Saturday, March 16, 2013

How to Make a Bow and Arrow



Step 1: Make the stave

Find a straight or slightly curved live branch about 4 or 5 feet long with a 1 to 1 ½-inch diameter. Choose wood that flexes without cracking. Use a saw or a knife to cut the branch from a tree, then whittle off any smaller branches and knots. 


Step 2: Carve the notches


Make a horizontal, ½-inch deep groove an inch from both ends of the branch on the outside of its natural curve. Then, carve out the wood between the grooves and the ends, forming two notches. This is the stave, or wooden part of the bow. 


Tip
For a more finished look, whittle the bark off the stave, sand it, and wrap twine tightly around the middle as a grip.

Step 3: Prepare the twine


Measure and cut a piece of twine about 6 inches shorter than the length of the stave. Tie one end of the string securely around one end of the stave, on the notch. Tie a slipknot on the other end of the twine, forming a loop. 


Step 4: Get in position


If you're right-handed, hold the string-free end of the stave in your right hand and the slipknot in your left. Rest the other end of the stave against the outside of your left foot. Step over the stave with your right foot. Reverse this position if you're left-handed.


Step 5: Bend the stave


Bend the end of the stave towards the slipknot, using the leg that's in front of the stave as a fulcrum. Slide the loop of the slipknot around the notch and gently release the stave, forming your bow. Remove your leg from between the stave and the bowstring.


Tip
Loosen the bowstring whenever you're not using the bow to keep it from getting too loose. 

Step 6: Make the arrow


Sharpen one end of the dowel rod with a pencil sharpener. Light a candle and run the point through the flame it until it turns black to harden the wood. Carve a small groove in the other end of the rod for the string. 


Tip
Whittle small straight branches into arrows if you don't have dowel rods.

Step 7: Make the feathers


Cut heavy card stock paper into three right triangles an inch wide and 2 inches tall. Fasten them to the base of the arrow with superglue.


Step 8: Shoot



Now all that's left to do is test out your DIY(do it yourself) bow and arrow with a little target practice! Bull's-eye!




You Will Need:


Saw
Knife
Tape measure
Tree
Scissors
Thick nylon twine
Knowledge of knots
25" long 3/8" dowel rod
Pencil sharpener
Candle
Matches
Heavy card stock paper
Superglue
Targets
Sandpaper (optional)
Thin straight branches (optional)

Saturday, March 9, 2013

The Most Expensive Weapons

Almost all of the countries in the world are looking to manufacture and utilize some of the most expensive weapons. Surely, since the times of the WWII, a major advancement has been seen in the sectors of weaponry. There was a time when Russia seemed to lead all others in the race of the most deadly and expensive weapons, but now the game is quite different. Every other country has allocated a major portion of its economy for the sake of improving its defense. Another reason, for which countries place a great deal of investment in the making of the weapons, is to prepare themselves for times of War. In the present times, no one knows when the world is going to experience the WWIII. Now here, some of the weapon manufacturers are of the view that the cause for which they make such weapons is just to for the purpose of their safety. The same was also asserted for the first nuclear weapons, but there came a time when they were used for wiping out thousands of people in a matter of a few seconds. There has been a never ending debate on the issue of making some of the most sophisticated and expensive weaponry. Apart from this, my prime intent here is to give you some information about the most expensive weapons. Here is the list.



5. F/A-18 E/F-Super Hornet-US $ 66.9 Million-Per Unit Cost
With the ability to carry air to air as well as air to ground missiles, The Super Hornet is the backbone the US navy these days. There are also a number of other variants of these fighter planes that are now being produced. It also has a top speed of about 1900 KM/H. McDonnell Douglas and Boeing Defense are the manufacturers of these fighter plane. In comparison to its speed, Russia has also produced a number of planes which are quite agile, but still this fighter plane remains one of the deadliest. The US indeed is the only country which is in the lead in terms of having the most expensive weapons in the present era.

4. F-22 Raptor-US $ 150 Million-Per Unit Cost
Now here is the fighter plane that has the ability to annihilate the target even before the opponents can track it. Some even say that this stealth plane can travel much faster than the speed of sound itself. Moreover, this fifth generation plane is also capable of ground attack, uses signal intelligence mechanisms and various forms of electronic warfare. The plane had been first introduced to the world by the United States Air Force.

3. Virginia Class Submarine-US $ 2.5 Billion-Per Unit Cost
Known to be the fastest nuclear capable submarine, Virginia Class is currently being used by the United States Navy. The reason for which this submarine had been designed was to carry out various oceanic operations. It moves at a speed of about +23 knots i.e. 29 MPH. Moreover, one of the world’s best sonar systems are being used by this submarine, which further make it a lethal weapon. It is also believed for the making of a single unit of this sophisticated submarine, nearly 9 million working hours are required. The cost for a single unit of this submarine is around $ 2.5 billion.

2. Arleigh Burke DDG 51 Destroyer-US $ 1299.3 Million-Per Unit Cos‬t
This first class destroyer ship has been made using the Aegis Combat System. The ship has been named in the memory of Admiral Arleigh Burke, who was the most famous naval officer and a hero of the WWII. In addition to having an advanced tracking system, the ship also utilized a number of anti-aircraft rockets, harpoon missiles and an advanced anti-submarine system. Till now 62 ships have been manufacturer in the class, almost all of which are being used by The US Navy.

1. Lock Heed Martin F-35 Lightning II-US $109.5 Million-Per Unit Cos‬t
This multirole fighter is really one of the best combat planes in the world and almost every country these days would love to own a few of these. With an awesome super-sonic speed, advanced missile and tracking systems, there are a number of versions of this fighter plane, all of which have been designed for different purposes. Moreover, the bombs they carry have the ability to travel faster than any other missile. Surely, this plane has the right to be termed as faster than the speed of sound, due to which it holds the number 1 spot in terms of the most expensive weapons.

The Best Intelligence Agencies in The World

The intelligence agency is an important tool for the national power. One way of destabilizing the target is through aggressive intelligence. There are a lot of intelligence agencies in the world. It is a pretty daunting task to categorize or even rate such agencies because there are a lot of things that you need to take into account. There are countless of intelligence service out there. A bit of knowledge about those agencies is helpful. To help you and assist you with the different intelligence agencies available, here is the list of the 10 best agencies in the world.




10. ASIS Australia

The agency was formed on May 13, 1952 with the main headquarter in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. As of 2007, the annual budget is around $162. 5 AUD. The agency is primarily form for the protection of the country’s government as well as socioeconomic interest. Among their works are cooperating with other intelligence in the world, collecting foreign intelligence, as well as undertaking counter intelligence. For over 20 years, the agency remained secret. They are utilizing agents stationed in different areas. They mainly focused on the safety and interest of the people.


9. CSIS, Canada

CSIS was formed on 1984. It is a form of civil agency, but is greatly connected to the police and military sectors, identical pattern of M16 and CIA.

8. RAW – India

This intelligence agency was formed on September 21, 1968. Its primary headquarter is in New Delhi, India. The agency was formed following two major wars happened in India. The primary role of this agency is to collect external intelligence, covert operations, and counter terrorism.


7. DGSE – France

DGSE is operating under the direction of the French Ministry of Defense. They are providing national security for the country. It was created on April 2, 1982, and now they have a total number of five thousand people working for the agency.


6. FSB – Russia

FSB employs around 350,000 employees. The agency was formed on April 3, 1995. Despite the short period of time in the intelligence agency field, the agency is considered one of the best. Among their services is surveillance and counter terrorism, internal security, border security, and counter intelligence. The main headquarter of the agency is situated in Lubyanka Square, Downtown Moscow. The KGB as well as the NKVD is working under the direction of the FSB.

5. MSS – China

The man headquarter is situated in Beijing, China. MSS is the largest and most active intelligence agency in China. However, the agency was involved in some domestic security events. They have the power to detain or even arrest people who committed crimes, the very same power that a regular police has. The main objective of the MSS is to protect China from any forms of revolutionary activities, spies, or any act that will sabotage the socialist system of China. The agency is in depth in gathering foreign intelligence. Most of the MSS agents are operating in Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

4. MI6, United Kingdom

This is a secret service bureau established in 1909. The main headquarter can be found at Vauxhall Cross, London. This intelligence agency has the same operation to that of the CIA. The agency has been very successful in maintaining security and order of the rest of the United Kingdom.

3. MOSSAD Israel

Mossad was formed on December 3, 1949 being the central institution for coordination. The primary work of the Mossad intelligence agency is to collect as well as covert several operations. Their work also includes paramilitary activities. The agency has been very successful in all its undertakings, no wonder it falls on the third spot of the best intelligence agencies in the world.

2. ISI – Pakistan

ISI was formed in 1948 with the main headquarters in Islamabad. ISI has the lengthiest success record. This has made ISI fall on the second spot of the best intelligence agencies in the world. ISI also has total of 10,000 agents covering all over the world. This has made Pakistan one of the the strongest intelligence agency.

1. CIA United States

CIA has total number of 20,000 employees, established on September 18, 1947. CIA is responsible for gathering vital information from the national security of other countries. Matter of fact, they also make policies concerning intelligence agencies. CIA is in the number one spot of the 10 best intelligence agencies in the world.




Friday, March 8, 2013

The Most Destructive Weapons

Every country must have its own system of defense. However, there are countries that are well-developed especially in terms of its defense particularly with its fully equipped weaponries, aviation and other auxiliaries. The advancement of these weapons is considered alarming especially if the birth of world war will be initiated. Below is the list of top 10 most destructive weapons that are invented and established for defense purposes.

10. IED (Bomb)

One of the most dangerous weapons in the face of earth is bombs. We all know that there are many people who suffered because of it. Bombing in every parts of the world caused hundreds of thousands of people. Today it was notified as one the worst nightmare of the modern soldiers because of its risk that can explode and entirely mutilate someone nears it. It was claimed that almost 760 coalition lives are in Afghanistan in 2001 and the worst part here is that Taliban fighters have made a modern type of bombs. These bombs are undetectable since it has nor metal and electronic parts on it. It is being produced massively in Pakistan that is combined with graphite, shells and ammonium nitrate.




9. Kalashnikov AK-47 (Gun)

This extraordinary gun is not just a gun that can be bought elsewhere. It has precise accuracy that has pertinent benefit compare to other guns in the world. What makes it more impressive to bandits and other people who love war is its feature that can be buried in the ground for about 10 years and you can still use it up without any problems. Nowadays, there are 50 noted armies who have the hold of this dangerous gun.



8. Abrams M1A2 (Tank)

The 8th spot belongs to the tank. Imagine who life could it be if you are living in a place surrounded by this type of tanks. It has explosives that can eventually let escapes nobody. It can travel with the maximum speed of 43 miles per hour while dragging a 68 tons of steel-encases exhausted uranium armors around. It is fully equipped with six separate periscopes that provide a 360-degree view. It also has sensors and scanning equipment. There are so many more features to mention but one thing for sure. It gives its enemy 1% chance of survival.




7. Tomahawk Cruise Missile (Missile)

This mass of destruction equipment is nearly as impossible. It can fly low and fast that is almost undetected through radars. It also delivers an entire 1,000 pounds of warhead that has inch-perfect precision. It can also be launched under the surface of water. It can also be used as high-fling weapon like B-52 bomber. As a matter of fact, during the Operation Desert Storm, this computer-navigated destructive weapon proves itself that it can kill the entire community with its massive explosion.




6. Oshkosh M-ATV (Personnel Carrier)

In the 6th place is the Oshkosh M-ATV. It is a new breed of armored cars that has min-resistant ambush protected vehicle. It can travel to as much as 30 miles per hour and with its V-shaped armored hull it can entirely spoil the planted bombs along the road. It has the capacity to take a 7.62mm round in its engine even without recoiling. It has a turret that can carry a heavy machine gun or better the grenade launcher.




5. F 22 Raptor (Fighter Jet)

The most expensive fighter jet lands at the 5th spot. It is known to be the best fighter jet in the world. It has stealth feature that has the capacity to fly faster than the speed of sound (incredibly unbelievable), it has many features that includes cannons, interval bay weapons and equipped with wing-mounted pods for missiles. This is truly a terrifying destructive weapon. It can also cause one fatal flaw. This fighter jet was manufactured to fight against soviet fighters jets. That is why, the US defense have planned to build more of this frightening weapon of destruction.




4. Nimitz Class Aircraft Carrier (Ship)

Garnering the 4th position is this magnificent ship that can be sailed for 20 years without refueling. Unbelievable but true! It can carry storage of missiles, cannons for defense, devices that releases anti-torpedo and other are thinking of odd nuke. It has already 64 fighter jets that are ready to take action in the runway (scary huh!). It is permanently guarded with two missile cruisers, a destroyer, two submarines, supply ship and a frigate. It simple says that this is untouchable!




3. Ohio SSBN (Submarine)

This magnificent submarine is equipped to hold 24 nuclear tipped missiles. Superbly undisputed! It can carry 154 tomahawk cruise missiles with 60 special-ops hordes too. It only simply explains that they are ready to savage anywhere around the world if anything tries to offend it within 1,000 miles.




2. Taranis (Drone)

This killing spree destructive weapon ranked 2nd in the list. This is a very powerful mass destructive weapon that could ultimately annihilate the enemies of war. It is powered by an artificial intelligence that can destroy anything it wants. This weapon which we usually seen and play in other war games has come to its real shape.




1. AH-64 Apache (Attack Helicopter)

The legendary destructive weapon that has the capacity to blow 16 Hellfire anti-tank missiles, over 70 rockets and a 30mm gun in just a single blow got the top spot. Although it may be not the quickest or most-armed attack helicopter but it can fly for as fast as 184 miles an hour with maximum speed of 320 milers. It has been tested in combat during the Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.





The Fastest Trains in The World

The way of civilization is constantly evolving. In fact, it is leading into something better as the days go by. People are continuously inventing things for their own benefits and advantage. The inventions are ongoing process thereby allowing people to improve their standards of living. The use of rail transportation is somewhat old. Matter of fact, there comes a time that railway vehicles are made from stone or wood. Because of man’s natural intelligence and resourcefulness, he was able to create an efficient engine to be used on railway vehicles to upgrade the railway transport system. Here is the list of the fastest trains in the world.

3. Shinkasen



This is a train made from Japan. It is not surprising to know that this train has a top speed of 275 mph. the distinguishing characteristic of the train is its distinct nose. It is sometimes called as “Duck-Billed Platypus”. It has been serving the people of Japan since 1964, powered by a 25, 000 V AC.


2. TR-09



TR-09 is a German train utilizing a magnetic levitation system. It is undeniably fast with a recorded top speed of 279.5 mph. The transrapid TR-09 is a monorail train. With its recorded speed, definitely it deserves to be in the second spot of the 10 fastest trains in the world.


1. CRH380A



Definitely, the fastest train the world which has a top speed of 302.8 mph. A railway vehicle made from China and is manufactured by the CSR Qingdao Sifang Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company. It can accommodate almost 500 passengers a day with major route from Shanghai going to Nanjing as well as Shanghai going to Hangzhou.





Amazing Facts About the Human Brain

Taking the power of our body for granted is something that humans often do. Actually people know only a tiny little thing about the things the body is capable of and out of these parts, the brain is probably the major mystery. I hope those amazing facts about the human brain will definitely make everyone appreciate more what they have in their own heads.


10. The energy consumer
The total weight of the brain represents only three per cent of the entire body. However, this dimension does not stop it from using more than 20% of the body energy. This is a large amount and the entire energy is used for keeping the cells working and growing. Another part of that energy goes on directing electrical impulses within the body to create a better working scheme. When it comes to the brain, size in not what matters in terms of efficiency.
9 Over 100 Billion Neurons
The huge number of 100 billion neurons in the brain is something really impressive. Everyone has 16 more times neurons than people on this planet. Each neuron is linked to more than 10,000 other neurons in the brain. This is actually a totally immense network with a variety of connections. With these connections, humans are capable to hold on the memories, develop personality traits and new and brilliant ideas.
8. The Neo-Cortex – 75% of the Brain
Even if the brain is rather small when it is compared to the rest of the body, the neo-cortex represents a large part of it all. Humans have the largest neo-cortex from all the animals on this planet and probably this is the reason why people are so fundamentally different from them. The functions of the neo-cortex have facilitated the transformation of the humans into an evolved species.
7. Using more than 10% of the brain
It is a well-known myth that humans actually use only ten per cent of their brains. In practice, this is not true. Humans use more than 10% of their brain capacity and there is nothing to indicate otherwise. Even if the way the brain functions continues to remain a mystery, there is no solid proof to support the 10% theory. If humans used only 10%, this would be a downside and it would not have let us develop as many skills and technical discoveries.
6. Neurons Multiplication During Pregnancy
No one knows why this happens but the pregnant ladies have a better rate of neuron growth. The multiplication process involves more than 200,000 new neurons every minute. This is a large number. Scientists have not reached an explanation yet over the cause of this fact. However, it is believed that engaging in a learning process is easier for a pregnant woman than for someone who does not have this condition.
5. The watery brain
There is an impressive amount of water in the brain cells. Approximately 85% of the brain is water and this coordinates almost every move of the brain. When people are dehydrated, they may experience sensations of dizziness. This is because the brain does not get the water it needs. Therefore it is recommended to keep ourselves hydrated as much as possible.
4. Pumping a lot of blood
The brain pumps more than twenty per cent of the blood flow. This means that each brain is capable of pumping 750 ml every single minute. This is great as it needs all the nutrients and the oxygen that the blood carries out into the system. The brain has to be well bathed in fresh oxygenated blood in order to function properly.
3. Light up a light bulb
Besides the fact of consuming energy from the body, the brain is capable of a lot more. The truth is that by using the energy created from the electrical impulses, the brain is able to light a light bulb. It is extraordinary to view things this way and to realize that the brain is so powerful despite its size. The electrical impulses in the brain are of help when it comes to thinking or acting out. While awake, the brain consumes 25 watts with the job of transmitting electrical impulses.
2. Quicker than a PC
As humans are totally used to computers and the way they function, many believe that the brain cannot compete with a PC. This is totally wrong as the brain can process over 10 to the 16th of any type of operations. And this number is per second. So the brain has an immense potential. While processing raw data, the brain is faster than a computer is. Therefore, the brain solves problems and also, let us not forget, the brain created the computer after all.
1. Subjective reality
The reality around everyone is actually what the brain wants the person to think it is. In this way people may be tricked by their own brain. This magnificent body part is able to adapt things and circumstances to specific mindsets and perceptions about the surrounding world. The brain will always be a loyal servant and it is even capable to find evidence where there is none, just to support the person’s ideas.  In that way, people are given a certain amount of control over their personal reality. It may happen that what one person sees does not match the perception of another one. This makes each individual unique and capable to craft new ideas and new visions of life. The brain is protecting us and acts as a stimulus in every single way.