biology
Can the collective Internet come up with a possible solution, or just crack a bunch of monkey jokes?
Ever wonder why cockroaches are so shiny? Well, let’s put our fears aside and learn a little more about one of the urban human’s greatest foes.
If there’s anything we learned from the 1980s sci-fi classic Innerspace, other than that young Dennis Quaid was super dreamy, it’s that there is tons and tons of untold drama taking place amidst the complicated inner workings of our bodies. Also, it taught us that probably you shouldn’t sign up for mysterious medical experiments, lest you end up shrunk down to the size of a microbe and find yourself hurtling around someone’s rectal cavity at breakneck speeds.
Recognizing that there’s a lot of potential for action and adventure in a story set inside the human body, a Japanese manga artist has introduced a new manga series which follows a team of red and white blood cells trying to protect the human body they call home.
The ocean is full of a massive array of undiscovered species, so scientists are always finding new types of creatures lurking offshore. The circle-making pufferfish discovered in 2013 are one great example of a species mankind only recently encountered for the first time.
But you don’t have to take our word for it — the International Institute for Species Exploration (IISE) even included it in their 2015 Top Ten New Species list!
Although the spiny, horrifying outside may scare you off, the insides of a sea urchin are one of the most delicious things to come out of the ocean. In Japan, sea urchin, or uni in Japanese, can be enjoyed with sushi, on top of rice or just own its own. Sea urchins are a treat for any seafood fan, but recently a group of Japanese netizens found out a little bit more about the life of the sea creature and began a deep discussion about the spiny little critters.
When wildlife researchers in Kochi Prefecture set up an unmanned camera in a local forest to find the cheeky wilderness creature stealing honey from an animal trap they’d set up, they probably expected to find a clever squirrel or some other creature too small or quick to set off the trap door.
Instead, what they found in video footage was what can only be described as real-life Winnie the Pooh turned to petty crime to fund his hopeless honey addiction.
When sitting around drinking late at night, the conversation inevitably turns to superpowers and which one everyone wants.
Aside from a super healing factor and flight, one of the top picks is surely invisibility–though usually for some pretty diabolical reasons, like stealing your neighbor’s newspaper.
While we’re still not quite at the level of full-on invisibility cloaks, scientists have developed a way to make cells transparent! Invisible Woman this isn’t, but maybe it’s enough to sneak a midnight snack?
(Warning: some images may not be for the squeamish.)
Have you heard of a series of unique creations called “Transparent Specimens” produced by Iori Tomita? It may sound bizarre, but they are specimens of different living creatures including fish, arthropods, reptiles and mammals that have been specially treated to make them transparent. And the end result is far from bizarre – in fact, the specimens are so beautiful that the series of work have a considerable following of fans.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Why is Asuka standing next to Colonel Sanders? Because it’s Thursday of course!
We bought the latest in low-rated fitness technology from Amazon: the Nejirunba
At the London branches of Marugame Seimen, you can change your udon’s broth–but choose wisely!
Can you enjoy a day at Tokyo’s Kokugikan sumo stadium if you know nothing about the sport?【Pics】
We go to an old, hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant to eat Indonesian fried rice
Japanese curry chain in Thailand has a surprisingly Japanese dish not found in Japan
Japanese mom’s don’t-touch-my-baby-stroller sign stirs up debate【Video】
The cool secret hidden in Tokyo Metro pillars at Ginza station
Ed Sheeran becomes a Pokémon anime character for new music video【Video】
Can you use the fluctuating exchange rate and Japan’s weak yen to make some money? We find out
Weekly
Japanese convenience store will now ask customers who ask for a fork to use chopsticks instead
English-speaking-only bar opens in Osaka and Tokyo, yellow cards for those who don’t follow rules- We bought the latest in low-rated fitness technology from Amazon: the Nejirunba
- We go to an old, hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant to eat Indonesian fried rice
The roller slide of terror: Treetop fun ride for kids is a terrifying experience for adult butts
Official My Neighbor Totoro cookbook teaches you to make Satsuki’s bento and other Ghibli meshi- The cool secret hidden in Tokyo Metro pillars at Ginza station
- Japanese curry chain in Thailand has a surprisingly Japanese dish not found in Japan
Amazon’s unmanned ‘just walk out’ store Amazon Fresh leaves us feeling like criminals
So long, CDs – Japan’s Geo chain will no longer purchase used compact discs
Monthly
Japan ends travel ban on individual tourists, waives visa requirements for certain countries
We buy Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated perpetual motion machine
Japanese public broadcaster issues apology for calling a train a “train”
The hidden meaning of the U.S. Air Force’s “shake and fries” patch in Japan
Ghibli Park unveils first official photos: Explore worlds of Totoro, Laputa, and Spirited Away
International tourists travel to Japan, spend big at top tourist spots in Tokyo
These “Mikoshi Dako” are the badges of honour from a Japanese festival
Japan removes tour guide requirement for foreign tourists- Japanese convenience store will now ask customers who ask for a fork to use chopsticks instead
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
Yearly
Mandarin orange peels aren’t trash, they’re treasure! Three chimpi tips to reuse your mikan skins
Move over grilled cheese — we’ve discovered the tastiest toasted sandwich yet【Recipe】
One Punch Man manga artist’s amazing “practice” drawing is so good we think he might not be human
Sony’s wearable air conditioners selling like cold cakes in heat-stricken Japan
How to use the new floating hologram registers at 7-Eleven
Liev Schreiber’s son deemed “too beautiful” in Japan- Japan ends travel ban on individual tourists, waives visa requirements for certain countries
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
One Piece’s Luffy spent years of manga’s publication without saying a word to one of his nakama
Japanese woman finds better way to make potato salad, we may not be able to go back to old style
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese curry chain in Thailand has a surprisingly Japanese dish not found in Japan
Japanese mom’s don’t-touch-my-baby-stroller sign stirs up debate【Video】
The cool secret hidden in Tokyo Metro pillars at Ginza station
Ed Sheeran becomes a Pokémon anime character for new music video【Video】
Can you use the fluctuating exchange rate and Japan’s weak yen to make some money? We find out
Awesome website allows you to make your own Dragon Ball character, battle other fighters
English-speaking-only bar opens in Osaka and Tokyo, yellow cards for those who don’t follow rules
We tried to use our leftover gyoza wrappers to make marshmallow puffs…but it didn’t go to plan
Japan’s best domestic hamburger fast food chain now has croissants, but are they any good?
How to properly pronounce “Ghibli” and other fun trivia about the legendary animation studio
The Big Bomb Onigiri Japanese rice ball helps us conquer mountain race but conquers us in the end
Nerunerunerune for Adults: Japanese candy tugs at our reporter’s nostalgia…and taste buds
-
