Company launches pre-chewed pencils 英國公司推出事先咬過的鉛筆

A British design company has launched a new product to help children concentrate at school - pre-chewed pencils.

The company, called Concentrate, says the pencils look like they have already been chewed making pupils less likely to put them in their mouths.

And they say this is a cheap but effective way of encouraging youngsters to get their teeth into their lessons instead.

Concentrate specialises in products to help kids at school and identify why they get distracted or are unable to focus in class, claim the chewed end encourages them to get thinking straight away.

"We know it's daft but just get down to some concentrated thinking and who knows what might happen," said company boss Mark Champkins.

"We began to look at the reasons that children might be distracted, uncomfortable or unable to focus in lessons - and we set about designing some simple, cost-effective products to address some of the problems." (roundup)

Bacon-flavoured chocolate a hit with Brits 培根口味的巧克力受英國人喜愛

The world's first bacon-flavoured chocolate bar is proving an unlikely success with British consumers.

Selfridges, the only UK stockists of the US invention, sold its entire stock in 48 hours and is urgently seeking more, reports the Daily Mail.

Mo's Bacon Bar, which contains chunks of applewood smoked bacon combined with smoked salt and milk chocolate, sells at a pricey £5.99 per 3oz bar.

Ewan Venters, food and restaurant director at Selfridges, said: "Bacon and chocolate sounds like a strange combination, but the execution is fantastic. It's a real explosion of flavours and people love it."

But the Daily Mail's Claudia Connell, a self-confessed chocolate addict and bacon fan, described it as "the most unpleasant thing ever to have passed my lips".

"The chocolate is intensely salty and the smokey bacon pieces are horribly out of place in something so sweet. The whole sensation is like eating chocolate that has been dunked in an overflowing ashtray," she wrote. (Daily Mail)

Man builds amphibious car 男子建造水陸兩用汽車

A Chinese man spent 13 years building himself a car he can take fishing.

Wang Hongjun, an electrician from Qian'an city, Hebei province, says his "amphibicar" cost him about £100,000 and 13 years of persistence to develop.

After driving it to Beijing to find investors, he told the Beijing Times: "I'm looking for auto producers who are interested in my creation, since I don't want to keep it to myself."

Wang says he often drives his creation to the lake in his hometown to fish, and claims he has even taken his son for a 10-mile drive out to sea.

The yellow sportscar can be sealed to make it waterproof by remote control. A column-shaped thruster and two propellers are installed in the car's boot.

Wang said his car can float and drive in the water, but he refused to divulge exactly how it works.

"It's a business secret, but I can assure you the car was made entirely by my hands. Each plate was welded by me," he said. (Beijing Times)

Life-saving beer tastes awful 救命啤酒很難喝

A beer that can help prolong life and prevent illness has been created - the only problem is it tastes awful.

BioBeer has been genetically-modified by students in Texas.

It is brewed using a yeast called resveratrol.

The same yeast is used in red wine and is thought to help prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's.

Researcher Thomas Segall-Shapiro told The Sun: "No way would anyone drink this until it tastes better." (The Sun)

Brazil markets GPS lingerie 巴西推出全球定位系統女性內衣褲

Lingerie maker Lucia Iorio says her new design targets the modern, techno-savvy woman, but the GPS-equipped "Find Me If You Can" line has raised the hackles of feminists who call it a 21st-century chastity belt.

The lingerie combo consists of lace bodice, bikini bottom and faux pearl collar, with the GPS device visibly nestled in the see-through part of the bodice next to the waist.

"This collection... is a wink to women and a challenge to men because, even if she gives him the password to her GPS, she can always turn it off," Iorio told AFP.

"She can be found only if she wants to."

"It's not a modern chastity belt. Some men think they can keep tabs on their girlfriends with it, but they're wrong," she added.

Unconcerned with the controversy her new collection has raised, Iorio is also dismissive of the global financial crisis and its adverse impact on luxury items sales since the GPS lingerie retails from a cool 800 dollars, with a standard Global Positioning System, to 1,100 dollars with a more advanced model.

So how many has she sold?

Iorio admits to selling only a few so far, but is full of optimism for the future.

"Some women are now interested in buying it for protection," she said, adding that in a violence-prone country like Brazil her GPS lingerie should soon be selling briskly. (AFP)

Odourless underpants 無臭無味的內褲

A US company has performed a great service to humanity by inventing an underwear fabric that absorbs all smells.

The material is inserted into a pair of pants with two self-adhesive strips and traps any pongs or whiffs, reports The Sun.

The 'gas neutralisers' are made from carbon fabric that has undergone activated carbon anti-microbial treatment. Called Subtle Butt, they sell in five-packs for about £5.

They were invented by a company called Garment Guard which already sells disposable cotton underarm inserts which absorb perspiration to prevent embarrassing wet marks.

The company blurb says: "From the brilliant minds at Garment Guard comes our newest product, Subtle Butt.

"This pack of 5 saving graces effectively filters the odour caused by flatulence. Simply stick it in the right place and you're ready for a chilli cook-off."

However, the fabric, called Subtle Butt, does not silence noises - so does not signal the end of embarrassing flatulence. (The Sun)

New suit can be worn in shower 可在淋浴時穿著的新西裝

An Australian company has invented a suit that can be worn in the shower.

The garment has been specially designed so that it can be cleaned under the shower head with no soaking, dry cleaning - or even soap.

Australian Wool Innovation says it has already received 170,000 orders from Japan for its revolutionary shower suit.

AWI spokesman Stephen Feighan told The Australian newspaper that the suit could be worn in the shower, although it was probably better to drape it on a clothes hanger to wash it.

"The idea is that you hang it up and then you give it a spray, and leave it overnight, and it's dry the next morning,'' he said.

The shower suit appealed to busy corporate people, particularly those who travelled frequently or stayed up late, Mr Feighan said.

Inventor unveils commuter jet pack 男子發明通勤用噴射背包

A jet pack which could allow commuters to fly to work has been unveiled by an inventor.

Glenn Martin, from New Zealand, described his craft as "the world's first practical jet pack" while unveiling it in front of a crowd of thousands at a Wisconsin air show.

The Daily Telegraph reports how Martin's 16-year-old son, Harrison (pictured) donned a helmet and eased into the contraption - with the help of two people to stop him toppling over.

Revving its engine, Harrison slowly climbed to about three feet off the ground and hovered for 45 seconds before touching back down to Earth.

The crowd at the AirVenture Oshkosh 2008 show cheered.

"Wow, that went better than expected," dad Glenn said afterwards. "People will look back on this as a moment in history."

The Martin Jet Pack is theoretically capable of flying an average-sized pilot 30 miles in 30 minutes on a full tank of fuel - it carries five gallons.

The inventor, 48, who has been working on the pack for almost three decades, plans to start selling them next year for around £50,000.

The device is designed to conform to the Federal Aviation Administration's definition of an ultra light vehicle - one weighing less than 115 kilograms and capable of carrying only one passenger - so it won't require a pilot's licence.

Most previous jet packs have lasted only a few minutes before running out of fuel. But Mr Martin, who gave up his job to concentrate on his design, hopes its superior performance will win over sceptics. (Daily Telegraph)

China launches flying saucer 中國公司發明飛碟

A Chinese company has invented a remote control flying saucer that can hover in the sky at heights of up to 3,200ft.

The 4ft-diameter craft has been flown successfully in the skies above Harbin City in China's Heilongjiang Province.

It is designed to monitor forest fires and manage high rise building rescues from above, flying for up to 40 minutes at speeds of up to 50mph.

The Harbin Smart Special Aerocraft Company spent more than £2million and 12 years developing the prototype.

Its intended uses include aerial photography, geological surveys and emergency lighting.

A small number of the aircraft will be available to buy in September, at a price still to be determined.

The unmanned disc is driven by a propeller and can be controlled remotely or sent on a preset flight path. (ananova.com)

Butt bra 臀罩

A US psychologist has patented a bra for the bum which she claims restores pertness to sagging buttocks.

Featuring straps worn around the waist and under the buttocks, the garment claims to instantly shape and add tone to the behind.

Creator Karin Hart came up with the buttock-clenching idea after noticing her own bottom wasn't as pert as it used to be.

"The Biniki buttocks support idea came to me at a moment of personal need," she says. "One look in the mirror after some rapid weight loss showed me the unhappy truth, my bottom was sagging."

Dr Hart set about developing designs for a wearable item that would do the same job as a surgical bottom lift.

"Trying to find a design led me to buy some self-adhesive tape," Dr Hart explains. "Then working with a mirror and adjusting the tape into several configurations I found one that resulted in just the right support in the right places."

She patented her invention and now sells what she has dubbed the "butt bra" through her US-based company for about £15.

There's also a £20 version for men, the Maniki, and a Throng, a £15 thong which claims the same uplifting effect. (roundup)

Playboy sugar free energy drink 「花花公子」無糖能量飲料

Playboy Magazine just launched this gulp energy drink days ago. The 8.4 ounce black can drink directly competes for Red Bull. According to Chicagotuibune.com's Leisureblogs, the Playboy Energy Drink makes from “subtle notes of fruit and vanilla...low-fat chive cream cheese, braised radicchio, salmon roe, traces of medianoche, celery, butternut squash, winter squash, summer squash, pumpkin, lump crab, King crab, razor clam, duck clam, quahog, mussels, scallop, oyster... ginseng and guarana extract.” And it gives “customers a taste of the lifestyle that has always been associated with the Playboy brand.” (Chicagotuibune.com)

Smart glasses can find lost car keys 精靈眼鏡能找到遺失的車鑰匙

Scientists have invented a pair of glasses that will help you remember where you put your car keys.

The Smart Goggle records everything the wearer sees - and can recognise objects, reports the Daily Telegraph.

So you can tell the glasses what you're looking for and the technology will show you when, and where, you last saw it.

Inventor Yasuo Kuniyoshi and his team at Tokyo University School of Information Science and Technology have created the world's most advanced object recognition software.

If a user initially tells the glasses the name of everything he or she looks at, the glasses will remember.

They can then locate the last time the object was seen if it is misplaced, and replay the footage.

In the future, the glasses will be more intelligent than the wearer, able to identify objects their owner doesn't even recognise.

The experimental model is too large for everyday use, but Prof Kuniyoshi's team is working on miniaturising it.

In theory, the only question that the glasses will not be able to answer is: "Where have I put my glasses?" (Daily Telegraph)

Balloon couture 氣球裝

Two US fashion designers have been attracting a lot of hot air over their new collections - made entirely out of balloons.

Katie Laibstain, 23, and Steven Jones, 39, create outfits from bikinis to party dresses out of nothing but modelling balloons twisted together.

Their exhibitions have been the talking point of the Kim Tom clown festival fashion show in Shanghai, China, where they are on show

And, even though each dress can be worn only once, they have sold some of their more elaborate designs for as much as £1,000.

Their clothes can consist of up to 300 modelling balloons. Most of the balloons are 60ins long and either one or two inches thick.

Katie, of Richmond, Virginia, said: "Balloon clothes are ultra chic. They are the finest couture available. My dresses contain 300 or more balloons, depending on the design.

"They may not always be easy to get into, but there are so many creative ways to take them off - pop, pop, pop!" (Ananova.com)

Gold running shoes 黃金跑步鞋

Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse will welcome visitors with dozens of valuable gold exhibits during the upcoming lunar New Year.

Gold artworks worth of an estimated eight million Hong Kong dollars (US$1 million) will be put on show this Saturday, the third day of the Chinese New Year, the local-based Ta Kung Pao newspaper reported Monday.

One of the glaring displays is a pair of shoes carved with the name of world record-holding hurdler Liu Xiang. (CRIEnglish.com)

Pumpkin bras 南瓜胸罩

HERE'S a bra that's a trick and a treat - it's made out of real pumpkins.

Farmers from Sussex came up with the wacky creation ahead of Halloween.

And brave volunteers Beth Heath and Sally Duguid stripped off yesterday to show them off.

Pumpkin expert Sally Duguid from Tully's Farm hopes the range of wearable food will be a hit at the farm’s two-week long Halloween festival.

"We usually sell loads of pumpkins and I think this quirky bra will be a great addition to the range of costumes and props we offer in the farm shop.

"We'll be modelling the bras and showing visitors how they can make their own. They’ll be great fun at any Halloween Party.?

And best of all, the bras come on a whole host of sizes. So, whether you're an A cup or a DD, pumpkins and squashes come in all sizes, so you will be able to find one that's a perfect fit!" (The Sun)

Nissan Pivo 2 360 degrees no reverse concept car 日產推出無須倒車、車身可360度旋轉的概念車

Nissan has worked up a new version electric-powered Pivo 2 concept car. Designed for urban use, the Pivo 2 features a 360-degree revolving cabin, allowing the driver to always face forward while driving, even when parallel parking, and to access the unique front door from any direction.

The three-seat car is equipped with safety systems such as Around View Monitor (AVM), Distance Control Assist System (DCAS) and also a Robotic Agent that uses facial monitoring technology to interact with the driver - in English or Japanese.

It will be on display on the 40th Tokyo Auto Show on October 26 to November 11.(MSN)

Japan shirt maker sews in fan to beat summer heat 日本製衣公司將風扇縫入衣服來消暑

Self-cooling clothes may seem like the stuff of science fiction, but for one Japanese company they are not only good business but a way to help the environment.

Shirts and jackets made by Kuchou-fuku -- literally "air-conditioned clothes" -- keep the wearer comfortable even in sweltering heat while using one-50th of the energy of a small air conditioner, said Hiroshi Ichigaya, the company's CEO.

"Until now, air-conditioning implied cooling the entire room. Now, we can cool just the body," Ichigaya said.

Two small fans sewn into the back of each garment and powered by a pocket-sized rechargeable battery pack circulate air across the wearer's skin, evaporating perspiration and keeping temperatures down -- a welcome respite from Japan's mid-summer humidity and record-breaking heat in recent days.

The self-cooling clothes come in 10 styles and a variety of colours, all priced at 11,000 yen (49 pounds) and sold on the internet and at limited retailers.

The company has sold about 5,500 of the garments since they went on sale three years ago, mostly to factory workers.

But however cool the clothes, they seem unlikely to catch on any time soon. Because the fans puff out the garments with air, they give wearers a deceptively portly look.

"My daughter won't wear them because the shape is no good," Ichigaya admitted. (Reuters)