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2011/05/05

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Biting Facts About Braces

Posted: 05 May 2011 05:17 AM PDT

BRACES ON THE BLACK MARKET

In the early 2000s, an unusual fashion craze hit Thailand after magazines there began featuring pics of teenage girls sporting colorful braces. Suddenly, every girl on the block wanted to strap metal to her teeth, even if she already had a perfect smile. But because most orthodontists refuse to apply braces to flawless teeth, the girls took their concerns to the black market, where hucksters and swindlers happily slapped on fake braces -sometimes using superglue. (Not the best idea, as the glue’s side effects can include blood poisoning and nerve damage.) By early 2006, the craze had become so popular, and so dangerous, that authorities announced steep fines and jail time for anyone caught producing or selling fake braces. Unfortunately, neither the legal penalties nor the physical risks have done anything to diminish the fad. It looks like anxious parents will just have to wait for braces to stop being cool again.

NOTHING TO FEAR… EXCEPT TRUMPETS

The American Association of Orthodontists wants to put a few schoolyard rumors to bed. First off, wearing braces in a thunderstorm doesn’t increase your chances of being struck by lightning. Also, braces don’t set off metal detectors at airports or disrupt radio signals. But that doesn’t mean braces are completely harmless. In fact, the corrective metal reserves a special terror for trumpet players, notoriously chafing kids’ lips when they play. Thankfully, University of South Carolina music professor Dr. Keith Amstutz has a solution: the BRACEGUARD. The invention uses a piece of custom-molded plastic to separate players’ lips from the metal, allowing teens to toot their own horns pain-free.

CELEBRITIES STRAIGHTEN UP


In early 2002, Tom Cruise took his children to the orthodontist and found out that his own bite was askew. So, he did what any other world-famous movie star would do: He got braces. Instead of a mouthful of metal, Cruise opted for ceramic braces, which use bone-color brackets linked by one arch wire resting in front of the teeth. Cruise wore his braces for the next year, flashing them at movie premieres and award shows, and in doing so, he helped make it acceptable for adults to wear them. By 2004, one in five Americans with braces was an adult- a 37 percent increase from a decade earlier. During the past few years, stars from Danny Glover to Alyssa Milano have followed in Cruise’s toothsteps, changing what it means to smile like a movie star.

THE WIRELESS AGE

Recent advances in braces have made them less noticeable and more efficient. The latest development is “smart brackets,” which are embedded with microelectronic chip to measure the movement of each tooth and reduce the amount of time teenagers spend under the wire. But the future of orthodontics involves getting rid of braces altogether. Scientists are busy developing a new kind of tooth-straightening device called an eruption guidance appliance, or EGA. Designed for childen between the ages of 8 and 11, and EGA is a retainer-like tray that works at night to guide teeth as they grow in, making braces unnecessary later on.

ORTHODONTICS BY THE NUMBERS

5 Million: Number of Americans with braces.

5,410: Number of orthodontists in the United States.

650: Number of orthodontists in Caifornia (the most of any U.S. state).

30: Number of orthodontists in West Virginia (the fewest of any U.S. state).

$206, 190: Mean annual income for an orthodontist in the United States.

81: Number of Ugly Betty episodes that aired before Betty got her braces removed.

1: Number of The Brady Bunch episodes in which Marcia wore braces.

_______________________

The article above, written by Adam K. Raymond, is reprinted with permission from the March-April 2011 issue of mental_floss magazine. Get a subscription to mental_floss and never miss an issue!

Be sure to visit mental_floss‘ website and blog for more fun stuff!

Owl Accessory Holder

Posted: 04 May 2011 09:01 PM PDT

Owl Accessory Holder – $5.95

Do you know a wise old bird in need of some organization? Get them the Owl Accessory Holder from the NeatoShop.  The desk will probably stay just as cluttered, but now you will have a cute owl to distract you from that horrific mess.

Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more Office & Desk fun!

I Want

Posted: 04 May 2011 06:55 PM PDT


(YouTube link)

The Animal Humane Society put words in the kitties’ mouths to make you go “awww” and adopt a feline friend. Link -via Best week Ever

Navy SEAL Blowin' Stuff Up!

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:54 PM PDT

Photo: Eric S. Logsdon/U.S. Navy via Getty Images

I’d like to meet the SEALS that took out Bin Laden some day and buy them all the beer they can swill. Navy SEALS are so badass; they are the only thing Chuck Norris fears. Just look at this SEAL blowing stuff up on the battlefield with a giant gun. That is one of the most awesome photos I have ever seen. This SEAL was testing some new night-vision system, and the photo was snapped way back in 2004. It really makes you wonder what sort of awesome goodies they play with now, don’t it. Link

Circuit Tree

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:52 PM PDT

Joe Liles, among other media, creates art from printed circuit boards. This is the lovely and appropriately-named “Circuit Tree.” You can see three other examples at the link.

Link via Make

Magic Chair

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:47 PM PDT

How does Peter Bristol’s Cut Chair work? The secret is that the one solid leg is firmly anchored to a steel plate beneath the carpet:

A plate concealed by a thick carpet allows a robust cantilevered seat. Three well placed leg "stumps" and the chair looks as though it has just been magically sliced apart.

Bristol hopes to put the Cut Chair into production.

Link via Geekologie | Photo: Peter Bristol

Handfeeding a Wasp

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:41 PM PDT


(Video Link)

YouTube user maculifrons says that it’s possible to desensitize young wasps to human fingers. I’m not sure about that, but clearly the wasp is somewhat domesticated.

via reddit

Boeing Phantom Ray Makes Maiden Flight

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:37 PM PDT

The US military is making ever more use of unmanned fighters and intelligence
gathering aircraft. The great thing about this type of aircraft is that they can loiter over some far away battlefield for a long time, and if they are shot down, no lives are at risk. The Being Phantom Ray Stealth UAV made its first flight this week and is on its way to becoming the first stealth UAV in the arsenal. The Phantom Ray is the size of a fighter aircraft, and its maiden voyage took it to 7,500 feet and a speed of 178 knots.

"The first flight moves us farther into the next phase of unmanned aircraft," said Craig Brown, Phantom Ray program manager for Boeing. "Autonomous, fighter-sized unmanned aircraft are real, and the UAS bar has been raised. Now I'm eager to see how high that bar will go."

Link

Adorable Baby Pudu is Adorable

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:25 PM PDT

The Southern Pudu is the smallest species of deer in the world, and one was recently born at a zoo in Belfast, UK. When fully grown, Pudu are about 17 inches tall. This baby weighs only as much as a pint of milk! You can view more pictures at the link.

Link via NotCot | Photo: Belfast Zoo

The Situation in the Situation Room

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:05 PM PDT

The photo of President Obama and senior officials watching the live feed of the killing of Osama Bin Laden from the White House Situation Room has gone viral and produced some hilarious works of photoshoppery. My favorite, so far, is one featuring Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino from Jersey Shore.

Link via Super Punch | Image: Alexis Madrigal

Taxi of Tomorrow

Posted: 04 May 2011 04:46 PM PDT

Say goodbye to the bland Ford Crown Victoria taxi and meet the future New York cab, a minivan by Nissan called the NV200, which won "The Taxi of Tomorrow" competition:

… the announcement by Mayor Bloomberg that within the next few years, all new taxis in New York will be a special model, manufactured by Nissan, called the NV200. Nissan won an official city competition to design a new prototype to replace the Ford Crown Victoria, the banal, inefficient, and uncomfortable sedan that for the last decade or more has been the vehicle of choice for most taxi-fleet owners.

Link

Extreme Minimalism: Owning Only 15 Things

Posted: 04 May 2011 04:45 PM PDT

How many things do you own? Whatever it is, it's probably a lot more than the things tech entrepreneur Andrew Hyde owns. The extreme minimalist was photographed above with the 15 (or so) things that he owns:

The first question someone asks me when I tell them about the project is “How do you define something you own?” Great question, but that is a lie. The first question is always “Do you do laundry? How many pairs of underwear?” I’ll never get a stranger’s obsession with my knickers, but that is *always* question #1. Question #2 is the “What do you own?” countdown, which is both fun and annoying to answer.

I don’t have a permanent address or a second pair of jeans. Forgive me if I don’t want to answer it, but it takes a bit of emotion to go from an overconsumer to a minimalist, and perhaps even more emotion to think about it all the time. When I get up in the morning, I wear what is clean. That is my thought process. Then I’m out the door. When I am asked about what I own, I have to think about it deliberately. Imagine everything you own? Name it. Longer list than mine, but you still have to justify things as you list them, which is exhausting in a way that makes you pair emotion with physical objects. [...]

So, back to everything I own. The “rule” of ownership is the express-lane checkout rule. If you were checking out in a grocery store, what would be counted as one item in your bag? A six-pack of beer would be one, right? I count my things as resellable items I would be pissed if someone took.

Coffee cup? No. Jacket? Yes. iPhone and headphones? One thing. Simple enough?

Here is the list, as of May 2, 2011. I made a similar list in Colombia. Scott Berkun also did an interview around that time too.

Arc’teryx Miura 30 backpack
NAU shirt
Mammut rain jacket
Arc’teryx tshirt
Patagonia running shorts
Quick Dry towel
NAU wool jacket
Toiletry kit
Smith sunglasses
Wallet
MacBook Air
iPhone 3GS
NAU dress shirt
Patagonia jeans
Running shoes

Link (with podcast of interview with ABC Radio News' Dan Patterson)

Shopping Cart Lounger

Posted: 04 May 2011 03:53 PM PDT

Mike Bouchet of Cumulus Studios in Miami converted steel shopping carts into functional lounge chairs:

They are constructed from existing supermarket shopping carts. The metal is bent back and forward to create the shape of the seat and the child's seat is reconfigured into an adjustable head rest. Sensible yet comfy cushions complete the lounge. Several versions will be presented including one chair fitted with a parasol and another tricked out with a night time reading light.

Just add some cushions and it’ll look like a good patio chair.

Link via OhGizmo! | Bouchet’s Website | Photo: Cumulus Studios

Tornado-Proof Car for Sale

Posted: 04 May 2011 03:45 PM PDT

Storm chaser Steven Green had this custom car built so that he could drive it directly into tornadoes — which he did so in 2004. The chassis was originally from a desert racing vehicle which was converted by Green into its current incarnation at the price of half a million dollars. The Tornado Attack Vehicle, as it’s called, is now covered with 16 gauge steel and the bulletproof windows can withstand a .38 bullet if necessary.

Link via DVICE | Green’s Website

Robber's Saggy Pants Thwart Beer Heist

Posted: 04 May 2011 03:19 PM PDT


(Video Link)

Due to his fashion choices, a beer thief in Florida got away, but not with the beer:

Surveillance video shows a man rushing from the EZ food store in Lake Wales, trying to steal two cases of beer.

But his pants were too droopy, he tripped, and the beer went everywhere.

He jumped into the back of a Chevy Malibu and the driver took off.

Link via Lowering the Bar

Baby Aardvark

Posted: 04 May 2011 02:38 PM PDT

Cute alert! Meet Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s newest addition: a baby aardvark!

The young male aardvark was born at Busch Gardens on April 10. Busch Gardens’ animal care experts stepped in when they saw that the mother was not attentive.

There are only about 35 aardvarks in zoos in North America.With fewer than a dozen successful births each year, aardvark births are not common. They are solitary by nature, only Busch Gardens is home to a male and female, with the cub making three. He will be raised in Jambo Junction – located in the Nairobi area of the park – and will become one of the park’s educational Animal Ambassadors.

More photos at the official webpage: Link (Photo: Matt Marriott/Busch Gardens Tampa Bay) – via Laughing Squid

If you’ve been wondering, "Aardvark" means "ground pig" in Afrikaans/Dutch. It is not, however, actually related to the pig.

Knowledge Map

Posted: 04 May 2011 02:38 PM PDT

Marian Bantjes created this awesome poster about knowledge (or lack of it) as a map. Check out the Isle of Knowledge, surrounded by the Sea of Ignorance and set apart from the Unknown by the Curiosity Straights (sic).

I’m very familiar with the Beginners’ Gulf and the Shore of Limitations. It seems like I visit those places every day! Link – via swiss miss

Egg Cell

Posted: 04 May 2011 02:26 PM PDT

Egg Cell – $8.95

What do you give the Mom who has everything?  How about a plush Egg Cell from the NeatoShop.  A toy Ovum really is the perfect way to say thanks for being such a good sharer.

Be sure to check out all the fabulous Plush Toys from the NeatoShop!

Tradition vs. Progress: The Art of the American Fire Helmet

Posted: 04 May 2011 10:52 AM PDT

The iconic American fire helmet was designed in 1731, with the basic shape that is still recognizable. Safety comes first, but tradition dictates the helmet’s shape, the significance of its color, and how it is personalized. In fact, firefighters usually reject the different shape of the European helmet, despite its advantages.

The last type is the European-style helmet, which looks like a cross between a motorcycle helmet and something from Star Wars. The design is purportedly much more comfortable and practical. But, as one firefighter put it, “I’ve been involved with fire departments in four states…and in seven years have seen a grand total of two [European-style] helmets… these guys were… universally afraid of being mocked for wearing something new, different or ‘unfashionable.’”

Shown is a helmet from the 18th century. Link -via Boing Boing

Aboard the L Train, Luncheon Is Served

Posted: 04 May 2011 10:45 AM PDT

Imagine a fancy luncheon -served on a subway train! That’s exactly what happened in New York City on Sunday, aboard the L train bound for Brooklyn. The guests only knew they were there for an “underground dining experience.” What they got was an experience, all right.

The event was the work of several supper clubs, and the menu they devised was luxurious: caviar, foie gras and filet mignon, and for dessert, a pyramid of chocolate panna cotta, dusted with gold leaf. All of it was accessible with a MetroCard swipe (Michele handed out single-ride passes) and orchestrated with clockwork precision. The six-course extravaganza took only a half-hour.

It wasn't rush hour, so seating was easy. The tables (lap-width black planks, with holes cut to fit water glasses) were tied to the subway railings with twine. Tucking in behind them felt something like being buckled into a roller coaster. At 1:30 p.m., a few minutes ahead of schedule, the train lurched off.

It was a lovely meal, but it was, after all, illegal.

Paul Smith, a CUNY professor, encountered the meal on his way home to the East Village and was invited to join. "I had this fantastic lunch," he said, "very exquisite. And then I thought, am I going to get arrested?"

There was no sign of the police or even a conductor, but officials at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, reached on Monday, were not amused. "A dinner party on the L train?" said Charles F. Seaton, a spokesman for the authority. "No. Subway trains are for riding, not for holding parties."

In deference to the authority's rules, the hosts did not offer alcohol. This did not assuage Mr. Seaton. "No beverages at all with open containers," he said.

After clean-up, the organizers called it a job well done. They had spent over $1600 on the stunt, but the publicity for pulling it off was well worth it. Link -Thanks, Bill!

(Image credit: Yana Paskova for The New York Times)

The Crop Circle House

Posted: 04 May 2011 10:21 AM PDT

The Aliens may have been trying to tell us something by leaving those crop circles all those years; crop circles would be a neat design for a house. Jolson Architecture in Australia got the message by designing the Earth House. See link for gallery images.  Link

Brave Woman Teases Wild Cheetahs

Posted: 04 May 2011 10:21 AM PDT

 

Marlice Van Der Merwe is a Namibian conservationist who really knows how to stick her neck out for her job. This video footage at the link shows her wandering through a Cheetah filled field with nothing but a motor bike and a stick as the wild animals hiss and growl at her. Link

The Idea Swap

Posted: 04 May 2011 10:19 AM PDT

In theory this sounds like a great idea. Post an idea and you get an idea back. Freedom of the exchange of information, that's what the internet is for right? However I could see this posing some problems when someone's brilliant million dollar idea gets posted on TheIdeaSwap.com.

The Idea Swap lets you take those ideas you got that really didn’t come to any use, and exchange them with actual ideas from other people.

Link

7 Grimm’s Fairy Tales That Would Make Great Movies

Posted: 04 May 2011 10:18 AM PDT

 

We are all familiar with the classics like Snow White and Hansel and Gretel but what are some of the original Grimm Fairy Tales that would make great (Non Disney) movies? My favorite from the title alone is "The Devil's Smelly Brother." Link

Incredible Space Pics from Astronaut Twitpic Account

Posted: 04 May 2011 10:17 AM PDT

This past fall when NASA astronaut Colonel Douglas H. Wheelock took command of the International Space Station he began posting photos to his Twitpic account of the incredible views he was encountering from his lofty perch. My favorite is this photo of an island that looks like a hat. Link

A Defense Against Cat Urine

Posted: 04 May 2011 06:22 AM PDT


(YouTube link)

Craig Turner has a problem with neighborhood cats peeing on his property. They spray the house, doors, car, and worst of all, the air conditioning vents. I would just get a dog (which I did), but Turner constructed a homemade defense that involves cameras, motions sensors, and lots of planning. How successful was it? You’ll have to watch the entire video to find out. Warning: urination. -via Metafilter

Happy Star Wars Day!

Posted: 04 May 2011 06:19 AM PDT

Today, it being May the 4th, is Star Wars Day! Geeks Are Sexy has a roundup of fun Star Wars entertainment to celebrate. And May the Fourth be with you. Link
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