International

Giant Godzilla Christmas Tree Spruces Up Tokyo Mall

by Steve Levenstein

Pining for those classic Japanese monster movies that had you sitting on pins and needles? Well fir not, er, fear not! The giant Godzilla Christmas Tree from the Aqua City Odaiba shopping mall in Tokyo is the original nightmare before Christmas!

7 comments

Homemade 'Hummer' Lets Chinese Chef Show Some Swagger

by China.new

By night, Qu Zhibo is a chef and restaurant owner from Zigong City in China's Sichuan Province. By day, however, he's “Qu Zhibo, Hummer Driver!”... or something vaguely resembling a Hummer. Qu designed and constructed his 1-of-a-kind, 4-wheeled, 8-tired tribute to American rolling stock with GM's mighty military machine in mind.

1 comment

Japanese Scientists Listen to Oysters, Pick Up Pearls of Wisdom

by Steve Levenstein

Put a shell to your ear and you can hear the ocean. Japanese scientists have taken that concept to a higher level, inventing a device called the “kai-lingual” that can “hear” oysters commenting on their environment. Well shucks!

With IPOs & Bankruptcy In The Air, Zynga Soars, American Airlines Zags & Alec Baldwin Zings

With IPOs & Bankruptcy In The Air, Zynga Soars, American Airlines Zags & Alec Balwin Zings

by Ron Callari

There's seems to be a glint of irony taking to the not-so-friendly skies, or so one popular TV-star would like the world to believe. While online gaming giant Zynga hopes to reap between $850 million and $1.15 billion with its impending IPO offering on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, the venerable American Airlines files Chapter 11 to reorganize its massive debt. So what's the connection between the two companies where one's on an uptick and the other is in dire straits financially? Well… Alec Baldwin, oddly, it seems!

Year of the Dragon Ready to Roar with 2012-shaped Solid Gold Statue

by China.new

An exquisite, 24-karat gold statue of a Chinese dragon was recently unveiled by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery in Hong Kong. The dragon's sinuous coils form the numerals "2012", the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac.

Colored Car Tires from China Look Wheel Strange

by China.new

Black tires too dull & gloomy for you? Double Star Tires is hoping their colorful new line of Rainbow Tires will replace basic boring black rubber road rollers wheel, er, real soon.

Nissin's Big Cheese Meat Cup Noodle Gives Cheeseburgers Stiff Competition

by Steve Levenstein

Cup Noodle can really hit the spot when you're studying, gaming or satisfying the between-meal munchies but it's not really a “meal”, is it? If you believe that, you haven't seen Big Cheese Meat Cup Noodle! Japan's newest flavor sensation is the closest thing yet to a cheeseburger in a cup.

2 comments

New Year, Next Dimension: China's First 3D Television Channel Rings In 2012

by China.new

A dozen years into the 21st century and just over 50 years after citizens watched their first nationally broadcast programs, China boasts over 3,000 TV stations. Now Chinese television is about to enter the third dimension with the country's first 3D TV channel set to hit the airwaves on January 1st, 2012.

Innovative 'Shoe Socks' Show Off Japan's Sole

by Steve Levenstein

Like the look of wearing shoes but prefer to leave those dirty soles in the vestibule? Try Kutsu Kutsushita “Shoe Socks”, snazzy socks from Japan designed to look like your usual socks & sneakers combo!

10 Bizarre Christmas Party Costumes from Japan

by Steve Levenstein

If you haven't been asked to join in any reindeer games, get your antlers to Japan where the Christmas costumes are unlike any those found anywhere else. Check out ten of Japan's oddest seasonal costumes and accessories, offered by the fine folks at Village Vanguard in the spirit of “St. Christmas”... whoever or whatever that is.

5 comments

Is Cleanliness Next To Godliness? Not According To Your Average Medical Student

by T Goodman

Some med students might think they are gods, but a new study conducted by the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Epidemiology at Hannover Medical School suggests that they may never have heard the old proverb cleanliness is next to godliness.

DIY Theremin Kit from Japan Makes Sounds Only Lenin Could Love

by Steve Levenstein

The Gakken Theremin Mini DIY Kit is the ideal holiday gift for your niece or nephew provided you can't stand their parents. They say Lenin loved the theremin's eerie sound the first time he heard it, so full Marx to him.

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X Prize: Geneticists Compete To Duplicate Genomes Of Centenarians

by T Goodman

The search is truly on for what makes people live past 100 years ... aside from eating right, exercising regularly, and having lots of social contact. It's about their genomic makeup, and Archon Genomics is holding a big, as in 10 million dollars, prize for the first genetics team to develop the sequence of genes that can produce medical grade genomes from 100 centenarians. Personalized medicine, here we come!

1 comment

iPhone Geiger Counter Calls Out Concealed Radioactivity

by Steve Levenstein

The Geiger Fukushima iPhone was designed to be cheap yet effective in exposing radiation hotspots. It accomplishes these goals by working with the owner's iPhone and a dedicated app, thus reducing duplication of components. Bonus: it's made in Japan's hard-hit Fukushima prefecture!

China's Buses Include DIY Emergency Exits Disguised as Bricks

by China.new

In case of emergency, brick glass? Goodbye, yellow brick, road? Have brick, will travel? The puns come fast & furious when attempting to explain a low-tech safety measure found on Chinese passenger buses: yellow-painted, window-breaking bricks.

Katy Perry's AMA Dress: Wearable Propaganda or Fashion Foible?

by China.new

Is Katy Perry moonlighting for China's government or merely modeling a dress from designer Vivienne Westwood's Spring/Summer 2012 Gold Label collection? Maybe both: the Chinese calligraphy on her form-fitting AMA frock spells out “Green Economy”, a popular catchphrase oft-spouted by China's official media.

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China Farms Out Human Milk Production

by China.new

Human milk? At my supermarket? It's more likely than you think, thanks to China's genetically engineered cows.

VW's People's Car Project Ad Campaign Really Gets a Round

by China.new

Volkswagen gets back to their roots with “The People's Car Project”, an innovative multimedia ad campaign that's turning heads and winning praise in – where else – the People's Republic of China.

2 comments

Campbell's Noodle Chicken, the Cup Noodle Without the Can

by Steve Levenstein

Cross Campbell's classic canned Chicken Noodle Soup with Japan's iconic rehydrate-able Cup Noodle ramen and what do you get? Campbell's Noodle Chicken, of course, and you CAN get it... but only at Japanese Costco stores.

Portrait Of 60s Protester Adds Perspective To Occupy Movement In Song

by Ron Callari

Where have all the protest songs gone? Are they still blowing in the wind, or have new ones surfaced to chronicle life's current strife? While it seems like only yesterday, it's actually been over 40 years since Americans felt angry and disenfranchised enough to assemble in solidarity and protest against injustice and greed.