boolean grimoire

molecules-and-muses:

Tea is the second most popular drink in the world, and the health benefits of this beverage have been touted since ancient times. Science has generated a body of evidence suggesting that regular consumption of green tea can help to prevent obesity and even some forms of cancer. The key molecules involved are catechins, polyphenolic compounds with tremendous antioxidant properties. Shown here is the structure of epigallocatechin gallate, which accounts for 50-80% of the catechins present in green tea. In black teas, the process of fermentation oxidizes catechins into theaflavins or theagrubins, polymerized catechins. In oolong tea, which is only partially fermented, theaseninsens are formed, dimers of catechin molecules. For a breakdown of tea chemistry, check out this review.

(via scinerds)

(via scinerds)

That’s right, y’all. LEXINGTON KENTUCKY!!

(via libraryjournal)

ransomcenter:

Early printed book contains rare evidence of medieval spectacles 

Front parchment pastedown, now detached, with offset from the manuscript visible on the boards. Both the front and rear pastedowns came from the same medieval manuscript and are now detached from the boards. Photo by Pete Smith.

Rear flyleaf: It’s difficult to tell exactly how the spectacles left their impression, but they must have been sandwiched between the two parchment endleaves for an extended period of time. Photo by Pete Smith.

This second rear flyleaf contains the most visible trace of the spectacles.  Upon very close examination and under special lighting one can see the rivet used to join the two halves of the spectacles together at the bridge.  Photo by Pete Smith.

Rear pastedown: the impression from the spectacles shows faintly through from the other side. Photo by Pete Smith.

YES!!

(via libraryjournal)

April Fools! The Year’s Best Library Pranks

neckmonster:

“Libraries espouse the principle of the commons. Our communities own library holdings collectively, and libraries are one of the last indoor public spaces. In an increasingly alienated society, libraries continue to be a place where communities convene.

Libraries are radical. And people love them.”

-Kaley, the author of the blog post. Click the photo to read the whole thing!

neckmonster:

Library Design Showcase 2012: The Shape of Things

I want to visit some of these. Beautiful!

neckmonster:

SpeechJammer is the name of the device above, and it can be used to silence someone from as far as 100 feet away.  The device looks like a radar gun used by police to track how fast cars are going.  To silence someone, you simply use the laser targeter to target the talker’s mouth and pull the trigger. It sends their own speech back to them a few milliseconds after they speak, which confuses the speaker and makes them stop.

I need me one of these!

lookslikelibraryscience:

Librarians, assistants, pages, acquisition specialists, young people’s department staff and volunteers at the Kitsap Regional Library Sylvan Way teen space.

We hosted an after-hours Steampunk Social for all ages in October 2010. This is the team that made it happen.

We love to dress up!

KRL has 9 branches in Kitsap County in Washington state.

Elsevier bends under pressure from frustrated scholars

Reed Elsevier says it will lower prices of mathematics journals and make some articles freely available to the public four years after publication.