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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 05-19-2007 10:58 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why do dogs turn around in circles before they lie down? This one took some link digging, but we managed to find the answer. The answer relates to the fact that dogs and wolves share over 99% of their genetic material. Dogs are often found digging into cool soil to escape hot weather; by digging and then turning several times they can direct their bodies into the curled posture that will best take advantage of the depression's coolness. This is a remnant of the burrowing behavior of their wild cousins and ancestors. Recent scientific studies suggest that dogs were domesticated much earlier than previously thought. Instead of dating them with the advent of agricultural societies around 15,000 years ago, they may have been domesticated by primitive cultures as much as 100,000 years ago. What's in a howl? The low pitch and long duration of a wolf howl helps it carry across tundra and through forests. A wolf pack that howls together stays together; howls are used to locate and identify family members.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 05-19-2007 03:39 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - When and why did Constantinople change to Istanbul? The place in question began its life as a town called Byzantium, founded by the Greeks around 600 BC. Because of its strategic location, the city was continually being besieged and captured during its tumultuous history. Over the years, the city passed through the hands of the Persian Empire and Alexander the Great before becoming part of the Roman Empire in 73 AD. In 330 AD, Roman emperor Constantine the Great made Byzantium the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The name of the city was later changed to Constantinople, to honor the emperor. In 1453, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II conquered the city and made it the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Now under new rule, the metropolis was dubbed "Istanbul" from the Greek phrase "eis ten polin," which meant "in the city." The name of the city wasn't officially changed until 1930, and Westerners continued to refer to it as Constantinople on maps and in speech into the '60s. So next time you happen to visit Turkey, avoid confusion and remember: Every gal in Constantinople Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople So if you've a date in Constantinople She'll be waiting in Istanbul  |  IP: Logged Gordon Bachlund Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 696 From: Monrovia, CA, USA Registered: Aug 1999 posted 05-19-2007 03:51 PM                        Rated PG..... In carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we will have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of Poop. However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine (or rum, whiskey, tequila, or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting. Remember: Water = Poop Wine = Health Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of shit.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 05-20-2007 09:10 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - What's the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum? Sniffing around for "types of perfume" turned up the sweet smell of eau de toilette and eau de parfum, as well as other versions of scented luxury. Most perfumes are complex combinations of natural materials, such as essential oils from plants, and synthetic products that increase the lasting power and heighten the smell. Alcohol is used as a liquid base for perfume, and the ratio of alcohol to scented perfume concentrates determines what the final concoction is labeled. From highest concentration to least, the different forms of perfume are: * "Perfume", also called extract or extrait perfume, can include 20-40% perfume concentrates. This is the purest form of scented product and is the most expensive as a result. * "Eau de parfum" contains about 10-20% perfume concentrates. This is the most popular and common form of perfume. It provides a long-lasting fragrance and generally doesn't cost as much as extract perfume. * "Eau de toilette" has around 5-10% perfume concentrates. This makes for a light scent that doesn't linger as long as the more intense versions. It was originally intended to be a refreshing body splash to help people wake up in the morning. * "Eau de cologne" is sometimes used interchangeably with the term eau de toilette. However, the concoction began as the name of a light, fresh fragrance mixed with citrus oils and was made popular by Napoleon. Some perfumers today have a version of this called eau fraiche. While these are the main classes of perfume, other products are frequently scented with perfume concentrates too. Lotions, creams, powders, body splashes, aftershaves, soaps, and other cosmetic products may contain variable (though usually small) amounts of fragrance. Now that you have your scents straight, we're sure you'll smell like a rose all day!  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 05-30-2007 01:01 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - How does a vending machine read dollar bills? While vending machines use a variety of methods to read bills, they check four different characteristics used to verify paper money: * Bills are printed with magnetic ink, and different denominations generate distinctive magnetic fields. * Bills have different conductivities (the rate at which they can conduct low levels of electricity). * Ultraviolet scanning technology can determine the different fluorescent properties of bills. * Digital cameras can reference the optical patterns in bills with a database of authentic patterns. A vending machine has to verify whether a bill is authentic or counterfeit before it determines its value. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing hosts this cool fact sheet about the security features used on its currency: color- shifting inks, watermarks, and microprinting. Those nifty currency counters that you see operated by shady types in gangster movies use a similar array of technology: magnetic sensors, ultraviolet readers, fluorescent bulbs, and optical magnifiers. After all, criminals need to watch out for counterfeit bills, too  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 05-30-2007 01:03 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What's the correct way to shave my face and neck? With or against the "grain"? According to The Art of Shaving, an upscale men's boutique in New York, the correct way to begin shaving is with the grain, or in the direction that your hair grows. "Swimming upstream," or going against the grain, could result in ingrown hairs, razor burn, or worse. But going against the grain is okay as a secondary technique, in order to get a really close shave. A few other tips for the discerning shaver: * Shave during or after a hot shower (not before!). * Always use hot water. * Glide the razor gently, so as to avoid unsightly blemishes. * Careful! Your neck hair may flow against your face hair. Shave accordingly! * Moisturizing lotion is never a bad idea. So there you have it. If you're considering shaving your head or other parts of your body, there are lots of other factors to keep in mind.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-07-2007 07:09 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - What is a hovercraft, and how does it work? According to links we visited, the term " hovercraft" is actually a commercial name patented in 1955 for an air-cushion vehicle. This refers to any vehicle that travels above the surface land or water. Air-cushion vehicles can use one of several methods to "float," but a hovercraft relies on a powerful cushion of downwardly directed air powered by fans and trapped inside a flexible skirt, greatly increasing its lift capacity. A thrust propeller allows the craft to move forward. The concept of a hovercraft has been around since the 18th century. The craft was conceived of to reduce the drag on ships and boats as they cut through the water. But it wasn't until the early 20th century that hovercrafts became a reality due to the advent of the internal combustion engine. In 1956, a British engineer named Christopher Cockerell created an operational air-cushion vehicle from a prototype model involving a coffee tin, an industrial air blower, and some kitchen scales. Today hovercrafts are widely used in ferry transport and have a sizeable recreational audience.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-08-2007 02:31 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Where is the Sargasso Sea? Do ships really disappear there? Sargasso Sea is a mysterious, seaweed-dense, elliptically shaped body of still water located in the North Atlantic between the Azores and the West Indies, and described by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and named for its surface forest of brown Sargassum seaweed. Warm, very blue (beneath the brownish mat of seaweed), highly salty, and characterized by a slow-moving, clockwise current, the Sargasso Sea is a 2-million-square-mile "floating desert" in the middle of the ocean. It's surrounded by some of the strongest currents on the planet -- including the Florida, the Gulf Stream, and the North Equatorial currents -- and contains within its perimeters the region known as the Bermuda Triangle. You could compare the Sargasso to the eye of a perpetual, slow-motion hurricane. The Sea of Lost Ships, as it is sometimes called, particularly in older literature and alternative science sources, has a centuries-old history of derelict and disappearing vessels. Although windless calms and weak currents may explain how sailing ships were lost in the Sargasso "doldrums," they do not explain 20th-century phenomena like the 1980 disappearance of the S.S. Poet. Hooey or not, there are some slippery goings-on in this still uncharted ecosystem. Every year, adult European eels from rivers all over Europe and North Africa return to their Sargasso Sea birthplace to spawn and die. Now that's an event we'd rather not get tangled up in.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-08-2007 02:34 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What type of fish does caviar come from? Depending on who you ask, caviar is defined as the roe (eggs) of specific types of sturgeon, or as the roe of most any fish. Purists insist that only Beluga Sturgeon, Osetra (or Asetra or Ossetra) Sturgeon, and Sevruga Sturgeon produce true caviar. Certainly, these fish are the source for the most expensive and rare caviar. But many companies sell caviar harvested from a variety of fish, although they usually either specify the fish (as in "Salmon caviar") or call the final product "American" or "domestic" caviar. Sturgeon evolved some 250 million years ago, and they retain many prehistoric characteristics, such as bony plates on their skin and long, toothless snouts. There are about 50 species of sturgeon, and the Beluga, Osetra, and Sevruga are all found in the Caspian Sea. Russia borders this sea and has traditionally been the main source of fine caviar. Some of the largest caviar fisheries in Russia are 200 years old. Beluga Sturgeon is the largest of the three caviar species, and Beluga caviar has a mild, delicate flavor with a blue-gray color. Osetra is a smaller fish with small-grained eggs that are nutty in flavor with a golden yellow color. Sevruga is the smallest of the three, with eggs that are strongly flavored and reddish or dark colored. The fish eggs most commonly used in "domestic caviar" are Atlantic Sturgeon, White Sturgeon, Hackleback Sturgeon, Paddlefish, Bowfin Fish, Golden White Fish, Salmon, and Trout. Atlantic Sturgeon and Paddlefish caviar are said to resemble Sevruga caviar. Other varieties have distinct flavors, such as Hackeback caviar, which has a sweet and nutty taste. Bowfin caviar is also known by its Cajun name of "Choupique" and is found in many Cajun recipes.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-10-2007 05:32 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - What is kosher salt? Is it better for you than regular salt? Sodium chloride -- aka salt -- is a crystalline compound that comes from the oceans. Salt can be harvested from seawater through evaporation, or it can be mined from inland deposits left by ancient oceans. Most salt we use in our kitchens and dining rooms is mined, except salt sold as "sea salt," which comes from seawater. Different types of salt are created during the refining process. Some varieties include additives that make them flow freely through salt shakers, and others have added iodine, which can prevent hypothyroidism. Most are ground into very fine grains, but a few types are left in a more natural form made of large, rocky crystals. Fine-grained salts include table salt, iodized salt, pickling salt, and popcorn salt. Rock salt and kosher salt are coarse-grained. Sea salt can be found in both fine and coarse forms. While all of these taste, well, salty, the degree of saltiness and the precise flavor can vary. Kosher salt usually has no additives, and it has big crystals with large surface areas. This size and shape allows it to absorb more moisture than other forms of salt, and this makes kosher salt excellent for curing meats. That is essentially where the name comes from. The salt itself is not kosher, meaning it doesn't conform to Jewish food laws, but this salt is used to make meat kosher. The Jewish holy book, the Torah, prohibits consumption of any blood, which is why kosher meat must be slaughtered and prepared in a specific manner. A common way of removing the final traces of blood from meat is to soak and salt it. That's not the only use for kosher salt, however. The flavor is distinct from ordinary table salt, and some cooks prefer to use it in all their cooking. Like other coarse salts, kosher salt can be used in recipes that call for a salt crust. You can even use it to salt the edge of a margarita glass. Nutritionally speaking, kosher salt is no different than table salt, although it does not provide iodine. The human body needs salt to regulate the electrolyte balance inside and outside of its cells. But studies have shown that diets low in salt lower a person's blood pressure. As with many health issues, scientists and doctors don't universally agree on the health benefits and problems related to salt intake.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-10-2007 05:37 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Who invented bowling? We dusted off our bowling shirt and shoes and set out to find the creator of our favorite sport. It appears the ancient Egyptians invented the sport of tossing a ball down an alley and listening to the oddly satisfying crash of pins. Archaeologist Sir Flinders Petrie discovered bowling balls and pins in the grave of an Egyptian child from 5200 BC. This seems to be the oldest evidence of the sport and a likely origin, although German historian William Pehle claims the sport originated in his country around 300 AD. The game flourished in various forms throughout Europe and was particularly popular in England during the reign of King Edward III. It was so popular, in fact, that the king outlawed the game so it wouldn't distract his troops from practicing their swordfighting skills. When America was settled, the Dutch, English, and German all brought their own versions of the game to the new world, where it enjoyed continued popularity, although not without some controversy. In 1870, nine-pin bowling, then the standard, was banned due to its close connection with gambling and other crimes. According to some sources, this led to the invention of ten-pin bowling in an ingenious effort to circumvent the law. During the 1950s, the invention of the automatic pinsetting machine, which automatically racked the pins and left pinboys unemployed, led to renewed popularity for the game. These days, bowling enjoys a sort of kitschy, retro appeal and has leagues of devoted enthusiasts.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-10-2007 05:41 PM                        Rated G Useless fact - Why do cats hate water? According to the links we visited, it seems that not all cats hate water. In fact, some cats love water. Cat species native to hot areas seem to enjoy water, whereas cat species from cold areas aren't so fond of the wet stuff. Tigers, lions, jaguars, ocelots, and jaguarundi are all from hot savannas, and they enjoy taking dips in cool, refreshing streams and ponds whenever they get the chance. Snow leopards, lynx, bobcats, and cougars live in cold environments and have little interest in getting wet. One veterinary professor suggests that water damages the ability of a cat's fur to insulate the animal against cold. This would explain why cold-weather cats don't like water -- it only makes them colder. But hot-weather cats don't have this problem. Many domestic cats don't seem to enjoy water sports. Of course, they may not experience the extreme heat of the African plains, so they have no great impulse to take a dip. Also, no cats enjoy water used against them in an antagonistic manner or getting water in their eyes or ears. Being sprayed or squirted with water isn't fun, nor is being forced into a bath. Cats much prefer to meet new situations on their own terms. Some housecats enjoy stepping into a shower or playing with a dripping faucet. The tolerance for water varies from cat to cat and may depend on the cat's previous experience. When people regularly enter their cats in cat shows, the cats must be bathed frequently, and those cats do get accustomed to the procedure. Show cats are often raised for the profession and get used to baths as kittens. Cats are natural swimmers, and in the wild, a cat will swim to cross a stream or lake. Some Asian cat varieties enjoy fishing and regularly dive into water to catch a tasty meal. The Turkish Van is a breed of domestic cat that loves the water. This cat is found near Lake Van in Turkey and has been a household pet in the area for centuries. Vans will even swim into the harbor to greet fishing boats!  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-11-2007 06:52 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - What makes things glow in the dark? Glow sticks, star stickers, heavy metal posters, and all other glow-in-the-dark novelties are powered by phosphors, chemical compounds that emit visible light after being radiated. Phosphorescent materials continue to glow after their energy source (light) is gone, while fluorescent materials will dim immediately. The electrons in phosphors, like children and politicians, are easily excited. When charged with light, they quickly ascend to a higher electron orbit, giving off light energy in the process. Glow-in-the-dark light emanates from electrons that are in an intermediate but still excitable condition, kind of like the way you feel after you've just finished the hundred-yard dash. Most glow-in-the-dark toys contain either zinc sulfide or strontium aluminate, because these substances have relatively long phosphor persistence (i.e., they glow longer). Some pricey watches contain glow-in-the-dark elements that don't need charging, because they contain mildly radioactive materials. Guess what? You're staring at a group of densely clustered, electrically charged phosphors right now. TV sets and computer monitors use thousands of tiny phosphor elements to emit varying shades of red, green, and blue.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-11-2007 09:50 AM                        Rated G :G Useless fact - Will drinking coffee really stunt the growth of children? There is no compelling evidence that coffee stunts the growth of children, but it's generally a bad idea to give kids caffeine. It can interfere with sleep habits, exacerbate hyperactivity, and contribute to dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it causes the body to eliminate water. Kids get most of their caffeine through soft drinks. By opting for these fizzy drinks over milk, vegetable, or fruit juices, children can miss out on nutrients. Also, both caffeinated drinks and many juices can contain hefty helpings of sugar, and excessive sugar consumption is a big contributing factor to childhood obesity. Not surprisingly, coffee and caffeine are a constant subject of health studies. Many links argue that caffeine is a contributing factor in heartburn, high blood pressure, and even still-births. Still, the general consensus is that moderate consumption of caffeine (200-300 mg, or two cups of coffee, a day) doesn't pose a health risk.  |  IP: Logged Bob Maar (Maar stands for Maartini) Posts: 28608 From: New York City & Newport, RI Registered: Feb 2001 posted 06-11-2007 09:52 AM                        Rated G Useless fact - Are human beings the only animals that cry? Tears are an important protection and lubricant for the eye. They can flush out irritants and keep the eye wet to enhance vision. The eye's lacrimal system evolved to keep the eye surface moist. In aquatic animals, the eye is constantly bathed in water, but land animals are surrounded by air, so their eyes needed a built-in watering system. While most vertebrates are physically capable of producing tears, many scientists say that humans are the only animals that cry emotional tears. Different sources suggest that chimpanzees, elephants, dogs, and bears can shed tears. But we couldn't find any scientific studies of animal's emotional tears. As Tom Lutz author of Crying: The Natural and Cultural History of Tears notes, it would be impossible to discern if animal tears were purely emotional or caused by eye irritation. However, if you don't consider tears essential to crying, then many animals cry. Studies have found that very young mammals and birds vocalize when they are separated from their mothers. Baby animals can be quite expressive in their distress at being apart from their primary caretakers. Wildlife experts and hunters both note that the cry of a bear cub separated from its mother sounds very much like a human baby's cry. While these cries don't include tears, they seem to have an emotional element. And despite the old saying, crocodiles don't shed tears.  |  IP: Logged

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