Freeze Dying

Cemeteries take up space (and only occasionally allow solar panels on graves). Cremations release emissions. But, just like yummy bits of fruit, bodies also can be freeze-dried. Then dipped in liquid nitrogen, resulting in “an organic, odourless, hygienic powder.” A Scottish region is investigating this possibility out of fears that it will run out of burial space in the next few decades.

Also in today’s links: Jindal, unexplored jungles, unexplored high-def disc formats and more.

• You know how Blu-ray is supposed to be kicking DVD’s butt? That isn’t quite happening yet. So some movie studios are trying to get you hooked on the former by bundling in a Blu-ray disc … when you buy a DVD of the same movie.
• Researchers are surveying the New Guinea jungles, “where no scientist has set foot before,” and the accompanying news crew is documenting their progress. Check out the feet and toenails on the tree kangaroo!
• I will spare you the “eruption” puns — because everyone else has already made them — but people are steaming mad about Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s dismissive crack about $140 million being spent for volcano monitoring. First off, that figure’s not right. Second off, scientists are quick to defend the value of life-saving monitoring.
• We’ve all used hand gestures to express excitement, anger, and just to move ourselves through a story. A researcher has found that gesturing also helps students learn mathematics.