Month: February 2017

Scientists have figured out a way to make skin cells attack brain tumors. A report on their progress has been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

We have stem cells all over our bodies, including in our skin, and they come in lots of different varieties. You may have heard of pluripotent stem cells, which can, as their name suggests, grow into just about any body part. Then there are neural stem cells (NSCs), which develop into nerve and brain cells.

Glioblastoma is the most common type of primary brain tumor. They’re fast and fierce; after diagnosis, the average survival rate is only 12 to 15 months. But they also have a built-in vulnerability: they emit a chemical that naturally attracts NSCs.

Under ordinary circumstances, this would not be a weakness. But researchers have engineered a type of NSC that works like a heat-seeking missile, carrying cancer-killing medicine straight into tumor cells. The idea is to transplant these special skin cells into people with cancer, giving their drug treatment a much better chance of success.

Early clinical trial results have been positive, but the treatment faces the same obstacle as any other transplant: our bodies do not welcome cells they don’t recognize. In fact, we outright reject them, and this rejection can make transplant patients much sicker.

To get around this issue, the authors of the new study took NSCs from the skin of the very patients they wanted to treat—in this case, laboratory mice. They were able to culture the NSCs into drug carriers in an astonishing four days. They transplanted these new microscopic drug mules back into the mice, whose bodies tolerated them well. The treatment had an incredibly high success rate, shrinking tumors and nearly doubling the rodents’ survival time.

We’ll need more research before we can try this in humans, but the initial results seem encouraging and could be used to treat a broad range of tumor types.

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with the full journal name.

The shih tzu, known for its humorous-sounding name (the real pronunciation is actually “sheed-zoo,” thank you very much), has a lot to offer. Loyal service dogs and loving companions, these small dogs are an ideal fit for anyone in need of affection. Learn more about the pooch and its long history of melting hearts. 

1. THEY’RE AN OLD BREED. 

Nobody knows exactly how old the shih tzu is, although it existed at least as far back as 624 CE (we know this because of its presence in art from the era). As with most ancient breeds, it’s difficult to determine when and how exactly it originated, though experts have some ideas. According to one popular theory, the breed was started in Tibet by Buddhist monks and eventually made its way to China. 

Back then, Tibetan monks bred a number of lion-like dogs, which they referred to as “holy dogs.” (Since the time of early Buddhism, the lion has been an important religious symbol, representing the Bodhisattvas, or “sons of the Buddha.”) According to some accounts, the Dalai Lama came to China in the 17th century with a trio of lion-like pooches. These shih tzu predecessors were bred with Chinese dogs, resulting in pups with shorter snouts. 

In the early 20th century, the Chinese empress Tzu-hsi was gifted a pair of Tibetan lion dogs. She was immediately enamored, and kept them from breeding with the Pekingese and pugs in her care. The result: the shih tzus we know and love today.

2. THEY’RE CLOSELY RELATED TO WOLVES. 

They may not look like it, but the modest shih tzu is more closely related to wolves than many fiercer-looking breeds. In 2004, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle tested the genetic data of 414 dogs from 85 different breeds. They concluded that Asian breeds, from the imposing akita all the way down to the diminuitive Pekingese, are some of the oldest and most closely related to Canis lupus familiaris‘s wolf ancestors. (Only the Nordic breeds have these dogs beat: The Siberian husky, Alaskan malamute, and Samoyed, among others, are the “best living representative[s] of the ancestral dog gene pool,” the researchers wrote.)

3. ROYALTY LOVED THEM.

Despite their genetic similarities to wolves, shih tzus were bred to be loving companions. The pampered pets led luxurious lives in palaces, enjoying all the creature comforts a dog could want. Their thick coats made them effective radiators, and their owners would use the dogs to keep their beds warm. At one time, it was even fashionable to keep the small canines tucked away in large robe sleeves. 

4. THEY HAVE MANY NAMES.

For such a small dog, the shih tzu has a long list of nicknames. Shih tzu roughly translates to little lion dog. Other monikers include “under-the-table dog,” “Fu dog,” “shock dog,” “sleeve dog,” “Tibetan poodle,” and more. They are sometimes referred to as the chrysanthemum-faced dog thanks to their unique facial fur, which fans out like flower petals. 

5. THEY ALMOST WENT EXTINCT. 

As with other Chinese dog breeds, the shih tzu was nearly wiped out when the Communist party began its takeover. Luckily for shih tzu lovers, some dedicated fanciers protected the breed and seven males and seven females survived. Those 14 dogs were responsible for rebuilding the entire line. 

6. THEY HAVE LONG, SILKY ‘DOS …

The hair of a shih tzu is truly something to envy. Show dogs can be seen sporting stylish long hair that drags on the floor like a dress’s train. This particular hairstyle is very hard to keep up, so most shih tzu owners opt to keep their dog’s hair in a short style called the “puppy cut.” Usually this involves cutting the hair uniformly about two inches from the body (this is also referred to as the “teddy bear cut,” because it makes them look like a plush toy). Other owners opt to shave the body hair closely, leaving the hair on the head and ears in a bob-like style (this is known as the “top knot cut.”) If neither of these options appeal to you, you can always book an appointment with this groomer in Taiwan, who will cut your dog’s hair into a perfect circle or square. 

7. … AND COME IN LOTS OF COLORS.

According to the American Kennel Club, the shih tzu comes in 14 different colors and three different markings. 

8. THEIR SPOTS ARE THE STUFF OF LEGEND.

Most shih tzus rock a little white spot on their foreheads, which is affectionately known as the “Star of Buddha.” According to legend, Buddha was traveling with a little canine companion that closely resembled the shih tzu. When a group of robbers tried to attack Buddha, the little dog transformed into a fierce lion and chased the thieves off.  Buddha was so grateful he kissed the dog on the forehead, giving it its little white mark. The markings on its back are said to represent the saddle Buddha used to ride the dog-turned-lion. 

9. TRAINING CAN BE TRICKY.

Before you get a shih tzu, consider how much free time you have. The little dogs are notoriously difficult to train and it takes a lot of patience to housebreak them. In fact, it can take around 40 to 50 repetitions of a bathroom routine before the stubborn pup catches on. Owners are urged to start training immediately at puppyhood so irreversible bad habits don’t form.

Ireland’s most famous beer may soon be brewed on American soil, for the first time in more than six decades. The Baltimore Sun reports that Diageo—the alcohol beverages company that owns Guinness Brewery—is planning to build a mid-size version of its Dublin-based Open Gate Brewery near Relay, Maryland, in southern Baltimore County.

Relay is home to a former Seagram’s whiskey bottling plant, and Diageo owns Seagram’s. The company wants to re-purpose the buildings into a major tourist attraction—complete with a brewery, taproom, and tasting room—and focus on producing brand-new beers for U.S. drinkers.

Diageo says it will invest $50 million in the Baltimore-area brewery. As of right now, the plan is to begin construction in Spring 2017 and open facilities to the public as soon as Fall 2017. However, the brewery still needs to pass muster with the Maryland General Assembly, which is responsible for approving a special liquor license to permit large-scale on-site beer sales.

Baltimore has always been a beer town. Originally home to National Bohemian Beer (which the Pabst Brewing Company purchased, and moved to Eden, North Carolina and Albany, Georgia), it now has a thriving craft beer scene. A Guinness Brewery would be a welcome addition, officials say, as it could create up to 70 jobs (or even more, once you take guest services into account) and attract tourist revenue.

“Guinness’s plan to build a brewery at its historic facility in Relay, Md., is great news for job creation, manufacturing, and tourism in our state,” Maryland governor Larry Hogan said in a statement. “Beer tourism attracts millions of visitors to towns and communities across the country every year and I look forward to welcoming Guinness to the roster of excellent breweries we have here in Maryland.”

Check out a mock-up of the brewery below, courtesy of Diageo.

[h/t The Baltimore Sun]

Nintendo released Donkey Kong 64 in 1999, which means gaming enthusiasts have had plenty of time to perfect their run-throughs. Collecting every last one of the game’s 976 banana coins is no small feat, but Twitch user Isotarge recently achieved something even more impressive. As Kotaku reports, the speedrunner uncovered a 977th coin that’s been hidden in the game’s code for more than 17 years.

The treasure was able to go unnoticed for so long because it’s located in a confusing area. Players normally uncover rainbow coins—the most valuable currency in the game—by pounding on patches of dirt. In the Fungi Forest level, this giveaway dirt patch is concealed by a layer of tall grass.

977 coins total now 🙂 pic.twitter.com/s6VYXGesck

— Isotarge (@Isotarge) January 28, 2017

The bonus coin is so well hidden that the player who found it only became aware of it while combing through the game’s save data. After finishing what was thought to be a full run of the Fungi Forest stage, the player noticed the Rainbow Coin count wasn’t quite complete. Instead of replaying the level blindly, they used analysis tools to identify the coin’s exact location and dig it up.

It’s not unheard of for years to go by before a hidden video game feature is finally discovered. When programmer Landon Dyer slipped his initials into the code of 1983’s Donkey Kong, it went unnoticed for 26 years. But unlike some trickier video game Easter eggs, the 977th rainbow coin is actually part of its game. That’s sure to annoy many perfectionist speedrunners.

[h/t Kotaku]

Poet. Novelist. Playwright. Activist. There wasn’t much that Langston Hughes couldn’t do. Born in Joplin, Missouri on February 1, 1902, Hughes—an innovator of the jazz poetry art form—eventually made his way to New York City, where he became one of the most recognized leaders of the Harlem Renaissance. But even amongst his peers, Hughes’s work stood out as unique.

In 1973’s Modern Black Poets: A Collection of Critical Essays, critic Donald B. Gibson wrote that Hughes “differed from most of his predecessors among black poets … in that he addressed his poetry to the people, specifically to black people. During the twenties when most American poets were turning inward, writing obscure and esoteric poetry to an ever decreasing audience of readers, Hughes was turning outward, using language and themes, attitudes and ideas familiar to anyone who had the ability simply to read.”

On the occasion of what would have been his 115th birthday (Hughes passed away in 1967, at the age of 65), here are 20 inspiring quotes from Langston Hughes.

1. ON HUMOR

“Humor is laughing at what you haven’t got when you ought to have it … what you wish in your secret heart were not funny, but it is, and you must laugh. Humor is your own unconscious therapy. Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air, and you.”

2. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DREAMS

“A dream deferred is a dream denied.”

3. ON CENSORSHIP

“We Negro writers, just by being black, have been on the blacklist all our lives. Censorship for us begins at the color line.”

4. AND 5. ON FREEDOM

“In all my life, I have never been free. I have never been able to do anything with freedom, except in the field of my writing.”

“An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.”

6. ON THE PURPOSE OF ART

“Perhaps the mission of an artist is to interpret beauty to people—the beauty within themselves.”

7. ON NOT TAKING “BUT” FOR AN ANSWER

“I will not take ‘but’ for an answer. Negroes have been looking at democracy’s ‘but’ too long.”

8. AND 9. ON THE WRITING PROCESS

“I must never write when I do not want to write.”

“Writing is like traveling. It’s wonderful to go somewhere, but you get tired of staying.”

10. ON DETERMINATION

“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”

11. ON THE PLACE OF POLITICS IN POETRY

“Politics can be the graveyard of the poet. And only poetry can be his resurrection.”

12. AND 13. ON DEMOCRACY

“Democracy will not come Today, this year Nor ever Through compromise and fear.”

“I swear to the Lord, I still can’t see, why Democracy means, everybody but me.”

14. ON LIFE AND DEATH

“Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid.”

15. ON THE DUTY OF BLACK ARTISTS

“To my mind, it is the duty of the younger Negro artist, if he accepts any duties at all from outsiders, to change through the force of his art that old whispering ‘I want to be white,’ hidden in the aspirations of his people, to ‘Why should I want to be white? I am a Negro—and beautiful!’”

16. ON LIVING IN THE PRESENT

“I tire so of hearing people say, Let things take their course. Tomorrow is another day. I do not need my freedom when I’m dead. I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.”

17. ON SEEKING STRENGTH FROM WITHIN

“When a man starts out to build a world, He starts first with himself.”

18. ON REVOLUTION

“Good morning, Revolution: You’re the very best friend I ever had. We gonna pal around together from now on.”

19. ON THE NATURE OF JAZZ

“Jazz, to me, is one of the inherent expressions of Negro life in America: the eternal tom-tom beating in the Negro soul—the tom-tom of revolt against weariness in a white world, a world of subway trains, and work, work, work; the tom-tom of joy and laughter, and pain swallowed in a smile.”

20. ON BEER

“Whiskey just naturally likes me but beer likes me better.”

Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November.
All the rest have 31,
Except for February,
Which got the short stick because it’s cold and no one likes it.  

Well, something to that effect. Some believe February once boasted 29 days and that Augustus Caesar stole a day so he could add it to August, which was named for him. (If there’s a month named after you, why not milk it?) But that’s a myth. Rather, February has 28 days because, to the Romans, the month was an afterthought. In the 8th century BCE, they used the Calendar of Romulus, a 10-month calendar that kicked the year off in March (with the spring equinox) and ended in December. January and February didn’t even exist:

Martius: 31 days
Aprilius: 30 days
Maius: 31 days
Junius: 30 days
Quintilis: 31 days
Sextilis: 30 days
September: 30 days
October: 31 days
November: 30 days
December: 30 days

Tally up those numbers, and you’ll see a problem—the year is only 304 days long. Back then, winter was a nameless, monthless period that no one cared for much. (Planters and harvesters used the calendar as a timetable. To them, winter was useless and wasn’t worth counting.) So for 61 days out of the year, Romans could ask “What month is it?” and you could correctly answer, “None!”

King Numa Pompilius thought that was stupid. Why have a calendar if you’re going to neglect one-sixth of the year? So in 713 BCE, he lined the calendar up with the year’s 12 lunar cycles—a span of about 355 days—and introduced January and February. The months were added to the end of the calendar, making February the last month of the year.

But no Roman calendar would be complete without some good old-fashioned superstition mixed in! The Romans believed even numbers were unlucky, so Numa tried to make each month odd. But to reach the quota of 355, one month had to be even. February ended up pulling the short stick, probably because it was simply the last month on the list. (Or as Cecil Adams puts it, “If there had to be an unlucky month, better make it a short one.”) Numa’s calendar ended up looking like this:

Martius: 31 days
Aprilius: 29 days
Maius: 31 days
Iunius: 29 days
Quintilis: 31 days
Sextilis: 29 days
September: 29 days
October: 31 days
November: 29 days
December: 29 days
Ianuarius: 29 days
Februarius: 28 days

Of course, a 355-day calendar had its bugs. After a few years went by, the seasons and months would fall out of sync. So to keep things straight, the Romans would occasionally insert a 27-day leap month called Mercedonius. The Romans would erase the last couple days of February and start the leap month on February 24—further evidence no one ever cared much for the month.  

This caused headaches everywhere. The leap month was inconsistent, mainly because Rome’s high priests determined when it would arrive. Not only did they insert Mercedonius haphazardly, but the priests (being politicians) abused the power, using it to extend the terms of friends and trim the terms of enemies. By Julius Caesar’s time, the Roman people had no clue what day it was.

So Caesar nixed the leap month and reformed the calendar again. (To get Rome back on track, the year 46 BCE had to be 445 days long!) Caesar aligned the calendar with the sun and added a few days so that everything added up to 365. February, which by now was at the top of the calendar, kept its 28 days. We can only imagine it’s because Caesar, like everyone before and after him, just wanted it to be March already. 

It can be hard to remember passwords, so people often turn to things they feel passionate about for inspiration. In honor of the upcoming Super Bowl, RoboForm dug into a list of millions of passwords to see which NFL teams had the most passionate password following. The Philadelphia Eagles claimed the top password spot, with this year’s competitors—the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons—coming much lower down the list (at numbers 17 and 24, respectively).

For more analysis of the list, check out the breakdown at RoboForm.

Victor Lustig was one of the 20th century’s greatest con artists, and the crown jewel of his many ploys was selling the Eiffel Tower to unsuspecting scrap iron dealers—twice. Hit play for Lustig’s Ten Commandments for aspiring con men.