Model Airplanes

“There was a seamless transition between dinosaurs and birds,” says Stephen Brusatte, a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. Brusatte, a slim, handsome rising star who recently completed groundbreaking doctoral work on dinosaur and bird family trees at Columbia University and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, says dinos were not dim-witted, slow-moving reptilian beasts. Rather, he argues, many dinos could be seen as “overgrown birds,” with efficient, bird-like lungs, keen eyesight and other senses, and bird-like reproductive strategies. Indeed, important new discoveries made over the past year strongly suggest that many, if not all, dinosaurs had feathers. 

Nearly every feathered dinosaur discovered so far has been a meat-eating theropod, cousin to creatures like T. rex and Velicoraptor of Jurassic Park fame. But over the past dozen years the evidence has grown that ornithischians, dinosaurs only very distantly related to the theropods—including horned dinos such as Triceratops and Stegosaurus—also had feathers.

While many paleontologists accepted that evidence, there was still no smoking gun. But that changed four years ago when a team of Russian researchers led by geologist Sofia Sinitsa undertook a geological survey in Siberia’s Kulinda Valley, near the city of Chita, and discovered some dinosaur fossil fragments unlike any they’d ever seen. When they found several complete specimens in the next two field seasons, they called in the expert Pascal Godefroit, a paleontologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels, who is well known for his work

Article source: http://www.audubon.org/magazine/january-february-2015/which-came-first-dinosaur-or-bird

When Bubbles was born in the home of her pet parents Trevor Byers and Elissa Smoak, it was clear from the get go that she wasn’t like the other puppies in the litter. Lacking front legs, there are some who would have cast her aside for having such a profound disability.

Baby Bubbles needs to keep her strength up to power all of that cuteness.

Fortunately, Byers and Smoak weren’t those kind of people and immediately set about trying to figure out a way to increase Bubbles’ mobility and aid in her quality of life. Brainstorming ways to make her a cart like other animals with similar disabilities have, the couple tried out everything from model airplane parts to carbon fiber in an effort to create something that would meet their little sweetheart’s unique needs.

Being so awesome can be very tiring.

Smoak said of the process, “It isn’t easy, as she is a Dachshund so she is longer, super hyper and on top of that she is still so tiny.” Eventually, however, they came across the perfect solution – a 3D printer. By creating a wheelchair consisting of two wheels and a body harness that could be printed from lightweight materials as well as modified to fit her precisely, Bubbles can

Article source: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/bubbles-disabled-dachshund-gets-wheelchair/

By Benjamin Bearup and Jay Haapala / Published January 29, 2015

As we continue to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Boeing 747′s entry into passenger service, we look at some of the key aircraft operators around the world in the 747’s history, from airlines, charter carriers, and governments.

Extra: Original 747 Sales Brochures, Vintage Photos, and Memorabilia

The Clipper Victor in London. Image: Courtesy of Thomas Lee

One of type’s key operators was Pan American World Airways. Pan Am became the launch customer for the 747 after placing an order for 25 747-100s on April 13th, 1966, in a deal valued at $525 million at the time.

EXTRA: A History of Boeing’s 747 Factory

The airline took ceremonial delivery of their first 747, the Clipper Young America, on January 15, 1970. Clipper Young America was christened by First Lady Pat Nixon at an event held at Washington Dulles International Airport.

First Lady Pat Nixon at the first Boeing 747 rollout ceremony at Boeing’s Everett factory.

Prior to entering service, Pan Am flew the 747-100 around the United States for public relations purposes. On January 21, 1970, the 747-100 flew its first commercial flight for Pan Am from New York JFK to London Heathrow Airport. A engine failure on aircraft Clipper Young America caused a multi-hour delay on the

Article source: http://airwaysnews.com/blog/2015/01/29/customers-of-the-boeing-747/

It’s Super Bowl time, which means two teams will face off on the gridiron for football glory while we watch from in warmth from our living rooms. But even more importantly, the annual game brings with it hilarious, uncensored and controversial commercials. The big game is this weekend, but check out these spots that have already made loud splashes on the Internet.

Save Your Data So You Can Look At Kim Kardashian

By now, you’ve probably heard about T-Mobile’s rollover data plan that allows you to keep any unused data left over after your billing period. Sounds good…if you actually have T-Mobile or are Kim Kardashian. Cue Kim Kardashian. T-Mobile enlisted Kim K (and probably paid her in virgin blood) to star in their Superbowl spot that poked fun at herself. Kimmy may not be able to move her face very much, but what a gorgeous face it is.

Victoria’s Secret Angels Play Football

Victoria’s Secrets models rarely get dirty, but when they do it’s in a good old fashion game of football. Not really, but for this commercial’s sake, it works. VS used their brawn instead of their boobs to stick out this Superbowl. While their online ad differs from the actual ad they will air during the Super Bowl, they did a great job bringing attention to themselves through this digital ad.

Katie Couric

Article source: http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2015/01/29/kim-kardashian-pokes-fun-at-herself-more-talked-about-super-bowl-commercials/