The 34th Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony at MIT

The 34th Ig Nobel Prize ceremony was held at MIT - a humorous analog to the Nobel Prize for unusual and amusing research. The chemistry prize went to Dutch scientists for devising a method to separate drunk worms from sober ones; the physiology prize went to Japanese researchers who discovered that many mammals can breathe through their anus; and the physics prize went to an American for studying the swimming capability of a dead trout. The probability theory prize was awarded for proving that a coin lands on the same side it started on in 51% of cases after being flipped 350,757 times.

China Developing its Own Reusable Rockets

Reusable space rockets like those of Elon Musk will soon be available in China. Several local startups are developing similar models. Recently, a successful test of one such rocket by Landspace took place - it reached a height of 10 km and then gently landed back. It is promised that the rocket will be able to carry up to 21 tons of cargo into orbit, and the first full launches are expected to start next year.

Doctors Performed Surgery from 9300 Kilometers Away

Scientists from Switzerland performed surgery on a live pig that was 9300 km away from them - the pig was located in Hong Kong. Surgeons were able to work in real-time because the communication delay was no more than 300 ms. Using PS controllers, the doctors performed an endoscopy and a stomach wall biopsy.

Tesla Launches Gigafactory Train

Tesla has launched its electric Gigafactory Train. It will run from Erkner station east of Berlin to Tesla South, 32 km away. The train's capacity is 500 people. It transports not only Tesla employees but also ordinary passengers for free. Up to 4500 employees (considering three 8-hour shifts) are planned to be transported on the Giga Train. According to forecasts, the Giga Train will save 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions compared to other trains.

World's First Manga Hotel Opens in Tokyo

The world's first manga hotel has opened in Tokyo, where you can rent a bed and read your favorite Japanese comics. The hotel has a huge manga library and offers peace and quiet.

Human and Dog Brains Synchronize

Scientists from China have discovered that humans and dogs 'think on the same wavelength' during communication. In the experiment, researchers paired an unfamiliar man with a dog and monitored their brain activities. A week later, similar electrical impulses appeared in the brains of both.

Washington Engineers Present Blaze Barrier

Engineers from Washington have introduced Blaze Barrier - a line of defense against wildfires. It is a chain of mini-extinguishers that explode when flames approach. It can be used to encircle an area, buying time for evacuation or entirely extinguishing the fire.

A paint for rented apartments invented in Colombia

The revolutionary product Unpaint from the startup Glasst is applied just like regular wall paint, but after 24 hours it turns into an elastic film. At the desired moment, all you need to do is pull an edge, and the entire layer peels off.

Dutch Startup Unveils 'Smart' Apartment Garden

A Dutch startup has unveiled a 'smart' garden for apartments that takes over 99% of plant care tasks. According to the developers, the owner only needs to change the water and fertilizers once a month, and the device does everything else: it turns on the lights when needed, adjusts the water and nutrient levels, manages the climate, etc. You can grow onions, lettuce, dill, parsley, and other greens, as well as flowers. The price is €1799.

New Toyota Prius drives 1700 km on a single tank

The new Toyota Prius traveled 1700 km on a single tank - the car is already being called an 'engineering marvel' and has been included in the Guinness Book of Records for the lowest fuel consumption. The Prius LE sped across the USA: from Los Angeles City Hall on the west coast to New York City Hall on the east coast - 5168.7 kilometers. During the journey, the car showed a record-low fuel consumption of 2.5 l/100 km.

Apple will block iPhones if stolen parts are installed

With the release of iOS 18, it has become even more dangerous to send your smartphone for repair - if the 'donor' parts are found to be stolen, the smartphone will require the password of the Apple ID from which the parts were taken. iOS 18 will be released on September 16, and experts advise people with repaired iPhones not to rush to install the new OS.

'Constantine 2' Script is Ready

The producer admitted it scares him to read it. The creators are trying to get the most out of the film's adult rating - we're looking forward to an epic horror-action movie starring Keanu Reeves in the lead role.

Polish Cyclist David Godziek Sets Unusual Record

Polish cyclist David Godziek set an unusual record by becoming the first person to ride a freestyle course on a moving train. The rider, literally soaring above the train, performed eight jumps at a speed of 23 km/h, executing a double tailwhip, frontflip, and other risky elements. Godziek also holds more classic records: for example, in 2018 he became the first in the world to successfully complete a quadruple tailwhip.

Car with Person Inside Dropped from Giant Bungee

Nissan performed an unusual trick in Puteaux, France, which immediately made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. A stuntman was placed behind the wheel, and the car was lifted by a construction crane, then dropped from a height of 65 meters. This is now the world's 'highest car bungee jumping.'

Space Tourists Step Outside into Open Space for the First Time in History

Space tourists have ventured into open space for the first time in history. Billionaire Jared Isaacman was the first to leave the ship, and later SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis will join him. At an altitude of over 700 km from Earth (almost twice as high as the ISS orbit), they will test new spacesuits with projection displays. They will spend a few more days in orbit, conducting various experiments, including studying the effects of space radiation on the human body, before splashdown off the coast of Florida on September 15.

Autonomous Shuttles in Guangzhou

A few years ago, autonomous shuttles seemed like science fiction, but today they are cruising around Guangzhou and preparing for launch in other Chinese cities. The fleet already includes over 50 WeRide shuttles, operating on 10 routes with intervals of 15-30 minutes. Some of them don't even have a safety driver, but there is an emergency stop button. The ride costs only ¥2.

Timekettle Unveils W4 PRO AI Translator Earbuds at IFA 2024

At IFA 2024, Timekettle introduced the W4 PRO AI translator earbuds for $450. There is a 'one-on-one' mode where participants take one earbud each and hear real-time translation of each other's speech. The earbuds can also record and provide a written summary of any meeting or gathering, regardless of the language spoken.

Canadian Travels the World in a 'Lacy' Volkswagen Beetle

A Canadian is traveling the world in a 'lacy' Volkswagen Beetle, whose body is entirely welded from metal rods. The coils are whimsically twisted, making them look like lace. In this intricate and unusual car, the Canadian is traveling with his daughter. They traveled through the USA from Chicago to California and also visited Germany, Poland, Prague, and the Netherlands. They say it's great to drive in good weather, but it's better to wait somewhere during the rain – when it catches them on the road, it's not very pleasant.

24/7 Mini-Gyms in Containers Popping Up in London

24/7 mini-gyms in containers have appeared in London. You can find and book an available room through an app. They have dumbbells and exercise machines, as well as a TV with a virtual trainer. One hour of solo training costs £16.

Sony unveils PlayStation 5 Pro

It is almost twice as powerful as the regular one. The console features an overclocked processor, enhanced graphics with improved ray tracing, and faster memory, resulting in a 45% power increase. The price is $700. Sales start on November 7.