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Cool science stuff

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LalaithUrwen
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Fri 28 Jul , 2017 11:56 am
The Grey Amaretto as Supermega-awesome Proud Heretic Girl
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I would refuse that device for many reasons, not the least of which is that my skin doesn't do any kind of disturbance well. No tattoos, no more piercings, etc.

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Jude
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 22 Aug , 2017 11:10 am
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Coolness!

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Jude
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Sun 27 Aug , 2017 7:16 pm
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Here's a scientific fact I learned today: I've always wondered why hot peppers developed their fiery flavour as a means to deter animals from eating them, since that's how they get their seeds spread.

Well, here's the answer: the capsaicin only deters mammals from eating them. Birds are immune to it, and so they depend on birds to spread their seeds around.

This random fact brought to you from "Grow for Flavour" by James Wong - a book I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone interested in growing their own food.

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LalaithUrwen
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Mon 28 Aug , 2017 1:02 pm
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I had actually heard of that before. It's very interesting, isn't it?

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aninkling
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Mon 28 Aug , 2017 1:14 pm
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You can use that to keep squirrels away from bird feeders - mix hot pepper into the birdseed. I've done it, depending on the feeder, and no, you don't usually see squirrels running around with tears in their eyes. I assume the smell alone makes them cautious.

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Jude
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Fri 15 Sep , 2017 7:41 pm
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Toronto to Montreal in 39 minutes? Futuristic people mover zips to next stage
Quote:
A futuristic tube system that would sling passengers from Toronto to Montreal via Ottawa in 39 minutes has been chosen as the strongest Canadian contender to put what is for now a technological theory into practice.

A "hyperloop" uses electric propulsion to move magnetically levitated pods through low-pressure tubes, eliminating air resistance and friction, and enabling the pods to travel at a velocity approaching the speed of sound.
This is so exciting. It's basically a little less time than it would take to fly.

If this is successful, I wonder if transatlantic tubes are possible?

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LalaithUrwen
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Sun 17 Sep , 2017 4:00 am
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We are in the running for one from Columbus to Chicago. It would take something like 29 minutes. That is crazy!!! It's a 5- to 6-hour drive now. (It's the same to Asheville, NC, come to think of it. Just think, NC peeps! We could see each other in half an hour! WOW.)

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Frelga
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Mon 18 Sep , 2017 8:47 pm
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I could come visit my son in Chicago and then pop over to chat with Lali. :)

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Jude
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Mon 18 Sep , 2017 9:19 pm
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And be home the same day!

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LalaithUrwen
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 19 Sep , 2017 3:14 am
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How cool would that be?! :dance:

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Frelga
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Sun 29 Oct , 2017 4:54 pm
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The replies to this tweet are excellent.

"If you could have the entire world know just one thing about your field of study, then what would it be? #MyOneScienceTweet"


https://twitter.com/EntoLudwick/status/ ... 5613413376

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aninkling
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 12 Dec , 2017 1:44 am
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An unusual interstellar visitor:
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/arc ... id/547985/
Quote:
Astronomers to Check Mysterious Interstellar Object for Signs of Technology

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Frelga
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 12 Dec , 2017 1:47 am
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That sentence gave me a chill.

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aninkling
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 12 Dec , 2017 2:02 pm
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The story sounds like the start of a sci fi novel, doesn't it? I expect the mysterious object will turn out to be entirely natural and astronomers will have some enjoyable hours figuring out why it has such weird properties. Still, the hint of the mysterious is fun.

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MariaHobbit
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 12 Dec , 2017 9:09 pm
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Yeah, just wait until it starts decelerating. :Q


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Frelga
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 09 Jan , 2018 8:41 am
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Australia is so extra. We already knew everything there will bite, sting, kick, and poison you, often at the same time. Now it turns out birds will also set you on fire. On purpose.

Intentional Fire-Spreading by “Firehawk” Raptors in Northern Australia
Quote:
Observers report both solo and cooperative attempts, often successful, to spread wildfires intentionally via single-occasion or repeated transport of burning sticks in talons or beaks. This behavior, often represented in sacred ceremonies, is widely known to local people in the Northern Territory, where we carried out ethno-ornithological research from 2011 to 2017; it was also reported to us from Western Australia and Queensland. Though Aboriginal rangers and others who deal with bushfires take into account the risks posed by raptors that cause controlled burns to jump across firebreaks, official skepticism about the reality of avian fire-spreading hampers effective planning for landscape management and restoration. Via ethno-ornithological workshops and controlled field experiments with land managers, our collaborative research aims to situate fire-spreading as an important factor in fire management and fire ecology.

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MariaHobbit
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 09 Jan , 2018 2:27 pm
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Smart birds! :Q


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aninkling
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Tue 09 Jan , 2018 2:44 pm
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A bit skeptical - I'd have to see the full text of the article before I make up my mind. It doesn't really sound like they have any actual evidence to corroborate this, just "we interviewed people who claim it happens."

And abstract inflation is a big nuisance, these days. You'll read an abstract making definitive claims of something significant, then find that the paper itself is much less certain and has all sorts of caveats in the discussion.

Also, their cited references are rather short on peer-reviewed literature (journal articles from reputable journals) which makes me wary. The Canberra Times, Newsweek and books about mythology don't get much respect as a source in scientific circles. :)

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Frelga
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Sat 03 Feb , 2018 8:19 pm
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It's about science, right?
[ attachment ]
senddunes.jpg (35.23 KiB) Viewed 29677 times

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Alatar
Post subject: Re: Cool science stuff
Posted: Sun 04 Feb , 2018 8:28 pm
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I read that as "British ops want to use AL to spot Porn". I was like... er... Ok?

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