WHY is Lake McKenzie one of the cleanest on Earth?
Lake McKenzie is a unique and wonderful piece of nature located on Fraser Island in Australia. The amazing thing about it is that it is considered one of the cleanest bodies of water on the planet.
It lies 100 meters above sea level, rendering it inaccessible to groundwater. And the only source of water in the lake is precipitation. The sand around the lake is also wonderful - clean and naturally white. The crystal clear water and high level of acidity make the lake uninhabitable for any freshwater macro- and microorganisms.
Lake McKenzie is a unique and wonderful piece of nature located on Fraser Island in Australia. The amazing thing about it is that it is considered one of the cleanest bodies of water on the planet.
It lies 100 meters above sea level, rendering it inaccessible to groundwater. And the only source of water in the lake is precipitation. The sand around the lake is also wonderful - clean and naturally white. The crystal clear water and high level of acidity make the lake uninhabitable for any freshwater macro- and microorganisms.
👍5
WHY are some eucalyptus and pine trees found to be shy?
Some tree species have what is known as crown shyness. It manifests itself in the fact that their crowns in a dense forest do not touch, forming zigzag gaps. No single explanation for the cause of this phenomenon exists, but there are several versions, among them the prevention of the spread of insect pests or the avoidance of collision damage from wind exposure.
Trees with revealed crown shyness include Dryobalanops aromaticus, twisted pine, and several species of eucalyptus.
Some tree species have what is known as crown shyness. It manifests itself in the fact that their crowns in a dense forest do not touch, forming zigzag gaps. No single explanation for the cause of this phenomenon exists, but there are several versions, among them the prevention of the spread of insect pests or the avoidance of collision damage from wind exposure.
Trees with revealed crown shyness include Dryobalanops aromaticus, twisted pine, and several species of eucalyptus.
😱3👍2
WHY are foxes cunning?
The fox is indeed quite a sly animal - when it comes to saving its life or getting its food, it can outsmart many predators. Foxes have a keen sense of smell and great eyesight, and they're smart and inquisitive. They know how to avoid poorly hidden traps, understand when a yard dog is leashed and when not. Foxes can tell hunters from unarmed humans and can go through yard scraps in broad daylight.
But the fox is not as cunning as it seems. Curiosity often serves her up, and she won't be lazy to make a detour to get a closer look at an unfamiliar object or scent. It is the way you can lure a weasel into a trap - it is noticed that the fox is not indifferent to the smell of brine from herring and ... lipstick.
Otherwise it is ready to surprise us with its habits. For example, her way of getting mice from under the snow is very interesting. When the fox hears where a mouse is scratching, she speeds up and throws herself upside down into the white blanket, like a diver.
The fox is indeed quite a sly animal - when it comes to saving its life or getting its food, it can outsmart many predators. Foxes have a keen sense of smell and great eyesight, and they're smart and inquisitive. They know how to avoid poorly hidden traps, understand when a yard dog is leashed and when not. Foxes can tell hunters from unarmed humans and can go through yard scraps in broad daylight.
But the fox is not as cunning as it seems. Curiosity often serves her up, and she won't be lazy to make a detour to get a closer look at an unfamiliar object or scent. It is the way you can lure a weasel into a trap - it is noticed that the fox is not indifferent to the smell of brine from herring and ... lipstick.
Otherwise it is ready to surprise us with its habits. For example, her way of getting mice from under the snow is very interesting. When the fox hears where a mouse is scratching, she speeds up and throws herself upside down into the white blanket, like a diver.
🔥1
WHY do insects buzz?
In most cases, they have no specific organs for this; the buzzing, heard only during flight, comes simply from the fact that, while flying, insects flap their wings several hundred times per second. A wingbeat is an oscillating plate, and we know that any oscillating plate, sufficiently often, produces a tone of a certain pitch.
Scientists have determined that a housefly, for example, makes 352 wing strokes per second, a bumblebee 220, a bee 440, and a mosquito 550. For comparison, the propeller of an airplane makes on average about 25 revolutions per second.
In most cases, they have no specific organs for this; the buzzing, heard only during flight, comes simply from the fact that, while flying, insects flap their wings several hundred times per second. A wingbeat is an oscillating plate, and we know that any oscillating plate, sufficiently often, produces a tone of a certain pitch.
Scientists have determined that a housefly, for example, makes 352 wing strokes per second, a bumblebee 220, a bee 440, and a mosquito 550. For comparison, the propeller of an airplane makes on average about 25 revolutions per second.
😁1
WHY does a hippo have pink milk?
⠀
The reason is that the hippo secretes sweat along with its milk. In fact, the milk of a female hippo is of a normal milky color, but it mixes with the sweat, and hippos perspire a lot.
⠀
While sweating, hippos secrete an oily substance with a reddish color. When mixed with white milk, it just creates a pink color.
⠀
A delicacy, so to speak.
⠀
The reason is that the hippo secretes sweat along with its milk. In fact, the milk of a female hippo is of a normal milky color, but it mixes with the sweat, and hippos perspire a lot.
⠀
While sweating, hippos secrete an oily substance with a reddish color. When mixed with white milk, it just creates a pink color.
⠀
A delicacy, so to speak.
😱2
WHY are onions and garlic natural antibiotics?
Just like man-made antibiotics, onions and garlic have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. Most importantly, the latter property is effective against all types of pathogens. That's why antibiotics sold in pharmacy chains can't compete with them in terms of therapeutic effect.
These properties are inherent in their high content of substances such as phytoncides (volatile essential compounds), flavonoids and allicin. Also their bulbs contain a wide range of vitamins and trace elements.
Just like man-made antibiotics, onions and garlic have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. Most importantly, the latter property is effective against all types of pathogens. That's why antibiotics sold in pharmacy chains can't compete with them in terms of therapeutic effect.
These properties are inherent in their high content of substances such as phytoncides (volatile essential compounds), flavonoids and allicin. Also their bulbs contain a wide range of vitamins and trace elements.
😁2👍1
WHY do you keep forgetting where you left your stuff?
⠀
Your brain has these hard-working cells that clean up unnecessary memories. These cells produce a hormone that makes sure you successfully forget everything "useless".
The greatest bursts of this hormone occur during sleep. Thus, it is rare that you can recall a dream.
⠀
One interesting fact is that memories are better preserved if they are triggered by active signals from the pleasure center in your brain. So, when you put your keys somewhere, don't forget to enjoy something in that place, so that you won't have to look for them for two hours.
⠀
Your brain has these hard-working cells that clean up unnecessary memories. These cells produce a hormone that makes sure you successfully forget everything "useless".
The greatest bursts of this hormone occur during sleep. Thus, it is rare that you can recall a dream.
⠀
One interesting fact is that memories are better preserved if they are triggered by active signals from the pleasure center in your brain. So, when you put your keys somewhere, don't forget to enjoy something in that place, so that you won't have to look for them for two hours.
👍3
WHY can't humans walk straight ahead without reference points?
Unlike some birds, humans do not have an organ to orient themselves according to the geomagnetic field. Nor do we have an analog of the gyroscope that maintains direction on ships and airplanes.
Our vestibular apparatus senses body turns, but to maintain direction they must be summed up, making sure that right and left turns together give zero.
With the many small turns that accompany walking, errors inevitably accumulate. Each subsequent step deviates by a small random amount from the previous one, and without external reference points, the movement deviates more and more from the original direction.
Unlike some birds, humans do not have an organ to orient themselves according to the geomagnetic field. Nor do we have an analog of the gyroscope that maintains direction on ships and airplanes.
Our vestibular apparatus senses body turns, but to maintain direction they must be summed up, making sure that right and left turns together give zero.
With the many small turns that accompany walking, errors inevitably accumulate. Each subsequent step deviates by a small random amount from the previous one, and without external reference points, the movement deviates more and more from the original direction.
👍1
WHY does the water in the glass change its taste overnight?
The first thing that affects taste is temperature. Most of the time, people fill themselves with cool water, and when it gets to room temperature, it doesn't taste as "fresh". However, it is an indirect cause, the main factor in the unpleasant aftertaste of water from the glass is the gases that dissolve in the water overnight. That's why if you pour water in a bottle, it will taste less unpleasant. Interestingly, the higher the temperature, the better the solubility.
Mostly carbon dioxide enters the water, and when it dissolves it forms carbonic acid, which can lower the pH of the water. In addition, acetone gases and aldehydes can dissolve in water.
Scientists say that even in 30 minutes the water can get an unpleasant taste. But if you forget a glass of water for a few days... you'll get all sorts of germs in it.
The first thing that affects taste is temperature. Most of the time, people fill themselves with cool water, and when it gets to room temperature, it doesn't taste as "fresh". However, it is an indirect cause, the main factor in the unpleasant aftertaste of water from the glass is the gases that dissolve in the water overnight. That's why if you pour water in a bottle, it will taste less unpleasant. Interestingly, the higher the temperature, the better the solubility.
Mostly carbon dioxide enters the water, and when it dissolves it forms carbonic acid, which can lower the pH of the water. In addition, acetone gases and aldehydes can dissolve in water.
Scientists say that even in 30 minutes the water can get an unpleasant taste. But if you forget a glass of water for a few days... you'll get all sorts of germs in it.
👍2🔥1
WHY do the old phones seem to get slower after a new model is released?
One of the reasons is that applications and the operating system are updated. With each update, applications tend to have more functionality, and consequently the RAM and CPU load increases - the phone has to perform more and more calculations.
When the RAM fails, slower flash memory helps, which also affects performance.
Another reason is the large amount of cache. Few people clean the app cache, but it can take up a serious amount of RAM, especially if you frequently use a browser or social networking apps where you often save music to listen to it offline.
Some apps can clear the cache on their own, but others don't, so do it yourself.
One of the reasons is that applications and the operating system are updated. With each update, applications tend to have more functionality, and consequently the RAM and CPU load increases - the phone has to perform more and more calculations.
When the RAM fails, slower flash memory helps, which also affects performance.
Another reason is the large amount of cache. Few people clean the app cache, but it can take up a serious amount of RAM, especially if you frequently use a browser or social networking apps where you often save music to listen to it offline.
Some apps can clear the cache on their own, but others don't, so do it yourself.
😱1
WHY doesn't the filament in a light bulb burn out?
The thin metal wire in an incandescent bulb gets so hot when an electric current flows through it that it heats up and begins to glow.
Incandescent bulbs can burn for years, but the wire doesn't burn out. The fact is that the bulb has no oxygen inside, and without oxygen, no flame can arise. The bulb is filled with a gas mixture that quenches the flame. Small and weak bulbs, below 25 watts, have a vacuum inside them. When such bulbs break, air rushes into them at such great velocity that a quiet popping sound is heard.
And without the glass housing that insulates the filament from the oxygen, the metal wire would flash only for a moment and immediately burn up like a meteor.
The thin metal wire in an incandescent bulb gets so hot when an electric current flows through it that it heats up and begins to glow.
Incandescent bulbs can burn for years, but the wire doesn't burn out. The fact is that the bulb has no oxygen inside, and without oxygen, no flame can arise. The bulb is filled with a gas mixture that quenches the flame. Small and weak bulbs, below 25 watts, have a vacuum inside them. When such bulbs break, air rushes into them at such great velocity that a quiet popping sound is heard.
And without the glass housing that insulates the filament from the oxygen, the metal wire would flash only for a moment and immediately burn up like a meteor.
👍2
WHY does earwax form?
We occasionally have to clean the yellowish mass out of our ears. Where does it come from? The fact is that our external auditory canal has four thousand wax glands. These glands just produce a substance called earwax.
Since wax is so sticky, dust and dirt clings to it. Thus, it protects the ears from contamination, not allowing dirt to penetrate far inside. It is strictly forbidden to clean your ears with thin objects, such as matches. You could damage your eardrums. Some people produce more earwax than others.
If too much wax is produced, it can block the ear canals and cause hearing loss. In such cases, you should definitely see a doctor.
We occasionally have to clean the yellowish mass out of our ears. Where does it come from? The fact is that our external auditory canal has four thousand wax glands. These glands just produce a substance called earwax.
Since wax is so sticky, dust and dirt clings to it. Thus, it protects the ears from contamination, not allowing dirt to penetrate far inside. It is strictly forbidden to clean your ears with thin objects, such as matches. You could damage your eardrums. Some people produce more earwax than others.
If too much wax is produced, it can block the ear canals and cause hearing loss. In such cases, you should definitely see a doctor.
👍1
WHY do humans live longer than other mammals?
Scientists may have just discovered a major key to the search for immortality by discovering that our lifespan is inextricably linked to the rate by which our cells undergo genetic mutations.
Although it is logical to assume that our probability of death increases as these mutations accumulate over time, such a hypothesis fails to account for an inconsistency known as the Peto paradox. If death depends on the accumulation of somatic mutations, then larger species with more cells should receive more mutations and therefore have shorter lifespans.
For example, the authors found that human cells undergo an average of 47 replacement mutations per year, giving us an average lifespan of 83.7 years.
Scientists may have just discovered a major key to the search for immortality by discovering that our lifespan is inextricably linked to the rate by which our cells undergo genetic mutations.
Although it is logical to assume that our probability of death increases as these mutations accumulate over time, such a hypothesis fails to account for an inconsistency known as the Peto paradox. If death depends on the accumulation of somatic mutations, then larger species with more cells should receive more mutations and therefore have shorter lifespans.
For example, the authors found that human cells undergo an average of 47 replacement mutations per year, giving us an average lifespan of 83.7 years.
👍1
WHY can't bees fly over mirrors?
In 1963, the Austrian entomologist Herbert Heran and the German behavioral scientist Martin Lindauer noticed something strange about the way honeybees fly through the air. When a group of bees was trained to fly over a lake, they could only fly safely to the other shore if there were waves and ripples on the surface of the water.
At the same time, when the lake was mirror-smooth, the insects suddenly lost their orientation - and even fell into the water. The results of that study confirmed the idea that bees use visual cues to navigate during flight.
In other words, when the surface below the bees is mirrored, the insects assume that the ground below them is much farther away than it really is, and they lower their altitude to the limit.
In 1963, the Austrian entomologist Herbert Heran and the German behavioral scientist Martin Lindauer noticed something strange about the way honeybees fly through the air. When a group of bees was trained to fly over a lake, they could only fly safely to the other shore if there were waves and ripples on the surface of the water.
At the same time, when the lake was mirror-smooth, the insects suddenly lost their orientation - and even fell into the water. The results of that study confirmed the idea that bees use visual cues to navigate during flight.
In other words, when the surface below the bees is mirrored, the insects assume that the ground below them is much farther away than it really is, and they lower their altitude to the limit.
WHY does a dozen bear a separate name?
For it has many divisors
A dozen is the smallest number that has six different divisors, four of which are in a row: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. It is convenient in use, so counting in dozens was used in some monetary systems and in cattle breeding, where derivatives were also used.
Inch dozens are grosses (144) and dozen grosses are masses (1728). We are left with the division of the dial into 12 hours and the word "dozen" from duodecimal counting.
For it has many divisors
A dozen is the smallest number that has six different divisors, four of which are in a row: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. It is convenient in use, so counting in dozens was used in some monetary systems and in cattle breeding, where derivatives were also used.
Inch dozens are grosses (144) and dozen grosses are masses (1728). We are left with the division of the dial into 12 hours and the word "dozen" from duodecimal counting.
👍1
WHY do people blink?
Studies tell us that the average person blinks once every 2 to 10 seconds. We do this automatically as our eyelids protect our eyes from damage. Sometimes we blink intentionally, using what is called "sign language". As an example, we may blink to get attention, inviting another person to flirt. Sometimes we blink to express surprise, as if to say, "I can't believe my eyes!"
In humans, the inner surface of the upper and lower eyelids, as well as the eyes themselves, are lined with a thin, almost transparent membrane, the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva serves to moisten the surface of the eyes, because they need moisture to move properly. During blinking, the eyelid spreads moisture through the conjunctiva and also directs it to the corners of the eye.
Studies tell us that the average person blinks once every 2 to 10 seconds. We do this automatically as our eyelids protect our eyes from damage. Sometimes we blink intentionally, using what is called "sign language". As an example, we may blink to get attention, inviting another person to flirt. Sometimes we blink to express surprise, as if to say, "I can't believe my eyes!"
In humans, the inner surface of the upper and lower eyelids, as well as the eyes themselves, are lined with a thin, almost transparent membrane, the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva serves to moisten the surface of the eyes, because they need moisture to move properly. During blinking, the eyelid spreads moisture through the conjunctiva and also directs it to the corners of the eye.
😱1🤩1
WHY is maple syrup hard to obtain?
The tradition of maple sap harvesting, borrowed by Canadians from the Indians, took shape in their favorite and annually held in March, the national holiday of the inhabitants of Southern Quebec and Ontario. It is possible to get 20-25 liters of the most valuable sap from one tree only from sugar maple (Acer saccharinum).
These trees, which reach 30 m in height, grow in the south-east of Canada. To collect the sap, an incision is made on the trunk, approximately 20-30 cm above the ground, into which tubes are inserted leading to vessels where the sap, called passoka, flows. To obtain a sweet maple syrup or sugar, which instead of sucrose contains more useful dektrose and trace elements, the juice is thickened by evaporation. It takes 40 liters of juice to make 1 liter of syrup.
Maple syrup is an essential ingredient in many Canadian dishes. It is used in ice cream, soufflés, porridges and even some meat dishes.
The tradition of maple sap harvesting, borrowed by Canadians from the Indians, took shape in their favorite and annually held in March, the national holiday of the inhabitants of Southern Quebec and Ontario. It is possible to get 20-25 liters of the most valuable sap from one tree only from sugar maple (Acer saccharinum).
These trees, which reach 30 m in height, grow in the south-east of Canada. To collect the sap, an incision is made on the trunk, approximately 20-30 cm above the ground, into which tubes are inserted leading to vessels where the sap, called passoka, flows. To obtain a sweet maple syrup or sugar, which instead of sucrose contains more useful dektrose and trace elements, the juice is thickened by evaporation. It takes 40 liters of juice to make 1 liter of syrup.
Maple syrup is an essential ingredient in many Canadian dishes. It is used in ice cream, soufflés, porridges and even some meat dishes.
👍2🤩1
WHY is it dangerous for cats and dogs to go extinct?
Many cats and dogs, especially ornamental breeds, are almost incapable of making their own food in the wild. Even urban stray dogs and cats live mostly off people - intentional feeding and food scraps.
Furthermore, even completely feral dogs tend to lose competition to wild dogs like wolves, coyotes, etc. Living in the same territory as them, without human support, willing or unwilling, they quickly become extinct. However, in the absence of wild competitors, some dogs and cats are quite capable of mastering an independent life.
The most famous example is the Australian dingo, the feral descendant of domestic dogs, now the largest predator in the Australian fauna. In Australia, as well as in a number of other places, there are stable populations of feral domestic cats.
Many cats and dogs, especially ornamental breeds, are almost incapable of making their own food in the wild. Even urban stray dogs and cats live mostly off people - intentional feeding and food scraps.
Furthermore, even completely feral dogs tend to lose competition to wild dogs like wolves, coyotes, etc. Living in the same territory as them, without human support, willing or unwilling, they quickly become extinct. However, in the absence of wild competitors, some dogs and cats are quite capable of mastering an independent life.
The most famous example is the Australian dingo, the feral descendant of domestic dogs, now the largest predator in the Australian fauna. In Australia, as well as in a number of other places, there are stable populations of feral domestic cats.
👍4
WHY does the water jet narrow toward the bottom?
Slow and calm - laminar, as physicists say - the jet from a circular faucet first has a cross-section equal to the inner diameter of the pipe. Under the action of gravity, the flow accelerates, and since the flow of water doesn't change, the jet should narrow.
One can take a different look at it. Among two drops, that came out of the pipe with a small time gap, the first one starts accelerating earlier, and its detachment from the second one is constantly growing. Thus, gravity stretches the jet vertically. Since the volume of water between the drops remains the same, the jet is thinning.
At that, it is compressed by surface tension forces, and when the jet becomes quite thin - 2-3 mm - they also crush it into separate drops.
Slow and calm - laminar, as physicists say - the jet from a circular faucet first has a cross-section equal to the inner diameter of the pipe. Under the action of gravity, the flow accelerates, and since the flow of water doesn't change, the jet should narrow.
One can take a different look at it. Among two drops, that came out of the pipe with a small time gap, the first one starts accelerating earlier, and its detachment from the second one is constantly growing. Thus, gravity stretches the jet vertically. Since the volume of water between the drops remains the same, the jet is thinning.
At that, it is compressed by surface tension forces, and when the jet becomes quite thin - 2-3 mm - they also crush it into separate drops.
WHY do people like the smell after it rains?
The smell of rain has a term: petrichor.
When rain falls on the ground, water enters microcracks and pores. The air in them forms bubbles on the wet surface, which, when they burst, release many microdroplets into the air.
These tiny particles, containing oils of plant origin, are picked up by air currents and are spread around, creating that unique and beloved by many fragrance.
For the same reason, by the way, when it rains, a huge number of soil bacteria end up in the air. So when you say you smell wet soil, it is actually a molecule produced by a certain type of bacteria. This molecule, geosmin, is created by Streptomyces bacteria.
The smell of rain has a term: petrichor.
When rain falls on the ground, water enters microcracks and pores. The air in them forms bubbles on the wet surface, which, when they burst, release many microdroplets into the air.
These tiny particles, containing oils of plant origin, are picked up by air currents and are spread around, creating that unique and beloved by many fragrance.
For the same reason, by the way, when it rains, a huge number of soil bacteria end up in the air. So when you say you smell wet soil, it is actually a molecule produced by a certain type of bacteria. This molecule, geosmin, is created by Streptomyces bacteria.
❤5👍3