Some older/less efficient worker termites will develop 'backpacks' of toxic chemicals that explode when the termite is threatened. They are essentially used as suicide bombers when the colony is being attacked.
8
Scientists are attempting to create a synthetic brain by reverse-engineering the mammalian brain down to the molecular level. A cellular human brain is predicted possible by 2023. It hopes to shed light on consciousness.
10
There’s an internet-enabled jacket which gives you a “hug” every time a Facebook friend likes your status.
12
An Australian study found that homework is of little to no academic value to students in elementary and junior high schools.
32
In Brazil, prison inmates can reduce their sentence by 4 days (up to 48 days a year) for every book they read and write a report on.
32
India's richest person, Mukesh Ambani, built a $1 billion home. It has 27 habitable floors, including six parking floors with a capacity to hold up to 168 cars. 600 staff maintain the home.
13