Evolution Of Human Hand Dexterity Some of us are really good with our hands.But even if you can't do "David Blaine"-style card tricks with your fingers, you'd still have greater hand dexterity than our closest primate relatives - the chimpanzees.Quick hands and smart brainz are hallmarks of the human species.However, 99% of the DNA sequence in chimpanzees and human beings are identical, which means that the genetic sources for uniquely human characteristics are difficult to find.Recently, biologists from the USA and Singapore have uncovered a region of the human genome that potentially plays a key role in the evolution of human hand dexterity.While comparing the DNA sequences of numerous vertebrate species, they found a highly conserved element which is 546 base pairs long. Within this element there are 16 base changes that are unique to human beings and not found in the other vertebrates, not even chimpanzees.The researchers called this element the "human-accelerated conserved noncoding sequence 1" (HACNS1), because the 16 base changes have evolved rapidly since the human-chimpanzee split (~6 million years ago) and also because it does not code for proteins.To test if these changes have any effect at the animal level, they inserted equivalent elements of the human, chimpanzee and rhesus monkey into transgenic mouse embryos and compared the expression pattern:They found that only the human HACNS1 is strongly expressed in the anterior (front) limb bud of both the forelimbs (corresponding to arms in primates) and hindlimbs (legs).The equivalent element in chimpanzee and rhesus monkey could only produce weak expression at the base of the limbs (shoulders).Thus HACNS1 has a unique pattern of expression.I think this photograph is particularly striking - it shows the details of the forelimb in an older embryo.The arrow points to the most anterior digit, which corresponds to the thumb in primates.This is an important finding because the human thumb is rotated more towards the palm compared to other primates. Since HACNS1 is expressed here, it could be the genetic reason why the human thumb develops differently from other primates.It's incredible to think that such large effects result from such a small number of DNA base changes. In fact, further experiments have shown that changing 13 of the 16 base pairs would already be enough to produce this effect.To be sure, this research study cannot conclude that HACNS1 plays a direct role in the evolution of hand dexterity, because the effects were examined in mice rather than in primates.In addition, the exact molecular mechanism that causes these effects is not yet known. The researchers postulate that nearby genes such as CENTG2 and GBX2 may be involved.Even so, this study provides a tantalizing glimpse into the genetic details of human evolution.Why, without those crucial 13 base pairs, I might not be able to get my hands on a big, round and succulent......fruit.Would you like to know more?- Original paper: Human-Specific Gain of Function in a Developmental Enhancer (Prabhakar et al. 2008, Science)- Junk DNA may have handed us a gripping future(New Scientist) La Specola: Wax Museum Of Horror When you visit a wax museum, have you ever wondered what a wax figure looks like - on the inside?Oooh... scary stuff!La Specola in Florence, Italy, is one of the oldest science museums in the world. This museum is famed for its collection of extremely detailed anatomical wax models made during the late 1700s.The models were handcrafted by master artists such as Clemente Susini - using metal, coloured wax and silk threads.Since they were based on actual human specimens, the sculptor had to work quickly... because refrigeration had not been invented yet!It's difficult to imagine how they managed to produce such intricate work without the help of computers or cameras.Yet these wax models are so realistic that apparently people still faint while viewing them today!Check out this quick review of the museum. (Warning: Not for the easily shocked)If I ever go to Italy one day, I will definitely visit La Specola.But not at night.(Pipette tip to Morbid Anatomy.)Would you like to know more?About La Specola- The Specola Museum (YouTube video) About other anatomy museums in the world- Anatomical Theatre RSAF Open House 2008 I went to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Open House yesterday - mainly to visit my brother who is on duty there, but also get a bunch of nice photos for you guys.Although I have been to this open house event before, this year is special because it is the Air Force's 40th anniversary.Singapore may be a small and young country, but we have a nifty Air Force with its own proud traditions.When I arrived a huge crowd was lining up outside the gates.It was only about 10 am but the sun was already blasting at us with full force.Man, it was unbearably hot. Unfortunately the line seemed to be moving very slowly. In fact, I missed most of the aerial display while waiting in line.The main reason for this is because all visitors had to go through a security check, one by one, before entering the airbase. Well, it's prudent to be more careful.Fortunately I did catch the flight of the Apache attack helicopter. I didn't take any other aerial photo, so if you want to see photos of fighters in flight you can check out one of my earlier posts.I put up this photo of the Apache because it reminds me of the time when I was growing up. At that time, the Air Force only had second-hand F-5 Tiger fighters, A-4 Skyhawk attack planes and some old Hawker Hunter fighters left by the British.As a schoolkid, I always felt that we lacked close support vehicles for our Army. Singapore is a small island and thus a slower, low-flying attack plane would bridge the gap between helicopters and high-flying fighter interceptors.So when the Air Force announced that they were going to buy new F-16s to replace some of our older fighters during the 1980s, I wasn't convinced that we needed more fighters. I thought that we should buy some inexpensive Pucarás instead.Many years later, when they decided to buy Apaches, I felt vindicated because it seems that at least the Air Force was aware of this gap.The Apache is indeed a superb low-flying attack vehicle - but will it own a Pucará in a one-to-one dickfight?That question... I'll leave it for the schoolkids of today.No Fresh Brainz article is really complete without a random quip about certain parts of the human anatomy.So here's a flaccid-looking wind sock for you.It looks like it has gone south, but the wind is actually coming from the south.And now for the exhibition itself.Since this is an Artisun post, I won't bore you with the aeroplane-geek small talk.Pretty photos at 12 o'clock!Fighter planes are always crowd-pullers. Here are some members of the public eager to check out the "office" of a fighter pilot.They've put up many fighters for static display this year.Black Knights "Number 1".Only an outstanding pilot with incredible skills and experience can earn the privilege of flying the Number 1 plane in the aerobatic team.Like they say in the movie Top Gun - the "Best of the Best".As for that other pilot who gets to fly Number 666 - he is simply badass.'nuff said.Just in case you've associated fighter pilots with bronzed bodies and beach volleyball, here's the business end of their flying machines to remind you of the seriousness of their profession.Apparently pilots still accord their peers special respect if they manage to down their adversaries the old-fashioned way using guns, rather than missiles.Or so I heard in a Dogfight documentary in the History channel.Using missiles feels so... cheating.The Air Force isn't only about fighter pilots and their sleek jets. Here's an E-2C "eye in the sky" that tells them what's going on and what to do next.Although it carries a huge radar on its back, this photo is a tribute to the "Mark 1 Eyeballs" of its hardworking crew.Transport planes tend to be sidelined at airshows, but this "Charlie One Thirty" appears especially shiny on this occasion.It reminds us that impressive-looking hardware is only part of the equation for an effective Air Force. Support and maintenance aren't particularly glamorous but are indispensable to the success of the whole team.Here's something else that's shiny - a mysterious reflector drum on the back of an Apache chopper. Not every Apache has one.I don't know what it is but it's really eye-catching. Maybe it's for Disco.Finally I waited in line to visit the Flight Simulator Centre, where they train pilots using state-of-the-art computer technology.Photo-taking isn't allowed at the centre, so I can't show you what's there. Suffice to say that pilots are trained in complex team manoeuvres using computer terminals, mini-domes and large domes where computer graphics, similar to a video game, is projected around them.Unlike a game, however, their performance during virtual training is formally evaluated.It isn't easy to be a fighter pilot.As my A-Maths tuition teacher used to say:"Better practice hard and do well for your Maths. Some of you think that you don't need to study because you want to become a fighter pilot. Let me give you some numbers. If 100 people apply for pilot training, guess how many actually become pilots? Two. OK? Two."*writes the ratio on the white board*"If 50 people apply for pilot training, how many will become pilots? Is it one? Sorry ah - it's none. Zero. None of them will become fighter pilots because not every batch will produce successful fighter pilots. OK? Understand why you need to study Maths? Now let's look at the next question in your assessment book..."He always hit us with the harsh reality.I still suck at Maths though... COMEX 2008: Under $200 Deals Just sneaked a peek at the COMEX 2008 exhibition this afternoon. Apparently it is the biggest and baddest event so far, occupying practically every level of Suntec City exhibition centre.Well, we figured that you might not fancy having to squeeze through the crowds and spend hours getting elbowed or smelling armpits UNLESS there is a good deal there.So we have compiled a list of some great buys under $200 - just for you! Please remember to do your own research before sinking your hard-earned cash into these bargains.But first, a quick overview...COMEX 2008 is open from 28 - 31st August from 12noon - 9pm daily.According to a TV news report, this exhibition is 10% larger than last year's. The walkways are quite spacious but be prepared for the massive crowds.In keeping with the F1 motor race coming to Singapore in late September, here's the Lenovo booth with a racing simulator.Not surprisingly, accessory retailers are anticipating a huge demand for racing wheels.And now: superb deals under $200!Digital camerasThis year the price point for entry-level cameras has dropped to incredibly affordable levels. Most major manufacturers now offer a basic camera for less than $200.Extracts of the brochures are shown below, and products are arranged in alphabetical order of their brand name.We have also provided lens data such as focal length (35mm-film equivalents) and focal ratio, which is crucial information usually missing in sales pamphlets.If you're a blogger and you're still using your cellphone to take blog photos - stop torturing your readers and pick up one of these...Brand: CasioModel: EX-Z77Location: Level 4, Booth 8117Summary Specs: 7.2 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, 2.6-inch LCDLens: 38 - 114mm (film equivalent), f/3.1 - 5.9Price: S$199Brand: FujiModel: A850Location: Level 4, Booth 8130Summary Specs: 8.1 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCDLens: 36 - 108mm (film equivalent), f/2.8 - 4.9Price: S$139Lowest price in the exhibition!Brand: NikonModel: L16Location: Level 4, Booth 8218Summary Specs: 7.1 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, 2.8-inch LCDLens: 35 - 105mm (film equivalent), f/2.8 - 4.7Price: S$199Great to see that a reputed manufacturer like Nikon is able to offer such a nice set of features at this price. It's a pity that Canon, Olympus and Sony did not do so in this show, though the Sony DSC-S730 (S$209) comes pretty damned close.Brand: PentaxLocation: Level 4, Booth 8361Model: E50Summary Specs: 8.0 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, 2.4-inch LCDLens: 37.5 - 112.5mm (film equivalent), f/2.8 - 5.2Price: S$169Model: Z10Summary Specs: 8.0 megapixels, 7X optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCDLens: 38 - 266mm (film equivalent), f/3.5 - 5.4Price: S$199Pentax offers two cameras below $200 - including the Z10 with an impressive 7X zoom. However, Z10 sales is limited to 100 sets per day.Brand: SamsungLocation: Level 6Model: M100Summary Specs: 8.0 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCDLens: 37 - 111mm (film equivalent), f/2.8 - 5.2Price: S$199Model: S760Summary Specs: 7.2 megapixels, 3X optical zoom, 2.4-inch LCDLens: 38 - 114mm (film equivalent), f/2.8 - 5.2Price: S$159Samsung also offers two cameras in this price range.PrintersWant to get a new printer for your home or office? There are many printers below $200 this year, but here are the lowest-priced...Brand: BrotherModel: DCP-135CLocation: Level 4, Booth 8305Price: S$88Brand: EpsonModel: T10Location: Level 4, Booth 8115Price: S$88Brand: HPModel: D2560Location: Level 4, Booth 8150Price: S$79Cheapest in the fair!Multimedia gadgetsEven the poorest student needs entertainment that doesn't involve liquid nitrogen.Brand: AV LabsModel: AVL977Location: Level 6, Booth 6138Price: S$89A nice digital photo frame to show off your exciting new holiday photos or your trophy wife.Alternatively you can display some photos of your favourite star, and dream of someday when Code Monkey have everything... even pretty girl like you.Larger versions are available: eg. 7-inch screen for $169.Brand: CreativeModel: VariousLocation: Level 6, Booth 6121Price: From S$59MP3 players are dirt cheap nowadays, priced scarcely more than the flash memory that they sit on.Nonetheless they are indispensible when taking public transport. When you can't hear stupidity, the world magically transforms into a more pleasant place.Brand: Sonic GearModel: Tatoo 303Location: Level 6, Booth 6146Price: S$19.90There are many types of speakers available for less than $200, however this is the cheapest 2.1 speaker set that I have ever seen. For such a small speaker it certainly delivers a solid punch, though it's unlikely to be as distortion-free as a Bose.But then again, very few of us work in a recording studio or play golf for a living.Brand: SonyModel: DVD-PR50Location: Level 4, Booth 8401Price: S$79It's hard to imagine how much the price of DVD players have crashed. Pretty much the only Sony that you can buy for under $200 is a DVD player.Science geeks know that watching a DVD movie by itself isn't really entertainment; it's the weeks of debate over plot holes and technical inaccuracies with your friends that is the fun bit.Eye CandyNot directly relevant to shopping... but who can forget the hot models who are inseparable from such computer fairs?It's quite bizarre if you think about it. These ladies sell cameras predominantly to men, who then use the cameras to take photos of them selling cameras to them...Hot babes attract photographers! In other news... water is wet.I'll end this post by showing you the half-page advertisement of COMEX 2008 in the Straits Times.Notice anything odd?The reflection in her sunglasses doesn't follow the law of physics.Instead of being laterally inverted, these are normal letters that are simply typed backwards.Maybe I should submit this to that photoshop disasters site.Heh. Dangers Of Chelation Therapy There is an ongoing discussion at The Online Citizen about alternative medicine and autism entitled "A Straits Times campaign against alternative therapies?"For some unknown reason I keep getting an error message when I try to post my response.I've tried numerous times but I only succeeded in getting a few words out. Thus, I've given up and will not be continuing the conversation there.The discussion was with Mr. Richard Seah and Mr. John Yeo, both alternative medicine proponents.This was my full reply -Mr. Seah says:"Several discussions are already available on http://www.autism-nutrition.com - eg studies on chelation, probiotics, vitamin B12, HBOT, neurofeedback, etc."Since you don't want to pick a study to discuss, I'll pick one for you.The key claim in chelation therapy is that mercury in vaccines is a significant cause of autism, and that drugs such as DMSA (which removes heavy metals such as mercury from the bloodstream) is an effective treatment for autism.But do children with autism have higher levels of mercury in their blood, and/or difficulty excreting it?Both you and Mr. Yeo have referenced this study:Bradstreet J, Geier DA, Kartzinell JJ, Adams JB, Geier MR, 2003. A case-control study of mercury burden in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J.Am. Phys. Surg 8(3): 76-79Original paper - http://www.jpands.org/vol8no3/geier.pdfIt is a single-blind retrospective study with 221 cases and 18 controls, which is a good sample size.However, this study has some irregularities.1. Instead of directly measuring mercury concentration in blood, the researchers measured the amount of mercury excreted in urine.According to their results, even before DMSA treatment, children with autism have more than 3 times the amount of mercury in their urine than control subjects.After a 3-day DMSA treatment, children with autism have six times the amount of mercury in their urine compared to controls!However, both vaccinated and unvaccinated control subjects do not have elevated levels of mercury in their urine. This indicates that vaccination is not a direct cause of high mercury in urine.The result only shows that for some unexplained reason, there is high mercury in the urine of autistic patients.It could be due to higher mercury intake, or lower tissue retention, or even that control subjects are retaining more mercury in their bloodstream!Without data from blood, we cannot conclude much from these results.2. The quality of the data doesn't look good. Mean urinary mercury level is measured in micrograms per gram of creatinine units (mcg/g), and this is the data for children with autism:Mercury level before treatment = 4.06 +/- 8.59 mcg/gMercury level after treatment = 6.42 +/- 12.69 mcg/gThe error bars are huge. The standard deviation is even larger than the mean itself, indicating that many children have no mercury in their urine at all.Thus the results may be statistically significant, but not physiologically significant.3. The paper contains a clause regarding two of the authors in this study:"Potential conflict of interest: Dr. Mark Geier has been an expert witness and a consultant in cases involving adverse reactions to vaccines before the U.S. Vaccine Compensation Act and in civil litigation. David Geier has been a consultant in cases involving adverse reactions to vaccines before the U.S. Vaccine Compensation Act and in civil litigation."I have read many scientific papers, probably as much as Mr. Yeo has, however, this is the first time I've come across such a statement in any paper.This suggests that these authors have vested interests. To learn more about Dr. Mark Geier, here's a primer:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_GeierDr. Geier is a controversial figure. In fact one of his recent papers to Autoimmunity Reviews has been retracted. To have a paper retracted is a serious setback for the reputation of a researcher.http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7595/666On top of this, although DMSA is approved for the treatment of mercury and lead poisoning, it can also remove essential minerals such as calcium and iron.Thus DMSA has potentially serious side effects for developing children.As Mr. Yeo has pointed out in his website (http://www.autism-nutrition.com/chelation-therapy.html) a study on DMSA funded by US NIH has been halted due to safety concerns.In the light of all these facts, I would like to know on what basis does Mr. Seah and Mr. Yeo continue to support chelation therapy, and how do they intend to establish the safe dose of DMSA for their patients? Sex, Violence and Space Comedy Do you like Star Wars?Do you like Star Trek?Here's a little something to brighten up your Monday - it's absolutely unsuitable for everyone, including children. So don't watch this at work!I know you'll love it.Shockingly funny!Would you like to know more?- Tripping the Rift (NSFW) How Not To Get A PhD Just came across this interesting article about seven ways of NOT getting a PhD - common issues that can distract a student from completing her or his studies.I wish I had read this earlier, but it's still helpful to me now.Here's an exerpt that I find particularly relevant:You can leave the paradigm shifts for after your PhD. And, empirically, that is indeed what happens. The theory of relativity (a classic example of a paradigm shift in relation to post-Newtonian physics) was not Einstein's PhD thesis (that was a sensible contribution to Brownian motion theory). Das Kapital was not Marx's PhD (that was on the theories of two little-known Greek philosophers). Of course, while doing their PhDs Einstein and Marx were undoubtedly preparing themselves for the great questionings that led to the big shifts, but they were also demonstrating their fully professional mastery of the established paradigms.It is this professionalism that the PhD is about. To think it is more than that can be very debilitating. You can wait for a long time for a new paradigm to strike. Overestimating is a powerful way of not getting a PhD.If you want to break the rules, you must have deep understanding of the rules first.No matter how much of a creative, non-conformist rebel a student is, she should still exercise restraint until her training is complete. Even super-geniuses are not exempt. The PhD programme, like any other academic programme, requires that you fulfill certain ground rules and expectations.I hope that potential students realize that PhD training isn't a good time to rock the boat.Would you like to know more?- Planning a PhD Thesis Lasagna Cat Here's a live demonstration of how unfunny comic strips actually are:I have no skills too.Maybe I should become a cartoonist. Six Words Yet A Whole Lifetime Can you tell a story in six words?According to a legend, acclaimed American novelist Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words.He wrote - “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”Here at Fresh Brainz, we are curious to know if you can write a story about yourself or about life in Singapore - using just six words.Whether it is inspiring or depressing, thoughtful or shocking, England or Singlish - we would like to hear about it.A few words can change everything.Pipette tip to Vexillum II.Would you like to know more?- Six-Word Memoirs (SMITH magazine) X-periment! 2008 I was invited to the opening ceremony of the "X-periment!" science carnival at Marina Square today.This event kicks off the six-week-long "science.08" festival comprising numerous fun activities throughout the island.Boy do I have lots of photos for you!When I first arrived, I was directed to the "media" desk where I was issued this nametag, a press kit, and allocated a seat together with real reporters behind the VIP row.Wow, is this a sign that Fresh Brainz is finally legit?Two long years ah... *sob*Here's the MC for the event.A model racetrack, which will later be used for the opening ceremony, occupies the centrestage.The theme for this year's Science Month is "Fast Forward: The Science of Speed" - no doubt drawing an association with the F1 motor race coming to Singapore in late September.The welcome address was given by Dr. Chew Tuan Chiong, the head of the Singapore Science Centre.He mentioned that Science Month was previously known as Tech Month, which had been around since the 1980's. That's interesting to know - obviously it wasn't so high profile back then, since I've never heard of Tech Month.I first heard of this activity when they changed the name to Science Month in 2001. That was much better publicized.Ms. Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Education, gave the opening address.She noted that: "It is undeniable that science and technology has an impact on every aspect of our everyday lives. It dictates how we are living and how we will be living in the future."I like the part of her speech where she encouraged our youths to be inquisitive about science.Basic curiosity is critical to the sustainability of our scientific endeavour; world-class salaries can only get you so far.The science carnival was then officially opened by Ms. Fu, Dr. Chew and Prof. Ren Ee Chee (Director, Graduate Affairs Office, A*STAR).Dr. Chew and Prof. Ren drove two model racecars around the tracks by remote control, and when their "friendly race" concluded, balloons and confetti showered from the ceiling.Let the festivities begin!The opening performance was given by Rhys Thomas, an American juggler-stand up comic-physics educator.Apparently he's been doing this for over 20 years.He is good.Here, Rhys demonstrates gyroscopic stability to the audience.When you spin a funnel, it's easier to balance it on your palm.A static funnel would simply tip over."It's unstable - just like my income!" he says.Nice.Now Rhys begins to juggle five plastic rings.He reveals an insider trick: the rings are spun just before they are released, so that they will follow a more predictable path.Next he moves on to the Chinese yo-yo (or Diabolo).Man, he's a maestro of spinny things.And I love the word "diabolo". It totally sounds like something else that is utterly evil and twisted.Of course "diabolo" has as much to do with the diabolic as "titular" has to do with tits.Cat's cradle!Without noticing it, Rhys forms a pattern that resembles the "X" on the X-periment logo behind him.I believe that in the photography business, they call this "juXtapositioning".Again it has nothing to do with jugs.Finally he attempts to keep nine bowls on sticks all spinning at the same time."Don't worry about the bowls - they're not mine."Funny guy.Don't miss his entertaining performance - scroll down to the end of this post for a detailed schedule.Before I talk about the exhibition itself, let me focus your attention on the decorative signs that are attached to the ceiling. They indicate the speeds of well-known things like cheetahs and space shuttles.Here's one that reads: "Speed of a free falling human being: 200 km/h"I don't know if it's the words or the skyscrapers in the background, but I find the sign tragically funny."Free falling human being" sounds so... sad.Don't be a free falling human being.Be a skydiver!Notice that people may fall at around 200 km/h, but sharks swim at exactly 69 km/h.Not 70 km/h or 68 km/h, mind you.Of all the speeds in the known Universe, it has to be 69.I love sharks.OK, back to the exhibition.This is the F1 racing simulator set up by Nanyang Polytechnic. Ms. Grace Fu was briefed on how to drive the simulator while the ever-present mainstream media snapped away.Fresh Brainz will always be more awesome than the mainstream media.Do you know why?It's because, umm... because... we are more inquisitive. That's right.We're funnier because we ask the sort of questions that YOU would ask.Questions like: "Can you polish a black shoe so shiny that it is no longer black?"Ok maybe not that sort of questions.Next, Ms. Fu visits the National University of Singapore booth featuring "Air-Mix" - an interactive music interface that allows you to jam with the melody, bass and drum tracks by moving a set of printed discs in front of a camera.Be a VJ!Here's a kid and his mummy who look like they are having fun with the Air-Mix.In order to engage the public, an intuitive hands-on interface like this is definitely helpful.Since this is an NUS booth, I'll be coming back to support the guys after my initial tour of the exhibition.More on that later.Ever wondered where rainbows come from?Here's a volunteer from the Data Storage Institute using reflected sunlight and a water spray to create a short section of rainbow just above the booth - I've increased the contrast so that you can see it better.Speaking of rainbows, here's a plethora of colours revealed by a set of polarizing filters. Scientists use these to study the stress patterns in transparent materials.You can see a nick on the mouth of the plastic cup - it could be a weak point in the cup, but all the other cups seem to have it too. Perhaps it shows us how the cups were manufactured.Polarized light seems so "physics" but biologists use it too.I'll come to that later.And now... a demonstration of the effects of liquid nitrogen by Colonel Uri Abusikov!Ursula, can you bring me the liquid nitrogen?Thank you, my love.Erm, actually it isn't Abusikov doing the demonstration, but a young Nanyang Technological University volunteer.Which unfortunate object will be dunked into liquid nitrogen today?It's a banana hammer!*gasp*A banana frozen solid by liquid nitrogen is hard enough to drive nails into a wooden plank.*thunk thunk thunk*Looks painful...*PIAK!*Aiyeeeeeeee! That's so wrong... snapping it into two...I should mention that the volunteer only broke the banana because a mainstream media videographer insisted that he should break it for dramatic effect.Fresh Brainz would have been much kinder to hapless bananas.Someone bring me a mallet!Since it is already broken, let's take a look at the cross-section of the banana.What a clean break!Indeed, in real life scientific research, liquid nitrogen is used to help make biological samples hard enough to be cut into very thin sections and examined under a microscope.Liquid nitrogen - it's a miracle!Also at the NTU booth is this demonstration of popping a balloon under water to watch the effects in super slow-motion.I don't know what's it with water, balloons and high-speed cameras - they always seem to go together.In my humble opinion, there is one more element that would make this demonstration even more compelling.Hey, here's Mr. Thomas again.Although there's still some time before his next performance, he's already hard at work teaching kids how to balance a spinning ball.And so I move on to the Republic Polytechnic booth, staffed by these young enthusiastic volunteers.Show me da goods!Wha... it's not about breaking stuff again, I hope?Luckily, their project is about developing composite materials that have self-healing properties. Such materials can be potentially used in parts of cars and aircraft which are subject to high stresses.Here's a piece of plastic with embedded glass capillaries inside which separately contain two liquid constituents of epoxy glue.If the material snaps into two, the capillaries break and the glue components pour out - mixing together to form a solid seal between the two broken parts.Neat.And these are the individual glass capillaries, seen close-up.They look so arty!I can't resist slipping a bit of biology into this post.At the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology booth, Prof. Vladimir Korzh is demonstrating the use of polarized light to examine zebrafish embryos. It's possible to do this because zebrafish embryos are transparent for much of their early development.These appear to be 24-hour stage embryos, seen through the microscope. There is obvious vignetting here because I took this picture right through the eyepiece.The embryos are still alive - you can see their tiny hearts beating!Using this standard bright field technique, you can't see which part of the embryo is made of muscle...However, once you use the polarizing filters, the muscles stand out as a bright streaks.This makes it easier to study the size and shape of the muscle groups in zebrafish, especially when evaluating the effects of muscle-related genes.Here are some colourful transgenic zebrafish in a tank, swimming too fast for me to capture a clear shot.Prof. Korzh pointed out that the noisy environment in the shopping mall is probably making the fish more agitated than normal.Fish use their lateral line to detect sounds and movement. This is homologous to the inner ear of mammals such as human beings; both structures are made up of a similar type of cells.How can a science carnival be complete without robots?This is a "social robot" that can understand speech, recognize objects, pick them up gently and navigate its own way around a room.So why is it sitting there and staring blankly at a tennis ball?When a robot seems disturbingly still, you must look at its eyes very cautiously.If it suddenly glows red - don't fuck around.Run like hell!Oh silly me... the social robot wasn't thinking about Sarah Connor; it was motionless because the programmers were having some problems with its camera and they were trying to recalibrate it.Remember kids - If there's no troubleshooting involved, it isn't science!Dr. Tan Yeow Kee from the Institute for Infocomm Research is part of the team who developed this robot. He noted that the software created for this robot can have wider applications in a variety of interactive devices.He speculates that as Singapore faces an aging population, machines that can understand speech and help take care of the elderly will become more common in the marketplace. This is already happening in Japan today.OK, now time for a quiz!I mentioned sharks earlier.Sharks are cool animals.But what is way cooler than a shark?A shark with a frickin' laser beam on its frickin' head, why of course!Here's a green laser source used at the Institute of Microelectronics booth. Although it is quite large (more than 30 cm long), at 1.5 mW it isn't particularly powerful.In fact it is even weaker than my 5 mW green laser pointer. Perhaps research lasers don't need to be very powerful, but must be more accurate than consumer lasers.This laser is used for analyzing the surface structure of a type of manufactured crystal known as photonic crystals.The green beam is first reflected and shaped by a series of mirrors and lenses.Then the beam is broadened and directed through two barriers that result in a donut-shaped beam of light.Finally the laser beam is focused into a tiny spot onto the photonic crystal itself. You can see the green laser spot on one of the squares in this picture.Due to the regular structure of the photonic crystal, the laser is diffracted into six separate beams of light.You can see this by putting a cardboard box just in front of the sample to "catch" the diffracted rays.By analyzing these rays, scientists can deduce the surface structure of the crystal without requiring expensive direct methods like electron microscopy.Finally - one last booth by the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences.Truth be told I've never been a fan of chemical equations.Is this some important chemical process commonly used in large-scale industries today?No, actually it just describes a bizarre colour-changing reaction that oscillates back and forth.It's formally called the Belousov-Zhabotinskii Reaction.What a mouthful.The liquid gradually turns from blue to reddish-purple and then suddenly to green and slowly back to blue again. Looks quite cute.When I asked the demonstrator about the potential applications of this reaction, she just smiled and stated that there weren't any.Ah... science for the sake of pure curiosity!Time to head back to the NUS booth and support our plucky volunteers. Here are five of them showing off their temporary tattoos.Aside from the Air-Mix, they have also created an SMS poetry generator that takes the first line of your SMS text and turns it into a poem.So I typed "Come Support NUS ah!"...... and this is the result.It sorta makes sense.Come support - do not delay!Oooh it's time for another show by Rhys Thomas!He's back on stage teaching a whole bunch of kids how to balance spinning balls on their fingertips.If you're not busy with other activities this weekend, why not come down to Marina Square to check out his rib-tickling performance?Here's the schedule:Rhys Thomas' "Science Circus"16 August (Saturday)12 noon, 2.30pm, 4.30pm, 7.30pm.17 August (Sunday)12 noon, 2.30pm, 4.30pm.Two more days only, somemore it's free, so don't shy-shy - come and enjoy ah!Would you like to know more?- About science.08 Bugs In The City I'll be spending more and more time in my room preparing my "unemployment pass", so there will be less smart-alecky posts in the coming weeks.However, I will not be alone.Sometimes I hear mysterious sounds from the dark corners of my room.*crinkle crinkle*Oh noes!Is that a sexy, zither-playing ghost who enjoys frolicking in wet clothing?You wish.Despite living in a high-rise HDB flat, I share my living space with other denizens of our city who seem oblivious to classic Singaporean woes like rising prices and crowded public transportation.Here's a critter who doesn't really need government incentives to make babies.A mud dauber is hard at work turning my Creative satellite speaker into a new nest for its future kids.See the piece of mud in its mouth? Obviously it believes in DIY and isn't planning to employ maids.What I find cool about mud daubers is how they maintain a 3D mental image of a room.If you close a bedroom window, they will come back through the door via the living room window.If you close the living room window, they will come back through the balcony window.Unlike stupid flies who bang their heads against a closed window until they die from sheer exhaustion, mud daubers always know where their nests are, and all the alternative routes to get there.Fucking annoying amazing.Doo dee doo dee doo...*crinkle crinkle*Here's the almost completed handiwork. One of the casing screw shafts has been plugged in by the dauber to become a comfy nest for its offspring.It's almost as if it is telling us: "Screw your 'high technology' humans... as long as you make something with a deep hole in it, you will find my nest there. We win. HAH!"That's not an idle threat - mud dauber nests can be deadly to human beings.And this is a portrait of the buzzy little creature itself, elegant in metallic green.A colour that isn't too different from this...Metallic green is nice.Speaking of green, here's another greenish bug who suddenly dropped in a couple of days ago.Actually it sorta dropped dead just below my desk.*twitch twitch...**motionless*Eww... hairy!It looks big in this picture, but in reality it's only about 1 cm long. I used to complain often about my Nikon L5's slow autofocus and lack of wide angle, but I have since come to appreciate its superb capability for macro photography.I don't know what species of spider is this - it sure has an interesting pattern on its butt.My, my... it's a spitting image of Jack Skellington from "The Nightmare Before Christmas"!Well, maybe the nostrils are too far apart and the teeth looks funny, but from a normal viewing distance it looks pretty damned close.I especially like the mosaic appearance of the "face".So arty!When I flipped it over, it resembles something else altogether.The dreaded Alien Facehugger!While this little green spider does have scary body parts, when you look at its actual face it seems rather docile, and (ignoring for the moment the fact that it has six eyes) it almost looks like a seal.Just in case this is some sort of rare spider, I have preserved it in 70% ethanol for future study.Don't hesitate to drop a line if you have more information about this species of spider!Would you like to know more?- A Guide to Common Singapore Spiders- Evolution of the Hawaiian Happy-face Spider Lightning But Very Slowly It has come to my attention that Fresh Brainz has served over 100,000 fresh waffles since we opened for business two years ago.To celebrate with a flash (but not with a bang): here's a video of a lightning strike in super slow-motion...Based on the informed opinions of some insiders, this video is real and was likely taken using a high-speed camera at about 15,000 frames per second.You can clearly see many stepped leaders "crawling" around the sky until one of them touches the ground and then...BOOM!The bright return stroke is what we usually see as lightning with our naked eyes.Thus the most powerful phase of the lightning stroke arises from the ground up, rather than from the top down.And yes, lightning does strike the same place twice, or even multiple times!Really makes me want to buy one of these toys...Would you like to know more?Lightning researchers:- Tom Warner- Tim SamarasVideos of other lightning strikes in slow-motion:- Three strikes- Striking a tower- Searching for ground- Twice luckyVideos of other activities in slow-motion:- Things but very slowly (Brainiac)- Bullets passing through stuff Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore! Fresh Brainz would like to wish all our Singaporean readers a happy National Day!既然手拿旗　也只有向前行　咱是小卒仔命　只有望天惜命命央望出頭啊　看會卡快活　小卒仔過河啊　步步驚　小卒仔過河啊　賭性命 Animated flag by 3DFlags.com Smallest Snake In The World When evolutionary biologist Blair Hedges went to Barbados in 2006, he found two tiny earthworm-like animals under a rock.But they are not worms - actually he had discovered the smallest snakes in the world!Prof. Hedges, who is a professor at Pennsylvania State University, noted that: "It's about as wide as a spaghetti noodle."The newly found species, which has been named Leptotyphlops carlae after his wife, is only about 10 cm long when fully grown. It belongs to a genus of small snakes commonly called threadsnakes.This discovery is significant because Leptotyphlops carlae may represent the lowest possible limit to the evolution of body size in snakes.Large snakes tend to lay multiple eggs, and their offspring are about 10% of the adult length. On average each snake lays about seven eggs at a time (some species laying up to 100 eggs!)In contrast, current evidence indicates that the Leptotyphlops carlae only produces one elongated egg in its body - it could be too small to produce any more. Offspring of threadsnakes are typically half the length of full-sized adults.Having fewer offspring reduce the chances of survival to the next generation.Prof. Hedges feels that the evolutionary tradeoff between the number and size of offspring has reached a size boundary in this species of snakes.On the other hand, biologist Nathan Kley at Stony Brook University in New York, said it may be too soon to declare the Barbados thread snake the world's smallest, since several closely related species are only a few millimetres longer, and those species are known from only a few observations or museum specimens.Prof. Hedges is aware of this."When you get down that small, every millimeter counts."Sadly, the Leptotyphlops carlae may be on the verge of extinction. It appears to live on only a few square kilometers of forest on Barbados, where almost all the original forests have been cleared."I think it should be considered critically endangered because of its limited habitat, apparent rarity, and ongoing threats," Prof. Hedges added.Would you like to know more?About Leptotyphlops carlae:- Original research article (PDF file): At the lower size limit in snakes: two new species of threadsnakes (Squamata: Leptotyphlopidae: Leptotyphlops) from the Lesser Antilles (Hedges 2008, Zootaxa)- World's Smallest Snake Discovered, Study Says (National Geographic News)About other animals that resemble worms:- A squirmy jellyfish Squandering The Future Away If I have to pick one word to explain the main source behind social and economic power in human society it would be:Credit Six And A Half Million As the National Day approaches, it's a good time to look towards the future of our country.The government is planning for a population size of 6.5 million people in about 40 years.What's it like to live together with 6.5 million other people in a small island nation?Here at Fresh Brainz, we are not content just with presenting numbers - we want to show you what having a population of 6.5 million people really means.How much space does every person get?The best way to visualize this is to use population density data.Imagine a piece of land in Singapore that is exactly 1000 x 1000 metres in size.That's one square kilometre.Let's represent this area using an image file that's 1000 x 1000 pixels in size.Inside this picture, we'll use one black pixel to represent one person.For the ease of counting the people, let's ask them to stand close together in neat rows, similar to the marching contingents in the National Day Parade.Back in 1961, the population density in Singapore was 2,540 people per sq km.So, this was how the situation looked like (click picture for full size) :Plenty of space isn't it?Well, that isn't an accurate reflection of the actual living space that you'd get, because most of the land area in Singapore is not used for residential purposes.I can't find a land allocation chart for 1961, so I used the Year 2000 data (PDF file) as a guide.The various land uses are represented as coloured bars that take up proportionally correct amounts of space in our one square kilometre.Only about 12% of the total area is allocated for housing, which is represented as a white bar at the bottom of the picture:Clearly less space.Still, you can see that our "pixel people" had enough room within the white bar to run around randomly and build single-storey homes to house their all tiny families.Besides, there was also plenty of room for them to roam about in the other coloured bars, at work or at play.Aww... all these happy peeps.Today, our population density has shot up to 6,489 people per sq km.At this point in time, we have the third highest population density in the world.As you can see, even though they are standing fairly close together, the people themselves are already occupying a significant chunk of space for housing.If we assume that a family of four lives in a four-room flat of 90 sq metres each, then the 120,000 sq m living space only has enough room for 5,333 individuals - less than the population density.Thus, the only way out is up - it has become impossible to fit all of our people without high-rise housing.Welcome to Singapore: population 6.5 million.If there is no substantial increase in our land area and no change in land allocation patterns, then this is the situation in 2050.With a population density of 9,286 people per sq km, standing room is starting to get scarce in the living space category. High-rise flats are an absolute necessity, and they will only get higher and higher.Just imagine these people going to work in their 3-pixel long cars or 12-pixel long buses, filling up the space inside the grey bar.Or how a weekend would look like when they go to the green bar for a picnic, or the yellow bar for a shopping spree.Space would become very precious.You are thinking: "Chay, not so bad what. If you spread out the little peeps throughout all the coloured bars, then there is still plenty of space to go around."True... but it will still be much less space than 99.6% of the other countries in the world.Just take any neighbouring country - say Malaysia, for example:Can you even see the people in this picture? Sesame Street Gone Wild! Here at Fresh Brainz, we sometimes worry about the unintended consequences of self-censorship...I love Cookie Monster... I would *BLEEP* him.Would you like to know more?- The Song of the Count Seven Years Of Science Today is sort of a special day for me, because exactly seven years ago, your humble narrator took his first fumbling steps into scientific research.So far it has been... interesting.I am aware that seven years' experience isn't much for a research career, but there are many young people who are just starting out and might like to have an idea of what doing science in Singapore is all about.Instead of piling out stacks of boring details, I would like to illustrate my personal experience using one short, simple story.It goes like this:A long time ago, while studying in Canada, I went with a bunch of hostel mates to a dinner theatre.It was the first time I had ever been to such an activity. You start with the dinner, which is a buffet-type spread, before the stage play begins.While we were eating, one of the Canadian students pointed out a dish of wasabi next to a large plate of sushi.Although I was familiar with sushi, I had never tasted wasabi before.She said: "You're not going to like it - it's really hot."Now that got me all worked up."Really hot?" I sneered.Perhaps she had overlooked the simple fact that your humble narrator grew up in Singapore and had been thoroughly "trained" to eat some of the hottest and deadliest curries and chillies in the history of the Universe.Why, I can chomp down one entire chilli padi directly without batting an eyelid, thank you very much.Hot? HOT?!??BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAR!Weak-minded Canadians.So I scooped up a big dollop of wasabi, plopped it onto my sushi and stuffed the whole thing into my mouth...*FOOOOOOSH!*The pain was immediate - a massive stinging explosion shot right up my nose, leaving me stunned in silence as tears slowly rolled down my cheeks.Noticing my distressed expression, the concerned student asked:"Are you OK? Is it hot?"I weakly replied:"Yeah... you're right... it is hot. I didn't know... wow... it is hot."At that point in time, I wasn't struck as much by the inane imprecision of the English language as I was struck by the feeling of confusion and embarrassment.How could I have felt so well-prepared, but still caught completely off-guard??!?That, my dear readers, is what doing science feels like. Dr Horrible: PhD In Horribleness Fresh Brainz is proud to bring to you: "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog", a brilliant, twisted yet touching made-for-internet musical comedy produced by acclaimed American writer Joss Whedon.It's about a wannabe evil genius who yearns for greatness, a kind-hearted girl he meets at the laundromat, and an annoying superhero who is constantly kicking his ass.I know it sounds like a stupid plot, but trust me there's more than meets the eye. It was initially available for free at the Dr. Horrible website from July 15-20, and then available as a paid download at Apple iTunes.Now it's free again - for a limited time only.Don't miss it!**********Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along BlogStarring: Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day.Running time: 42 min 25 secondsMore viewing options (full screen, high res) at Hulu.comPipette tip to ERVWould you like to know more?- Dr. Horrible website- Dr. Horrible official fan site- Captain Hammer comics Virgin, Blonde, Spaceship On Monday, maverick American aircraft designer Burt Rutan and British über-business king Richard Branson unveiled their shiny new White Knight Two mothership.This is the vehicle which will carry the first ever commercial passenger spacecraft, SpaceShipTwo, under its central wing section. The mothership is designed to lift SpaceShipTwo to its launch altitude of 50,000 feet.The spacecraft will then be released, firing its own rocket engines and climbing to the height of 100 km - just above the internationally recognized boundary of space.Some news agencies have reported that SpaceShipTwo will reach "low-Earth orbit" - which is not technically correct because the vehicle can only attain sub-orbital speeds of about 4,200 kilometres per hour.In order to hit low Earth orbit at 100 km, a vehicle needs to reach speeds of about 28,000 km/h. Otherwise, the vehicle cannot make one complete orbit around the Earth.Geeky details aside, I think that White Knight Two is an interesting design, though it has a more conventional appearance than the original White Knight.I should also mention that White Knight Two is a marvel in its own right - the 43-metre wingspan four-turbofan vehicle is currently the largest all-carbon-composite aircraft in the world.However, what really caught my eye is this spanking new Virgin Galactic logo emblazoned on its nose ...Designed to be reminiscent of the art-deco era, the spacegirl looks very... blonde.And she doesn't seem to be wearing much.Totally unlike an old-timer's vision of what a spacegirl ought to look like...Who looks far more... brunette.Virgin Galactic has such a sexy logo (contrast it with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Blue) that it makes me really suspicious.As you know, Singapore Airlines has officially banned passengers from engaging in "inappropriate activity" aboard their spacious new A380 superjumbos.Luckily, that's not the end of the world.Perhaps Richard Branson - a notable member of the Mile High Club himself - is contemplating a wee bit more than the amazing scenery and the thrill of weightlessness in his spaceships?A new avenue for a truly out-of-this-world experience?And a new club? The "62-Mile High Club" or maybe the "Zero-G Club"?I think that an exciting era of space tourism has come. Waves And Curves Just went to the Henderson Waves pedestrian bridge last evening for a touch of photo opportunities and some exercise.I should say that it's a fair bit of exercise - more than I expected!Here's the Henderson Waves bridge, connecting Telok Blangah Hill on the left with Mount Faber on the right.From this vantage point, the bridge looks tall and spindly - not particularly impressive.More on this later.The photo was taken halfway up a steep set of stairs that go up the Mount Faber side. You can also access the bridge via Telok Blangah Green on the other side.Hey, did you know that it's the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore? At 36 metres (or about 12 floors) above street level, it is certainly high enough to instill a fear of heights.Luckily for you, I'm merely agoraphobic, not acrophobic.So up we go!*gasp*I took this zoom photo to show you the underside of the bridge.Later when I walked on the bridge itself, I noticed that wooden boardwalk has many small gaps in it - you can see through the gaps all the way down!Indeed, the bridge bottom is supported by many (metal?) ribs with gaps between them.So if you drop a coin on the bridge... it could roll into the gaps between the wooden planks and fall twelve stories to the ground below.Hang on to your loose change!And here we are at the start (foot? shoulder? neck?) of the bridge.As the titular sign indicates, this is the Henderson Waves.I love the word "titular" - it totally sounds as if it means something else.It's my favourite word of the English language.This being Singapore, we are immediately confronted with a warning sign.Let's see - no spinny-rolly things... push your bike across... and no fire.Duh, of course no fire. Wood and fire don't get along so well.Who would be so stoopid as to put fire in a wooden structure?I think I just pissed off everyone who live in cold countries.So this is how the Waves look like from the Mount Faber side. The bridge is not actually level - it gradually rises upwards toward Telok Blangah Hill.I think that this is the ideal spot where the bridge looks the most photogenic.The curvy decorative feature was designed using some mathematical formula (light diffraction perhaps?) to generate a series of three waves, the crest in the middle being the tallest crest (primary maxima?).Some people say that it looks like a huge snake undulating across the bridge.To me, the middle crest bears an uncanny resemblance to the voluptuous bottom of a sexy woman.Don't know what I mean?Simply turn your head 90 degrees to the right and imagine the "waist" of a woman where the curve meets the v-notched pillar.See? This guy knows what I'm talking about.Since it was a Saturday, there were many families strolling on the bridge - here are two kids trying to run up a curved side of the boardwalk.If you want to take pristine architectural shots of the Henderson Waves without people blocking the view, it's best not to go on a weekend.Having said that - pedestrian bridges are meant for pedestrians...Unlike most other pedestrian bridges, this one doesn't come equipped with a roof, so you'll get a nice "open skies" feeling while walking on it.The downside is that there is little protection from the elements - the "curves" contain seats but their open-ribbed structure doesn't really block the sun or the rain.Here's the middle crest/hump/sexy woman's bottom with three benches inside. You can clearly see the upward incline in this picture.There are also markings on some wooden floorboards indicating the height of select points on the bridge, accurate to the nearest centimetre.Oddly, it is expressed as height above sea level, rather than above street level, so the measurements are in the 60+ metres range.Whichever way the height is measured, there's no doubt that there's plenty of height. Here's the view from bridge looking southwards, where you can clearly see the sea in a distance.I always feel woozy when taking photos over the edge of some tall structure - even worse when I watch other people suspend their cameras over the edge to take a photo.Maybe it's just me.Halfway through the exploration of the bridge, I suddenly heard the roar of fighter jets overhead. Yes, it's that time of the year again - air force F-16s were rehearsing their manoeuvres for the National Day parade.Actually, the bridge is a nice spot for seeing the aerial display, but I wouldn't personally recommend it because everyone else probably thinks the same way and it can't be fun to be stuck on a bridge with hundreds of other spectators...Ooh it's getting dark! The lights start to come on as I reach the Telok Blangah side.Due to the way the bridge itself curves (it is not symmetrical), photos taken from this vantage point isn't as pretty.As the golden hour approaches, the bridge becomes a more impressive photographic target. Deep blue skies and orange-yellow mood lighting complement each other to result in a satisfying colour combination.You can also see the gaps between the wooden planks more clearly in this photo as light from below the boardwalk seeps through.Back to the Mount Faber side, the bridge lighting has blossomed, transforming an inanimate structure of concrete, metal and wood into the semblance of a slinky golden skirt stretched over the ample derrière of a curvaceous belle.Now you know why I never win any poetry competitions.Would you like to know more? - The Southern Ridges (National Parks Singapore)- Photo Gallery Nine Lab Assistant's Song Lab rats and test-tube washers of the world unite!Meep? Meep-meep.Would you like to know more?- Classical Chicken Love Your Thermocycler Today! Mere words cannot describe the flood of emotions I get from seeing this video.Heh... actors posing as "scientists".Real scientists don't kiss a PCR machine (or any other lab device), nor do they have any reason to do so.And their sentiment towards PCR is... to put it mildly... not love.The only machine anyone should kiss and love is a Love Bot. Studio Model Photography Two Just came back from another practice studio photography session and it was a complete disaster.Somehow my S6500fd simply refused to work with the studio lights - most of the photos were so underexposed that they are practically black.At first, I used the recommended settings (ISO 100, 1/100 sec, f/11) in manual mode, using forced flash to trigger the studio rig.To my utter befuddlement, this is how it turned out...Nice silhouette effect huh?Actually, this photo is a crock of shit.The camera did trigger the studio flash, but no matter what I tried, it could not take in the studio lighting at all.I am guessing that the S6500fd, which is a prosumer, operates differently from a dSLR.Instead of firing the flash once the shutter opens, I think that my camera actually fires its flash immediately before the shutter closes, thus rendering the studio lights irrelevant.While other people were happily snapping away and getting accurately exposed photos, I continued to fight with my camera by desperately trying every mode I can think of.Unfortunately I was still trading one black photo for yet another black photo...This is the best low ISO photo I can eke out using manual settings.Can you even barely see a human being in the picture?Let me try improve it by doing a significant amount of post-processing on the photo...Ah... slightly better.So the model is definitely in the picture; it's only her clothing that's barely there.Anyway, that's a terribly over-enhanced photo. I tried nearly everything on the camera... except slow synchro flash.Maybe that'll work (yeah right).Eventually I gave up and used its full-auto mode, which stupidly selects high ISO to capture some barely passable photos.Suffice to say that the S6500fd is rubbish for studio shoots - go get a real SLR (even any old film one will do better) to make best use of studio lights.What an exercise in frustration!Despite being preoccupied with all that camera wrangling - if I recall correctly there was in fact a HOT bikini babe somewhere in that studio.Just thought that you'd be interested.Enjoy!Hotness.HOTness.HOTNESS.I've heard somewhere that all serious sciencey magazines have "swimsuit editions" - just like that Psychology Today magazine that Charlie Sheen was studying in the Hot Shots! movie.Maybe I should turn this into a regular feature.Nah.Would you like to know more?Previous model photo sessions:- First studio shoot at PSS- Outdoor shoot at Fort Canning- Indoor shoot at Imaging Expo 2007 Never-ending Upward Spiral Have you ever wondered how inflation would sound like... if you could convert it into music?Via Mind Hacks.Would you like to know more?- Soaring inflation may cause wage-price spiral in Asia (Channel NewsAsia)- Shepard tone (Wikipedia) Where Morals Come From: Innate Empathy Where do our morals come from?Are they inborn or conditioned by society?Researchers at the University of Chicago have discovered that children between the ages of 7 and 12 seem naturally inclined to feel empathy for others in pain.Prof. Jean Decety's team showed animated photos of people experiencing pain, either received accidentally or inflicted intentionally, to a group of 17 subjects comprising 9 girls and 8 boys.They then used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans to study responses in their brains.The responses on the scans were similar to those found in studies of adults.Researchers found that children, like adults, show responses to seeing someone in pain in the same areas of their brains. The research also found additional areas of the brain, those connected with moral reasoning, were activated when youngsters saw somebody intentionally hurt by another individual.Prof. Decety said: "The programming for empathy is something that is 'hard-wired' into the brains of normal children, and not entirely the product of parental guidance or other nurturing."He explained that understanding the brain’s role in responding to pain can help researchers understand how brain impairments influence anti-social behavior, such as bullying.He also noted that: "Although our study did not tap into explicit moral judgment, perceiving an individual intentionally harming another person is likely to elicit the awareness of moral wrongdoing in the observer."Would you like to know more?- Original article: Who caused the pain? An fMRI investigation of empathy and intentionality in children (Decety et al. 2008 Neuropsychologia)- Press release: Children are naturally prone to be empathic and moral, University of Chicago study shows Pirate Bus Seen in a bus stop display... Two Years, Two Tits Wow! Can you believe that it's been two years already?They say that one year on the blagosphere is like seven years in meatspace.Nah, not really. Nobody actually said that. I just made it up.It certainly feels like a damned long time though.Let's just say that it wasn't easy to keep going.So, on this hard-earned 2nd blogiversary, I've decided to keep it low profile.First and foremost, I would like to thank some of you guys for your encouragement along the way, especially long-time supporters like Glendon and Sivasothi, fellow compatriots at Clearthought Singapore like Angry Doc and Edgar, and fellow Singaporean science blogger Lab Rat.Of course, a big THANK YOU goes out to all you Fresh Brainz readers as well. I hope that you still find our articles interesting and wacky.If you have any suggestions, please don't hesitate to leave a comment... help me to help you!Next, it's time to review some key performance indicators.What, you don't believe that a one-man-show like Fresh Brainz has KPIs?Come on, it's shiny Singapore.Everything has KPIs, even the mop that the sway tor kah auntie use for mopping floors has KPIs.**********Fresh BrainzNumber: 17385 (一起森巴舞）Series: Nexus-7Type: Basic pleasure modelIncept Date: 11 July 2006Longevity: 4 yearsTotal blog posts: 380Average regular readership (data from 1st week of July): 120Average daily unique visitors: 300Click here to compare with first year KPIs.**********Based on the latest readership figures, Fresh Brainz might very well be the top English science blog in the Asia-Pacific region! (Ignoring for the moment that 99.999% of all English science blogs hail from North America/Europe)Whoop-de-doo.Finally, as a special gift to all my long-suffering fans, here's something naughty for you - a cute pair of bouncy tits!Enjoy!Scroll down...↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ New Science Education And Communication Programme A few days ago, I received an email from the University of Glasgow about a brand new MSc course in Science Education and Communication which they will be starting up this year.I know that there is a number of fanatical avid science bloggers among our bloodthirsty esteemed Fresh Brainz readers.If you love communicating science and are considering a career in this field, why not check out what they have to offer?Here are the details:Hello,I am writing to tell you about a new postgraduate course in Science Education and Communication at the University of Glasgow that we hope will be of interest to you or your colleagues. Please forward this information as appropriate.In September 2008, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Research and Teaching in STEM Education at the University of Glasgow in Scotland will launch a new postgraduate programme in science education and communication. The programme covers the communication and teaching of the traditional science disciplines, as well as engineering, mathematics and technology.The programme, entitled MSc in Inter-Professional Science Education and Communication, will be of particular interest to professional science communicators and science educators (science writers or broadcasters, teachers, university lecturers, etc.). It is also likely to be of benefit to anyone who wishes to communicate science effectively to audiences including scientists, students, representatives of the private and public sector, the media and the general public. The programme has been specifically designed to enhance learners' effectiveness and efficiency in science communication. As suggested by the programme title, it also aims to support learners in developing working relationships with teachers, scientists and other science education and communication professionals.Please find attached a leaflet providing further information on the programmes, including a web link. Applicants can apply online at the following address:http://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapplyforataughtdegree/The teaching team looks forward to receiving your application or enquiries.Best wishes,Rebecca Mancy--Dr Rebecca MancyBSc (Hons), PhD (Glasgow)Lecturer in Science and Mathematics EducationProgramme Leader, MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Inter-Professional Science Education and Communication (IPSEC)Direct line: +44 (0) 141 330 8138Interdisciplinary Centre for Research and Teaching in STEM EducationFaculty of EducationUniversity of Glasgow11 Eldon StreetGlasgow G3 6NHrebecca.mancy@educ.gla.ac.ukhttp://www.gla.ac.uk/faculties/education/staff/rebeccalmancy/The University of Glasgow Charity Number: SC004401 History Herstory My-stery The National Museum was restored a while ago but I haven't been there after its reopening. So yesterday I've finally decided to visit the Museum and check out any new stuff it offers.Like always, the usual disclaimer applies - this is not a history blog, so go to a real history blog (ha ha... like they even exist) for credible no-nonsense historical facts blah blah blah...I needn't even mention this - after all, you already knew what's coming when you signed up for Fresh Brainz.Besides, I'm not a historian, and even if I were a historian I'd be a science historian, and even if I were a science historian I'll only be familiar with evolutionary biology, and even if I were a evolutionary biology science historian I'd only have expertise in molecular evolution, and even if...Specialization - it's a one way trip to irelevant hell.On with the show!Once you walk into the museum, the first thing that hits you is this massive 8.5-metre tall upsized version of Michelangelo's famous David sculpture, covered in a red, flowery fabric.Positioned right at the centre, it looks very prominent.I mean the whole statue is quite prominent too, but "it" is staring you right in the face!Entitled "Surrounding David", artist Titarubi had intended to abrogate the aggressiveness of David's masculine form by ensheathing him in feminine aesthetics of beauty, rendering him more androgynous and ambiguous.I'm not sure if it had the intended effect, but something is definitely not ambiguous.He's a BIG hit with the ladies!Women were posing for photos around the statue with their hands in the air, pretending to grab his butt or grab his Mr. Happy (TM).In contrast, not even one man was seen anywhere near the statue. I suspect an intimidation factor.I guess it's really hard to emasculate a male form when the most obvious manifestation of his manliness is hanging four metres above your face.Women absolutely love him.Even schoolgirls!Here's a schoolgirl taking a photo of David with her cellphone, mouth agape in awe.I'll bet you that she's not taking a picture of his face.Overheard in conversation -Schoolgirl A: "Wow, so big. He's really sexy. So sexy. Don't you think he's sexy?"Schoolgirl B: "Sexy. He's sexy. Is that proportionate? Is that proportionate?"Sorry Titarubi... either modern women really love ambiguous men, or there is nothing ambiguous about a gigantic schlong.There are two galleries on the second floor next to the central rotunda.One of these employs enlarged old photographs to highlight various family and social issues. On the back of each portrait is a plasma TV screen that plays a video of a different social theme.Something sombre and eerie about the lighting in this room...And here's one of the photos. Notice anything peculiar about this picture?Two. Wives.Yes my dears, you are looking at the good old days when a real MAN would go around collecting trophy wives and concubines while conquering mountains, polishing swords and decimating his rivals with an unlimited amount of machine gun bullets.All in a day's work.Sadly, not much remains of that glorious age.Bound by the law, gagged by the state and chained to his cubicle, the only part of the modern man that often goes stiff and throbbin' - is his neck.The other gallery focuses on food - something close to the hearts of Singaporeans!(... or so I've often heard. Your humble narrator was quite OK with plain bread or simple sandwiches for many months until he built up enough savings to eat out. Also, there are some things that he values much more than tasty food...)Here's a lighted rack packed with a multitude of spices used in local cooking.In the spirit of interactivity, here's a device that allows you to take a whiff at some of the spices on display.I've never seen a smell machine shaped like this before. You position your nose at the funnel to catch the aroma.It reads: "Pull ring to smell" which instantly reminds me of a prank that starts with "Pull my finger..."My favourite smell sample here is lime. It smells pleasant and refreshing. Cinnamon is OK too, but coconut smells a little musty and stale - I'm not sure how fresh the samples are.Ever since the end of the colonial era, the local population has been itching to get back at their previous European masters.This is a torture device designed to slowly crush the fingers of a hapless captured Colonial during routine interrogations.Oops, silly me - it's just an old ice shaver machine used for making that delicious local dessert called Ice Kachang.Ha Ha Ha...*shifty eyes*In addition to mechanical devices, the locals have also crafted a plethora of torture implements used to inflict maximum pain and to prolong the agony of death.Blunt wooden mallets and branding irons are the main instruments of this approach.Yikes, looks like I'm wrong again - these are simply moulds used to make delectable local treats such as mooncakes, nyonya kueh and crispy egg rolls.Really, that's the truth.*wink*Ah, a mobile tutu kueh kiosk. Still a staple at many neighbourhood fairs, the fragrance of the steamed rice and tapioca flour instantly draws people from afar.I prefer my tutu kueh with coconut filling rather than the ground peanut filling. Ground peanut bits tend to jab into my gums resulting in pain and swelling that can take a whole week to heal.Next - the distinctive satay fan and grill. I must say I enjoy the taste of satay but not its after-effects. As I get older I seem to be getting more susceptible to a sore throat from salty or oily foods. It's a great dish to share with friends and family, but I wouldn't order it if I was eating out alone.Want to help the environment? Sometimes you don't need some spanking new technology; these old soft drink bottles point the way.I remember that many years ago, we had a drink machine in my secondary school that dispensed soft drinks in glass bottles like these. Each drink cost 50 cents.It was a clunky machine with a fixed bottle opener for you to pop open the bottle yourself. After you've finished the drink, you would return the used bottle (in a plastic rack), which the company would recover, clean and refill with drinks. The reused bottles were so worn down that you can see visible scratches on the brand logos.Aside from the bottle cap, nothing else is thrown away.This old-fashioned tiffin tin reflects the silhouette of a fork and spoon, but it also reflects the same spirit of recycling.At that time, instead of buying take-away food in disposable lunch boxes, people would carry their tiffin tins around for the hawkers to fill up. They would then wash it and use it over and over again.Another form of recycling was the use of old condensed milk cans to hold coffee or tea. When I was a kid, that was how hot drinks were commonly sold - filled up in old Carnation tins and suspended by raffia strings for the customers to hold so that they won't get scalded.I know that these forms of recycling may not be practical today, but they reveal a simple truth - in the past people were kinder to the environment, not because of any special love of the environment, but simply because they were too poor to cause much damage.Today there are people who are so rich that they seem to believe that they can simply disregard the environment or even physical reality. They think that they can buy their way out of every problem.This is not a good practice because if someone constantly creates big problems for a long period of time, gradually fewer and fewer solutions will be practical until eventually the problems become impossible to solve.I only have one rule of thumb for helping the environment:Don't be a consumer. Be a producer.Down the corridor from the rotunda are two more lifestyle galleries.One of them is about the history of film and wayang in Singapore. The theatrette showcases excerpts from old local films, mainly scenes from Malay Pontianak-style horror movies in the 1950s-60s.When I walked behind the screens, I suddenly noticed this large, futuristic contraption.Is that a phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range?No, it's a 1960s-era 35mm film projector.It says so right there on the serial number plate.It's amazing how high-tech this old projector looks. The rusty brown colour of the machine, the marks of wear and tear, combined with mood lighting makes it look like some robot weapon of the 24th century.Indeed, I believe that much of the inspiration for futuristic designs actually come from the past (eg. the lightsaber in Star Wars).What was old is new again.Arranged neatly in a light box is this selection of old slides used before the feature film and during an interval.I'm not old enough to have seen movies that had intervals, but I distinctly remember the "Don't waste water" slide shown before the movies as recently as the 1980s.Also note the jewellery advertisement on the upper left.Just one slide. Isn't it so quaint?Nowadays, the pre-feature advertisements are so sophisticated that they may contain more special effects than the movie itself!On the other side of the corridor is a gallery that mainly focuses on the evolution of ladies fashion in Singapore.This is an old Singer sewing machine that uses a foot pedal to drive the sewing mechanism. My grandmother used to have one of these, though I rarely saw her use it.Singer sewing machines have a certain smell, due to the lubricating oil used to keep it operating smoothly.I still have an old bottle of Singer oil, now used for lubricating everything but sewing machines.Erm... I mean nearly everything. Sometimes you need other types of lubricants.This 60s-era miniskirt reminds me of a documentary about a fashion model (I think it was Twiggy) during that time period. Due to the limitations of cameras of that time, models had to "freeze" for the photographer when they made their ideal pose so that there won't be a blurred photo.It's so bizarre seeing a person move naturally and then abruptly stop for the camera.Together with the brightly coloured clothes or big printed spots and patterns, the entire fashion shoot looked quite comical.Just to show you that 60s psychedelic fashion also permeated the local culture, here's a traditional cheongsam made with decidedly non-traditional printed fabrics.It could be quite sexy - that depends largely on the wearer.And now - time to enter the Singapore History Gallery and learn more about our nation's past.47 Second History - Big history questions answered in bite-sized chunks!Time to review some history!*tick tick tick tick...*To start at the very beginning: this is the mysterious Singapore Stone, left behind by the earliest inhabitants of the island.It's at least 800 years old and contains an inscription in a lost language that no one can read today.Lost language! How cool is that???Can you imagine a once flourishing language that has completely gone extinct? I guess that if you really want to preserve the cultural history of your society, you should translate it into as many common languages as possible and keep copies of it in as many countries as possible.Take more pictures and videos!Inscribe language ciphers into modern buildings!Oh and make more friends. Human societies seem disturbingly responsible for the disappearance of other human societies.At the entrance, each visitor is provided with a Companion - a portable multimedia device that allows visitors to choose the details that they want to know. You need to key in an area code or object code into the machine in order to hear a description about the exhibits.The layout of the gallery is divided into two potential paths: an "events" path describing the major characters and events that shaped Singapore, and a "personal" path that tells the story from the perspective of "ordinary" people.I say "ordinary" with quotation marks because it seems to me that some of these characters are well-known and high-ranking members of society.Personally, this "Choose Your Own Adventure" approach didn't work for me since I keep backtracking and switching paths because I want to know what happens on the "other side".It gets hectic when I try to keep track of all these disjointed stories.If you want a linear, simplified review of Singapore's history with lively dioramas and wax models of key figures, then the Images of Singapore attraction in Sentosa would be a better choice.On the other hand, if you want to go into more details, understand the nuances behind the events and view the actual historical artifacts themselves, then the Singapore History Gallery would be the place for you.This is a mockup of an opium den. Like I said earlier, the gallery doesn't use any models of people; instead, actual artifacts, photographs and mood lighting help to recreate the atmosphere of a real opium den.I put up this photo because I would like to emphasize the fact that I may not agree with everything that the government does, but I certainly agree with their strong policies against drug abuse and drug trafficking. I believe that we should learn from the lessons of history and never again be conned by anyone who peddles addictive "recreational" drugs.There is no shame in lacking the willpower to quit an addictive substance, but it is lamentable to lack the wisdom to avoid it in the first place.Not sure about the historical significance of this tailor shop, but mannequins and mood lighting invoke a very eerie feeling, almost like the scenes in the Silent Hill series of horror games.It probably isn't an intended effect here, but later I'll show you another place where lighting is used for dramatic effect.I like film-noir style machinery - this is a Typex coding machine used by the police in Singapore in the 1930s. It is a rotor cipher machine similar to the German Enigma.It must have looked impressive in its day, but through my pair of modern eyes it just looks like a huge typewriter with two oversized Mickey Mouse ears.The placement of historical items in the gallery is quite artistic.Here is a wall of bicycles in the 2nd World War section. I presume that it represents the rapid advancement of the Japanese army, which used bicycles and tanks to increase their mobility during the invasion of Malaya.I say "presume" because there is no description of the installation on the actual location: the exhibition is completely reliant on the Companion system, such that historical artifacts only have a numbered label to identify them.To find out anything about the exhibit at all, you MUST key in the object code and read it off your Companion machine. When I took the above picture, I haven't figured that out yet, so I missed the information.I think it would be better to have just a short description on site, so that the visitors can quickly scan the area and decide if they they want to know more about it.Something like "123. Japanese Army bicycles" would be enough.Likewise, only a number marks this object here which looks like a machine gun but could very well be part of something else.Luckily, there's Wikipedia to help save the day. This is indeed part of a machine gun - the Japanese Type 1 heavy machine gun.I put up this picture to stress one important point: the imperial Japanese military was superb at attacking but much weaker at defending.A gung-ho never-say-die spirit might exact some spectacular initial gains; however, gradually fundamentals such as good training, nuanced administrative skills and basic human decency will play an increasingly important role.To me, the most objectionable aspect of the Japanese invasion force was not their ferocity in battle or their insatiable ambitions - it was their persistent brutality and inhumane treatment of the people who have already surrendered to them.When you apparently have absolute control over the lives of your captives - it is prudent to give them some breathing room.Desperate people have very little to lose. Mistreat them at your own peril.As a symbolic representation of the Japanese occupation years, the official "events" path on the right is bright and wide, whereas the "personal" path on the left is dark and narrow.I believe this is done to convey the message that although officially Singapore had been renamed the "Light of the South"by the Japanese military, it was in reality the darkest period in Singapore history.Both paths are long and winding, such that visitors cannot immediately see where the path would end. The metaphorical meaning of this is obvious.Ah, what a masterful use of symbols!Finally, the post-war section of the gallery.I'd like to highlight just two interesting objects.First, this Khong Guan biscuit tin. I've been eating these biscuits since I was very young. However, I have always seen them packed in a rectangular tin like this.Feels so odd to know that the earliest biscuit tins looked more like metal buckets... with a picture of some celebrity on top!Incredibly, the assortment of biscuits seem to have remained the same all these years.Second, this Rediffusion set.Long before cable television existed, "cable radio" was King.Old uncles would sit in the coffeeshop with their favourite cuppa and listen to the programmes on a Rediffusion set like this one, which is really just a simple speaker box that the coffeeshop boss would usually install in a high place.It came with a simple remote control that you can see in the above picture, to switch between two stations and to adjust the volume.When I was a kid, sets like these were already in decline. I have no first hand experience using one of these, but this blogger here has fond memories of his Rediffusion set.*tick tick tick... DING!*Was that 47 seconds? Man you read fast!You are thinking: "What kind of a crap historical review is this? None of the key figures in Singapore's history was named, there is no logical flow whatsoever, only one major event was briefly discussed, and there wasn't a single specific date about anything at all!"Dude, chill.This blog post isn't a review of the entire history of Singapore.It's a review of my visit to the National Museum.Told you that specialization is a bitch.