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Author
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Topic: Useless Fact's
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-08-2007 07:51 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Is cholesterol found in squid, octopus, shrimp, and other seafood?
In general, cholesterol levels are not significant in seafood products. But you asked specifically about shrimp, octopus and squid. While the cholesterol in shrimp varies considerably by specie, it generally is 1-1/2 to 2 times higher than in the dark meat of chicken, but far less than in eggs ... Squid and octopus may contain relatively high levels, 250 and 122 mg [per] 3-1/2 ounces, respectively. For people with higher cholesterol levels, seafood can be consumed a few times per week if saturated fat intakes are low. Most cholesterol within our bodies is created by the saturated fat that we eat, and generally most seafood is "excruciatingly low in saturated fat." So eat wisely, and enjoy the seafood.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-11-2007 07:55 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - What's the deal with the Dark Ages?
Specifically, the term Dark Ages refers to the time (476-800) when there was no Roman (or Holy Roman) emperor in the West; or, more generally, to the period between about 500 and 1000, which was marked by frequent warfare and a virtual disappearance of urban life. Not much is known about this time period, other than the "frequent warfare" bit. Indeed, there was fighting and plundering galore during the Dark Ages, as dozens of roaming barbarian hordes (Goths, Huns, Vandals, Franks, etc.) competed for land and riches. This was a "period of defeat, migration and conquest known as the Volkerwanderung - the 'Wandering of the Peoples'."
A note of caution -- much like "The Third World," many people view the phrase "Dark Ages" as pejorative. Others object, insisting that the phrase simply refers to the lack of historical knowledge about the period. Nonetheless, the phrase has fallen out of favor. Alternative names for this period include "Early Medieval" and "Late Antiquity." So don't say we didn't give you fair warning.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-13-2007 07:15 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Do identical twins have identical DNA?
Identical twins, formed when one fertilized egg splits, are the only people in the world with identical DNA. Fraternal twins, on the other hand, are formed when two different eggs are fertilized. Genetically speaking, fraternal twins are no closer than normal siblings, sharing only about 50% of their genes.
Although identical twins have the same genotype, or DNA, they have different phenotypes, meaning that the same DNA is expressed in different ways.
Traits determined by phenotype, such as fingerprints and physical appearance, are the result of "the interaction of the individual¿s genes and the developmental environment in the uterus." Thus, a DNA test can't determine the difference between identical twins, while a simple fingerprint can.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-14-2007 07:32 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - Why is the pirate flag called the Jolly Roger?
Several links state that the original skull-and-crossbones flag was derived from the french "jolie rouge", meaning "pretty red," and refers to a red pennant also known as the "jolie rougere", flown by 17th and 18th century French buccaneers in the Caribbean. One link states:
In many parts of the Caribbean, the "Jolly Roger" was the equivalent of a happy face: it meant the pirate ship was willing to take prisoners. The appearance of a red flag, however, signified no prisoners, and the pirates would slaughter crew and passengers to a man.
Another link mentions that roger was synonymous with rogue in 18th century parlance, while others write about the distinctive flags of their swashbuckling favorites, including Bartholomew Roberts (the notorious Black Bart) and "Jolly Roger Rickrack, the simply gorgeous terror of six of the seven seas." Jolly Roger is also associated with "Old Roger," a known nickname of the devil himself, but the French derivation of the term is more widely accepted.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-14-2007 08:01 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - What happens if you swallow chewing gum?
Doctors reassure us that the body will get rid of the gum in due time. However, sugar-free gum, whether swallowed or chewed in large amounts, can cause digestive problems. The sugar substitutes (hexitol, sorbitol, and mannitol, to name a few) found in sugar-free gum are not absorbed, but pass into the small intestine and colon, where they can cause diarrhea.
One of the links confirmed that swallowing a gum is not the healthiest thing you can do, but if it happens, the gum will simply pass through your system undigested into your stool (much like fiber).
The consensus seems that it's best to toss your chewed-out gum in the trash, but if you do happen to swallow a piece, don't worry -- it won't sit in your tummy for seven years.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-15-2007 11:45 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - What can I do to make my skin look clearer?
The first thing can do for your skin is to adjust your diet. A newspaper report a few years ago said that in cultures where no processed food (such as white flour based and refined products) are eaten, acne is almost unheard of. I came across this personal experience while looking for the answer: "I thought I'd give this a bash and swapped white bread for wholemeal, white rice for brown, white pasta for buckwheat, and cut out things like ready meals and fast food. Within two months I'd noticed such a big difference I'd go so far as to almost call it miraculous."
It's also worth making sure you keep your water consumption high (6-8 glasses a day, spread out evenly) and eating a variety of veg to get vitamins to help your skin to repair and renew and keep it hydrated and plumped up, which will make it look clearer. If you wear make-up, clean it off every night, and try to have one or two make up free days a week. Don't waste your time and money on huge amounts of harsh chemical filled products that promise miracles, they often do more harm than good by stripping the skin of natural oils and stimulating it to produce more. Stick to a simple cleansing and light moisturizing regime and keep tea tree oil handy to dab on individual spots and blemishes. Avoid long exposure to sun rays. Don't smoke, and avoid smoky environments, it's one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Check out the links in our Skin category for more.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-15-2007 05:25 PM
RATED G
Useless fact - What does "ZIP code" stand for?
The ZIP in ZIP code is actually an acronym for "Zoning Improvement Plan." In the early 1960s, the United States Postal Service felt the pressure of a huge increase in mail volume (mainly due to the advent of the computer and its effect on business mail). This increase, coupled with changes in transportation (a shift from trains to planes) and the rising cost of manual labor, forced the USPS to look at new automated methods of sorting and delivering the mail. The USPS also examined different coding systems to aid in the mechanization process.
After reviewing several new systems, the USPS officially adopted the Zone Improvement Plan in 1963. The plan assigned a five-digit code to every address in the United States. The code worked as follows:
The first digit designated a broad geographical area of the United States, ranging from zero for the Northeast to nine for the far West. This was followed by two digits that more closely pinpointed population concentrations and those sectional centers accessible to common transportation networks. The final two digits designated small post offices or postal zones in larger zoned cities. On July 1, 1963, the ZIP code system went into effect. Then, in 1983, the USPS decided further improvements were necessary. They introduced the ZIP+4 code, which tacked another four digits onto the existing ZIP codes. With this additional number, the USPS could more accurately pinpoint a particular delivery location.
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-17-2007 08:35 AM
Rated G
Useless fact - How do you grow Bonsai tree?
Bonsai trees aren't that difficult to cultivate. If you've taken care of a regular houseplant, you're more than halfway there. But unlike houseplants, bonsai trees are actually trees -- and can be killed if kept indoors during the winter. There are a few other issues to consider...
Contrary to popular belief, bonsai trees aren't genetically modified dwarves. They're regular trees or shrubs that are artificially stunted by pruning their roots and tying their branches with wire. The art originated in China, and was adapted by the Japanese early in the second millennium.
If you're not in the market for a ready-made bonsai, you can create your own from seeds or cuttings or by digging up your own tree. You'll need to remove the main root, or tap root, to fit the plant in your pot.
With some basic pruning and wiring skills, you can convert any mangy old shrub into a glorious bonsai. That's the theory, anyway. Regardless, you'll have plenty of time to work on your craft; many bonsai trees are centuries old.
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