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Though we still don’t have hoverboards and self-lacing Nike high tops, we have managed to live up to the futuristic image of 2015 predicted by the prophet Zemeckis, thanks to chemists from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the University of Western Australia. These heroes have come up with a way to “unboil” egg whites. Huzzah!

By “unboiling” the scientists meant they managed to return a protein in egg whites called lysozyme to its normal state after being boiled at 194ºF for 20 minutes. The scientists used a urea-based substance to melt the boiled egg white back into a liquid state. They then put the liquified egg white into a machine called a “vortex fluid device” to force the lysozymes into their “untangled, proper form.”

As you may have guessed, these geniuses didn’t merely set out to unboil eggs. UCI explains, “The ability to quickly and cheaply re-form common proteins from yeast or E. coli bacteria could potentially streamline protein manufacturing and make cancer treatments more affordable. Industrial cheese makers, farmers and others who use recombinant proteins could also achieve more bang for their buck.” That’s way better than a floating skateboard.

[via UCI via Popular Science]

Several racing drivers at the Rolex 24 at Daytona this weekend, such as Magnus Racing's Andy Lally, care deeply about animal welfare. Of course, Andy's the one who hits a possum with his team's #44 Porsche 911 GT America. [Fair warning: race car roadkill below.]

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There are plenty of ways to kill a zombie, but everyone knows destroying the brain is the most important ingredient in the recipe for eliminating the undead.

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The post America’s Funniest Home Videos Best Of Compilation appeared first on Bits and Pieces.

Ever wanted to play a theremin just so you could play the opening theme song from Star Trek? Most theremins are expensive and extremely difficult to master. On the other hand, this modern theremin by Moog is only about $300 and includes features to help you learn how to play it correctly.

Like the original, the Moog Theremini is played by waving your hand in proximity to the instrument’s antenna. But this new version provides visual feedback to help ensure your hand is placed correctly. It also offers assistive pitch quantization – which is fancy talk for saying you can’t play a bad note. This feature can be adjusted based on your skill level. It’s also capable of playing 32 different sounds – not just the traditional outer space whine we all know and love, but a wide variety of otherworldly sounds.

You can get the Moog Theremini over at Hammacher Schlemmer or ThinkGeek now.

It's different this time.. and just remember Draghi's perspective - hyperinflation hasn't happened yet, so what's the harm?

h/t @macroymercados

The global central bank balance sheet is even more concerning.

*  *  *

As to the hyperinflation question,

Draghi's answer is simple: we have now thrown the kitchen sink at the deflation problem and there has been no inflation (he conveniently forgets to mention that the world is now caught in a vicious spiral in which every single central bank is printing money just to export deflation to its peers, with more and more printing necessary each year just to stay in one place). In other words, just because hyperinflation hasn't materialized so far, it never will.

 

Or, as Bernanke would say: "Hyperinflation is contained."

 

As for Draghi's comment at the end, one can respond just as snydely: for the people who say printing money will create growth, yes "when" please. And for those who say that money printing will lead to economic improvement, "tell me, within what?"

 

As for Draghi's "statute of limitations" comment, he may be right, but one thing is also becoming clearly obvious: as central banks are poised to monetize a record amount of debt this year, 7 years into the "recovery", and as the amount of eligible collateral dwindles to a point where the functioning of the entire market is becoming impaired (see the TBAC's complaints from the summer of 2013), the moment of "hyperinflationary containment" is coming to an end.

*  *  *

Wisconsin’s governor Scott Walker is sending a message to those who receive food stamps and Medicaid: If you want to continue receiving government benefits, you’d better be drug free. According to Fox 6 Now, Gov. Walker is proposing a new plan that would require welfare recipients to undergo drug testing in order to meet the minimum requirements needed to receive government funding for food stamps and Medicaid.

On Thursday, Jan. 22, Gov. Walker revealed more details about his two-year budget proposal for 2015-17. The potential 2016 Republican presidential candidate is reportedly planning to add the new plans to the new budget proposal he plans to present to the Wisconsin legislature on Feb. 3. In his recent statement, he discussed the basis of his proposed plan and why he feels it would be effective to drug test welfare recipients.

“We need people who are drug free,” said Walker. “Whether it’s unemployment training, we’re going to seek a waiver for food stamps, seek a waiver for Medicaid. We’re going to make changes in terms of W2 — in each of these areas of public assistance. This is about getting people ready for work.”

In addition to mandating drug tests for welfare recipients, Gov. Walker is also proposing limitations on the amount of time recipients can receive government assistance under the Wisconsin Works welfare program. All of the suggestions were reportedly introduced in 2014 as part of his reelection campaign.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Gov. Walker spoke about his plan to rehabilitate those dependent on welfare benefits. His concept of restructuring the system reportedly consists of “moving individuals from government dependence to true independence and reducing the number of uninsured in the state of Wisconsin to the second lowest rate in the Midwest.”

“We know employers in Wisconsin have jobs available, but they don’t have enough qualified employees to fill those positions. With this budget, we are addressing some of the barriers keeping people from achieving true freedom and prosperity and the independence that comes with having a good job and doing it well.”

While Gov. Walker’s proposed drug testing plan has been supported by many, there are others who have raised concerns about the plan. The idea of raising the criteria for welfare recipients has sparked a debate because some people feel it’s just another barrier to oppress those who are already impoverished. However, others feel drug testing is justifiable since it is commonly considered a requirement for employment.

“I do not have a problem with testing the people. What I have a problem with is the people who demands this. Our politicians. I think that they should be tested for drugs also. As we all know, many of them have had their bouts and struggles with various drugs. I hope that this take place, because after all, the politicians get a whole lot more free money than the welfare recipients. And I am a tax payer. Worked hard for what I have.”

“There’s a bit more to it than this. The cost of the drug testing to the state would be thousands more than any “savings” you would get from denying people assistance: as has happened in every other state introducing this policy. I want a smaller deficit- not a larger one. Also- if someone is struggling with drug abuse we should probably be helping them kick the stuff rather than throwing them out on the street and picking up their medicaid bill when they end up at the ER with an overdose.”

“it’s not just the politicians, it’s the people bearing the cost of the lazy breeders (note-that’s not all recipients). You have to get drug tested at your job, or if you take unemployment (at least here) but not if you’re receiving free (MY) money. It makes good sense to me, it’s protecting the children too from drug addled parents and making sure they are spending the money on it’s intended purpose.”

“Drug test all politicians because they are the biggest welfare recipients!”

Do you agree or disagree with Gov. Walker’s proposal to make drug testing a requirement for welfare recipients? Share your thoughts.

[Image via YouTube]

Gov. Scott Walker Proposes Drug Testing Plan For Medicaid And Food Stamp Recipients: ‘We Need People Who Are Drug Free’ is an article from: The Inquisitr News