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Author Topic: Useless Fact's Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-21-2006 07:14 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - How do worms multiply? Can you tell the difference between males and females? We assume that worms multiply the same way we all do, by using the calculator function on their Palm Pilots. Of course, if you're wondering how they reproduce, that's an entirely different story, and in order to explain it, we'll need to tackle your second question. As we learned from the links is our Worms Category, worms are, in fact, hermaphrodites. They possess both male and female sexual organs. The links go on to describe the reproductive process in detail: On warm, moist spring and summer nights, you can often seen hundreds of mating worms coming up out of their burrows. Once they have mated, the girdle like ring around the front of an earthworm called the clitellum slides along the worm's body, picking up fertilized eggs. When it finally falls off the worm into the soil, it forms a well protected nest or egg case within which the embryo worms develop.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-21-2006 12:37 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What happens to a Siamese twin when the other one dies? It depends on the condition at which Seamese twins are conjoined. If they share a vital organ or two, one is likely to die after the other. Even if they don't share a vital organ, there are many things that conflict one another and pose a threat to survival; though, death is not always unavoidable. Many pairs, depending on the degree of conjunction, can and choose to be separated separated by surgery during lifetime. In 2003 two women from Iran, Ladan and Laleh Bijani, who were joined at the head but had separate brains (craniopagus) were surgically separated in Singapore, despite surgeons' warnings that the operation could be fatal to one or both. Both women died during surgery on July 8, 2003. One ethical issue with separation is when the operation will result in the death of one twin (for example, in the case where they are sharing a heart.) A notable case was that of the Attard Sisters (Gracie and Rosie), the daughters of Rina and Michaelangelo Attard of the Maltese island of Gozo. Despite the opposition of the Attards, the High Court of Justice of England and Wales ruled that their twins should be separated, even though this would, and did in 2001, cause the death of Rosie, the weaker twin. Most recently, an attempt was made to separate the German conjoined twins Leah and Tabea (their last name remains unpublished). Tabea died September 16, 2004 just minutes after having been separated from her twin sister.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-21-2006 04:08 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why don't figure skaters get dizzy when they spin? Experienced ice skaters work on their spins for years. Over time, they become desensitized to the feeling of dizziness. Olympic skater Sasha Cohen says she's so used to spinning that she never gets dizzy. The World Figure Skating Blog explains that novices often become dizzy due to poor technique. They either look down or look up when they start revolving, or rock their bodies. The blog recommends a few tips for steadying your twirl: * Focus as normally as you can, straight out at eye level. * Keep your body and head still. * Keep your shoulders level. * "Stop your spin with a jerk, jabbing one toe point in the ice and giving your head a definite toss to clear away the cobwebs." * Don't eat heavily before spinning. (Just kidding.) According to a Recreational Figure Skating FAQ, mild dizziness after a series of revolutions can also "be quickly overcome if you skate off or do one or two turns in the opposite direction." So get centered, and choreograph with a plan to shake that spinning feeling.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-23-2006 09:31 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - What is the significance of the order of numbers around a dartboard? They're obviously not random, but they don't appear to be in any given order. I am not 100% sure, but suspect that the numbers on the dartboard are arranged in order to maximize players' mistakes. According to the links in our Darts category, the general arrangement of "high numbers alternating with low ones and odd with even" was adopted at the turn of the century and has persisted based solely on convention, despite the possibility of a more "logical" arrangement. My guess that the traditional arrangement is meant to penalize errant throws comes from my limited knowledge of the rules of darts. Some games require players to clear a set amount of points or "close" certain numbers (hit singles, doubles, and triples in each). By alternating high and low numbers, a missed throw won't usually help a player get closer to victory. Of course, many darts games rule out "slop" (errant, but scoring throws) and in those cases, the arrangement of the board would seem to be irrelevant.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-24-2006 07:54 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - What does the red dot on the forehead of Indian women represent? What is it made of and at what age do they get it? The red dot you are talking about is called " bindi" (derived from Sanskrit "bindu"), aka the "holy dot". It is usually a red dot made with vermillion and is traditionally worn on the forehead of married Hindu women - it is believed to protect women and their husbands. Nowadays it has become a decorative item and is worn by unmarried girls as well as non-Hindu women. It is no longer restricted in colour or shape. Self-adhesive bindis made from felt in various designs and colours are now available.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-26-2006 10:34 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why do people get the hiccups? I'm not sure why people get hiccups. It seems like every species has its cross to bear and hiccups is ours (along with death and taxes). Here's what links in our Hiccup Category say, however: Hiccups are a result of irregular movement by the diaphragm, the muscle that helps you expand and contract your lungs. The sudden rush of air into the lungs causes the glottis to close, creating the "hic" noise. The causes of hiccups are unknown, but they can sometimes be brought on by taking a cold drink while eating a hot meal, eating very hot or spicy food, laughing vigorously or coughing. Quick home remedies include: * Drinking a glass-worth of a carbonated beverage with salt in it (to quickly balance out the potassium-sodium levels in the nervous system). * Eating a tablespoon of sugar or honey. * Gulping down a glass of water while holding your breath.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-26-2006 08:59 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What substance gives the onion its specific scent and tearing in eyes? While looking for the answer to your question we visited several links and learned that the onion was sacred in ancient Egypt and esteemed through the ages as a symbol of eternity. More to the point, we learned that the flavor, odor, and tear- inducing qualities of this bulb come from sulfuric compounds released when the vegetable is cut. These dissolve in the water in our eyes, producing a mild sulfuric acid which causes tearing and irritation. When peeling and slicing onions you can reduce tearing by cutting the root end off last, since the cells containing the most sulfuric compounds are concentrated there. The nutritional benefits of onions far outweigh the problems posed by "onion breath" and teary eyes. These members of the lily family are high in Vitamin C and contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant, and adenosine, which is thought to fight LDL, an undesirable type of cholesterol.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-27-2006 08:04 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - What does "UNIX" stand for? Short answer: Unix stands for UNiplexed Information and Computing System. (It was originally spelled "Unics.") Long answer: Coined in 1969 to describe a specific computer operating system, the term "Unix" now covers a whole host of variations, including Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris. The name was intended as a pun on an earlier system called "Multics" (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service). That sidesplitting pun is the key to understanding the acronym, since the word "uniplexed" doesn't seem to mean anything in particular. ("Multiplexed" refers to a communications system able to carry many messages simultaneously.)  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-28-2006 07:06 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What makes fireflies glow and what do they eat? As we learned, there are over 2,000 species of these bioluminescent, nocturnal beetles. A member of the order Coleoptera, in the family Lampyridae, the firefly (aka lightning bug) produces a "cold light" in a specialized organ on the underside of its abdomen. There, a substance called luciferin reacts with oxygen, which is breathed in through the abdominal trachea. It appears that male fireflies' flashing patterns are mating signals -- females seem to prefer the most rapidly flashing males. Some scientists also believe that the flashing warns off potential predators. Nevertheless, frogs have been known to gorge on a summer feast of fireflies until they themselves begin to glow. As for the eating habits of fireflies: no one is really sure. Some report that adults don't eat at all, others believe that they feed on nectar and pollen. Female fireflies lay eggs in the soil. Four weeks later larvae are born. These larvae feed on slugs and snails over the summer, spend the winter in underground tunnels and emerge in the spring to eat again and transform into glowing bugs. Fireflies are found throughout tropical and temperate regions of the world. In the United States they live mostly east of the Mississippi. To attract fireflies to your backyard, try cutting down on lawn chemicals, reduce extra lighting that may interfere with their signaling, and plant tall grass or overhanging trees and shrubs to provide cool, moist, daytime shelter. In Japan, fireflies have become the cultural symbol for river protection and environmental conservation.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-29-2006 08:34 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What is it within the body that causes seasickness? What can a person do to prevent it? Seasickness is a form of motion sickness -- the movement of a boat on a fluid sea disturbs the organs of balance located in the inner ear. Symptoms are nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headache, pallor and cold perspiration. Seasickness may be prevented by eating lightly, avoiding fatty and spicy foods, or by staying in fresh air instead of in a stuffy cabin. Herbal remedies are recommended for treating seasickness, including cayenne pepper, ground pumpkin seed, and ginger to combat nausea. Prevent or alleviate seasickness on a large ship by facing forward or seeking areas with minimal motion. Take medication at least one hour before embarking; over the counter medications like Dramamine or Bonine can be effective for short trips. A prescription medication called Transderm-Scop is available as a patch worn behind the ear for up to three days. It's recommended for longer voyages, and is popular with sport and commercial fishermen.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 11-30-2006 09:22 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Who came up with the different blood types (e.g., A+, O-, etc.)? Business of classifying blood into various groups or types was first described by Karl Landsteiner in 1901. More specifically, Landsteiner, an Austrian-born U.S. immunologist, discovered the "ABO" system, made up of four groups (A, B, AB, and O) into which all blood can be classified. Apparently it's the presence or absence of certain "antigens" in your blood that determines type. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Further research by Landsteiner and others lead to the discovery of 14 main types of blood group systems. Landsteiner also participated in the discovery of the Rhesus blood factors and the polio virus. Landsteiner was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930 for his work in discovering ABO blood types.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-04-2006 08:30 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - What differentiates Scotch from other types of whiskey? In my experience, about $5 a bottle. Of course, you'd probably like a more detailed explanation of what makes Scotch Scotch. Here's what I found: A whisky, however produced, may only be legally described as Scotch whisky if it has matured in oak cask in Scotland for a minimum of three years. It must also have been bottled at a minimum strength of 40% alcohol by volume. There is no legal requirement for Scotch whisky to be bottled in Scotland.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-05-2006 09:07 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - How do colors in the workplace affect employees' moods and attitudes? Do certain colors add or prevent stress? Hmmm. I recall hearing that prison walls were painted pink to pacify the prisoners, but work isn't exactly prison. Here's some info from our Color Psychology category: Practitioners of color psychology, sometimes called color consultants, claim there are a number of reactions to color which seem to be noted in most persons. They also note that common physiological effects often accompany the psychological effects. Color consultants claim hues in the red area of color are typically viewed as "warm" while those in the blue and green range are typically viewed as "cool". Reds are also viewed as active and exciting, while the blues and greens are viewed as soothing and passive. Physiological tests have revealed similar responses. It's claimed that red hues increase bodily tension and stimulate the autonomic nervous system, while "cool" hues release tension. Color consultants also point to an increasing number of studies linking colors to specific responses. One study found that weight lifters have more powerful performances in blue rooms, and another study found that babies cry more frequently in yellow rooms. Color consultants believe that the colors used in the design of environment can have a significant impact on the emotions and performance of people within that environment. Although color psychology is a relatively new area of scientific research, ancient civilizations believed in the influence of color on humans. The ancient Chinese, Egyptians, and Indians believed in chromotherapy, or healing with colors.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-05-2006 04:44 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What exactly are we smelling when we smell "fresh cut grass?" While good old lawn grass may not grab the same attention as colorful azaleas or mighty redwoods, it's a fully functioning plant in its own right. This means it has chlorophyll, the green pigment that gives plants their color and enables them to carry on the process of photosynthesis. As it turns out, the molecular structure of the chlorophyll is similar to that of the "heme-" portion of hemoglobin (i.e., blood), except that the latter contains iron in place of the magnesium found in chlorophyll. Now fresh cut grass doesn't smell exactly like blood, but you can see the relationship. They both smell sharp, acrid, and a bit metallic. That's because they share a similar molecular structure, based around magnesium (chlorophyll) or iron (hemoglobin). So there you have it. Now, just make sure you take time to stop and smell the chlorophyll.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 12-06-2006 08:23 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Do deer antlers fall completely off each season and then grow back the next spring? Yes, deer antlers fall off every year. This generally happens in the springtime and the antlers begin to grow back almost immediately. The only variation comes from the age of the deer. In North America, younger deer sometimes keep their antlers until May; older deer begin shedding in February and March. Growth and hardening of the antlers is completed in late July or August, and the reduced daylight of winter diminishes testosterone production, which causes the shedding of antlers. Deer antlers can grow an astonishing .39 inches per day. Elk antlers can grow more than 1.05 inches per day!  |  IP: Logged

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