WHY did an American swimmer make the entire Soviet team wear a mustache?
Multiple Olympic swimming champion Mark Spitz of the United States was famous, among other things, for his unchanging mustache.
According to Spitz's own story, one day the coach of the Soviet team asked if the mustache slowed him down in the water. The athlete jokingly replied that, on the contrary, the mustache drains water from his mouth, helping the body to be more streamlined, and in the end, it only increases speed.
The next year, all Soviet swimmers arrived at the next international competition with mustaches.
Multiple Olympic swimming champion Mark Spitz of the United States was famous, among other things, for his unchanging mustache.
According to Spitz's own story, one day the coach of the Soviet team asked if the mustache slowed him down in the water. The athlete jokingly replied that, on the contrary, the mustache drains water from his mouth, helping the body to be more streamlined, and in the end, it only increases speed.
The next year, all Soviet swimmers arrived at the next international competition with mustaches.
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WHY is barbecue called that?
B-B-Q stands for the method of cooking meat and other foods over charcoal and open fire, a word that has long existed in many languages of the world in different variations.
It is thought that, in Europe, it first appeared in Spanish: in the form "barbacoa", it is mentioned in a dictionary published in 1526. The word came into Spanish from the New World - the natives of the Caribbean called "barabicu" a carcass of sticks, which was placed over a fire on supports. Meat was then roasted on it.
B-B-Q stands for the method of cooking meat and other foods over charcoal and open fire, a word that has long existed in many languages of the world in different variations.
It is thought that, in Europe, it first appeared in Spanish: in the form "barbacoa", it is mentioned in a dictionary published in 1526. The word came into Spanish from the New World - the natives of the Caribbean called "barabicu" a carcass of sticks, which was placed over a fire on supports. Meat was then roasted on it.
WHY do the British always mention the weather?
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Some features of British geography do influence the fact that the climate on the island conforms to stereotypes about it: mild, changeable and too unpredictable.
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This means that British residents never know what to expect, and so they often bring up the subject of weather in conversation.
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The daily chatter of Britons, however, tends to be more prosaic. The comment "It's cold, isn't it?" requires no elaborate response, generally just a snicker in agreement with the person you are talking to. It is a kind of code to overcome the awkwardness at the beginning of a conversation. Sometimes it is a way to start a dialogue, other times - to fill an awkward pause or avoid an awkward theme. And sometimes it's just an excuse to grumble together.
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Some features of British geography do influence the fact that the climate on the island conforms to stereotypes about it: mild, changeable and too unpredictable.
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This means that British residents never know what to expect, and so they often bring up the subject of weather in conversation.
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The daily chatter of Britons, however, tends to be more prosaic. The comment "It's cold, isn't it?" requires no elaborate response, generally just a snicker in agreement with the person you are talking to. It is a kind of code to overcome the awkwardness at the beginning of a conversation. Sometimes it is a way to start a dialogue, other times - to fill an awkward pause or avoid an awkward theme. And sometimes it's just an excuse to grumble together.
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WHY is fertilization in plants called dual insemination?
Discovered at the end of the 19th century, double fertilization is common to most flowering plants. Its essence is that during plant reproduction, two male cells (sperm cells) fertilize both the egg cell and the germ sac.
In the first case, fertilization leads to the formation of a zygote, from which the seed subsequently develops, and in the second case - to the appearance of the secondary endosperm, which is a nutrient shell for the seed. Such a shell accelerates the development of the embryo.
Discovered at the end of the 19th century, double fertilization is common to most flowering plants. Its essence is that during plant reproduction, two male cells (sperm cells) fertilize both the egg cell and the germ sac.
In the first case, fertilization leads to the formation of a zygote, from which the seed subsequently develops, and in the second case - to the appearance of the secondary endosperm, which is a nutrient shell for the seed. Such a shell accelerates the development of the embryo.
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WHY do cats often get "stuck" in a tree?
A domestic cat's claws are bent so that they give it support when it moves up the tree trunk, but they can't hold it down when it goes down. And cats don't like to climb down backwards, as they can't see the way they're going. However, if a human doesn't come to their aid, cats will eventually get down from the tree with their tails forward.
Some of them manage to overcome this psychological barrier and become skilled tree climbers.
A domestic cat's claws are bent so that they give it support when it moves up the tree trunk, but they can't hold it down when it goes down. And cats don't like to climb down backwards, as they can't see the way they're going. However, if a human doesn't come to their aid, cats will eventually get down from the tree with their tails forward.
Some of them manage to overcome this psychological barrier and become skilled tree climbers.
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WHY is global warming bringing severe cold?
Seasonal temperature fluctuations reach tens of degrees, and the climate warming over a century has been less than 1 °C, invisible against the short-term vagaries of the weather. However, warming is constant and covers the whole Earth, so, while it cannot prevent weather anomalies, its impact is significant.
Glaciers and permafrost are melting, storms and droughts are increasing, ranges of animals and plants are shifting, and sea levels are rising.
The climate is not changing in the same way everywhere. High latitudes are warming more than the tropics. But in the interior of the continents, the climate is becoming more continental: the difference between summer and winter temperatures is growing. So in some places, warming can lead to somewhat harsher winters.
Seasonal temperature fluctuations reach tens of degrees, and the climate warming over a century has been less than 1 °C, invisible against the short-term vagaries of the weather. However, warming is constant and covers the whole Earth, so, while it cannot prevent weather anomalies, its impact is significant.
Glaciers and permafrost are melting, storms and droughts are increasing, ranges of animals and plants are shifting, and sea levels are rising.
The climate is not changing in the same way everywhere. High latitudes are warming more than the tropics. But in the interior of the continents, the climate is becoming more continental: the difference between summer and winter temperatures is growing. So in some places, warming can lead to somewhat harsher winters.
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WHY working more than 8 hours is harmful?
It was found out that over-working is bad for your health. It is even more harmful than alcohol and nicotine. Calculations have shown that a person, who works 11 hours a day, has up to a 70 percent higher chance of getting a heart attack.
Apart from heart disease, about 60 percent of those, who work overtime, are more likely to fall ill with acute respiratory infections and suffer various injuries. And the illnesses have nothing to do with the nature of the work at all.
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Scientists from the University of Otago in New Zealand discovered another plague. They found that even a 10-hour working day can provoke a tendency to alcoholism. After all, the more a person works, the stronger the desire to relax. And the easiest way to do this is with alcohol.
It was found out that over-working is bad for your health. It is even more harmful than alcohol and nicotine. Calculations have shown that a person, who works 11 hours a day, has up to a 70 percent higher chance of getting a heart attack.
Apart from heart disease, about 60 percent of those, who work overtime, are more likely to fall ill with acute respiratory infections and suffer various injuries. And the illnesses have nothing to do with the nature of the work at all.
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Scientists from the University of Otago in New Zealand discovered another plague. They found that even a 10-hour working day can provoke a tendency to alcoholism. After all, the more a person works, the stronger the desire to relax. And the easiest way to do this is with alcohol.
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WHY do scientists hang cameras on animals?
BBC cameramen equipped the animals with miniature video cameras, allowing them to learn their secrets.
The crew leader separately noted that their experiment gave them the opportunity to see the baby meerkats that had just been born.
Even scientists, who study these animals, had never seen this in the wild. Another interesting discovery was the penguins' behavior: they swam indifferently past fish, shrimp and other food objects. Perhaps, in addition to availability, the birds are guided by some other criteria.
BBC cameramen equipped the animals with miniature video cameras, allowing them to learn their secrets.
The crew leader separately noted that their experiment gave them the opportunity to see the baby meerkats that had just been born.
Even scientists, who study these animals, had never seen this in the wild. Another interesting discovery was the penguins' behavior: they swam indifferently past fish, shrimp and other food objects. Perhaps, in addition to availability, the birds are guided by some other criteria.
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WHY and how did Theodore Roosevelt address the voters for an hour and a half with a bullet in his chest?
When Theodore Roosevelt was running for president in 1912, he was shot during one of his meetings with voters. The bullet hit him in the chest, penetrating his eyeglass case and the thick 50-page manuscript of the speech he wanted to give.
But Roosevelt stayed in place - he drew the audience's attention to the fact that he had just been shot and then spoke for an hour and a half. His hunting experience helped him to realize that the wound was not life-threatening - since he wasn't coughing up blood, the bullet hadn't pierced a lung.
It was later confirmed that the bullet had entered his chest at 76 mm, but it was even riskier to remove it than to leave it as it was, and Roosevelt wore it all his life.
When Theodore Roosevelt was running for president in 1912, he was shot during one of his meetings with voters. The bullet hit him in the chest, penetrating his eyeglass case and the thick 50-page manuscript of the speech he wanted to give.
But Roosevelt stayed in place - he drew the audience's attention to the fact that he had just been shot and then spoke for an hour and a half. His hunting experience helped him to realize that the wound was not life-threatening - since he wasn't coughing up blood, the bullet hadn't pierced a lung.
It was later confirmed that the bullet had entered his chest at 76 mm, but it was even riskier to remove it than to leave it as it was, and Roosevelt wore it all his life.
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WHY does a human only breathe through one nostril?
Roughly every 4 hours, there is a change in the "lead" nostril.
This phenomenon has a name: the nasal cycle. Namely, the two parts of the nose are able to change the resistance of the mucosa in response to the air flow passing through them. That's possible due to the special structure of the blood vessels in the nose. The cavernous body swells, blocking the passage of air, or, conversely, shrinks in size.
Roughly every 4 hours, there is a change in the "lead" nostril.
This phenomenon has a name: the nasal cycle. Namely, the two parts of the nose are able to change the resistance of the mucosa in response to the air flow passing through them. That's possible due to the special structure of the blood vessels in the nose. The cavernous body swells, blocking the passage of air, or, conversely, shrinks in size.
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WHY does meat have to "rest" after cooking?
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All meat should "rest" after cooking: at least 10 minutes for small pieces and 15-20 minutes for large pieces, such as chicken baked whole. Why is this so important?
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As the juice of just cooked meat is too liquid. If you cut the meat, it will leak out, leaving the piece too dry. The "resting" time allows the juice to spread evenly over the meat fibers and thicken, making the meat tender, juicy and flavorful.
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All meat should "rest" after cooking: at least 10 minutes for small pieces and 15-20 minutes for large pieces, such as chicken baked whole. Why is this so important?
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As the juice of just cooked meat is too liquid. If you cut the meat, it will leak out, leaving the piece too dry. The "resting" time allows the juice to spread evenly over the meat fibers and thicken, making the meat tender, juicy and flavorful.
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WHY is Lake Natron phenomenal?
A lake covered with a crust of salt can change color throughout the year. Thanks to the halophilic cyanobacteria microorganisms that live in Natron, the water takes on juicy reddish and pinkish hues several times a year. When the temperature rises, the bacteria release a pigment red, staining the lake.
The concentrations of salt and alkali in Lake Natron are so strong that animals and birds that accidentally enter the water are killed and mummified. The exception is the lesser flamingos: these birds have ideal breeding conditions here. High water temperature, reaching 50°C in the wetlands, allows flamingos to incubate their eggs at any time of the year.
A lake covered with a crust of salt can change color throughout the year. Thanks to the halophilic cyanobacteria microorganisms that live in Natron, the water takes on juicy reddish and pinkish hues several times a year. When the temperature rises, the bacteria release a pigment red, staining the lake.
The concentrations of salt and alkali in Lake Natron are so strong that animals and birds that accidentally enter the water are killed and mummified. The exception is the lesser flamingos: these birds have ideal breeding conditions here. High water temperature, reaching 50°C in the wetlands, allows flamingos to incubate their eggs at any time of the year.
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WHY is space debris dangerous?
Debris does not pose a danger to those on the surface of the Earth. After all, the probability of debris falling is 1:3200.
However, it can put the space industry at risk of destruction. The January 28, 2013 disaster with the Russian 7.5-kilogram scientific satellite BLITS demonstrates this. After working in orbit for four years, it collided with a fragment weighing only 0.017-0.019 g, which was moving at 8 km/h. And it fell apart.
So about 3-4 satellites per year are killed in this way, which is not a very big number at the moment. But the theory is that the fragments of one debris-cracked satellite will at some point shatter another satellite. That, in turn, will shatter a third, and so on.
And one day a piece of debris could also hit human-piloted ships. As an example, in May 2016, a piece of metal a thousandth of a millimeter in size crashed into an ISS porthole, leaving a 7-millimeter-diameter dent.
Debris does not pose a danger to those on the surface of the Earth. After all, the probability of debris falling is 1:3200.
However, it can put the space industry at risk of destruction. The January 28, 2013 disaster with the Russian 7.5-kilogram scientific satellite BLITS demonstrates this. After working in orbit for four years, it collided with a fragment weighing only 0.017-0.019 g, which was moving at 8 km/h. And it fell apart.
So about 3-4 satellites per year are killed in this way, which is not a very big number at the moment. But the theory is that the fragments of one debris-cracked satellite will at some point shatter another satellite. That, in turn, will shatter a third, and so on.
And one day a piece of debris could also hit human-piloted ships. As an example, in May 2016, a piece of metal a thousandth of a millimeter in size crashed into an ISS porthole, leaving a 7-millimeter-diameter dent.
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WHY is flea control critical to apply only to the back of your pet's head?
They spread throughout the body
Flea drops contain an insecticide (usually fipronil) and a mixture of organic solvents. When applied to the back of the head, these substances spread throughout the pet's body in a couple of days.
In order to kill parasites on any area of the skin, the initial concentration of insecticide must be quite high - up to 10%.
For this reason, the drug is applied in a place inaccessible for licking. Fipronil is non-toxic for mammals, but in high concentrations it may cause abundant salivation and probably unpleasant taste.
They spread throughout the body
Flea drops contain an insecticide (usually fipronil) and a mixture of organic solvents. When applied to the back of the head, these substances spread throughout the pet's body in a couple of days.
In order to kill parasites on any area of the skin, the initial concentration of insecticide must be quite high - up to 10%.
For this reason, the drug is applied in a place inaccessible for licking. Fipronil is non-toxic for mammals, but in high concentrations it may cause abundant salivation and probably unpleasant taste.
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WHY is the brown rice consider the healthiest?
The most useful is considered to be brown rice. This kind of rice differs from our habitual white one as during the processing the grains are cleaned only from the inedible husk, leaving the bran shell. But this husk contains most of the vitamins and minerals.
Still, in order to get all these vitamins, we have to be patient: brown rice takes twice as long to boil as white rice (40-45 minutes), but it is still pretty hard. Another disadvantage of brown rice is its relatively short shelf life. Brown rice contains essential oils, so it spoils rather quickly. You can extend the "life" of brown rice by storing it in the refrigerator.
The most useful is considered to be brown rice. This kind of rice differs from our habitual white one as during the processing the grains are cleaned only from the inedible husk, leaving the bran shell. But this husk contains most of the vitamins and minerals.
Still, in order to get all these vitamins, we have to be patient: brown rice takes twice as long to boil as white rice (40-45 minutes), but it is still pretty hard. Another disadvantage of brown rice is its relatively short shelf life. Brown rice contains essential oils, so it spoils rather quickly. You can extend the "life" of brown rice by storing it in the refrigerator.
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WHY is red considered the color of love?
According to one version, love first became associated with the color red after the appearance of a popular 13th-century French poem called The Romance of the Rose. It tells of the hero's allegorical search for a red rose, which symbolized his beloved.
And later, in the 19th century, French and English writers created the language of flowers, according to which the red rose means love. Subsequently, it was no longer only the red rose that was associated with love, but also the color itself.
According to one version, love first became associated with the color red after the appearance of a popular 13th-century French poem called The Romance of the Rose. It tells of the hero's allegorical search for a red rose, which symbolized his beloved.
And later, in the 19th century, French and English writers created the language of flowers, according to which the red rose means love. Subsequently, it was no longer only the red rose that was associated with love, but also the color itself.
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WHY do cats wallow in dust?
Wild cats, forced to find their own food, had to constantly worry about camouflage. Their prey, small rodents, wields a good sense of smell, thanks to which they can detect the approach of the hunter.
Rolling on the ground, the cat tries to blunt the vigilance of its potential prey by minimizing its own scent and masking it with the smell of plant pollen and mineral particles contained in dust. Although a domesticated cat no longer needs a disguise, instinct makes the animal behave as its ancestors did when they hunted game in ancient Egypt or Africa.
But we cannot rule out the possibility that whenever your pet defiantly rolls down on its back, showing its adorable tummy, it does it solely to attract attention. It is a peculiar request of your pet to give her a few minutes, to caress her, to play with her.
Wild cats, forced to find their own food, had to constantly worry about camouflage. Their prey, small rodents, wields a good sense of smell, thanks to which they can detect the approach of the hunter.
Rolling on the ground, the cat tries to blunt the vigilance of its potential prey by minimizing its own scent and masking it with the smell of plant pollen and mineral particles contained in dust. Although a domesticated cat no longer needs a disguise, instinct makes the animal behave as its ancestors did when they hunted game in ancient Egypt or Africa.
But we cannot rule out the possibility that whenever your pet defiantly rolls down on its back, showing its adorable tummy, it does it solely to attract attention. It is a peculiar request of your pet to give her a few minutes, to caress her, to play with her.
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WHY and how can one bite the tongue?
A powerful artery runs in the root of the tongue, in the lower part, and by biting it, in case of failure to provide some assistance, you can die of blood loss. True, death would not be quick. To do this, one must know the place of biting the tongue and master the technique of powerful strokes (bites).
As for the technical performance of this procedure, obviously, it will not work without special psychological and physical training. Japanese warriors were famous for such special training.
The Japanese, who were captured, would bite off their tongues and die without waiting for torture. When capturing Japanese warriors, they sometimes used a special device that was put over their mouths to prevent the captive from biting off his tongue.
A powerful artery runs in the root of the tongue, in the lower part, and by biting it, in case of failure to provide some assistance, you can die of blood loss. True, death would not be quick. To do this, one must know the place of biting the tongue and master the technique of powerful strokes (bites).
As for the technical performance of this procedure, obviously, it will not work without special psychological and physical training. Japanese warriors were famous for such special training.
The Japanese, who were captured, would bite off their tongues and die without waiting for torture. When capturing Japanese warriors, they sometimes used a special device that was put over their mouths to prevent the captive from biting off his tongue.
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WHY don't we remember being born?
A group of scientists believes that the loss of infant memories is related to the active process of new cell formation-neurogenesis. According to Paul Frankland, recent research has proven that neurogenesis can both shape and erase information about the past.
We don't remember the first years of life due to the fact that this is the most active period of neurogenesis. Then neurons begin to reproduce at a slower rate and cannot process some of the childhood memories.
A group of scientists believes that the loss of infant memories is related to the active process of new cell formation-neurogenesis. According to Paul Frankland, recent research has proven that neurogenesis can both shape and erase information about the past.
We don't remember the first years of life due to the fact that this is the most active period of neurogenesis. Then neurons begin to reproduce at a slower rate and cannot process some of the childhood memories.
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WHY are people trying to humiliate others insecure about themselves?
The desire to offend, insult, or humiliate another person does not come from a good life. The scandalous lady on the bus, the man calling his wife fat and stupid, the children at school bullying a classmate - all of them are absolutely self-doubting and are trying to increase their sense of importance through ostentatious aggression.
At the same time, these people are sincerely convinced that their negative attitude toward others has nothing to do with their inner sense of self.
The desire to offend, insult, or humiliate another person does not come from a good life. The scandalous lady on the bus, the man calling his wife fat and stupid, the children at school bullying a classmate - all of them are absolutely self-doubting and are trying to increase their sense of importance through ostentatious aggression.
At the same time, these people are sincerely convinced that their negative attitude toward others has nothing to do with their inner sense of self.
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WHY do people with hearing loss put the palm of their hand to their ear?
The inside of the palm acts as a concave mirror that concentrates sound waves coming from the front. The back side weakens the noises coming from behind.
However, such an effect is only clearly expressed for sounds with a frequency of more than 800 Hz, due to the small size of the palm. It is much higher than the human voice, but the palm enhances overtones with a frequency up to several kilohertz, which may slightly improve speech perception.
Still, if your hand is constantly reaching for your ear, better consult a doctor.
The inside of the palm acts as a concave mirror that concentrates sound waves coming from the front. The back side weakens the noises coming from behind.
However, such an effect is only clearly expressed for sounds with a frequency of more than 800 Hz, due to the small size of the palm. It is much higher than the human voice, but the palm enhances overtones with a frequency up to several kilohertz, which may slightly improve speech perception.
Still, if your hand is constantly reaching for your ear, better consult a doctor.
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