“Michael Norton shares fascinating research on how money can, indeed buy happiness — when you don’t spend it on yourself. Listen for surprising data on the many ways pro-social spending can benefit you, your work, and (of course) other people.”

“At the heart of modern cosmology is a mystery: Why does our universe appear so exquisitely tuned to create the conditions necessary for life? In this tour de force tour of some of science’s biggest new discoveries, Brian Greene shows how the mind-boggling idea of a multiverse may hold the answer to the riddle.” — TEDtalksDirector

“Stereotypically, they have taken on the role of the disapproving girlfriend, arms folded, eyes rolling, as the boys huddle around a glowing television, gripping controllers as they go into battle. Women, however, are no longer an enigma in the hardcore gaming community. In fact, professional women are dedicating hours a week to video games – comprising 42 per cent of gamers, according to the Entertainment Software Association. As the Star Tribune reports, that statistic includes games played on handheld devices, such as solitaire and ‘Angry Birds’ which are popular with women. But hardcore games are reportedly becoming increasingly popular with the demographic.” w/ photos

“Avocados could be a weapon in the fight against ageing and disease, say scientists. Oil from the fruit was shown in tests to combat free radicals – dangerous molecules said to have a hand in everything from ageing to heart disease and cancer. These are particularly common inside mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses in our cells that turn the food we eat into energy… Previous research conducted in Mexico, the world’s largest avocado producer, has shown that the fruit lowers blood levels of cholesterol, and certain fats linked to diabetes.” w/ photos

“In experiments carried by a researchers at the National University of Ireland in Galway and Harvard Medical School a team of 13 healthy volunteers deliberately induced the brain freeze so the effects could be studied. It was found that the pain was brought on by a rapid increase in blood flow through a major blood vessel in the brain, the anterior cerebral artery. The ache subsided again once blood flow was restricted. The findings were presented at the meeting Experimental Biology 2012 being in San Diego.” w/ photo

“What can you say about The Simpsons? The incredible animated series is currently in its 23rd season! The Simpsons has given us dozens of clever, original characters. Every Simpsons fan has his or her favorite character. Let’s take a look at the original, real-life inspirations behind several characters on The Simpsons.” w/ photos

“Scientists have speculated for years that the human brain features a ‘God spot,’ one distinct area of the brain responsible for spirituality. Now, University of Missouri researchers have completed research that indicates spirituality is a complex phenomenon and that multiple areas of the brain are responsible for the many aspects of spiritual experiences. The new work is based on a previously published study that indicated spiritual transcendence is associated with decreased right parietal lobe functioning. Missouri University (MU) researchers replicated their findings. In addition, the researchers determined that other aspects of spiritual functioning are related to increased activity in the frontal lobe.” w/ photos

“The Master Chiefs left the offices of Creative Artists Agency around midday on June 6, 2005 in a fleet of limo vans. In their green, red and blue Spartan armour the cybernetically-enhanced super soldiers made quite a spectacle. Each stood six-foot-three tall, visored helmets obscuring their faces. Each carried a red bound document folder stamped with the CAA logo that contained two things: a copy of the Halo screenplay commissioned by Microsoft and written by Alex Garland and a terms sheet. None of them spoke a word… The Master Chief suits were Shapiro’s idea and they ensured that the Halo deal made headlines even before the trade papers learned how rich the demands were. It was a spectacular attempt to turn Microsoft’s first foray into Hollywood filmmaking into a theatrical event and it very almost worked. Master Chief, the hero of Microsoft and Bungie’s bestselling Halo games, made his debut in Hollywood. Sadly, though, his Tinsel Town ascension was short-lived.” w/ photos

“Evacuated Tube Transport is an airless, frictionless, maglev-like form of transportation which is safer, cheaper and quieter than trains or airplanes. Six-person capsules travel in the tubes and can reach a maximum speed of 6,500 km/h, and provide 50 times more transportation per kwh. A tube can travel from New York to Beijing in two hours, and make a round-the-world trip in just six hours.” — NMANewsDirect

“Go inside the studio and see the birth of a cover shot. See what National Geographic photographers had to do to capture the bone-exploding force of a t-rex bite.”