Science

Science

A Taste of Time
In my time of youthful innocence, I had dreams of grandeur. I wanted to be Indiana Jane, bush whacking through wildernesses and surviving the elements in search of a part of us we lost. I pursued this dream for a moment, brief though it was, before the bitter realities of life’s demands set in. In my pursuits, I learned some interesting things along the way. One of my favorite tidbits was how to distinguish bone fragments from pottery shards.
By E. J. Strange5 years ago in FYI
Did You know? - Trapping & Ambushing
These predators – who are not just spiders – are carnivorous animals that capture their prey with surprise attacks. The ambush can be accomplished by hiding in a burrow, camouflage, aggressive mimicry, or by the use of a trap.
By Daniel Toth5 years ago in FYI
Did You know? - Mesmerizing Marsupials
The distribution of marsupials in the world is quite uneven; marsupials are endemic to Oceania and the Americas. Around 70% of the 334 extant species are indigenous to Australia, the land where koalas and kangaroos roam free.
By Daniel Toth5 years ago in FYI
Chapter 1 of Junction
Mushrooms can grow under water and survive in space. If there was a species that could transverse neighbouring planets in the events of large impact events (such as the creation of the moon as is speculated) then mushrooms could certainly spread life in such a situation. Two such mushrooms noted to be able to survive space were tested by blasting them with unreasonably high doses of radiation. The Fungi “…Aspergillus and Penicillium… survived being blasted with 1’000 gray of X-ray radiation, 500 gray of heavy ions and large doses of UV radiation..” (Marta Cortesão -US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health).
By Jarrit Sachan5 years ago in FYI
Post-modern rock-pooling
Gazing into nature’s aquarium; a replica of the distant life in the ocean, rock pools show us a glimpse of the distant, marine world of crabs, shrimps and all manner of crustaceans jostling for life in their aquatic domain. But is the coast as far as they venture? The holidaying shores of the seaside may hold the classic rock-pool, but a similar crustacean abundance exists unknown beneath our dry, clad feet. Deep within our inland geology, a rich biodiversity of crustaceans is only yet beginning to be unearthed, living squeezed into the tiny nooks and crannies carved into the subterranean landscape.
By Georgia Melodie Hole5 years ago in FYI
Moving Forward with Sharks
What’s scarier than an ocean with sharks? An ocean without them. Greenpeace During distance learning for elementary students this year, I incorporated a Would you Rather question as an ice-breaker for the start of each class. Soon, a pattern in the student’s choices emerged. Every time there was an option involving water, the students preferred the land activity, and I became curious.
By Jennifer Christiansen5 years ago in FYI
Did You know? - Vicious Venoms
Some animals run fast to catch their prey or escape predators. Some have wings, while others use their sharp claws and teeth to defend or catch their prey. Toxins are no different: they can be used both to subdue prey and to defend themselves.
By Daniel Toth5 years ago in FYI
The Mad Science of Aseptic Technique
Imagine yourself in the year 1855, you have fallen from a horse drawn buggy and your arm has suffered a gruesome compound fracture. A piece of broken bone is protruding through your skin and fiery red blood is everywhere. You are rushed to the nearest doctor who will attempt to set the bone properly before bandaging the wound. Before they begin however, the room's bad air or miasma must be removed from the room due to the doctor's recent previous patient. At this point in time miasma was thought to be the cause of infection, so the doctor opens up a window, lets some fresh air in, and then straps you down to the operating table and picks up the still blood covered tools from their previous patient and begins their work on you.
By JLB5 years ago in FYI
The Face of Waste Management
Lagos. The largest city in Nigeria. A city riddled with violence and crime. A city that is deemed incredibly dangerous after dark. A city with a high unemployment rate and a huge environmental issue. A city that one young, black woman found great potential in.
By Nicky5 years ago in FYI
Crazy Eight
Random things I learned while living my life. Because Vocal created this really cool contest and I can't resist... I’ve chosen to describe eight random things because eight (Ba in Chinese) has the similar pronunciation with 发 (Fa, meaning wealth or fortune). And I am told that this number is very welcome among Chinese people.
By Christy Munson5 years ago in FYI
Real Dinosaurs are Better Than the Movie
Note: This story was originally published in Illumination. I retain the rights. When my cockatiel, Ziggy, falls flat on her face, I ask, “How did your ancestors survive the asteroid?”
By Alexa Baczak5 years ago in FYI
Who invented the N95 mask filter?
We never thanked the man behind the great invention i.e., the N95 mask filter. Have you ever thought about who invented the N95 mask filter? Was it an accidental discovery? or Was it decades of hard work of anyone?
By Zeeshan Mushtaq Lone5 years ago in FYI