odd look at news on the web
Fiat's adorable 8-horsepower, 28-mph mini car is coming to the USA
12 December 2025 @ 10:57 am
Japanese kei cars have a cult following – and for good reason, too. They’re ultra-compact, lightweight vehicles that are essentially designed to meet Japan’s unique “kei” regulations, which cap engine displacement, exterior dimensions, and power output to make them efficient, affordable, and city-friendly.Continue ReadingCategory: Automotive, TransportTags: Compact pump speedily inflates outdoor gear and doubles as a lantern
12 December 2025 @ 9:03 am
It doesn't make a lot of sense to carry extra gear for convenience on outdoor adventures if they take up a lot of luggage space. Flextail's new air pump for inflating mattresses, rafts, and pillows makes a strong case for a slot in your loadout with its diminutive build and ability to do double duty as a versatile lantern. It's also really powerful for its size, and seems like a fairly cheap carry to boot.Continue ReadingVolcanic eruptions sparked grim chain of events that brought the Black Death
12 December 2025 @ 6:32 am
Hidden inside the narrow growth rings of Pyrenees trees lies the strongest evidence yet for what set the Black Death in motion. For the first time, researchers have combined high-resolution climate reconstructions with medieval records to draw a direct connection between a sudden climatic shock and the arrival of the plague in Europe, where it killed tens of millions between 1347 and 1353.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, Students challenge auto industry with modular EV you can fix yourself
12 December 2025 @ 6:03 am
A team of students from the Netherlands has demonstrated that it is possible to produce an affordable electric vehicle (EV) that owners can maintain and repair themselves. Even if they have the mechanical expertise of a toddler.Continue ReadingCategory: Automotive, TransportTags: Armenia’s ancient 'dragon stones' are the work of a 6,000-year-old water cult
12 December 2025 @ 4:17 am
Archeologists say they have finally cracked the 6,000-year-old mystery of Armenia’s “dragon stones" – massive carved monoliths scattered across high-altitude volcanic slopes and pastures where no ancient settlements ever existed.Continue ReadingCategory: History, ScienceTags: Archeology, StonehengeSmart kitchen cube guides you through recipes as it watches you cook
11 December 2025 @ 9:16 pm
Some of us are natural-born chefs with the ability to look at a few ingredients and whip up a succulent meal, while others have the knack of being able to burn boiling water. The Cube o1: Your Personal AI Chef, is designed to guide either group towards tastier culinary shores.Continue ReadingCategory: Around The Home, LifestyleTags: Kickstarter, Smart headphones use AI to follow conversations in noisy rooms
11 December 2025 @ 6:45 pm
Individuals with limited hearing struggle in situations where multiple people around them are speaking at once. New headphone tech could help, by boosting the voice of the person they're talking to based on the rhythm of the conversation.Continue ReadingCategory: TechnologyTags: University of Washington, Hearing Augmentation, HeadphonesEnthusiast 3D printer uses continuous fibers to produce strong parts
11 December 2025 @ 1:27 pm
Anyone who's mucked about with consumer-grade 3D printers knows that it's infinitely cool to create stuff with them, but you can't realistically expect those products to be particularly durable.Continue ReadingCategory: 3D Printing, ManufacturingWatch: Starg Varg sets altitude record on an active volcano
11 December 2025 @ 11:57 am
Stark has made a name for itself by doing things the extreme way. Now the world’s fastest enduro has climbed higher than any motorcycle ever has, a record that's currently being verified by the folks at Guinness World Records.Continue ReadingCategory: Motorcycles, TransportTags: stark, ElectriTitanium water filter bottle now doubles as a backpack barista
11 December 2025 @ 9:59 am
Today’s backpacker may be way off-grid on a remote island or up a perilous mountain – but they usually still expect to enjoy a decent cup of quality coffee. For alpha trekkers, a tepid stewed flask of instant coffee just won’t cut it. So Seattle-based high-end outdoor kit specialist Grayl has just launched an accessory that demonstrates how much those North Westerners value their caffeine hit.Continue ReadingCategory: Gear, OutdoorsTags: