YeinJee's Asian Journal

A fossilised “sea monster” unearthed on an Arctic island is the largest marine reptile known to science, Norwegian scientists have announced.

The 150 million-year-old specimen was found on Spitspergen, in the Arctic island chain of Svalbard, in 2006. The Jurassic-era leviathan is one of 40 sea reptiles from a fossil “treasure trove” uncovered on the island.

Nicknamed “The Monster”, the immense creature would have measured 15m (50ft) from nose to tail. [BBC]

The fossil and artist illustration of the sea monster ‘in action’

Scientists investigating the icy waters of Antarctica said on Feb 22 that they have discovered some mysterious creatures in the murky depths, including giant sea spiders and huge worms.

The scientists collected specimens from up to 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) beneath the surface of the Southern Ocean as part of an international project to take a census of Antarctic marine life. [Nationalgeographic]

Tunicates which look like glass tubes (Image via Dailymail)

The tiny Pacific islands nation of Kiribati declared the world’s largest marine protected area on Feb 14, a California-sized ocean wilderness that includes pristine reefs and eight coral atolls teeming with fish and birds.

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area, or PIPA, lies about halfway between Hawaii and Fiji. [AP]

PIPA was the world’s third largest marine protected area before the Government of Kiribati announced the expansion of the boundaries of the protected area on Jan 28, 2008… which now encompass an area of 410,500 square kilometres. [Phoenixisland]

The largest gold coin in the world, weighing 100kg and with a face value of CA$1 million was recently on display in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

World’s largest gold coin (Image courtesy of Xinhuanet)

The gold coin, produced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2007, is approximately 50cm in diametre and about 3cm thick and has a purity of 99.999%.

Although the 100kg coin has a face value of $1 million, it would cost approximately CA$2.6 million (or US$2.4 million) to purchase, based on the market value of gold.

Some interesting links…

Frozen Grand Central

[VIDEO] Over 200 people freeze in place on cue in Grand Central Station in New York.

Gas pumping robot

Dutch inventors unveiled a 75,000 euro ($111,100) car-fuelling robot they say is the first of its kind, working by registering the car on arrival at the filling station and matching it to a database of fuel cap designs and fuel types.

‘Itch-free’ pyjamas dream comes true [via]

Designers have developed pyjamas that regulate body temperature, stop itching and ensure a good night’s sleep.

Monopoly Here and Now World Edition - Cast Your Vote!

Popular board game Monopoly is running a worldwide voting until the end of February 2008 to select the cities that will feature on their international edition of Monopoly.

The hypersonic plane designed to reach Australia in under five hours [via]

A hypersonic passenger plane that could fly to Australia from northern Europe in less than five hours has been designed in Britain.

The grand shaft - amazing military engineering

An incredible piece of wartime engineering in Dover; built between 1806 and 1809 during the Napoleonic wars, this triple spiral staircase was used as a rapid route for soldiers making their way from the clifftop barracks to the town of dover and its harbour below.

Earliest oil paintings found in famed Afghan caves

Buddhist murals from Afghanistan’s famed Bamian caves are the world’s earliest known oil paintings, according to a new chemical analysis.

Astronomers find galaxy far, far away [via]

Astronomers have glimpsed what may be the farthest galaxy we’ve ever seen, providing a picture of a baby galaxy born soon after the beginning of the universe.

The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Context Camera (CTX) captured this picture of a crater resembling a “Happy Face” on Jan 28, 2008. The unnamed crater is about 3 kilometers across.

Smiley face on Mars (Image courtesy of MMMS)

Some interesting links…

Human viruses kill great apes

Common human viruses are killing endangered great apes. A new study reveals a dark side to research and ecotourism, both of which ironically are aimed to help the apes and which may still do more good than harm.

Poor Haitians resort to eating dirt

With food prices rising, Haiti’s poorest can’t afford even a daily plate of rice, and some must take desperate measures to fill their bellies… by eating mud.

The internet’s undersea world

[PIC] The vast majority of the world’s communications are not carried by satellites, but an altogether older technology: cables under the earth’s oceans.

Sperm cells created from female embryo [via]

Sperm cells have been created from a female human embryo in a remarkable breakthrough that suggests it may be possible for lesbian couples to have their own biological children.

World’s top 25 trains [via]

World’s top 25 trains revealed by The Society of International Railway Travelers.

The machine-animals of Nantes

French city of Nantes recently became host to extremely strange and fascinating sculptural display: “Les Machines de l’Ile Nantes”, designed by François Delarozière and Pierre Orefice.

6 incredible star forts

Star fort is a type of fortification design adopted in the early 16th century as people realised that simpler, often circular forts were pretty crap when it came to the job in hand: defense.

Kevin Rudd eating ear wax during Question Time [via]

[VIDEO] Kevin Michael Rudd, Prime Minister of Australia, is seen eating his ear wax. The video was posted before Kevin’s Australian Labor Party won the federal election in Nov 2007.