Highly Anticipated Sci-Fi Movies for 2016 - http://clapway.com/2015/11/15/highly-anticipated-sci-fi-movies-2016/

In 2015, Sci-Fi movies took us to Mars, back to hang out with Sarah Connor and the dangers of the Jurassic World, or to the possible future with Katniss Everdeen. Next year promises to give us just as many amazing adventures with these much anticipated Sci-Fi movies to be released in 2016.

The 5th Wave
January 15, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSlmUsSJON4

Adapted from Rick Yancey’s YA novel, The 5th Wave follows Cassie, a teenager, and her desperate attempts to save her younger brother after four waves of ever-increasing deadly alien attacks have left Earth decimated in their wake.

Chloe Moretz, from movies like Kick Ass and If I Stay, plays Cassie and the trailer left me in chills. It’s within the same vein as other dystopian, post-apocalyptic stories, but rather than zombies, aliens inhabiting human hosts are taking over the world. It kind of reminds me of Animorphs. Oh, was it just me who read those books? Well, um, uh, yeah… anyway.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice
March 25, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WWzgGyAH6Y

Sci-Fi and fantasy share some blurred lines these days, and this highly anticipated movie sits in that crossover area. Batman fears what Superman, a god-like alien hero, can do with so much power. As these two canon heros fight over control of hero-dom, a new threat arises, putting mankind in more danger than before.

The plot might read as a testosterone fueled piss-off, but fans are ecstatic, having filled up Comic-con auditoriums for the chance to glimpse ‘unexpected surprises’. Ladies, do your man-friend a favor and take him to the premiere. I mean, Henry Cavill is worth $10 just to stare at him for a couple hours.

Deadpool
February 12, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONHBaC-pfsk

Wade Wilson, a former Special Forces operative who turned mercenary, volunteers for a rogue experiment. He’s dying of cancer, so what’s there to lose? The results of the experiment leave him with accelerated healing powers and he adopts the alter-ego, Deadpool.

This is one movie I’m looking forward to personally. Ryan Reynolds stars as Deadpool and he is the absolute perfect choice for the role. Reynold’s has built his career on sarcastic quips and characters (see Blade Trinity and Waiting). And great abs. I can’t wait for those, either.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant
March 18, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-kflOQmXY0

The power couple, Beatrice and Tobias, venture out of their walled city into the world. Taken into custody by a mysterious agency once they leave the fence, they discover what’s been folding the shape of their lives and their factions.

The final installment of Veronica Roth’s YA trilogy. Having read the books, I’m not sure how much I’m truly anticipating the last movie, but for those who are ignorant to the plot, I say no more!

Spectral
August 12, 2016

A Sci-Fi/thriller that follows a special-ops team that is dispatched to fight supernatural beings that have invaded New York City.

Unfortunately, this is the most I could dig up on Spectral. Its IMDB page has no picture. No trailer. Nadda. Much like the inside of my wallet.

Ghostbusters
July 15, 2016

source: IMDB

At this point, the plot is unknown, but the movie is being described as a reboot. Despite unknown plot arcs, much can be gleaned from its cast. Popular comedian and SNL legend, Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig, are lined up to play a couple ghostbusters. And Bill Murray comes back for a return appearance–as a cameo or more involved? Who knows. Rounding out the crew is Chris Hemsworth, my preferred Hemsworth brother, who might be having his hand at a more comedic film. With such a stellar cast of humorous individuals, Ghostbusters 2016 promises to be a good time.

Independence Day: Resurgence

June 24, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lIaMl2gK8Q

After Independence Day, the nations of Earth came together to launch a worldwide defense program using alien technology recovered from the first attack. Despite the new system, aliens return with unforeseen force. The world’s fate is left in the hands of a few brave men and women, who must bring Earth back from the brink of extinction.

With an impressive and, perhaps, ludicrous estimated budget of $200,000,000, Independence Day: Resurgence promises to be an action-packed sequel hitting theaters just in time for Independence Day itself. Starring Liam Hemsworth, my second favorite Hemsworth brother, and a few return appearances, including Vivica A. Fox as Jasmine and Jeff Goldblum as David Levinson. Unfortunately, Will Smith is not returning to the franchise. Though he is making an appearance on my desktop background. Have you seen that face?

Star Trek Beyond
July 22, 2016

source: sciencefiction.com

Spock and Captain Kirk will be back and just as good-looking as ever. That’s all you need to know, really. Oh! And Idris Elba has been cast. Seriously, who cares what the plot is? I mean, if you’re really that interested, it’s unknown at the moment. I was trying to distract you with talented men and Chris Pine’s bright blue eyes.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
December 16, 2016

source: sciencefiction.com

In addition to next month’s Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, Disney is cooking up another prequel. A group of Rebels take on a mission: steal the plans for the Empire’s Death Star.

I’m reserving excitement until next month as I fear this might be another Pirates of the Caribbean series, in which the movies keep going and going and going. One bright spot: Alan Tudyk, of whom I am a huge fan after all his work with Joss Whedon, has been cast in the film. Still no word as to his role.

Assassin’s Creed
December 21, 2016

source: pcgamer.com

Based on the widely popular video game, the movie follows Callum Lynch. Using revolutionary technology that allows him to experience the genetic memories of his ancestor. Through the process, he learns the skills of a Master Assassin and discovers he is a descendant of the secret Assassin society.

Gamers will be thrilled. This is the first feature-length film attached to the video game. It has seen animated shorts and mini-TV series before.

If you find yourself anxious and excited after this list, don’t worry. There’s plenty of movies left in 2015 to distract you. Keep your eye out for Mockingjay Part 2 and The Force Awakens.

If you really can’t wait, pick up any one of these crazy awesome Sci-Fi books. They’ll hold you over. I promise.

Highly Anticipated Sci-Fi Movies for 2016

Recently a #3D cyberportrayal of a newly discovered #millipede is making headlines, resembling a horror or action #sci-fi flick more than anything from Earth. - http://clapway.com/2015/08/30/researchers-have-created-a-3d-millipede-avatar/

Recently a 3D cyberportrayal of a newly discovered millipede is making headlines, and it resembles something out of a horror or action sci-fi flick more than it does anything from Earth.

INTRODUCING THE OMMATOIULUS MILLIPEDE AVATAR

At 1.5 inches long, the millipede was found in Andalusia in Spain back in 2005. It ekes out a common existence in the dirt beneath stones and dead broken leaves. This creature decomposes plant life, and “acts as an important component of soil fauna,” said study lead researcher Nesrine Akkari, curator of the Myriapoda Collection at the Museum of Natural History in Vienna.

STAY UP-TO-DATE ON 3D TECHNOLOGIES HERE!

The researchers introduced the new species after preserving it in a jar of ethanol for many years, and now, instead of simply photographing, illustrating or studying under a microscope, the researchers decided to use an X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) to study the new creature.

Basically, micro-CT is no different than a medical computerized tomography (CT) scanner, with the slight difference remaining present in its detail. It sports a resolution that can take a user down to a couple of micrometers, mentioned Akkari. Researchers placed the jar holding the millipede in the machine, and then took X-rays of the creature from several angles. When X-rays were compiled, they were able to construct an amazing 3D avatar of the millipede, and named it Ommatoiusus avatar.

“We decided to bring some innovation to the study and show that taxonomy [the classification of species] is not an old-fashioned kind of discipline, but that it can be fun, it can be modern,” said Akkari in an interview with Live Science.

MAKING THE MILLIPEDE AVATAR

Since this is a relatively new species, researchers wanted to find a way they could examine the genitalia of the millipede (gonopods). It sounds weird, but this technique actually allows scientists a better look at what type of species it may be since gonopod anatomy varies greatly in millipedes.

“Usually, to examine those genitalia, we would have to make a cut, a dissection, and cut the specimen at the seventh ring, extract those gonopods and cut them in half,” said Akkari.

The researchers didn’t want to take this route because it would obviously mean the millipede specimen they had been preserving for so many years would be destroyed. So, instead, they took a risk by creating a 3D avatar of the millipede. Fortunately, the scientists were able to accurately study the anatomy, and keep the specimen intact.

THE ADVANTAGES OF TECHNOLOGY

Micro-CTs have been done before. Scientists have used the technique to study insects, reptiles, and even ancient scrolls. One of the biggest advantages to using Micro-CTs is the ability to essentially combine all of the data into one place, which makes it much easier for scientists to access and research for years to come.

There are other types of micro-CT that provides more detail than what was collected in this case, but those techniques are much more involved; sometimes gathering the data can take weeks, which isn’t realistic for understanding most species.

Those interested in a more in-depth look can take a look at the entire millipede study here.

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LOVE CRITTERS? ILLUSTRATE YOUR ADVENTURES!

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Researchers Have Created A 3D Millipede Avatar