The first pickup of Mercedes-Benz officially unveiled

Mercedes-Benz has officially introduced its first pickup truck, named the 'Concept X-Class.' In fact, rumors of the arrival of the car has been wafted a long time. Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class is still in the concept form.

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Stylish Explorer. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA9Mi)

Still in the moment of introduction, Mercedes-Benz showcased its premium pickup was in Artipelag Art Museum in Stockholm, Sweden, recently. 

At that time, there were two pickup models on display in a different style, the Concept X-Class Stylish Explorer with a white body color and Powerful Adventurer was wrapped in green paint.

Rear side view of Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Stylish Explorer. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA9Mi)

Interior view of Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Stylish Explorer. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA9Mi)

As is known, the Concept X-Class is built on collaboration with the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Although the results of the cooperation, the Concept X-Class is much different from the Nissan Navara or Renault Alaska. The entire exterior and interior of the Mercedes Benz Concept X Class has undergone extensive renovations to give a different appearance.

Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Powerfull Adventurer. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA9Mi)

Rear side view of Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Powerfull Adventurer. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA9Mi)

As quoted of the Paultan on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, there are some features borrowed from Nissan, like an engine start button, climate control, four wheel drive switchgear, overhead console, and hand brake operated either manually or electrically.

Interior view of Mercedes-Benz Concept X-Class Powerfull Adventurer. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA9Mi)

Previously, Mercedes Benz revealed that the highest variance of its pickup truck will be powered by a V6 turbodiesel engine, the possibility of a capacity of 3.0 liter that produces the power up to 258 hp and peak torque of 620 nm.

And possible other variants will have the same engine as the Navara, ie the diesel 2.3 liter twin-turbo capable of producing the power of 188 hp and a peak torque of 450 nm. It is not known when the production version will be revealed, but it is expected to begin to be marketed in 2017. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | PAULTAN]

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Scientists found the answer, why the snakes have no legs?

Why the snakes have no legs? So far, we may be satisfied with the answer: the snakes evolved. However, two scientists from the University of Florida, ie Martin Cohn, Ph.D., and Ph.D. candidate Francisca Leal would like to delve deeper, especially in terms of genetics. They also want to know whether the evolution could make the snake became legged on the future.

(Pictured: the Burmese python) Why the snakes have no legs. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1f9wWu)

The scientists research uncover, development of limbs in snakes is determined by the "Sonic the Hedgehog" genes. And the name of "Sonic the hedgehog" is taken from a similar urchins bone are grown in the early on the snakes embryo.

"It was one of the strangest in the vertebrate skeleton," said Martin J Cohn who is doing research. Although snakes have no legs now, but the gene still exist. The gene can be "on" and "off". In the snakes, the gene is "off" so that the legs do not grow.

"In lizards, the Sonic hedgehog "on" and acting as a motor, and encourage the development of means of motion of the hand up to the fingers," explains Cohn as quoted of Motherboard on Wednesday, October 25, 2016.

In his publication on the journal Current Biology, Cohn reveals that the python's Sonic Hedgehog gene was "on" in the early embryo. That's why the python may sometimes have some sort of claw that actually is going to the feet.

These findings suggest, python may actually has the feet. No need evolution. But the phyton only should took exact genetic mutations, then the legs grew. The genetic studies on the snakes can be useful to study the evolution wider.

"I think this could be the basis to conduct a comparative study of how organs lost in evolution," said Cohn. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTHERBOARD]

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The most savage Ducati Scrambler will launched soon

Ducati has finally released an animated form of their fiercest Scramblers. The Ducati's motorcycle can be run in two worlds called 'Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled' is going to debut next month in the EICMA 2016 in Milan.

As quoted from Shifting-Gears, Desert Sled more inclined to adopt the Scrambler 800 design than the Sixty2. Then the design of round headlamp protected by iron railings that ran between its lamp mica.

Ducati Scrambler Italia Indipendent (representational image). (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA2me)

The headlamp shape indicates that the habitat of Scrambler Desert Sled more suitable for playing on the ground rather than as urban enduro. In the leaked video some time ago showed the Desert Sled is designed for rough terrain habitat with the skid plate, a large tank and a higher suspension travel.

Rendered image of 2017 Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA1xw)

Meanwhile, the legs using the spoke wheels identical with the steep trails. As for footwear uses enduro tire types. This is clearly different than the Scrambler Sixty2 uses cast wheel rims that a more ideal to use in the asphalt road.

The Italian motorcycle manufacturer based in Borgo Panigale, Bologna was also equiped the Scrambler Desert Sled with a 1,000 cc engine. In this way, makes the Ducati Scrambler variants more complete ranging from entry-level class 400 cc engine up to the most savage with one liter engine.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops.... ••• [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SHIFTING-GEARS]

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There will be a flying car in the opening of 2020 Olympics Japan

Japanese engineers are in a race against time. They fought to keep the Olympic torch in 2020, which will be held in Tokyo, can be switched on using a person riding a flying car. The plan, as quoted by News.com.au, this flying car will drive around the new national stadium, before dramatically flew into the air to start lit a fire in the cauldron.

Cart!vator, a group of young Japanese engineers are working on a flying car to be ready in time for the 2020 Olympics Japan. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA74Z)

The project is being handled by the young engineers who are members of a group called the Cart!vator. To realize the dream, they borrowed the Toyota-owned facilities. The group is itself headed by a young scientist named Tsubasa Nakamura, an automotive expert who founded the SkyDrive project since 2012.

This flying car is expected to have a length of approximately 3.5 meters and a width of approximately 1.3 meters. Car can be driven only designed for one person, and is equipped with three wheels, as an aircraft in general.

Promotional artwork of the car from the Cart!vator website. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1fA72T)

Its propeller positioned at the front and rear corner, to give the Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) system. While on the air, the movement of the car is still controlled through the steering wheel and the gas pedal to determine the speed. Although intended to impress the eyes of the world, but the future of this project is also meant for other things. Among them is to reduce dependence on increasingly congested highways.

Cart!vator plans to produce a prototype in full scale while partnering with major manufacturers for funding. The money they need approximately ¥30 million or approx Rp.3.74 billion. At the end, they hope this car can be mass produced.

"If these technology innovation achieved in the performance of batteries and other fields, these vehicles may be commercialized in the future" said Masafumi Miwa, one team member, as told the Asahi Shimbun. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CART!VATOR | NEWS.COM.AU]

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The Tasmanian devil milk are potentially conquered super microbes

Who would have thought behind its terrible name, the Tasmanian devil species (Sarcophilus harrisii) able to produce something of value to humans. Scientists say, that the milk of the carnivorous marsurpial species contains powerful compounds that are useful to eradicate the most resistant bacteria and fungi.

A Tasmanian devil seen snarling. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1f6IV7)

Emma Peel, a researcher at the University of Sydney, Australia revealed that the Tasmanian devil's milk contains six types of antifungal compounds and bacteria, while human milk is only one. The study has been published in Scientific Reports.

A test revealed that the compound of the milk of the Tasmanian devil could overcome the deadly golden staph bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). This bacteria causes food poisoning and pneumonia. And the compound components are also able to kill Candida krusei, a rare deadly yeast species.

"It's really exciting, we found that the peptide of Tasmanian devil is able to kill bacteria that are resistant to the drug," said Peel was quoted as saying of Science Alert on Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

Tasmanian devils are an endangered species found only in Tasmania, Australia. Currently the endangered Tasmanian devils, one reason is the Devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) that attack the species. The disease is contagious and can be wiped out more than 70 percent of species.

Astonishingly, the Tasmanian devils could survive despite the danger of the disease for two decades. In fact, at the birth of Tasmanian devils babies not have the primary immune tissue and can not develop antibodies until 90 days of ages. The Tasmanian devil babies could be survive even should to live in their parent bag filled with bacteria.

Researchers guessed, the antimicrobial peptide found in the mother's milk is the key to survival of the Tasmanian devil babies are.  In fact the presumption was true. Once the researchers scanned the genomes of Tasmania and analyzing the molecular structure of milk, they found a compound that is six times more effective against fungal infections and anti-fungal.

Researchers are now testing whether the peptide is found safe for use by humans. Two peptides are effective against harmful bacteria, ie the Saha CATH5 and Saha CATH6. "These peptides have the potential to be developed as an antibiotic. Including further investigate whether it is possible also be used as anti-cancer," said Peel. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SCIENCE ALERT | LIVESCIENCE]

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Did you know Big Bertha?

Popularity of hillclimb racing in the United States occurred in the 1920s, just as board track racing craze that spread to several countries in 1910 and 1920. It is estimated that there are only 4 units Excelsior Big Bertha hillclimber ever built, and 2 of them are known can be saved until now, and the only one motorcycle that uses an original machine and frame.

The motorcycle manufacturer like the Excelsior Motor Company, Harley Davidson and Indian Motorcycles are the best company at the time, in fact they often built several special motorcycles for hillclimb racing with a formidable machine in that era. 

1928 Excelsior Big Bertha hillclimber motorcycle. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1f9shh)

And the Big Bertha possibility is one of the famous motorcycles, arguably be the most successful motorcycle and has won the National hillclimb championship in 1928 and 1929 and ever competed at 31 hillclimb racing consecutively.

The key to success of Excelsior Big Bertha lies on the V-twin engine, those engine used the crankcase of Excelsior Super X combined with a pair of Excelsior "M" Cylinder. The racing cylinder of Excelsior engine was 30.5 cubic inch single cylinder which has an effective cooling system on its exhaust port.

Right side view of 1928 Excelsior Big Bertha hillclimber motorcycle. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1f9shh)

Excelsior Motor Company was formerly a branch of a leading company named Schwinn Bicycle, which was founded and led by Ignaz Schwinn. Ignaz shows the accuracy of its business as a figure of a man who trained as a mechanical, along with a less good atmosphere in America at the time, he chose to end the production and focus on expensive motorcycle products, although expensive but the motorcycle request abounded at the time.

Rear side view of 1928 Excelsior Big Bertha hillclimber motorcycle. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1f9shh)

The decision was no doubt could save the company, and the motorcycle design such as the design of the Big Bertha is the last testament in that moment when Excelsior can achieve extraordinary success as the hillclimber motorcycle manufacturer in the world.

The motorcycles on the image above has a chassis number #SS104 is the last saved and original of the 1928 Excelsior Big Bertha motorcycle, it was bought by a collector named E.J. Cole from R.L. Jones. And as reported, the motorcycle will be auctioned on January 25 - 28, 2017 by the Mecum auction house in Las Vegas.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops.... ••• [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MECUM]

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