A look inside the baby mind: "A recent brain scanning experiment by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that jazz musicians in the midst of improvisation - they were playing a specially designed keyboard in a brain scanner - showed dramatically reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex. It was only by 'deactivating' this brain area that the musicians were able to spontaneously invent new melodies. The scientists compare this unwound state of mind with that of dreaming during REM sleep, meditation, and other creative pursuits, such as the composition of poetry. But it also resembles the thought process of a young child, albeit one with musical talent. Baudelaire was right: 'Genius is nothing more nor less than childhood recovered at will.'"

Every one a classic.

Raise your Spirits.

It's a record!!! (plus it looks like they only painted one side).

seizure: the copper sulphate crystal flat. Silvery shards of cold light spangle and wink and beckon. Every surface is furred and infested; big blue crystals dangle like cubist bats from the light fittings. Little wonder the flat has been abandoned: you’d move out, too, if the crystals moved in.

The series "Little Adults" explores "the recently growing society of the "Nouveau-Riche" [in Russia], in which children have been raised to become the "Elite" and to behave like little adults."

Globe-trotting soft toys.

'Hidden photons' to send secret emails through Earth. [Via]

Curious George: Air Force One photo-flop? Normally, I just roll my eyes at this kind of media/public reaction to non-events, but in this case, I tend to agree with the "what the hell were they thinking" crowd. Comments?

Curious George: Lyme disease advice? It's that time of year again! I've heard that if you can pull the deer tick bastards off within 24 hours, you're safe. But is that really true, or not? Same thing with the old folk tale about taking two hits of doxycyclene and forgetting about consequences, other than, what? Sunburn? Is that really much true for most people? more inside

For those who found my last post too lowbrow. Okay, so alcohol-imbibing monkeys aren't for all tastes... here's something that's bar-related but a tad more refined. Another classic.

So, a chimp walks into a bar... Apologies to those whose delicate sensibilities I may have offended... I just figured we could all use a laugh, even if this is kind of an oldie.

Mythical end of rainbow captured by cellphone camera - commenters skewer "science writer-editor". Heh heh. I see the UK's classy Telegraph also presented this modern-day miracle.

Become a work of Art. Applications are now open for a period standing on Trafalgar Square's Empty Plinth. Originally meant for an equestrian statue of George IV, the plinth has recently been used to exhibit a miscellaneous set of modern art works. Anthony Gormley wants the plinth to be occupied by a succession of people - put your application in now (I have).

If you lived a quarter mile from school, this would have been the fastest way to get there. more inside

On Holocaust Remembrance Day, a reminder that those who died were people. Just like you and me. Read some survivor stories. See the faces of some who died. Read about the logistics of death. And listen to what survivors have to say. more inside

Amazing photos that are created without any digital manipulation. A little visual refreshment for the jaded... this guy works with large format cameras and creates his images without using any form of computer manipulation. more inside

Scrabble against the clock A Sunday time-waste game. more inside

Newly Discovered Iron-breathing Species Have Lived In Cold Isolation For Millions Of Years. "A reservoir of briny liquid buried deep beneath an Antarctic glacier supports hardy microbes that have lived in isolation for millions of years, researchers report April 17 in the journal Science." [Via]

One person's exhaustive attempt to gather into one website all the menstruation ads ever done. 1948: Are you in the know? 1990: Freedom! 1955: Help your daughter understand. 1970: Susan Dey says Tampax is "Just the ticket!" And there's Modess. . .because featuring gowns galore. There's so much to marvel at the Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health. Marjorie May Learns about Life in 1936! And Kotex prepares us for life in the 1920s. We can understand how to fit pessaries here, too. more inside