DIY brain surgery?

This Russian researcher risked his life for more efficient lucid dreaming. Pics/Twitter

Michael Raduga, a Russian researcher with no neurosurgery qualifications whatsoever, reportedly lost more than a "litre of blood" while performing brain surgery on himself in his home in Kazahstan, in order to implant an electrode that one day has the potential to control lucid dreams. Raduga is not a doctor, but he is the founder of Phase Research Center, an organization that claims to provide beginner's guidance on how one may experience sleep paralysis, out-of-body experiences, and ‘astral projection'. He has quite a cult following in Russia, and many of his followers have been praising him for his courage to push boundaries in order to achieve his goals, but neurosurgeons have warned that he is treading on extremely dangerous ground.

Raduga himself admitted that about 30 minutes into his DIY surgery he was ready to give up because he had already lost a lot of blood, approximately one litre, and was afraid he might pass out. Still, he allegedly managed to complete the surgery, took a shower and worked for about 10 hours straight, without anyone realizing what he had done.

The controversial researcher told no one about his plan to operate on himself. Instead, he prepared by watching hours of brain surgery footage on YouTube and experimenting on a few sheep. He managed to implant a platinum and silicon electrode into his brain, which he claims can trigger certain actions in dreams. Raduga ended up having the implant removed in a hospital after about five weeks, but according to the Phase Research Center Telegram channel, he is already looking for people ‘willing to get a brain implant for more efficient lucid dreaming'.

While Raduga has yet to report any side effects of the procedure, neurosurgery experts suggest that he could also be at risk of epilepsy in the long term if any scarring is caused to the cortex of his brain. "I am glad I survived but I was ready to die," Raduga said in an interview. "For many people, it will be some sort of entertainment. Now, imagine a paralysed person who cannot experience anything in this life and now we find a way to help him to get into a lucid dream where everything is possible. Have sex, eat something, do something interesting."

Cry-athon

A Nigerian man allegedly went temporarily blind while attempting a 100-hour crying marathon

Tembu Daniel, who goes by ‘237_towncryer' on Instagram, recently lived up to his nickname by attempting a rather unusual world record - crying continuously for 100 hours. The young Nigerian began his cry-athon on July 9, but was forced to suspend his crying only 6 hours later, due to some unforeseen side effects. Apparently, forcing himself to cry for hours non-stop caused Daniel to experience headaches, puffed eyes, and a generally swollen face. However, the most worrying symptom was partial blindness which reportedly lasted for about 45 minutes. It's unclear whether Daniel actually completed the 100 hours of continuous crying, however.

Magpies use anti-bird spikes as protection

A team of Dutch researchers has discovered that magpies and crows are using metal spikes designed to keep them away from certain urban areas to build nests and keep intruders at bay. The director of the Natural History Museum Rotterdam, said, "These anti-bird spikes are meant to deter birds, they are supposed to scare them off, but the birds just utilize them."

World's oldest bodybuilder

Pic/Instagram

JIM Arrington, who was first named the world's oldest bodybuilder by Guinness World Records at age 83, broke his own record by participating in an International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness Professional League event in Reno, Nevada. Arrington, who is now 90 years old, placed third in the men's over-70 category at the event, and first in the over-80 category.

Sexy seagull

Pic/Instagram

Seagull Cinderella was first installed in New Bedford in 2016, sparking some complaints from residents who found the artwork too sexually suggestive. It has once again become the subject of complaints, calling for its removal.

Man accidentally swallows keys

A Saudi man had to undergo laparoscopic surgery to unblock his airway after he accidentally swallowed his car key while playing with it. Just how the 49-year-old man managed to swallow his own car key is still unclear.

Postcard delivered 50 years late

A Maine woman was stunned to receive a postcard that turned out to have been sent from Paris, France, in 1969. The postcard, bearing the image of the Arc du Triomphe in Paris, was addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Rene A. Gagnon, signed by someone named Roy.