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Teen lands impressive wheelchair double backflip

2010-09-02T16:00:17Z

A paraplegic teenage daredevil has managed to complete the world's first double backflip in a wheelchair.

18-year-old Aaron Fotheringham made the amazing double flip after several failed attempts at a skate park in Pennsylvania.

Footage shows him being propelled forward by an extended bungee rope into a ramp which then flings him into the air.

The first couple attempts make rather painful viewing, but then Aaron manages to land successfully to cheers from the crowd.

Something tells us children are going to suddenly want wheelchairs for Christmas so they can have a go too.
LINKS
Aaron Fotheringham

University offers credit for playing Starcraft

2010-09-02T15:00:11Z

Computer game-loving students could be in luck after a university started offing a course where they can get credit for playing.

The University of Florida has revealed an eight-week course entitled which requires students play the online game Starcraft.

It's claimed by instructor Nathaniel Poling just playing the game improves "Critical thinking, problem solving, resource management, and adaptive decision making".

But "21st century Skills in Starcaft" will also include viewing and analysis of recorded matches, written assignments and collaboration with other students.

Suddenly we feel (slightly) less guilty about spending so long playing Time Crisis when we were meant to be studying. LINKS
University of Florida

Physicists: Carlos wonder free-kick was no fluke

2010-09-02T13:45:30Z

Boffins say they have finally explained the science behind Roberto Carlos' amazing free kick goal against France in 1997.

The goal scored by the Brazilian in the Tournoi de France is widely regarded as one of football's best ever free-kicks.

Some commentators joked it "defied physics" and keeper Fabian Barthez was embarrassingly left standing still and red-faced by the strike.

But while some thought it was a fluke, physicists have now computed the trajectory equation and shown that Carlos' goal was all skill… and science, obviously.

They claim any ball kicked hard enough, with the right spin and from far enough away will follow the 'spinning ball spiral' -- so prepare to see lots of dodgy long range attempts this weekend. As Christophe Clanet and David Quéré, researchers from École Polytechnique, write, "When shot from a large enough distance, and with enough power to keep an appreciable velocity as approaching the goal, the ball can have an unexpected trajectory.

"Carlos' kick started with a classical circular trajectory but suddenly bent in a spectacular way and came back to the goal, although it looked out of the target a small moment earlier.

"People often noticed that Carlos' free kick had been shot from a remarkably long distance; we show in our paper that this is not a coincidence, but a necessary condition for generating a spiral trajectory."

Using tiny plastic (polypropylene and polyacetal) balls and a slingshot, the researchers varied the velocity and spin of balls travelling through water to trace different trajectories.

The friction exerted on a ball by its surrounding atmosphere slows it down enough for the spin to take on a greater role in directing the ball's trajectory, thereby allowing the last moment change in direction, which in the case of Carlos' kick left Barthez defenceless.

LINKS
Institute of Physics

Moms carry out duties of 23 different professions

2010-09-02T12:30:34Z

The average mum is a master multi-tasker who carries out the roles of 23 different professions, a study has revealed.

Researchers found modern mothers have to be a cleaner, entertainer, chef and accountant, as well as travel agent, teacher and chamber maid.

On top of that they also have to have skills as a first-aider, dog walker, chauffeur and hairdresser.

The study also found the average mum works more than 13 hours a day while the kids are off school, getting out of bed at 7.16am and finally switching off at 8.41pm.

Personally we think moms carry out the duties of 24 different professions… given the amount of time they spend watching soaps surely they could add TV critic to the list. A spokesman for Chessington World of Adventures, which commissioned the study, said: "The nation's mums work so hard and have to juggle so many things at once.

"They try to keep on top of everything, without rocking the boat and they end up doing the tasks of 23 people which would ordinarily be full time jobs in themselves.

"They have to turn their hand to everything - from ferrying the kids around or booking the holiday, to keeping them occupied with a painting brush or making the bed."

The nationwide study of 2,500 mums quizzed them on the roles - many of which are full-time jobs in themselves - they carry out during the school holidays.

Among the other back-breaking tasks which emerged were landscape gardener, waitress, counsellor and personal shopper.

MUMS' DAILY ROLES
1. Cleaner
2. Chef
3. Entertainer
4. Driver
5. Carer/nanny
6. First-aider
7. Events organizer
8. Accountant
9. Gardener
10. Waitress
11. Personal shopper
12. Chamber maid
13. Teacher
14. Counsellor
15. Administrator
16. Hairdresser
17. Dental hygienist
18. Dog walker
19. Project Manager
20. Artist
21. Travel Agent
22. Security Guard
23. Interior Designer

LINKS
Chessington World of Adventures

Poor golf swing sparks a massive 12-acre fire

2010-09-02T11:30:51Z

A golfer accidentally started a 12-acre fire when he hit his club on a rock in California causing sparks and the resulting blaze.

The hapless golfer had been playing at the Shady Canyon golf course in Irvine, when the accident happened.

It's said he'd taken a swing at the ball but that his club struck a rock causing a small spark.

But this was enough to start a fire in the parched area and the blaze soon covered a massive 12 acres of the densely wooded hill.

Almost 200 firefighters attended the scene and the fire burnt for over seven hours… and we thought our golfing endeavours had been embarrassing. LINKS
Shady Canyon Golf
Orange County Fire Authority

New records set at Bog Snorkelling Championships

2010-09-01T18:00:01Z

A new speed record has been set at the World Bog Snorkelling Championships... after the bogs were cleaned for the first time in ten years.

More than 150 competitors from around the world had attended the event - now in it's 25th year - near Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales, to take part.

Once there they had to see how long it took to complete the 110 metre course by swimming two lengths of the murky - and still very muddy - trench.

Organisers said they'd anticipated fast times as the trenches had recently been cleaned but couldn't believe how much faster it was… we can't believe how murky the bog must have been last year.
The world record previously held by Joanna Pitchforth (1.38.15), was smashed by local man Dan Morgan of Brecon in an astounding 1:30.66 Last years Junior Winner, Becky Lord, also smashed her own record time of 1:41:56 by finishing in 1:38:01.

LINKS
World Bog Snorkelling Championships

Daredevil sets highest ever UK wire-walk record

2010-09-01T15:45:54Z

A French circus star has set a new UK record for the highest wire-walk, by crossing a 76 metre-high top cable in Newport.

Olivier Roustan made his bid over Newport City’s footbridge in front of thousands of expectant spectators after spending two days assessing the risk.

The aerialist from Toulouse was helped into position by three highly trained industrial climbers, before making his 90m stroll over the river.

After a few wobbles, and gasps from the crowd, Olivier made it to the other side… and then wondered why he hadn't used the footpath like everyone else.
The record attempt was made at the Newport Big Splash Festival as part of celebrations to promote cultural activity in the city ahead of hosting The 2010 Ryder Cup .

Olivier had previously scaled the Cathedral of Albi near Toulouse in Southern France, which is over 500 years old and the largest brick building in the world.

LINKS
The Big Splash

10 lies parents tell kids to promote healthy eating

2010-09-01T14:30:37Z

Millions of parents admit fibbing to their kids to get them to eat more healthy foods, a study has revealed.

Researchers found eight out of ten mothers regularly wheel out old classics such as 'carrots will help you see in the dark' or 'crusts will make your hair curl'.

Other popular food fibs include 'eating vegetables will make you big and strong' and 'Spinach will give you muscles like Popeye'.

A cruel claim the ice-cream van only plays music when it has run out of lollies is also still commonly used.

What, what? You mean ice-cream vans playing music do still have ice-cream left? Suddenly my parents have some explaining to do.
The study of 3,000 mums also found the average parent tells the kids two white lies every day to encourage them to eat fruit and vegetables or put them off fizzy drinks.

Four out of ten admitted feeling a pang of guilt for lying to the children and six out of ten said they often reach a point where they simply don't know what else to do.

Top Ten Food Fibs

1.    "Eating vegetables will make you big and strong"
2.    "Eating carrots helps you see in the dark"
3.    "Eating crusts will make your hair curl"
4.    "Spinach will give you muscles like Popeye"
5.    "Its not fruit, it's sports candy"
6.    "If you eat apple pips, you'll grow an apple tree in your belly"
7.    "Eating sweetcorn will help you grow like the Big Green Giant"
8.    "The ice cream van only plays music when it has run out of ice cream"
9.    "Okay don't eat it, I'll throw it in the bin" (reverse psychology)
10.   "Fizzy drinks turn your teeth to jelly"

Deneice Harwin from Philips AVENT, which commissioned the study, said: "Encouraging toddlers to eat new foods can be a nightmare for parents and make meal times the most stressful part of the day.

"But it's important that they get the right nutrients and this means eating fruit and veg, which tend to be the worst foods in children's eyes.

"So it's no wonder parents are telling little fibs to their children in an attempt to get them to eat certain things."

LINKS
Philips AVENT

UEFA ban the vuvuzela from European matches

2010-09-01T13:00:33Z

UEFA, European football's governing body, has ruled that vuvuzelas should be banned from their matches.

This means the irksome plastic trumpet, which became infamous at the World Cup, will not be heard at Euro 2012 qualifiers or Champions League games.

Bosses say they came to the conclusion the instrument should not be taken into stadiums at matches in UEFA competitions after consultation with 53 member associations.

It was decided the noise could drown-out the singing and chanting of fans andthat "for reasons related to Europe's football culture and tradition" they should be banned.

However, we can think of the odd player who'd probably prefer the constant drone of a vuvuzela to fans chants… Yes Heskey, we're thinking of you. A spokesperson for UEFA said: "The magic of football consists of the two-way exchange of emotions between the pitch and the stands, where the public can transmit a full range of feelings to the players.

"However, UEFA is of the view that the vuvuzelas would completely change the atmosphere, drowning supporter emotions and detracting from the experience of the game."

LINKS
UEFA

iBottleOpener: Open beer bottles with an iPhone

2010-09-01T12:00:13Z

The Apple iPhone just became a lot more useful -- after a protective case was revealed which also doubles as a beer bottle opener.

iBottleOpener functions as a normal run-of-the-mill iPhone case, protecting the device from all the usual scratches and drops

But on the rear it reveals a classic bottle opener which inventor Zack Cram, from California, says he couldn't believe hadn't been added earlier.

And Apple might want to consider building one into the next version of the iPhone because demand for the £15 case is so high it sold out within two days.

Makers say they're struggling to produce the bottle opening cases fast enough… but that they've already submitted a patent for a wine corkscrew iPhone case.

Speaking to Newslite the 21-year-old inventer said: "People are just astounded that the iPhone has been around for three years and nobody has thought of this yet.

"When the patent search came back clean, I knew I had something big on my hands. It's the worlds most popular phone, and the worlds most beloved beverage, whats not to like?"

LINKS
iBottleOpener

Brits are now self-diagnosing cyberchondriacs

2010-09-01T11:00:49Z

Millions of Brits have tried to diagnose an illness online and ended up convincing themselves they're seriously ill or even dying, it has been found.

Researchers discovered more than six out of ten adults now turn to the web rather than their GP when they begin to feel under the weather.

And almost half of those have then convinced themselves they are suffering from a serious illness.

One-in-five even said they'd managed to worry themselves into believing they were in the early stages of a heart attack after Googling their symptoms.

In good news, the study give us hope the headache we're currently suffering might not be a brain tumour after all.
Other common, but less serious misdiagnoses, include mistaking a stomach upset for food poisoning and believing a common cold was in fact an attack of flu.

The study, carried out among 3,000 adults by Engage Mutual, also revealed more than a third of those with headaches had convinced themselves they had a migraine, while 28 per cent of people with abdominal pain mistakenly self-diagnosed appendicitis.

Tina Clare at Engage Mutual said: "We seem to be a nation of worriers when it comes to our health.

"Forty six per cent of people are worried about getting a terminal illness, and many are convincing themselves that everyday symptoms are indicative of serious ill health.

"While the internet can be a great information resource, it is always best to see a doctor when ill. Not only can a medical professional put your mind at rest, they can also check out all the symptoms and tell you what the matter really is."

LINKS
Engage Mutual

Fried beer invented by enterprising Texan chef

2010-09-01T10:00:34Z

A chef from Texas is set to become a hero to beer and fried-food loving men everywhere... after creating a recipe for deep-fried beer.

Mark Zable says he came up with the idea while sitting in a bar (where else?) and being bored by the majority of items on the menu.

Zable then tried countless ways of frying beer including using liquid nitrogen to freeze it before covering it in batter and submerging it in hot oil.

But it was only after three-years of trial and error he worked out beer could be placed in a ravioli-like pocket of pretzel dough and flash fried for about 20 seconds… personally we can't think of a better way of spending three years. The 39-year-old says he has patented the process of placing any liquid in a dough type product for frying purposes, and now hopes to see his creation become a world-wide hit with "anyone that likes beer and is hungry".

The deep fried beer pieces are being debuted at the State Fair of Texas later this month where they will sell for $5 for five, but Zable says early taste tests have proved positive with diners (who have to be over 21) loving the mixture of beer and salty dough.

Speaking to Newslite he said of the deep fried beer idea: "My wife and I were sitting at a bar looking at the appetizer menu… We saw Nachos, Wings, Chips & Salsa… Bor-ing… I said, someone should come up with Fried Beer.

"We looked at each other and new that was the next food creation we needed to develop.

"But it took a couple of years to get it right. Taking a liquid and placing it into a fryer filled with 350’ oil is a BAD idea. I would not recommend that people try this at home."

And women who don't like beer needn't worry, Zable says he has got them covered too with plans for a deep fried wine which he says will be made with Riesling.

But this isn't his first off culinary creation, previously he has given the world Chocolate Covered Strawberry Waffle Balls, Sweet Jalapeño Corn Dog Shrimp and Frozen Whipped Cream bites.

LINKS
FriedBeer.net

Chefs compete at testicle cooking competition

2010-08-31T17:30:31Z

Teams of chefs in Serbia have been serving up their best testicle-based dishes as part of the World Testicle Cooking Championship.

The event, amazingly now in its seventh year, see gonad gourmets creating the best meals they can from boar, kangaroo and donkey balls.

Delightful dishes on offer at the freaky food festival this year included testicle pizza and the ever-popular goulash style bulls’ testicles.

Visitors taste a selection of the meals before a judging panel decide on which ones really stand out.

Festival organisers also give an award to someone who has been "ballsy" over the past 12 months -- this year it wasn't the man who tried testicle pizza, but U.S. President Barack Obama.

Gravy wrestlers battle for world championship

2010-08-31T14:45:28Z

Fighters have battled it out in over 1,000 litres of gravy as part of the 4th annual World Gravy Wrestling Championships.

Dozens of competitors - all in fancy dress - attended the Lancashire event to grapple with each other in the 14ft pool filled with gravy an inch deep.

As over 1,000 fans cheered them on, points were awarded for wrestling skill, fun factor and the entertainment value in the two minute bouts.

Organisers say all the gravy used is made to a traditional Lancashire recipe and they get through over 1,000 litres during the day.

Elliot Rooke, dressed as a bunny girl, took the men's title while the female winner was Elisa Samson who had fought as Little Bo Peep -- In odd news neither of them will ever want a Sunday Roast again.

LINKS
World Gravy Wrestling

iStethoscope iPhone app now used in hospitals

2010-08-31T13:45:02Z

An iPhone app which replicates the tradition doctor's stethoscope is said to be replacing the device in many UK hospitals.

iStethoscope was initially created by Peter Bentley of University College London as a test of the tech.

But now it's been downloaded millions of times and many doctors around the world are using it in place of the traditional piece of equipment.

Docs using the device press the microphone of the iPhone against a patients heartbeat while the phone records the sound and produces a phonocardiograph and a spectrogram.

However there is one problem -- if the phone rings while being used as a stethoscope it could give the patient a heart attack… at least there would be a doctor at hand.

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Peter Bentley
iStethoscope