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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WHY are ladybugs sold by weight?
Beetles and their larvae are predators, and they are extremely voracious. The seven-point ladybug we know kills up to 150 aphids a day, while the smaller species kill up to 60. As larvae, the beetles destroy up to 800 aphids during the whole period and more than 4,000 aphids during the whole life cycle.
When touched, coccinellids secrete droplets of caustic orange hemolymph from their knee joints, burning the throat of their attackers and rendering them inedible to most insectivores and vertebrates. Even tarantulas leave ladybugs untouched.
Ladybugs are highly useful in pest control, so the bugs collected in the fall are sold by weight to gardeners and vegetable growers reluctant to use chemicals for this purpose.
Beetles and their larvae are predators, and they are extremely voracious. The seven-point ladybug we know kills up to 150 aphids a day, while the smaller species kill up to 60. As larvae, the beetles destroy up to 800 aphids during the whole period and more than 4,000 aphids during the whole life cycle.
When touched, coccinellids secrete droplets of caustic orange hemolymph from their knee joints, burning the throat of their attackers and rendering them inedible to most insectivores and vertebrates. Even tarantulas leave ladybugs untouched.
Ladybugs are highly useful in pest control, so the bugs collected in the fall are sold by weight to gardeners and vegetable growers reluctant to use chemicals for this purpose.
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WHY is butter yellow when milk is white?
Butter consists of more fat. Dairy fat is given its color by carotenoids, the red-yellow pigments, particularly vitamin A. Fat is present in both milk and butter. Still in milk it is in the form of an emulsion, a suspension of droplets the size of 3-4 microns.
Each droplet is surrounded by the thinnest protein-lecithin shell. Liquids of this structure look whitish because of light scattering on the surface of the droplets, regardless of the color of their contents.
In butter, the proportion of fat is higher, causing many of the emulsion droplets to merge with each other. The light scattered on them is worse, and the natural color of the fat appears stronger. Ghee, which is almost pure milk fat, looks even more yellow.
Butter consists of more fat. Dairy fat is given its color by carotenoids, the red-yellow pigments, particularly vitamin A. Fat is present in both milk and butter. Still in milk it is in the form of an emulsion, a suspension of droplets the size of 3-4 microns.
Each droplet is surrounded by the thinnest protein-lecithin shell. Liquids of this structure look whitish because of light scattering on the surface of the droplets, regardless of the color of their contents.
In butter, the proportion of fat is higher, causing many of the emulsion droplets to merge with each other. The light scattered on them is worse, and the natural color of the fat appears stronger. Ghee, which is almost pure milk fat, looks even more yellow.
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WHY do dogs twist in one place before lying down?
Lots of dog owners notice that their pets twist in one place before they go to sleep. Experts say that such a strange and somewhat funny ritual is most likely related to the habits of their canine ancestors, who lived in the wild. A full turn in one place is the animal's subconscious way of mowing down grass and leaves to get a sort of nest to sleep in.
The wild ancestors of domestic dogs slept outdoors, so they weren't always warm and safe. If you tuck grass, leaves, or snow in, you get a much cozier and more comfortable place to sleep. Perhaps the dog makes a circle before going to sleep to feel safer.
Sometimes you may also notice the dog starting to make "digging motions." In extreme heat, it is simply necessary to dig a small hole that is cooler to escape from overheating. In cold weather, a hole can also protect.
Lots of dog owners notice that their pets twist in one place before they go to sleep. Experts say that such a strange and somewhat funny ritual is most likely related to the habits of their canine ancestors, who lived in the wild. A full turn in one place is the animal's subconscious way of mowing down grass and leaves to get a sort of nest to sleep in.
The wild ancestors of domestic dogs slept outdoors, so they weren't always warm and safe. If you tuck grass, leaves, or snow in, you get a much cozier and more comfortable place to sleep. Perhaps the dog makes a circle before going to sleep to feel safer.
Sometimes you may also notice the dog starting to make "digging motions." In extreme heat, it is simply necessary to dig a small hole that is cooler to escape from overheating. In cold weather, a hole can also protect.
WHY shouldn't alcohol be used to keep warm?
Alcohol affects the vascular center of the brain, causing blood vessels throughout the body and head to dilate. This creates a deceptive sensation of warmth, while in fact the temperature of the human body decreases, mainly due to heat transfer to the environment.
First of all, alcohol promotes expansion of peripheral capillaries and vessels, creating a feeling of a rush of heat, thereby reducing the vigilance of citizens, as cold and frost they are no longer afraid of.
This insidious property of alcohol can significantly harm you on a frosty day. Drinking alcohol and stepping out into the cold, you can get very hypothermia and get sick, since the body is forced to consume more heat than in a sober state. Moreover, the stronger the alcoholic beverage, the stronger and faster comes this feeling of pseudo warmth and relaxation, which is soon replaced by chills.
Alcohol affects the vascular center of the brain, causing blood vessels throughout the body and head to dilate. This creates a deceptive sensation of warmth, while in fact the temperature of the human body decreases, mainly due to heat transfer to the environment.
First of all, alcohol promotes expansion of peripheral capillaries and vessels, creating a feeling of a rush of heat, thereby reducing the vigilance of citizens, as cold and frost they are no longer afraid of.
This insidious property of alcohol can significantly harm you on a frosty day. Drinking alcohol and stepping out into the cold, you can get very hypothermia and get sick, since the body is forced to consume more heat than in a sober state. Moreover, the stronger the alcoholic beverage, the stronger and faster comes this feeling of pseudo warmth and relaxation, which is soon replaced by chills.
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WHY is the watch worn on the left hand?
In 1904 Cartier's friend, the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, asked Cartier to make a watch for flying. Cartier invented the Santos, the first wristwatch for men (mechanical). The Santos was an extremely wearable wristwatch. During the First World War the wristwatch replaced the pocket watch and became popular among officers.
The Santos wristwatch appeared as a tool to be worn on the left hand, as most people were more handy with their right arm than with their left. When working, the main actions are performed with the right hand. To avoid damage, the watch was worn on the left hand.
Besides, a wristwatch had to be wound and the crown was on the right hand.
In 1904 Cartier's friend, the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, asked Cartier to make a watch for flying. Cartier invented the Santos, the first wristwatch for men (mechanical). The Santos was an extremely wearable wristwatch. During the First World War the wristwatch replaced the pocket watch and became popular among officers.
The Santos wristwatch appeared as a tool to be worn on the left hand, as most people were more handy with their right arm than with their left. When working, the main actions are performed with the right hand. To avoid damage, the watch was worn on the left hand.
Besides, a wristwatch had to be wound and the crown was on the right hand.
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WHY can some fish be treated as hermaphrodites?
For instance, gubans and parrotfish can change from females to males. From the eggs of these fish, mostly females hatch. They mature, lay eggs one or more times, and then turn into males. Ladies generally do not like to grow old, so in the case of these fish species, nature meets them halfway.
Young fish are mostly females; experienced fish are males. In clownfish families, there is a strict hierarchy. The female becomes the largest individual, followed by the male and juveniles. One coral polyp can live only one dominant pair.
The female bites the male by the fins, reminding him who the master of the house, and the parents together mushtet young. If the female dies, the male gets a "higher social status" and becomes the female. The role of the male begins to be played by the largest of the remaining "in the house" juveniles.
Thus, in one lifetime, many reef fish manage to try themselves in two hypostasis at once.
For instance, gubans and parrotfish can change from females to males. From the eggs of these fish, mostly females hatch. They mature, lay eggs one or more times, and then turn into males. Ladies generally do not like to grow old, so in the case of these fish species, nature meets them halfway.
Young fish are mostly females; experienced fish are males. In clownfish families, there is a strict hierarchy. The female becomes the largest individual, followed by the male and juveniles. One coral polyp can live only one dominant pair.
The female bites the male by the fins, reminding him who the master of the house, and the parents together mushtet young. If the female dies, the male gets a "higher social status" and becomes the female. The role of the male begins to be played by the largest of the remaining "in the house" juveniles.
Thus, in one lifetime, many reef fish manage to try themselves in two hypostasis at once.
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