Articles from ‘elocal magazine’

Ever been caught in the crossfire of a wet dog firing droplets of water away from their fur with a mad shake? Well, they can't help it. Scientists have discovered the underlying mechanism that drives dogs – and many other hairy mammals – to vigorously shake water out of their fur, in a fascinating look at the genetics that trigger this involuntary behavior. · Neurobiology researchers at Harvard Medical School's Howard Hughes Medical Institute…

At this year's Euronaval show outside of Paris, MBDA is showing off the latest version of its venerable Exocet anti-ship missile. The new submarine-launched SM40 boasts greatly increased range and targeting capabilities. · During the Falklands War in 1982, the French-made Exocet missile jumped into the public consciousness as it took center stage in what became the world's first missile war. While battling to retake the islands after the…

After fervently endorsing Donald Trump throughout the election campaign, the world’s richest man looks set for a role in the new government. · In October 2022, as Elon Musk completed his acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion (£34 billion), he posted a video of himself walking into the company’s headquarters in San Francisco carrying a white porcelain sink. “Entering Twitter HQ – let that sink in!”, read the accompanying caption. · It was not…

Honda’s presence in the electric two-wheeler space has long been limited to one-off scooters and bikes. But all that is set to change with the Japanese maker unveiling a performance electric motorcycle called the EV Fun Concept at this year’s EICMA motorcycle trade show. · It was revealed alongside the big-bore V3 combustion engine with an electric supercharger in Milan this past week. But the EV Fun Concept wasn’t only electric on display –…

Striking worker Fred Evans was badly injured in the Bay of Plenty goldmining town of Waihī on November the q2th, 1912. He died next day. · The Australian-born stationary-engine driver belonged to the militant Waihi Trade Union of Workers, which was affiliated to the New Zealand Federation of Labour (‘Red Feds’) and opposed to the Waihi Goldmining Company. In May 1912 the union went on strike in protest at the formation of a company-inspired…

New research has linked higher plasma levels of the healthy fats omega-3 and omega-6 to a reduced risk of developing particular types of cancer. The study adds to the on-again/off-again relationship that exists between scientists and the common supplements. · Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, usually found in fish supplements, have enjoyed their time in both the (scientific) sun and the cold, cold shade. On the one hand, studies have found that…

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was the moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front in 1918, following the signing of an armistice. · The signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany was celebrated in many cities and towns around New Zealand. Enthusiasm was dampened, however, by the ongoing impact of the influenza pandemic that was ravaging the country. A premature report of an armistice published on 8…

Noisy environments pose a challenge to deaf people, particularly when they're trying to discern what a specific person within such a setting is saying. AirCaps glasses are designed to help, by providing real-time captioning to the wearer. · The glasses were developed by a team of engineers and designers from several universities, including Cornell University computer science student Nirbhay Narang. The technology is now being commercialized via…

The truth is that for all its failings, America has provided more opportunity, security, and freedom to a group of people more diverse than any other nation in history. It is not because America is systemically rotten; but because it is foundationally good. Justice for all calls for those foundations to be defended, not destroyed. · The following essay is occasioned by the question, can there be a conservative revolution? I am aware, as I…

In the middle of the night, on 10 November 1868 around 100 men, 60 on horseback, forded the Waipāoa River and moved quietly towards Matawhero. By dawn, they had killed about 60 people of all ages in the Pākehā settlement and adjacent kāinga (Māori settlements). Some were shot, but most were bayoneted, tomahawked or clubbed to avoid alerting their neighbours. · Most of those who escaped the slaughter ran to Tūranganui (Gisborne), 6 km away,…