When it comes to creating a picture of the Earth's magnetic history, scientists have pretty good data on the strength and direction of magnetic fields in the Northern Hemisphere, thanks to the study of ancient pottery. But, for researchers looking to make a truly complete model, the problem has been the gaps in information in the southwest Pacific.

The first thing I thought of when I saw this new microwave was when the iMac G3 came out in 1998. It turned the idea of what a computer could be and should look like on its head. The new Spoutnik microwave is much the same. It's round with a see-through dome, colorful, and has new features that make old microwaves look like dinosaurs.

Recently we brought you a piece on the surprisingly simple pieces of art created by playing today's complex video games. Now we're bringing you some pretty complicated art made by a game that's been around since the 1930s — pinball.

Even though the IQ tests are the most basic ones, the news that an artificial brain can tackle them might give some people pause. Does this signal the rise of the machines? The neuroscientists working on the large-scale model simulation of the brain say this version is still pretty simple compared to the real deal, but it is valuable in helping us see and understand how our brains developed over time.