What would happen to your body if you were suddenly in deep space without a spacesuit (our grandkids’ equivalent to up a creek without a paddle)? You would actually be ok for a while. As long as you don’t try to hold your breath.
Archive | Science and Such
Einstein
I’m reading a biography of Einstein, by Walter Isaacson. There are lots of “didja knows” throughout the book, but the theme seems to be how Einstein’s creativity and irreverence were the keys to his scientific life and success. A few notable items that have nothing to do with that theme: 1. He had an illegitimate […]
Are We Getting Heavier?
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the earth’s rotation is slowing. So I have some questions. 1. As the earth rotates, don’t we, just a bit, sort of want to fly off the face of the earth in a straight line heading east (or what’s called East on earth)? That is, our inertia would […]
Eat Your Words
Which shape above is the bouba? BBC News has a medium-length article (with videos!) about some science showing that we all have the ability for some kind of synesthesia. Some words just SEEM to represent a rounded shape rather than an angular one. Others just seem to represent a sour taste more than a sweet […]
New Dating Technique
Sucker! You thought I was going to tell you how to go from movie and dinner to breakfast in bed? No. But scientists have found a way to tell the age of ceramics, which are impervious to carbon dating. At the moment, they can only date back a couple of thousand years, but they’re trying […]
Photic Sneeze Reflex
About 25% of us (including me) sneeze when we see a bright light. Why?
Circumcision and Bad Logic
A recent Johns Hopkins study showed that Ugandan men who are circumcised are significantly less likely to contract herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) (which can cause warts in men and cancer in women). Circumcision also lowers the risk of getting HIV. So the scientists who did the study are recommending that doctors everywhere inform mothers-to-be […]
Spring is Here
Today, a being standing at either the north or south pole will see the sun creep across the horizon. At the north pole, it’s all daytime for a while. The sun won’t set for six months. At the south pole, that’s it. No more sun till September. Those emperor penguins have a long night ahead […]
Another Reason to Knock Off Early
Long working hours correlates to mental decline.
Creationist Timing
Lying back in the chair, with a mouth full of dental equipment, I tried to read my book. The dental assistant asked what I was reading; showing her the cover, I said the name of the book as best as I could. “Why Evolution is True.” She laughed a little too loudly, then said to […]