This is too cute.  Not only is it a great photo (in quality), but that little tortoiseshell kitten is cute as heck.

The nearest extrasolar planet circles Epsilon Eridani, a young star only (only?) 10.5 light years away.  In cosmic distances, that’s right around the corner.  It’s so close, in fact, we might be able to take photographs of the planet via Earth-based telescopes.  Imagine the opportunity to see for the first time a planet not within our own solar system.  We’ve discovered hundreds of them, but we’ve yet to get any pictures because of their distances from us.  This one could be different.

Medicine on the cutting edge: Scientists have discovered a simple material that appears able to stop bleeding within seconds.  “When the liquid, composed of protein fragments called peptides, is applied to open wounds, the peptides self-assemble into a nanoscale protective barrier gel that seals the wound and halts bleeding. Once the injury heals, the nontoxic gel is broken down into molecules that cells can use as building blocks for tissue repair.”  Um, WOW!

Conservation groups in Columbia have discovered “[a] colorful new bird… in a previously unexplored Andean cloud forest…”  It’s a beautiful animal (see the link for a photo).

This is chilling and disturbing and…  Well, here: “A woman used her 4-week-old baby as a weapon in a domestic dispute, swinging the infant through the air and striking her boyfriend with the child, authorities said.”  Need I say more?  Okay, I’ll add this: “The infant, whose name was not released, suffered a fractured skull and some bleeding in the brain…” and is in serious but stable condition.

Visit Grand Rounds 3.3 for the best from the medical blogosphere.  There’s a lot of good stuff here.

I don’t know about your definition of cute, but this is really cute to me.  Check out the size of that little guy in all three photos compared to the page he’s trying to cross.  Hell, look at his size compared to the text.  Don’t close that book!