Nugget out

This is the sun
Shot in the extreme ultraviolet spectrum by the new space-based Solar Dynamics Observatory. Definitely no smiley face here.

Speaking of awesome
The Hubble telescope celebrates two decades of amazing discoveries. Can you light birthday candles in space? http://hubble.nasa.gov/

Go marketing!
According to a brand value study by Millward Brown, companies that maintained their voice/marketing spend during the recession are rebounding faster than those that didn't. And the value of brands is recovering faster than the economy overall. (source: Ad Age, 4/28/10)

Corny1
On average there are 600-800 kernels arranged in 16 rows on an ear of corn. Each kernel has its own strand of silk. Verify at your next dull family cookout. (source: Grit, May/June 2010)

Corny2
The corn borer seems to have learned over the ages that the harvest is bad for its health. Before harvest time, it makes its way down from the corn through the stalk below the level that stalks are cut. Its physically identical cousins, that inhabit non-harvested, but similarly structured mugwort, don't exhibit this behavior. (source: NY Times, 4/26/10)

Captcha
Ever wonder what it stands for other than squiggly writing on websites? "Completely automated public Turing test to tell computers and humans apart." Learn about tormented megagenius Alan Turing here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Turing

This is why we're fat
IHOP has a new 5-Layer Stackers creation: crustless cheese cake sandwiched between two pancakes topped with fruit goo and whipped cream. Comes with bacon, 2 eggs, and hash browns. 1,250 calories. $4.99. IHOP also offers lower-calorie breakfast items. Their spokesperson says it's about giving their guests the freedom of choice. (source: Glendale News Press 4/27/10)

Stop selling cheap junk
Steve Jobs' advice to the then incoming CEO of Nike. True to Jobs' minimalist style, he thought Nike would do better to pare down its offerings to only the finest.

Corny3
To keep his profile high between gigs, Conan O'Brien partnered with Lamar to fill empty billboards with tweets. (source: PromoXtra, 4/27/10)

The revolution will be tweeted
Although he referred to Twitter as "a haven for terrorists," Hugo Chavez will soon have his own account - not @HugoChavez. Somebody else already owns that. A man known for hours-long speeches, it should be interesting to see how he does in 140. (source: Christian Science Monitor, 4/28/10)

From hospital bed to spiral staircase
If you've just got to have a piece of soap opera history, Castner Auctions is selling scenery and props from "Guilding Light" and "As the World Turns."

Next stop City Hall?
The average state/local government worker earns $39.66 per hour. 34% higher than the private sector with benefits 70% higher. 90% have pensions that aren't affected by ups and downs in the stock market vs. 20% in the private sector. The layoff rate is 1/3 that of the private sector. 20 million people are employed by state and local governments. (source: Christian Science Monitor, 4/26/10)