04/04/2012 – Red Octagons, Elderly Doctors, and LEGO Bones
Editor’s Note: The Blip includes short headlines with odd, feel-good, informational, or pointless material. Stories are presented in a fast, easy-to-read format with news that will make you laugh and be enlightened. The Blip is updated daily.
Stop sign in the middle of nowhere baffles drivers
On a stretch of road in Pheonix, Arizona rested a lonely stop sign, where Bethany Home curves into Alsup Road. It seems to have no purpose, as there is no intersection, and most motorists completely ignore it. Some drivers slow down, as if confused as what to do, but this can pose problems, as accidents can occur with drivers who never intended to slow down. The local news station Channel 3 On Your Side contacted the Maricopa County Department of Transportation, which admitted it was a “rogue stop sign” and within hours removed the offending red octagon.
World’s oldest doctor passes away at 114
One-hundred-fourteen year old doctor, Leila Denmark, died last Sunday in Athens, Georgia. It was at age 103 that the Guinness World Records declared her the oldest doctor in the world.
“Everything about her was always trying to make a difference, first and foremost,” said Steven Hutcherson, a grandson of Denmark. She adored helping children, making a habit of saying, “Who is the next little angel?” to each new patient. She also enjoyed volunteering at the clinic and seeing patients in her home.
Leila Denmark”s funeral will be held at First United Methodist Church in Athens, at 1 P.M. Thursday.
Read more here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57409234-10391704/worlds-oldest-doctor-leila-denmark-dies-at-114/
Synthetic bones from the makers of LEGO
Current synthetic bones are arduous to make, requiring numerous chemicals and processes. They are a necessary part of the medical field, however, especially for implants. Therefore, scientists at Cambridge University have decided to come up with a simpler, streamlined process—LEGOs.
The LEGO kit used might not be the sort you’re familiar with. The scientists use Mindstorms, designed for older kids, complete with motors, microprocessors, and sensors. The university scientists built a crane with the Mindstorms and programmed it to dunk the bone sample into each beaker (protein & calcium, protein & phosphate, etc.). This cuts bone-making time drastically so more time can be spent on research.
Read more here: http://www.futureoftech.msnbc.msn.com/technology/futureoftech/lego-making-synthetic-bone-snap-642771
