumored to inhabit parts of the America. It was first spotted in Puerto Rico in the early 1990s, and have later been seen spotted in Mexico and as far as the United States. Its name came after its habit of attacking and drinking the blood (and sometimes organs) of livestock, particularly goats, dogs and sheep through a single hole or two holes. It has been reported that Chupacabra killing animals in places like Puerto Rico, Miami, Chile, Nicaragua, and Mexico. The report of attacks perpetrated by this creature showed telltale marks on their necks. It is characterized by its dog-like reptile, small half-alien, and half-dinosaur tailless vampire-like appearance; dog or panther like nose and face, a forked tongue, hairless body, unusually pronounced eye sockets, sharp claws, large fangs, and a long snake-like tongue. It stands about 1 to 1.2m (3-4ft) high, and can stand and hop just like a kangaroo.

Very Ugly Sphynx Cat

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The Sphynx cat, also called Canadian Hairless cat, is a rare breed cat known for its lack of hair coated its body. Some of its species do have a fine hair over their bodies that could be felt or seen only with difficulty. The hairless species feel rubbery when touched. Due to its lack of a coat, its ears tend to build up with a brown waxy substance. One can see some slight hair scattered all over its nose, ears, tail and feet. It has a wedge-shaped head, long slim legs, small dainty paws along with its long fine muscular body, but it has no true eyebrows or whiskers. Wrinkled skin is highly desirable, especially around its muzzle, between the ears, and around the shoulders. The adult female weights between 6 to 9 pounds, while the male weights between 10 to 15 pounds. Though it looks uglier, it is a very lively, intelligent and playful breed as it interacts well with humans. Because of its affectionate nature, it is kept at home as a pet.

What's this Creature?

This small creature is an insectivorous mammal native to Africa. It is named as an elephant shrew or a jumping shrew. It has a mouse-like tail and an elephant-like long trunk. It varies in size from about 100mm to almost 300mm, and weights from below 50 to 500g. BBC said it has a close relationship with an elephant, walrus, dolphin and the African rabbit.

Is Yeti Another Version of King Kong?

Photos credit: myth of yeti. net

Katmandu, the capital of Nepal, has been a home for the Yeti legend. In Tibetan, “Yeti” means “magical creature” and it has been described as a supernatural enigma in the appearance of hairy and biped creature that resembles a giant ape. The first report about the myth of Yeti appeared in 1925 when a Greek photographer, N.A. Tombazi has witnessed this creature moving in the distance across some lower slopes while working in his geological expedition in the Himalayas.

"Unquestionably, the figure in outline was exactly like a human being, walking upright and stopping occasionally to uproot or pull at some dwarf rhododendron bushes," said Tombazi, "It showed up dark against the snow and, as far as I could make out wore no clothes."

Have you spotted these Creatures elsewhere?

Photos credit: animalwonder, vet, John, William, Zag

These creatures are not existed on Earth. The manufacturers have shaped them into animal appearance for making toys, PS and also for home or garden decorations.

Also read

• Odd Looking Marine Animals (You Never Knew Existed)
• 20+ Weirdest and Ugliest-Looking Animals on Earth
• The Weirdest and Coolest Deformed Animals on Earth
• Exploring the Most Incredible World of Sea Aliens of the Deep
• 13 Strangest and Most Unusual Sexual Behavior among the Animals
• 20+ Unusual and Astounding Living Organisms
• Butterflies of the Sea: Flamboyantly Decorated Marine Animals
• Extremely Amazing Animals that Sustain Their Survival under Extreme Conditions
• Terror and Shock: the World s Largest Snakes Ever
• 10 Reasons Why Dinosaurs No Longer Live on Our Earth
• My Secret Life as a Panda

1. Can't drink your coffee in peace in the morning until you feed the cat?
2. No matter how bad you may have to 'go', do you still shuffle your feet in the dark because 'Fluffy' may be sleeping somewhere along the path to the john?
3. When you buy an item that comes in a fairly large box, do you save the box for your feline's use and enjoyment?
4. When you can't find your kitty, do you run the electric can opener in order to get him to come to you? (and then feel guilty for tricking him so you now open up another can of catfood?)
5. Even though it's a cool day, do you still open That Window because your cat wants to sit on the sill and watch the birds, squirrels, and your neighbors across the street?
6. Do you stop reading a book or using your laptop in order to pat your fuzzy friend who has been pawing at your arm since you got comfortable?
7. After cooking your supper, do you save a little bit of beef or chicken for the cat? (If you make him a small plate of food, consider the possibility that your kitty is bragging about your 'trick' to other cats through That Window!)
8. Do you make room for him on the bed?
9. Do you hide yourself in the bathroom with the door closed in order to tie your shoes in peace?
10. Do you look into those wide soul-searching eyes and know in your heart that you would die protecting your little friend?

Yup...you're trained!

I know most people don't have a trampoline, but for those of you that do, or can borrow your neighbors, it still is fun.  Really!  You might have thought you had drained all the fun juice out of that sucker, but trust me, it is really fun.  Just try some new wacky tricks, like landing a frontflip if you already hadn't.  You could also get a ball and just throw it around, just be creative.

Play With Your Pet

Most likely, you pets are also very bored, so it is a double win, YEAH!  Most common thing to do with you pet is take them out for a walk, and why not.  It couldn't hurt...except that creepy guy down the street that always stalks you.  Anyway, forget him, just have fun with walking your pet.

Read Some Articles

This is, of course, a website that publishes nearly any article you can think of.  One of the funnest things Iv'e found to do is just skim through random articles.  There are many interesting ones, just find a topic that you like to read about.  Oh and it wouldn't hurt to read some of my articles.

Go Sightseeing

You don't have to travel to any exotic place to go sightseeing.  There is probably a just as good place in your yard to go sightseeing.  I know this sounds boring, but you will find things you've never really noticed before.  You will really get a whole new perspective about the world.

Play Japanese Mario Kitten

Ok, ok, I know what you are thinking.  WTF is Japanese Mario Kitten.

This:

CLICK HERE

This, might be the most frustrating, yet, funnest game I have ever played.  This game really tests your brain and your logical thinking with reverse psychology and other mind tricks.  You will be lucky if you get past the first level.  Things are not always as they seem in this game.  I am willing to give you the walkthrough, but I still think you will have a terribly touch time beating this game.

Walkthrough:

One day, they asked him to play "Partita in D minor for solo violin" by Johann Sebastian Bach. This man had never played the piece because he avoided music that had anything to do with Germany or the Nazi's. They told him if he didn't play it, they would shoot him.
This man picked up his violin and by the glory and grace of God's hand "as he said", he played the piece without even remembering it took place.

So you see, some of the most awe inspiring individuals in the world will never get their chance to tell their story. I am here to share with you a few that have inspired me.

Big things do come in small packages as you shall soon see.

The Next Mozart? 6-Year Old Piano Prodigy

Even at 6 years old, Emily Bear has astonished audiences from the White House to her own siblings who are also gifted. Emily has played the piano since the age of 3 and she even composed her first piece of music at age 2.

Paul Potts sings Nessun Dorma at "Britain's Got Talent"

A mobile phone salesman who works at Car phone Warehouse brings out the beauty of "Nessun Dorma", an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot, made famous by Luciano Pavarotti.

Esref Armagan: Artist Born without Eyes:

Born with a defect of the eyes, this painting visionary is imaging shapes in his mind and transcribes them and translates the final picture in his psyche to a canvas.

Ruediger Gamm: The Human Calculator

At 35 years old, Rudiger Gamm can instantly solve complex mathematical formulas inside his head. He is also able to multiply higher powers and divide two prime numbers to 60 decimals He is also a calendar calculator and he can determine within seconds the day of the week of any date in history.

Kim Peek: The Real Rain Man

Kim Peek has a photographic or eidetic memory and developmental disabilities, perhaps resulting from congenital brain abnormalities. He was the inspiration for the character of Raymond Babbit, played by Dustin Hoffman, in the movie Rain Man.

Daniel Tammet: The Boy with the Incredible Brain

Daniel Paul Tammet is a British high-functioning autistic savant gifted with a facility for mathematical and natural language learning. "In his memoir, Born on a Blue Day, he talks of how having epilepsy, synaesthesia, and Asperger Syndrome all deeply affected his childhood."

Stephen Wiltshire: The Human Camera

Stephen Wiltshire MBE is an architectural artist who has been diagnosed with autism. He is recognized for being able to illustrate an entire landscape just by seeing it once.

Check out some of these related articles:

• Wacky World Record Holders
  
• Humanitarians that Left a Mark On History

This is unlike any other piggy bank you've ever seen. In fact, it's different from real life piggies in one dominant aspect: the Pelucha has feathers! The good thing is that it retained the universal pig color, pink.

The Japanese Version Piggy Bank

Because the above piggy pair came from Japan, let's assume that their names are Yamamita and Sokagoku. They seem to have animated eyes, and there's a certain cheerful but meditative calm about them that surpasses all pig culture.

The Mutated Hello Kitty

Some scientists probably made a laboratory experiment and tried to create a new species out of a cat and a pig. The result is this mutated 'hello kitty' piggy bank above.

The Next-Door Nerd

Many people have complained that this piggy bank is an insult to human intelligence. Despite the harsh criticisms, "nerd piggy" has stood the test of time and reached vintage status. Standing 8 and 1/4 inches tall, he has enough money to regularly buy new glasses and overalls.

Spider Oink

Pork, spider webs, and money. Now that's a perfect combination! This superhero might just save the day, especially if the ATM is offline.

The Dark Knight

Batman is becoming more and more obsessed with money. Recently hitting it big in the box office industry, he then switched his interests towards collecting your coins. And so emerged this Dark Knight piggy bank.

The Wild Hog

Beware, this is not your typical cute little oinky. This pig is wild, ferocious and menacing. Because of its size, it can make you more money than the other piggy banks too.

The First Slim Pig

I know, I know. This pig looks like Snoopy or Odie (Garfield's dog friend). But in actuality, this is the first pig to ever succesfully lose weight and eliminate a bulging tummy. Look at that ribbon around his neck. That's an award from his ancestors.

The Moo-Oink

This bank has dominant pig characteristics, except for cow-like spots all around its body! That's why it's called Moo-Oink! A splendid union of cows and pigs.

An interesting aspect of the psychology of emotions is that humans have mirror neurons that enable us to recognize what other peoples facial expressions mean in the context of the emotion.

Perspectives on emotions from the evolution theory were initiated in the late 19th century with Charles Darwin's book The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals. "Darwin's original thesis was that emotions evolved via natural selection and therefore have cross-culturally universal counterparts."

Animals undergo emotions that are quite comparable to our own. In recent years, research has become readily available which expands prior theories of animal speech, cognition and use of devices. Emotions arise in the "mammalian brain, or the limbic system, which human beings share in common with other mammals as well as many other species."

Research suggests that canines can experience negative emotions in a parallel manner to people, including the equivalent of certain chronic and acute psychological conditions. They can often feel like they really are human; taking on certain household tasks and enjoying the same types of amenities that we take pleasure in, like television and TiVo.

Cats display a range of emotions stemming from happiness, aggravation and affection. Other feline behavior is attributed to suspicion, frustration and even vengefulness. These little guys are highly intelligent. They have a certain degree of cuteness which can overpower a human by many lengths. Screaming and crying usually always gets them what they want.

Polar bears can experience emotions of embarrassment and shame. However, they are also extremely lovable with each other. Often times, they will sleep in a loving embrace with their spouse or child.

Elephants, like human, often share a strong sense of family and death. Each elephant has its own unique set of personalities which may include feelings of happiness, sadness, and disappointment.

Image Source

Squirrels are usually very clever and persistent animals. They are often referred to as pests in local neighborhoods since they are often found digging in flower pots or stealing seeds from the bird feeder. In my opinion, I think their devious attitudes toward humans are often learned from mirroring other naughty squirrels. They find it extremely funny to annoy us.

Rodent emotions provided the first early evidence of theories about human behavior or nature. They are highly intelligent and experience both pleasure and pain, much like humans do.

Images from Flickr.com, Funnyartpictures.com, Funnypostcards.com, The Fuzzy Squid

Well that about sums up my attitude so here is a list of small jokes or sayings that keep me sane.

Money can not buy happiness,tell you what give me the money and I will find out for myself.

My one year old child has got over the endless crying,vomiting and keeping us awake all night.  Just thinking about it reminds me of the wonders of contraception.

The thing I hate most about coke heads,they never give me any.

Anyway what is the fuss about coke I just can not see the attraction all those bubbles up your nose.

I am an agnostic dyslexic insomniac who stays awake all night thinking is there a dog.

There is a new way for the blind to read we call it broile pardon me I will just feel that again.

I can give you the answer to any question the only thing I can not give you is the intellectual capability to understand the answer.

You think more of your stomach than me,I think more of the goldfish than you.

You only do it to annoy me,there is a better reason

Why do you always leave the toilet seat up you know it annoys me,but you look so attractive in scarlet.

I have not spoken to my wife for six months well its rude to interrupt.

The way to a mans heart is usual straight through his chest. My ex wife insisted on that one.

Well thats me I hope they will give you a little chuckle.

Have you laughed today? If you feel depressed and negative you whole day will turn out bad, just like when you wake up with the wrong leg. Laughing just makes you feel good and content and satisfied. When you laugh at something funny it can help you make you feel great and you will change your attitude all of a sudden. Laughing is good for your body especially for your heart. During a laugh your body will pump lots of oxygen into your lungs and transport it to where it's needed. Laughing can have the effect of a positive feeling and we all know that the positive feelings and thoughts can be very powerful.

Okay, I know that you already know how healthy it is to laugh so today I want to make you laugh with a little video.

If You Laugh You Lose

Here are a video which I stumbled upon which I'd like to share with you. It's indeed hilarious. The thing is try to watch it without laughing. See when you'll laugh. I managed somewhat 0.27 seconds but had to laugh. LoL

I want you to watch it and enjoy it fully! Lean on your chair, make it yourself comfortable and watch it. You can even share it with your family or friends and see when they will burst into a big laugh! Have a try, you won't regret it.

Now tell me did you laugh or not? I had to laugh when I watched it for the first time but after 4 times I only laughed at the last two ladies but it was still funny to me.

Last but not Least

Here's pictures that made me laugh - hopefully it will make a smile on your face.

image source