Higgs rumours fly as meeting approaches
The latest rumour is that both ATLAS and CMS have evidence that the Higgs mass is about 125 GeV/C2 at confidence levels of 3.5σ and 2.5σ respectively. At 3.5σ, the measurement could be the result of a random fluke just 0.1% of the time whereas at 2.5σ the fluke factor is about 1%. [full article]

Fundamental constants are not constant—or maybe they are, we don’t really know
Now, there is a precedent here. The cosmic microwave background was initially thought to be isotropic—it’s the same where ever you look. However, accurate measurements show that there is a slight difference and the Universe seems to have some sort of global orientation. This might also imply that the fundamental constants could be different depending on which direction we look. [full article]

Smallest habitable world around sun-like star found
The planet, named Kepler-22b, lies 600 light years away around a star of the same type (called G) as the sun. It is about 2.4 times as wide as Earth and orbits its star every 290 days, right in the middle of its star’s habitable zone, where liquid water can exist on an object’s surface. [full article]

In the tradition of Glove, Actually and You just don’t get it do you?, here’s the impressively compiled collection of movie ‘sit down and shut ups’.

Zach Johnsen

mitch Dobrowner

The insanely weird quantum wave function might be “real” after all
Until now, we have taken comfort from the idea that, real or not, the results from the wave function would be the same. So no worries, right? Quite possibly wrong. In a paper posted on the arXiv, a trio of researchers has shown that you can’t have it both ways; a purely statistical wave function will not always give the same results as a wave function with real physical significance. [full article]

Should We Clone Neanderthals?
As the Neanderthal genome is painstakingly sequenced, the archaeologists and biologists who study it will be faced with an opportunity that seemed like science fiction just 10 years ago. They will be able to look at the genetic blueprint of humankind’s nearest relative and understand its biology as intimately as our own. [full article]

Will We Find Oceans On Pluto?
…After the impact, Pluto and Charon would have been extremely close together, and spinning rapidly. The strong gravitational tidal pull between the two should have produced enough heat to melt the interior turning Pluto into a giant Slush Puppie. Pluto could have been like Europa for hundreds of millions of years before completely re-freezing over. [full article]

Yes, Skyrim has lately taken up quite the few hours… wait days? Already? Well, it’s been occupying some free time, but the rest has been overshadowed with work which thankfully is finally winding down some. So back to blog and many other neglected activities.

Appropriate thinking the more I figure it in regards to this video and its affiliated the beauty of a second challenge by luxury line Montblanc.

190 years ago, Nicolas Rieussec recorded time to an accuracy of a fifth second for the first time – the chronograph was born. To celebrate this unique invention, Montblanc is announcing the one-of-a-kind “The Beauty of a Second” short-film contest presented by the famous film director Wim Wenders.

The idea is to record just a single second of something and upload it. Simple. Awesome. And hey, Wim Wenders!

Tom Price

Alastair Mackie

Bruce Munro

Installed Skyrim.

Seen this around for a bit and until now haven’t bothered to watch; but when my phone decided to die this morning and taking with it, the use of questionable apps, I figured sure, why not? Let’s have a look…

…and now I conclude this is the greatest wtf video you’ll see all week. It may be the most bizzare all year, but my Memento-like memory ain’t quite sure of that claim yet.

Where your first impressions are along the lines of “oh great, another bloody talent show’s oh-be-moved-and/or-amazed” video… well, all that expectation is quickly turned on its head with precision painful efficiency.

One of the best part is probably the judges reactions; where at first you’re laughing at them, pretty soon, you’re just as horrified as they are and then the realisation sinks in: there’s still six minutes of this video to go! And yet, like the judges, I couldn’t help but watch it right to the end.

Bonus points also go to the near-surreal, ‘nam flashback-like montage at the end.

Mental.

This is a series of animations created by Levni Yilmaz, where the drawings aren’t so much amazing, but the execution and method of an almost stream of conscious narrative makes for some both funny and insightful videos.

Have picked out a few charmers, but check out his Youtube channel for a whole lot more.

Another amazing aspect of life on Earth. Recommended.