Courtesy of Oregon State University

Here’s a pretty remarkable and relatable image to take in. We’ve all seen the ancient insect preserved perfectly in amber, but never have we seen what is essentially a live look at an ancient predator at work.

In what scientists are calling a 100 million year old discovery, a social orb-weaver spider can be seen on the brink of attacking a parasitic wasp. Both of these exact species are extinct today, but remarkable similarities can be seen to current insects in both in their appearance and behavior.

Ryan Adams, Image credit: Robert Maxwell

Hi I’m Shelby! I love music. Let me preface by saying that I am not a musician, expert, or professional of any kind; I’m just a college kid with a passion for good tunes and good times.

The “Top 11 Playlists” are a collection of some of my personal favorites, in no particular order, to correspond with the theme of the week. There will be an eclectic mix including everything from Miles Davis to Jay-Z. Hope you like! Throw me some comments if you have any feedback. Special thanks to Astounde for hosting.

Courtesy of Ghost Pixel Visuals

Musicians Big Gigantic and Light Artists Ghost Pixel Visuals have teamed up to transform Red Rocks into Rowdytown, an unparalleled adventure in audio visual production that the Rowdytown crew promises will be “a visual experience like you’ve NEVER SEEN BEFORE!!”

It’s Friday and while most of us just want to be outside or hanging with friends, we have jobs so we understand that’s unrealistic. Here’s the next best thing: a list of ten incredibly important and useful facts that are guaranteed to make people think you are smarter than you actually are.

Courtesy of IceJacket.com

You’ve probably seen those steezy frozen shot glasses or mugs at friendly gatherings, but unfortunately science makes their use short-lived.

Frozen H2O is fun though; isn’t there a better way to incorporate ice into our evenings?

From the department of chill accessories comes the older and more sophisticated cousin to the frozen shot glass, the Ice Jacket.

From the department of “why didn’t I think of that” comes the pedal powered washer and dryer. The aptly named GiraDora (spinner in Spanish) works without electricity, is affordable at $40, and gives you a nice calf workout to boot!

The Maldives, an island nation located just south of India, has an average elevation of just five feet above sea level. Eighty percent of the nation hovers just one foot above sea level. The country fears that it’s days may be numbered as the ocean steadily rises.

“Climate change is upon us and the Maldives are feeling it most. That’s why they’re leading the way in trying to find a way to combat the problem.” -Mark Spalding, senior marine scientist at the Nature Conversancy

That solution may be self-sustaining man-made floating islands; an arcology of sorts. The nation is going all out to pursue this end, and has the pieces in place to build the world’s first floating golf course and resort. The Maldivian government is working with established cutting edge architectural firm Dutch Docklands, as well as golf course management mainstay Troon Golf to make these dreams a reality.

Have you ever wondered what your grandma would look like break dancing? Do you daydream about your favorite pet fighting zombies? Has the thought of an ill-tempered bookshelf ever crossed your mind? If so, KinEtre is for you. Using rapidly improving object recognition and mapping technology, the farfetched, left field ideas from above are becoming a virtual reality.

Though controversial, marijuana or cannabis has been scientifically shown to possess curative properties. In many parts of the world, cannabis is being utilized to treat Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and many forms of cancer.

Cannabis is a complex organism consisting of a number of cannabinoids. The most popular cannabinoid, THC, is responsible for producing the high feeling after ingestion. THC is the primary reason that the plant is often abused. By extension, it is also the reason why marijuana abusers would need marijuana dependence treatment.

Truly ill patients who suffer from extreme pain without medical marijuana have often complained that the high feeling generated by THC generates unwanted side effects such as drowsiness and decreased productivity.

Though the studies are still in their preliminary stages, scientists in Israel are honing in on other individual cannabinoids to pinpoint those most effective at easing pain and reducing inflammation for patients. One such cannabinoid, the aptly named Cannabidiol (CBD), has displayed some incredibly useful properties.

America is addicted to energy. Let’s not even talk about the incredible amounts consumed by our homes and vehicles. This is about fueling the human machine with any type of upper we can get our hands on. Adults have been addicted to coffee for at least 500 years. Ever since Red Bull brought energy drinks to the U.S. and gave us wings, hundreds of rivals have arrived on scene to try and tap into the lucrative market. Now, Five Hour Energy and similar energy shots are popular due to their convenience and kick. Many Americans don’t sleep nearly as much as they should, and need to jump start their bodies to make it through the day. A new alternative to the traditional energy powerhouses has arrived on the scene at the hands of a Harvard Professor.