In this issue... HAPPINESS UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING FUTURE HOLIDAYS CAFFEINATED TIGHTS And much much more... ------------------------------------------------------------ ____ ____ ___ _____ ____ ______ ______ * / __ )/ __ \/ | / _/ | / / |/ / | / _/ / / __ / /_/ / /| | / // |/ / /|_/ / /| | / // / / /_/ / _, _/ ___ |_/ // /| / / / / ___ |_/ // /___ /_____/_/ |_/_/ |_/___/_/ |_/_/ /_/_/ |_/___/_____/ *Keeping brains healthy since 2004 ------------------------------------------------------------ Brainmail email issue 20 - October 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------ Brainmail is a free monthly newsletter about new ideas, innovations and trends. To subscribe or unsubscribe visit the website at http://brainmail.nowandnext.com Tell the world about brainmail - forward this to a friend. ------------------------------------------------------------ > Spaced out drink Japanese drinks companies are making sake from special yeast that has been into space and back. The yeast was grown aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft at a cost ´ 12 million. The sake doesn't taste any different but does "link to the romance of space travel" according to a spokesperson. Ref: Nikkei Weekly (Japan) > Hey why the long face? Are you anxious, fearful or scared out of your wits? No need. In 1991 there were 58 violent conflicts globally. By 2005 this number had fallen to 22. Ref: McKinsey Quarterly (US) > Just as happy in America The Pew Research Center (US) says that happiness levels have remained more or less the same since 1972. 50% of Americans describe themselves as 'Pretty happy", 30% as "very happy" and 15% as "not too happy". Ref: Atlantic Monthly (US). > Angry and stressed in Australia Australians are feeling more angry and stressed than last year. A falling birth-rate is also contributing to lives that are more self-indulgent and self-protective. The good news is that shrinking households are driving an interest in friends and neighbours according to an Ipsos Mackay report. Ref: The Sydney Morning Herald (Aus) > Escape from the sun A report called Holiday 2030 produced by University College London says that climate change could transform annual summer migration patterns, particularly from Northern to Southern Europe. Beaches in Florida (and all of the Maldives) could be washed away while cool climate resorts could experience a surge in popularity as holiday-makers rush to escape the sun. Ref: Daily Telegraph (UK) > Unaffordable real estate A full-time worker on the US minimum wage can no longer afford a one-bedroom apartment anywhere in America according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Ref: New York Times (US) > Rumblings of a good idea 34,000 people travel through Victoria railway station in London (UK) every day so why not harness some of the energy produced by these people to create electricity? The idea, proposed by a firm of architects, is to embed vibration-harvesting sensors into the floor of the station that captures and then converts footsteps into power, which is then stored in batteries. Ref: Fast Company (US) > Like the sound of it? Then buy it UK company UBC Media is testing a service on Heart FM radio whereby listeners can buy a music track the instant they hear it. How does it work? Easy. It's targeted at people that listen to the radio via their mobile phone so music purchases are simply charged to a monthly bill or pre-pay account. Ref: Springwise (Neth) > Instant coffee We've seen caffeinated water and caffeinated soap so caffeinated breath strips were only a matter of time. The mint flavoured strips from Boots the Chemist (UK) are similar to the Listerine breath freshening strips and give a jolt that's equal to half a cup of coffee. Now all we need is a decaf version. Ref: Business 2.0 (US) > Caffeinated tights Now we really have seen everything. An Austrian company is selling pantyhose called Slim Fit 20 than contains caffeine. The fabric is activated by body heat and burns off the appearance of cellulite on your legs. Note the word 'appearance' (that will probably get us sued). Ref: Business 2.0 (US) > Not so confidential Enter the name of a well-known company and the words "do not distribute" or "confidential document" into Google and see what you get. The answer is often quite a bit which should make some people more careful about what the post on company websites. Ref: Red Herring (US) > New laws on genetic privacy In 1997 bodyguards belonging to the US President allegedly removed a beer glass from a pub after Mr Clinton had drunk from it to prevent unscrupulous examination of the President's saliva. To combat such covert analysis of someone else's DNA the UK has now passed a law making DNA harvesting illegal without the owners consent. Ref: New Scientist (UK) > Word detective: FRP FRP - Fibre Reinforced Plastic - is the building material du jour. Early sightings are expected to include a bridge over the M6 motorway in the UK. Advantages of FRP over conventional reinforced concrete include low weight and the fact that it is less easily damaged by water and salt. Ref: Senseworldwide/Business Week (UK/US) > Organic is so yesterday Let's be honest. The problem with your organic Kiwi fruit from Wholefoods Market is that it's been flown half way around the world from New Zealand. Not exactly sustainable agriculture is it? Enter the Beneficial brand - a US label that's certified to be Fresh, Chemical Free and LOCAL. Ref: Iconowatch (US) > Self-cleaning You've probably got a self-cleaning oven but how about a self-cleaning camera? The Cannon EOS digital Rebel XTi cleans itself using high frequency sound waves to shift dust and dirt. Ref: New York Times (US) > Credible edibles Sixteen schools in California have joined what's been called the 'edible schoolyard program' whereby kids create a classroom that you can eat. Ref: Iconowatch (US) > Build your own house This may be a function of age - a yearning for times when toys were simpler and didn't contain computer chips - but take a look at a toy called Brickadoo. Basically Lego but using mini bricks and small bags of cement. Ref: Springwise.com (Neth) www.brickadoo.com > Waterproof rice Rice is best grown in flooded paddy fields but apparently too much water and the rice plants drown. Over $1 billion of rice is lost annually due to flooding. Enter FR13A - an ancient Indian rice variety - that will survive a total soaking for up to a month. Ref: New Scientist (UK) > Growing new bones 75 million people in the US, Europe and Japan suffer from Osteoporosis - a bone wasting disease - but so far nobody has found a cure. Drugs such as Fosamax and Boniva can slow the wasting process but now a company called Acceleron Pharma thinks it has created a way to encourage the body to re-grow bone. Early stage clinical trials have just commenced. Ref: Red Herring (US) > Video search engines Dabble.com is a video search engine that helps users find video clips on the Internet. Users can also add notes to descriptions and correct incorrect tags. Ref: Red Herring (US) > Engines that won't run on alcohol Nissan is creating technology that will prevent drunk drivers from driving. The idea - similar to one proposed by Saab and Toyota - involves breathing into a device before the engine will start. However, unless the device is tied to seat pressure monitors what is stopping someone swapping seats once the engine has engaged? Ref: Nikkei Weekly (Japan) > Recycle and re-use As if making bags out of old truck tarpaulin wasn't enough Swiss Uber-hip brand Frietag is now making stores out of old recycled shipping containers. Ref: Sense Bulletin (UK) > Animal rights and wrongs A group of animal rights activists wearing face masks recently attacked a group of fishermen in the UK. According to the police angling saboteurs are becoming increasingly common. Ref: Daily Telegraph (UK) > Pop-up restaurants Ghetto Gourmet is a 'wandering supper club' in the US that pops-up in different locations ranging from art galleries to parking lots. The $40 per head charge includes food plus music, art, comedy or some other form of entertainment. Ref: Springwise (Neth) > Do-it-yourself Public anxiety about food preservatives and additives is leading to a mini-boom in the sale of Do-It-Yourself bread making machines in Japan. Ref: Nikkei Weekly (Japan) ------------------------------------------------------------ : STATSHOTS 53% of people in the US say that a company has compromised the security of their data Ref: Red Herring (US) It takes 7 calories of oil to make 1 calorie of food in the US Ref: Harpers (US) Around 80% of people think that the advice given by experts concerning what to eat will be totally different in twelve month's time. Ref: Gourmet (US) Americans represent 4.5% of the world's population but buy 33% of the world's insurance. Ref: Atlantic Monthly (US) 21% of people have smuggled an animal into a hotel room and 37% of people would spend more if a hotel offered pet-friendly accommodation. Ref: Iconowatch/Tripadvisor (US) There are 41,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in the US of which 17% are in McDonald's. Ref: Iconowatch (US) Sales of tea have grown by more than 300% in the US since 1990. Ref: The Economist (UK) The global gambling industry is valued at US $82.2 billion. By 2010 this is estimated to have increased by 50% Ref: New Scientist (UK) Between 20-50 million tonnes of 'e-waste' is produced annually, mainly from discarded computers. Ref: The Economist (UK) ------------------------------------------------------------ : QUOTE OF THE MONTH " The reason the Beatles were so wildly successful is because they never did the same thing once" Quoted in The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeieier (with thanks to Jonathan Sands). ------------------------------------------------------------ : LOVE IT? THEN SHARE IT Do you know someone whose brain is not being fully exercised? Someone that is snacking on media that isn't terribly satisfying. Floss their brain and brighten up their day with a copy of brainmail in their inbox - forward this to a friend. ------------------------------------------------------------ : SUBSCRIBE TO BRAINMAIL Brainmail is a free monthly newsletter about new ideas, innovations and trends. 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