South Africa

Science

This Beautiful Nebula Is Not In Space

12:00AM January 8, 2012 | Jesus Diaz

This photo was taken from space, but it’s not a galaxy or a nebula. It’s a massive phytoplankton bloom off the coast of South Africa, just when the Atlantic and the Indian oceans meet. More »

Science

Look Inside A 100,000-Year-Old Art Studio

5:36AM October 14, 2011 | Kristen Philipkoski

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient workshop that was used by early homo-sapiens to make, mix and store ochre. It’s the oldest “art workshop” ever uncovered. More »

News

Man Wakes From Coma In A Morgue Fridge

11:00AM July 26, 2011 | Kwame Opam

An old man dies. Such is life, my son. And for all our sadness, life surely must go on. Except when the old man didn’t actually die, and woke up inside the morgue a day later. Then it’s time for an explanation. More »

Geek Out

Volkswagen Ad Tells You To ‘Eat The Road’, Page Is Actually Edible

4:00AM May 27, 2011 | Kat Hannaford

Though it does depend on your standards of what is indeed edible. Made from “glutinous rice flour, water, salt, propylene glycol, FD&C colour and glycerine”, the Volkswagen ad appeared in South Africa’s AutoTrader magazine. [AdsoftheWorld via AdWeek via LitmanLive]

Geek Out

Vuvuzelas Spread Disease

8:20PM May 24, 2011 | Seth Abramovitch

Vuvuzelas, those ceremonial trumpets favoured by South Africans that, when tooted in unison, approximate the sound of the world’s largest locust orgy, are annoying. The World Cup made that crystal clear. But could they also be pandemic-hastening instruments of mass destruction? Possibly! More »

World’s Largest Vuvuzela Blows A Mighty BZZZZZZZ

11:00PM June 24, 2010 | Brian Barrett

This is the world’s largest vuvuzela. While it may look like a fun prop it’s actually – terrifyingly – fully functional. And if you thought a stadium full of these was annoying, just listen to gigantor here can do: More »

Condoms With Teeth Fight Rape In South Africa

8:57PM June 22, 2010 | Kat Hannaford

Over 30,000 Rape-Axe condoms are being handed out free at South Africa’s World Cup. While they won’t stop rape, the condoms (worn by women) have jagged-teeth inside to tear penises up and can only be removed by doctors. More »

Software

Three Free World Cup Apps For BlackBerry

9:50PM June 15, 2010 | Kat Hannaford

Feeling left out of the World Cup fun, oh Pearl, Curve, Bold and Storm owners? Never fear, because here are three free apps in the BlackBerry App World which will have you staying up to date on the scores. More »

What Makes The Sound Of Vuvuzelas So Annoying?

12:40PM June 15, 2010 | New Scientist

Love ‘em or loathe ‘em, the blaring plastic trumpets have become the hallmark of matches at the 2010 World Cup. We asked Trevor Cox, president of the UK Institute of Acoustics to explain their appeal – or otherwise More »

Science

World Cup Tech: Natural/Artificial Pitch Hybrids Dot South Africa

4:00AM June 14, 2010 | Jack Loftus

The Beautiful Game is played on a beautiful field, typically one comprised of grass. So when ESPN commentator Adrian Healy said two million artificial fibres were woven into the Moses Mabhida Stadium pitch this morning, I was dubious. No longer: More »