KBEAR: Billings' Greatest Hits » Science

The Scientific Power of Thought

Kyle Dowling — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:00:22 +0000

Mind over matter, people! According to this video, when you change your mind, you physically change your brain. It looks as if the power of thought is an immense gift that each of us hold (sans ‘Honey Boo Boo‘ viewers). As the video states, “imagining an action and doing it require the same motor and [...]

How NOT to Make an Electric Gun

Tom Blunt — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:30:33 +0000

There’s no need to offer a “Don’t try this at home” warning — by the time you’ve watched this guy accidentally shock, burn, and shoot himself, you’re unlikely to follow in his footsteps. It might seem a little strange to talk about making guns so soon after that botched assassination attempt in Bulgaria, but this homemade [...]

Weird Science: Watch This Bizarre Chemical Reaction

Tom Blunt — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 16:30:20 +0000

Something very strange happens at the 1:15 point in this video. When these three clear solutions are combined on a stir plate, the result changes color — and keeps changing! Don’t ask us why the color change keeps oscillating. That’s what the narrating scientist is there for! The sudden transformation from an amber liquid to an inky [...]

Learn Chemistry With Adorable Dogs

Amanda Ferris — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:13:10 +0000

In this heartwarming YouTube video, adorable pooches-turned-chemists Paige and Dexter explain the basics of chemistry using their toys. If your child is struggling with basic chemistry concepts in school or you just need a pick me up after a long, stressful day, this video will make you giggle as the pooches demonstrate the ins-and-outs of chemical bonding.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson Discovers Superman's Home Planet

Amanda Ferris — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 18:42:48 +0000

Superman’s home planet Krytpon isn’t fictional anymore! Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has discovered the real-life counterpart to the planet that is so deeply embedded in the ‘Superman’ canon.Tyson discovered the red dwarf star that is located in the Corvus constellation and is about 27.1 light years away from Earth. Up until now, this star was [...]

The Real Life Science Behind James Bond's Gadgets

Ruth Waxman — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:04:19 +0000

In anticipation of the upcoming release of 'Skyfall,' the 23rd installment of the James Bond franchise, we've explored five of our favorite Bond gadgets and put them to the test of reality. It's every guy's (and probably girl's) dream to have their own real life Q and his accompanying gadgets. But how many of these are accurate portrayals of reality and how many are far-flung fantasies that belong on the big screen?

12-Year-Old Uses Dungeons And Dragons to Help Dad Solve Scientific Riddle

Jeremy Taylor — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:57:50 +0000

When you look at someone, you are immediately drawn to their eyes. Scientists have been unsure if this is because humans are programmed to stare at eyes or at faces in general.

Alan Kingstone, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia, had been working on this quandary and was having trouble thinking of an experiment which separated the eyes from the center of the face. He was telling his 12-year-old son Julian about it when the boy came up with an inspired idea.

Would You Go To College For A Popcorn Course?

Big Bear — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:43:38 +0000

You can now earn college credits studying popcorn! Michigan State University has a course known as the “popcorn course.” Students spent a semester learning tasty lessons in research and food science. The class is officially called “Science of the Foods We Love.” The course wrapped up this month with a visit to the Nebraska headquarters [...]