And other stories from the stranger side of life
Scientists are giving dead birds a second life by developing taxidermy bird drones. The team at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro is taking birds that have been preserved through taxidermy and converting them into drones in order to study flight. “If we learn how these birds manage energy between themselves, we can apply (that) into the future aviation industry to save more energy and save more fuel,” Dr Mostafa Hassanalian, a mechanical engineering professor who is leading the project, told Reuters.
World’s greatest gate is named
The world’s greatest gate has been named by the Gate Appreciation Society. The Dafydd Davies-Hughes’ gate on Ynys Llanddwyn has “magnificent Celtic spirals”, said The Guardian. On the Facebook page of the Gate Appreciation Society, a photo of the gate has attracted 42,000 likes, reported the broadsheet, adding that “any gate that manages to elevate humdrum functionality by means of individualism and artistry could have won”.
Divorcee burns wedding dress
A woman celebrated finalising her divorce by setting fire to her wedding dress and telling her ex-husband she is “the best he will ever have”, reported The Mirror. Lauren Brooke, from North Carolina, US, had been married to her former spouse for 10 years before they divorced. She said: “The intent was to show the fact that divorce is hard, ugly and painful for all parties involved.” She added that she wants other women to know they don’t need to feel “ashamed” when it comes to divorce.
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