Posts Tagged ‘it’s science’
Killjoy Study: Video Game Ownership Affects Grades In Young Boys
by MICHAEL TUNISON / it's science / video games / Comments
A study that I’m glad wasn’t published when I was a kid suggests that the mere presence of a video game system in the home negatively affects early academic achievement in boys. Two psychological scientists from Denton University surveyed families with boys ages 6 and 9 who were considering buying systems for their sons. Half of the studied families received systems, and that’s when the underachievement started.
The study showed that videogames became an immediate distraction, with the gamers spending less time studying and more time playing games. The gamer kids scored significantly lower on reading and writing tests after only four months.
Not sure why the scientists limited the study to boys only. Oh, right: Girls never play video games. The God of War 3 commercial told me so. Anyway, while there’s no doubt games offer a tempting and easy distraction to the youngins, the onus is obviously on the parents to make sure it doesn’t become overwhelming and detrimental. Perhaps by using game time as an incentive to improve grades. Oh, who am I kidding? Let’s just destroy all the systems and allow a new age of enlightenment to dawn.
This Will Please Nerds Greatly
by MICHAEL TUNISON / it's science / Comments
There is growing support for the hobbit to be listed as an official species. Sean Astin must be thrilled to be in the news again. I think this is science’s way of atoning for declassifying Pluto as a planet. The nerds were getting a little too restless.
Dr. Duh: Men Distracted By Shapely Women
by MICHAEL TUNISON / it's science / sexuality / Comments
According to completely necessary and revelatory research, seeing a curvaceous woman activates reward centers in the male brain much in the way that getting drunk or doing drugs does. You mean our reactions are still based in primitive urges that haven’t been washed away by evolution or cell phone radiation? Do tell, science.
Yeah, ‘Cause That’s Such A Great Age To Be Sarcastic
by MICHAEL TUNISON / it's science / Comments
Research has found that generally it is around age 9 and 10 that kids are first able to discern between irony and sarcasm. Pfft Because that’s something I really care about. But, wait, you’re interested? If so, that would be, well, lemme go ask a 4th grader.
Crayola, Crayola Rock…ets
by MICHAEL TUNISON / it's science / Comments
John Coker launched crayons thousands of feet in the air. He did that. John Coker and no one else. Who is John Coker? The guy who launched crayons into the atmosphere. Okay, they weren’t really crayons so much as they were decorated rockets, but what is a crayon besides colored wax. Let’s not get into semantics and just enjoy the fireworks.
Because You Always Wondered What Happens When You’re Kicked in the Balls
by MICHAEL TUNISON / it's science / Comments
I guess this counts as donating your testicles to science, though most people who do such a thing wait until they’re dead. But Kirby Roy instead decided to take one in the jewels for our edification and amusement. Plus, have it filmed for Sports Science. The kick carried a force of 1,100 pounds, yet Roy felt only 10 percent of the impact, because he’s spent a lifetime being on the receiving end of numerous other nut shots throughout his life. Laugh now, but when the groin-punting come invading, he’ll be ready.
[H/T - Geekologie]
You Put The Octopi In The Coconut
by MICHAEL TUNISON / it's science / Comments
Perhaps not the most culturally relevant thing in the world, this octopus carrying around halves of a coconut shell is the first recorded example of the species using tools. Also, it’s an amazing video, so you can be distracted from a few quick words about movies and starlets to take a gander, can’t you?
Our Celebrities Are Too Tough to Be Felled By Bus Crashes
by MICHAEL TUNISON / celebrities / it's science / Weezer / Comments
First, it was Miley Cyrus’ tour bus, which even though sadly resulted in the death of the driver, spared an absent Miley. Now Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo was dinged up in a bus crash in New York early Sunday morning. No one on the bus, including Cuomo’s wife and 2-year-old daughter, sustained more than minor injuries. Whew! That’s a relief. Now I can go back to promoting this medical study that says ogling women’s chests is good for me.
— January 20‚ 2009 —
Concerned With Facebook Privacy?
There are tools to help if you are concerned with Facebook privacy. And if you were unsure you should be concerned with your privacy on Facebook. The CNN SciTechBlog highlights four of them. Why can’t Google and Facebook chill out a little and not be so concerned with knowing every detail about us in order to monetize every penny they can. Clam down, guys, we just want to use the damn internet. If we want to buy something we’ll let you know.
THREADZombie Awareness Month?
So we can just make up awareness months now? The Zombie Research Society has dubbed May ‘Zombie Awareness Month,’ and it doesn’t appear to be a joke, maybe. You are encouraged to wear a gray ribbon to signify your awareness of zombies for the month of May. This can not be real. On their website they offer a lifetime membership in the society for $25. This is ingeniously crazy. I totally just liked the ZRS on FB.
THREADThe NFL Throwing TV Elbows
Is the NFL a television juggernaut or what? NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said ratings are up 30% from last year’s draft. Thursday night was the first ever NFL draft in prime time, and the major networks will have to take notice when the official ratings come out. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports the league is declaring last night’s first round a success and speculates the draft in prime time will most likely become a yearly tradition. Next year I am predicting there will be a lot of reruns aired against the draft if the networks are smart… which they aren’t.
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