Answerbag: kanjalid's answers

Answer to Would you want to live if you had experienced an accident that left you with a thirty second memory span?

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:41:30 -0700

Would you want to live if you had experienced an accident that left you with a thirty second memory span?

I doubt that anyone would be able to, first of all, *believe* that they've had an accident that has damaged their memory so severely that they will only be able to remember thirty seconds worth before they forget it. And even if they manage to somehow wrap their brains around that before...

Answer to What is juche?

Tue, 28 Mar 2006 17:21:07 -0800

What is juche?

The Juche Idea (pronounced approximately "joo-cheh") is the official ideology of North Korea, and informally the political system based on it. It is also known as Kimilsungism for its founder Kim Il-sung. The core of Juche is that the people, collectively, must be the subjects and...

Answer to How did Vladimir Lenin die?

Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:50:02 -0700

How did Vladimir Lenin die?

Lenin's health had already been severely damaged due to the intolerable strains of revolution and war. The assassination attempt earlier in his life also added to his health problems. The bullet was still lodged in his neck too close to his spine for surgeons to remove it. In May 1922, Lenin...

Answer to What is truffle honey?

Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:39:51 -0700

What is truffle honey?

Truffle honey is honey infused with, almost always white, truffles. It is used traditionally in Tuscan cooking. It goes exceptionally well with cheeses, toasted bread, and desserts. Or use it to baste meat and poultry.

Answer to What are shepherd moons?

Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:18:27 -0700

What are shepherd moons?

'Shepherd' moons (or satellites) are small moons that orbit near the outer edges of planetary rings or within gaps in the rings. A planetary ring is a ring of dust and other small particles orbiting around a planet in a flat disc-shaped region. The most spectacular and famous...

Answer to What is a war crime?

Fri, 29 Jul 2005 04:49:55 -0700

What is a war crime?

A war crime is a punishable offense, under international (criminal) law, for violations of the law of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. Every violation of the law of war* in an inter-state conflict is a war crime, while violations in internal conflicts don't necessarily...

Answer to What is the purpose of the knee jerk reflex?

Fri, 08 Jul 2005 04:12:21 -0700

What is the purpose of the knee jerk reflex?

The knee-jerk reflex -- also know as the patellar reflex -- is a spinal reflex, meaning that the neural circuit only goes up to the spinal cord, not all the way to the brain. The advantage of a spinal reflex is that it is fast. Nerve impulses only have to go through two neurons, so the pathway is...

Answer to Why are perfumes usually only applied to the wrists and the neck area?

Mon, 20 Jun 2005 21:04:24 -0700

Why are perfumes usually only applied to the wrists and the neck area?

'Pulse points' are where blood vessels are closest to the skin; giving off more heat and acting like mini fragrance pumps. Pulse point areas include the wrist, behind the ear, base of the throat, inside of the elbow, and behind the knee. Applying perfumes to pulse points, such as the...

Answer to Can inhaling helium from a balloon be dangerous?

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 22:19:07 -0700

Can inhaling helium from a balloon be dangerous?

Although the vocal effect of inhaling helium may be amusing, it can be dangerous if done to excess. The reason is not due to toxicity or any property of helium but simply due to it displacing oxygen needed for normal respiration. One must be aware that in mammals (with the notable exception of...

Answer to What does it mean for a President to be impeached?

Fri, 17 Jun 2005 04:08:17 -0700

What does it mean for a President to be impeached?

Impeachment is the first step in removing an officer from office. The president, vice president, and other federal officers (as judges) may be impeached by the House of Representatives. The House draws up articles of impeachment that itemize the charges and their factual bases. [---->]...

Answer to What is Magic Eraser made of and how does it work?

Thu, 16 Jun 2005 21:45:41 -0700

What is Magic Eraser made of and how does it work?

Magic Eraser is a cleaning stick made of melamine foam. Melamine is a resin used in construction and the automotive industry as a sound barrier and flame retardant. It also imparts strength and is used in such products as dinnerware and laminate counter tops. The eraser is moistened with water...

Answer to When and where was Louisa May Alcott born? When and where did she die?

Wed, 15 Jun 2005 03:31:26 -0700

When and where was Louisa May Alcott born? When and where did she die?

Louisa May Alcott was born to parents Amos Bronson Alcott and Abigail May on November 29, 1832 in Germantown, now part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She succumbed to the lingering after effects of mercury poisoning, contracted during her Civil War service, and died in Boston on March 6, 1888....

Answer to Is it possible to temporaly "disable" somebody by just touching a point on their body? If yes where is that point? Is this dangerous?

Tue, 31 May 2005 19:43:32 -0700

Is it possible to temporaly "disable" somebody by just touching a point on their body? If yes where is that point? Is this dangerous?

Yes, it is (according to most martial art experts) possible - - but only IF you have been properly trained. Dim mak is an ancient and *extremely* dangerous martial art, that consists of striking certain points (usually called dim mak, vital, or pressure points) on the body. The majority of...

Answer to Where did the peace sign originate?

Sun, 29 May 2005 16:19:47 -0700

Where did the peace sign originate?

Note: Since I'm not quite sure if you refer to the actual peace sign or the peace symbol (I know people who use 'peace sign' interchangeably), I'm including answers for both. THE PEACE SIGN U.S. President Richard Nixon used the 'victory sign' (a hand gesture in...

Answer to Why is the cornea transparent?

Sat, 28 May 2005 20:13:32 -0700

Why is the cornea transparent?

Since it has to be transparent to allow light to enter the eye, there are no blood vessels in the cornea. It is composed of very tightly packed collagen fibers just like the sclera (i.e., the white of the eye). But whereas the collagen fibers in the sclera are randomly packed together (thus...

Answer to What exactly is happening in the eye when it is bloodshot?

Sat, 28 May 2005 19:34:02 -0700

What exactly is happening in the eye when it is bloodshot?

Bloodshot eyes occur when the tiny blood vessels on the surface of the sclera* become inflamed and congested, usually in response to an insufficient amount of oxygen in the cornea**. Bloodshot eyes are often attributed to poor sleep and allergies. They are a common consequence of eyestrain,...

Answer to What is booyaka?

Thu, 26 May 2005 06:52:43 -0700

What is booyaka?

'Booyaka' is Jamaican slang used to indicate the sound of a gun-shot. It's usually said when pretending to shoot in the air with one's fingers.

Answer to Why does our skin wrinkle when we've been in the bath, shower, etc? Why does it only seem to affect the skin on our palms and the soles of our feet?

Thu, 26 May 2005 06:37:26 -0700

Why does our skin wrinkle when we've been in the bath, shower, etc? Why does it only seem to affect the skin on our palms and the soles of our feet?

When you are immersed in water for prolonged periods the dead, keratin-filled cells from the outer most layer of your epidermis (called the stratum corneum, which acts as a barrier between the body and the environment) absorbs the water. This, of course, causes the stratum corneum to occupy a...

Answer to Who was Erwin Rommel?

Wed, 25 May 2005 20:26:56 -0700

Who was Erwin Rommel?

Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel (November 15, 1891 � October 14, 1944) was one of the most distinguished German Field Marshals and commander of the Deutsches Afrika Korps in World War II. He is also known by his nickname, The Desert Fox (W�stenfuchs). - Early Life and Career - Rommel was born in...

Answer to How was the length of a "foot" (12 inches) initially established?

Wed, 25 May 2005 00:42:55 -0700

How was the length of a "foot" (12 inches) initially established?

Before the Norman conquest of 1066 in Anglo-Saxon England, short distances were measured in a various of ways, such as: - The inch (ynce) - The shaftment - The foot & "natural foot" The inch was defined back then as the length of 3 barleycorns, which is very close to its...

Answer to How did Os and Xs (i.e. XOXO) come to symbolize 'hugs and kisses'?

Tue, 24 May 2005 20:52:44 -0700

How did Os and Xs (i.e. XOXO) come to symbolize 'hugs and kisses'?

The Oxford English Dictionary, as credited by Hugkiss.com, states the first "X-as-kiss" in literature occurred in 1901. (Where it appeared isn't mentioned.) The site, as well as Wikipedia, describes the X symbol as originally referring to the Christian cross (and the first letter...

Answer to What is a julienne?

Mon, 23 May 2005 23:47:06 -0700

What is a julienne?

To cut food into thin match-like, narrow strips. The term is usually associated with vegetables, but may be applied to cooked meat or fish.

Answer to What is a flambe?

Mon, 23 May 2005 23:45:51 -0700

What is a flambe?

A cooking technique in which liquor is added at the last minute and then lit before serving. In French it literally means "flaming."

Answer to What is a brine?

Mon, 23 May 2005 23:43:28 -0700

What is a brine?

A water and salt solution used for pickling or preserving.

Answer to What is a braise?

Mon, 23 May 2005 23:42:50 -0700

What is a braise?

To cook by browning or searing in fat, then adding a small amount of liquid to the pan, covering tightly and cooking at low temperature until tender. This can be done either in the oven or on the stovetop.

Answer to What is a wine?

Mon, 23 May 2005 23:32:18 -0700

What is a wine?

An alcoholic beverage resulting from the fermentation of grapes or grape juice. Wine-like beverages can also be made from other fruits or from flowers or grains. In this sense the word wine is used with a qualifier, for example, elderberry wine. The word wine by itself always means grape wine.

Answer to What is a microbrew?

Mon, 23 May 2005 23:29:46 -0700

What is a microbrew?

A beer produced in relatively small quantities by a microbrewery, a small commercial brewery.

Answer to What is heat lightning?

Mon, 23 May 2005 00:55:58 -0700

What is heat lightning?

Heat lighting (or, in the UK, 'summer lightning') is a term given to regular lightning that is too far away for the thunder to be heard. You can, however, see the lightning reflecting on the clouds, usually near the horizon. Since heat lightning is most likely to be seen in...

Answer to At a bar, what is a "well" drink?

Mon, 23 May 2005 00:11:39 -0700

At a bar, what is a "well" drink?

House liquor, the basic liquors (often vodka, scotch, bourbon, gin, tequila, rum, brandy) for use in generic drinks. May also include vermouth, liqueurs, etc., depending on what the establishment pours most often. Usually the least expensive of each type in the establishment, and the one you�ll...

Answer to What is a bolero?

Sun, 22 May 2005 16:29:33 -0700

What is a bolero?

A bolero is a very short jacket that is worn open in the front.

Answer to Do bones have nerves?

Sun, 22 May 2005 16:01:51 -0700

Do bones have nerves?

There are relatively few nerves in bone. However, the thin, film-like covering of the bone surface, the periosteum, is very rich in nerve endings. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/dancersbody/body/jumping.shtml http://www.childrensmuseum.org/special_exhibits/bones/parents_discussion_brokenBones.htm

Answer to How did France get its name?

Sat, 21 May 2005 23:58:15 -0700

How did France get its name?

The borders of modern France closely align with those of the ancient territory of Gaul, inhabited by the Gauls, a Celtic people. Gaul was conquered by the Romans in the first century BC, and the Gauls eventually adopted Romance speech and culture. Gaul's eastern frontiers along the Rhine...

Answer to Is it true that all graves in a cemetery face East? If so, why?

Sat, 21 May 2005 23:21:26 -0700

Is it true that all graves in a cemetery face East? If so, why?

No, all graves don't face east. Most graves are distributed chaotically, and they can be found facing in all directions. Some people say that graves are pointed to the east because that is the direction of the Rising Sun, from which we shall expect Christ to come at the Last Judgement....

Answer to Is it okay to swim in the ocean while wearing contact lenses or will the salty ocean water damage the lenses?

Sat, 21 May 2005 22:47:16 -0700

Is it okay to swim in the ocean while wearing contact lenses or will the salty ocean water damage the lenses?

Some lenses can be worn while swimming in the ocean, however, there is a danger that the lenses will be lost. Also keep in mind that the water you�re swimming in may contaminate your contact lenses with harmful bacteria. You should consult your optometrist about swimming in the ocean with the...

Answer to What's the difference between a plunging wave and a spilling wave?

Tue, 17 May 2005 12:13:01 -0700

What's the difference between a plunging wave and a spilling wave?

Plunging waves break with great force and are capable of pushing swimmers to the bottom. Plunging waves may occur mainly at low tide when the water on sandbanks is shallow, which means there is less water on which the waves can break. (Plunging waves are sometimes called dumpers.) Spilling...

Answer to How do rainbows form?

Tue, 17 May 2005 12:00:15 -0700

How do rainbows form?

Rainbows are caused by dispersion of sunlight as it is refracted by (approximately spherical) raindrops. The light is first refracted as it enters the surface of the raindrop, reflects off the back of the drop, and is again refracted as it leaves the drop. The overall effect is that the incoming...

Answer to What is asymmetriphobia?

Mon, 16 May 2005 19:09:34 -0700

What is asymmetriphobia?

The fear of asymmetrical things.

Answer to What is agateophobia?

Mon, 16 May 2005 19:06:46 -0700

What is agateophobia?

The fear of insanity.

Answer to What are downbursts?

Mon, 16 May 2005 18:39:04 -0700

What are downbursts?

Downbursts are columns of sinking air that are capable of producing damaging straight-line winds of over 100 miles per hour, similar to, but distinguishable from tornadoes. Downburst damage will radiate out from a central point, where as tornado damage shows a pattern consistent with rotating...

Answer to What is street luge?

Mon, 16 May 2005 18:10:37 -0700

What is street luge?

Street luge is an extreme gravity-powered activity that involves riding a street luge board (sometimes referred to as a sled) down a paved road or course. Street luge is also known as land luge or road luge. Like skateboarding, street luge is often done for recreation and for sport. Other...

Answer to What is a diapsid?

Sat, 14 May 2005 04:16:59 -0700

What is a diapsid?

A vertebrate distinguished by a skull with two pairs of openings in the side behind the eyes, e.g., lizards, snakes, crocodiles, dinosaurs, and pterosaurs.

Answer to What is an autotroph?

Sat, 14 May 2005 04:14:45 -0700

What is an autotroph?

An organism capable of synthesizing its own food from inorganic substances, using light or chemical energy. Green plants, algae, and certain bacteria are autotrophs. [source: http://www.answers.com/autotroph]

Answer to What is an anapsid?

Sat, 14 May 2005 04:12:39 -0700

What is an anapsid?

A vertebrate distinguished by a skull with no openings in the side behind the eyes, e.g. turtles.

Answer to What are anagensis?

Sat, 14 May 2005 04:11:47 -0700

What are anagensis?

Evolutionary change along an unbranching lineage; change without speciation.

Answer to Where was Ayn Rand born?

Sat, 14 May 2005 03:46:13 -0700

Where was Ayn Rand born?

Ayn Rand was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia on February 2, 1905.

Answer to What was Ayn Rand's real name?

Sat, 14 May 2005 03:41:13 -0700

What was Ayn Rand's real name?

Alissa Zinovievna Rosenbaum Her nickname was 'Alice'.

Answer to Why is the term for someone who doesn't drink alcohol "tee totaler"?

Fri, 13 May 2005 17:07:46 -0700

Why is the term for someone who doesn't drink alcohol "tee totaler"?

Teetotalism: principle or practice of complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages Teetotaler: a person who practices teetotalism One account of the origin of the word attributes its origin to a meeting of the Preston Temperance Society in May 1832. This society was founded by Joseph Livesey,...

Answer to What are the four longest rivers in the USA?

Fri, 13 May 2005 16:58:24 -0700

What are the four longest rivers in the USA?

1. Missouri (2,540 miles) 2. Mississippi (2,340 miles) 3. Yukon (1,980 miles) 4. Rio Grande (1,900 miles) [source: http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AMR_content_cc04]

Answer to Why do so many nursery rhymes seem to have such unfortunate events, such as "Humpty Dumpty" and "Rock a Bye Baby"?

Fri, 13 May 2005 14:28:45 -0700

Why do so many nursery rhymes seem to have such unfortunate events, such as "Humpty Dumpty" and "Rock a Bye Baby"?

The origins of most nursery rhymes reflect events in history [...] Two examples of these types of nursery rhyme origins are 'Ring a Ring o Rosies' which refers to the Bubonic plague and 'Remember Remember' nursery rhymes which allude to Guy Fawkes' foiled attempt to blow...

Answer to Why isn't a "hot dog" a "hot pig" since hot dogs come from pigs?

Fri, 13 May 2005 13:59:05 -0700

Why isn't a "hot dog" a "hot pig" since hot dogs come from pigs?

What we know as a 'hot dog' today was originally called a 'dachshund sausage' for its resemblance to the low-slung German dog. However, nobody is entirely certain where the term 'hot dog' originated. Its said that in 1902 sports cartoonist Tad Dorgan was at a Giants...

Answer to What is phrenology?

Wed, 11 May 2005 20:15:48 -0700

What is phrenology?

Phrenology is a theory which claims to be able to determine character and personality traits and criminality on the basis of the shape of the head (reading "bumps"). German physician Franz Joseph Gall (of gall bladder fame) is considered the founding father of phrenology. While...

Answer to What is muscle made up of?

Wed, 11 May 2005 16:23:14 -0700

What is muscle made up of?

Muscle is composed of muscle cells (sometimes known as "muscle fibers"). Within the cells are myofibrils; myofibrils contain sarcomeres, which are composed of actin and myosin. Individual muscle cells are lined with endomysium. Muscle cells are bound together by perimysium into bundles...

Answer to Knock Knock! Who's there? Spank. Spank who?

Wed, 11 May 2005 16:12:31 -0700

Knock Knock! Who's there? Spank. Spank who?

Spank you. :P

Answer to What is the cause of autism?

Tue, 10 May 2005 14:02:59 -0700

What is the cause of autism?

There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in autistic versus non-autistic children. Researchers are investigating a number of...

Answer to Can mosquitos transmit AIDS?

Tue, 10 May 2005 09:35:23 -0700

Can mosquitos transmit AIDS?

No. When a mosquito feeds on HIV (human immunodeficiency virus - the virus that causes AIDS) infected blood, the virus is treated as food and digested with the blood. If a mosquito takes blood from a person infected with HIV and then bites a non-infected person, the particles are insufficient to...

Answer to How long do mosquitos live?

Tue, 10 May 2005 09:28:09 -0700

How long do mosquitos live?

They can go from egg to adult in 7-14 days and the normal adult life span is anywhere from 2-3 weeks. However, they are very often killed (eaten by birds or insects; killed by rain, droughts, wind, etc) before they have a chance to live out their natural life span.

Answer to What type of files are .pk3 files? (Read by Wolfenstein Enemy Territory, not Return To Castle Wolfenstein)

Tue, 10 May 2005 09:07:30 -0700

What type of files are .pk3 files? (Read by Wolfenstein Enemy Territory, not Return To Castle Wolfenstein)

The .pk3 files are just .zip files that have had the .zip extension renamed (i.e. 123.zip was changed to 123.pk3).

Answer to If you're a tiny person that gains bulky muscle easily, will jogging bulk up muscle or just tone?

Mon, 09 May 2005 23:20:26 -0700

If you're a tiny person that gains bulky muscle easily, will jogging bulk up muscle or just tone?

First off, let's establish that 'toning*' (which is usually taken to mean making a muscle more defined** through light weight-bearing/resistance activity - without building muscle) and building muscle are actually one in the same thing. Therefore, you cannot 'tone'...

Answer to Why do we dream?

Sat, 07 May 2005 23:16:11 -0700

Why do we dream?

There are many theories about why we dream. Most theories fit into one of two categories: Physiological or Psychological. - Physiological - Example theory: Dreaming allows us to exercise various neural connections that researchers believe affect certain types of learning. When you're...

Answer to What is a dark matter?

Wed, 04 May 2005 20:57:03 -0700

What is a dark matter?

Unseen matter that may make up more than ninety percent of the universe. Dark matter does not interact with light or other electromagnetic radiation, so it cannot be seen directly, but it can be detected by measuring its gravitational effects. It is believed that dark matter was instrumental in...

Answer to What exactly is a "sixth sense"?

Wed, 04 May 2005 20:43:20 -0700

What exactly is a "sixth sense"?

'Sixth sense' is the colloquial term for the faculties of 'extra-sensory perception' (ESP). Sixth sense is the ability to receive or send information beyond the realm of the five canonical senses (taste, sight, touch, smell, and hearing), or any other sense well known to...

Answer to What was "Blitzkrieg"? How did it work?

Wed, 04 May 2005 17:24:23 -0700

What was "Blitzkrieg"? How did it work?

Blitzkrieg* (German for "lightning war") was an operational-level military doctrine which employed mobile forces attacking with speed and surprise to prevent an enemy from organizing a coherent defense. Originally conceived in the years after the First World War, it was a new tactic...

Answer to What are the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis?

Mon, 02 May 2005 04:54:35 -0700

What are the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis?

The epidermis is the protective outside layer of the skin, while the dermis is the skin located below the epidermis. The dermis contains nerve endings, sweat and sebaceous glands, blood and lymph vessels, etc. Below the dermis lies the hypodermis, which is not usually classified as a layer of...

Answer to How many strands of hair do we lose per day?

Mon, 02 May 2005 04:21:48 -0700

How many strands of hair do we lose per day?

On average, about 100 strands of hair (from the scalp) fall out per day. This is because the hair grows in cycles. Every cycle includes a long growing phase (anywhere up to 7 years) followed by a brief resting phase. At the end of this resting phase, the hair falls out and a new hair starts...

Answer to What is a blanch?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:44:06 -0700

What is a blanch?

To place foods in boiling water briefly either to partially cook them or to aid in the removal of the skin (i.e. nuts, peaches, tomatoes). Blanching also removes the bitterness from citrus zests.

Answer to What is a bechamel sauce?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:42:43 -0700

What is a bechamel sauce?

A French white sauce made with milk and a roux of butter and flour.

Answer to What does baste mean?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:41:04 -0700

What does baste mean?

To moisten (meat, for example) periodically with a liquid, such as melted butter or a sauce, especially while cooking.

Answer to What is al dente?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:39:42 -0700

What is al dente?

Cooked enough to be firm but not soft: pasta al dente. The term comes from Italian where it means "to the teeth," referring to the need to chew the pasta due to its firmness. http://www.answers.com/al%20dente

Answer to What is a toaster oven?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:37:39 -0700

What is a toaster oven?

An electrical appliance that can be used as either a toaster or an oven.

Answer to What is a saut�?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:36:07 -0700

What is a saut�?

To fry lightly in fat in a shallow open pan.

Answer to What is a simmer?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:35:04 -0700

What is a simmer?

To be cooked gently or remain just at or below the boiling point.

Answer to Did George Washington wear wooden teeth?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:30:29 -0700

Did George Washington wear wooden teeth?

George Washington never owned a set of wooden teeth - while he did own many sets of dentures, none were of wood construction. Rather, some materials that Washington's dentures were made from include gold, ivory, lead, human and animal teeth (horse and donkey teeth were common components). ...

Answer to Is it true that George Washington chopped down the cherry tree?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:15:20 -0700

Is it true that George Washington chopped down the cherry tree?

No. Parson Mason Weems, an early biographer of George Washington, invented the story. Ironically, Weems made up the story of a young George Washington who says to his father, "I cannot tell a lie," to illustrate Washington's honesty. This is, perhaps, the most enduring story...

Answer to How did George Washington die?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 23:03:18 -0700

How did George Washington die?

Washington fell ill with acute laryngitis and died on December 14, 1799 at his home at Mount Vernon. Modern day doctors now believe that Washington died from either a streptococcal infection of the throat or, since he was bled as part of the treatment, a combination of shock from the loss of...

Answer to I have a new bathroom scale that measures body fat. How does it do that?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 22:38:29 -0700

I have a new bathroom scale that measures body fat. How does it do that?

Body fat scales use the BIA (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) technique. This method measures body composition by sending a low, safe electrical current through the body. The current passes freely through the fluids contained in muscle tissue, but encounters resistance when it passes through fat...

Answer to Who invented sprinkles, and how do you make them?

Sat, 30 Apr 2005 14:19:11 -0700

Who invented sprinkles, and how do you make them?

Samuel Born, a Russian immigrant, is usually credited with inventing (chocolate) sprinkles in the 20th century.(http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bllollipops.htm) Samuel's candy company 'Just Born' is still producing candies (Mike and Ike's, Peeps; to name a few)...

Answer to What is an antipode?

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 13:22:04 -0700

What is an antipode?

The point on the earth's surface exactly opposite of a given point.

Answer to What is an alluvial fan?

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 13:21:07 -0700

What is an alluvial fan?

A broad, circular fan-shaped deposit of sediments found in deserts where erosional stream channels meet the valley floor and spread out, depositing the stream load.

Answer to Is it true that J. Lo has her body insured?

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 11:16:25 -0700

Is it true that J. Lo has her body insured?

In 1999, tabloids (The Sun in London and the New York Post) ran articles claiming that Jennifer Lopez had indemnified her body (her entire body, please note) to the tune of $1 billion. Even though pound-for-pound the singer's boobs fetched a more generous appraisal than her hiney ($100...

Answer to What is menstruation?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:10:55 -0700

What is menstruation?

The periodic discharge of the blood-enriched lining of the uterus through the vagina. Menstruation marks the end of one menstrual cycle and the beginning of another.

Answer to The moon affects our tides, does it also affect menstrual cycles? If so, in what way?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 21:41:29 -0700

The moon affects our tides, does it also affect menstrual cycles? If so, in what way?

The smart money says the 'link' between the moon and menstruation is merely coincidence. In Science and the Paranormal (1983), astronomer George O. Abell writes, "The moon's cycle of phases is 29.53 days, while the human female menstrual cycle averages 28 days (although it...

Answer to Why do the menstrual cycles of women living/working together become aligned?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 21:32:30 -0700

Why do the menstrual cycles of women living/working together become aligned?

Although the exact mechanism is still unclear, it is widely suspected that this occurs due to odorless molecules called pheromones. Women (and men) secrete pheromones in a manner as common as sweating. In fact, the sweat of many mammals contains pheromone chemicals. The molecules from one woman...

Answer to What is 'Om'?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 01:01:20 -0700

What is 'Om'?

Om, also spelled "Aum," is a sacred Hindu sound symbolizing the Absolute. It often is used as a mantra during meditation. Found first in the Vedic scriptures of Hinduism, Om has been seen as the first manifestation of the unmanifest Brahman (the single Divine Ground of Hinduism)...

Answer to What is a Pranayam?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:55:42 -0700

What is a Pranayam?

Pranayam (or Pranayama) is breath control. Pranayama is used in yoga as a separate practice to help clear and cleanse the body and mind. It is also used in preparation for meditation, and in asana, the practice of postures, to help maximize the benefits of the practice, and focus the mind.

Answer to What is a tummy tuck?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:28:37 -0700

What is a tummy tuck?

Plastic surgery of the abdomen in which excess fatty tissue and skin are removed, usually for cosmetic purposes. Also known as abdominoplasty.

Answer to What is a rhinoplasty?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:27:26 -0700

What is a rhinoplasty?

A facial cosmetic procedure, usually performed to enhance the appearance of the nose. During rhinoplasty, the nasal cartilages and bones are modified, or tissue is added, to improve the visual appeal of the nose. Rhinoplasty is also frequently performed to repair nasal fractures.

Answer to What is a plastic surgeon?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:25:52 -0700

What is a plastic surgeon?

A doctor (surgeon) who remodels, repairs, or restores body parts, especially by the transfer of tissue.

Answer to What is liposuction?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:24:31 -0700

What is liposuction?

A usually cosmetic surgical procedure in which excess fatty tissue is removed from a specific area of the body, such as the thighs or abdomen, by means of suction. Also called suction lipectomy.

Answer to What is a face lift?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:23:55 -0700

What is a face lift?

Plastic surgery to remove facial wrinkles, sagging skin, fat deposits, or other visible signs of aging for cosmetic purposes. Also called rhytidectomy.

Answer to What is valerian root?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:20:38 -0700

What is valerian root?

Valerian has uses in herbal medicine as a sedative. It has in the past been recommended for epilepsy but that has not been supported by modern research. The main current use of valerian is as a remedy for insomnia. Large doses are known to cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped and those with...

Answer to What is echinacea?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:18:48 -0700

What is echinacea?

A popular herbal remedy, or botanical, believed to benefit the immune system; it is used especially to alleviate common colds and the flu. Echinacea is extracted from the roots and flowering tops of the purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia and E. purpurea).

Answer to What is aloe vera?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:17:28 -0700

What is aloe vera?

A species of aloe (Aloe vera) native to the Mediterranean region. The mucilaginous juice or gel obtained from the leaves of this plant are widely used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations for its soothing and healing properties.

Answer to What is toxicology?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:07:55 -0700

What is toxicology?

The study of the nature, effects, and detection of poisons and the treatment of poisoning.

Answer to What is a mtDNA?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:05:22 -0700

What is a mtDNA?

An acronym for Mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic Acid.

Answer to What is chromotography?

Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:02:26 -0700

What is chromotography?

A family of analytical chemistry techniques for the separation of mixtures. It involves passing a sample (the analyte) in the "mobile phase", often in a stream of solvent, through the "stationary phase", some form of material that will provide resistance between the components...

Answer to What is the difference between intensive and extensive properties?

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:30:35 -0700

What is the difference between intensive and extensive properties?

Thermodynamic properties can be divided into two general classes, intensive and extensive properties. An intensive property is independent of the amount of mass. While the value of an extensive property varies directly with the mass. Thus, if a quantity of matter in a...

Answer to Is antibacterial soap harmful?

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:12:50 -0700

Is antibacterial soap harmful?

Antibacterial ingredients have become so prevalent in the United States that there are now antibacterial soaps, laundry detergents, shampoos, toothpastes, body washes, dish soaps and many household cleaning products. Consumers use these products because they have been marketed as an effective...

Answer to How much weight can a teenage student carry in a backpack before it becomes unhealthy?

Wed, 27 Apr 2005 19:00:59 -0700

How much weight can a teenage student carry in a backpack before it becomes unhealthy?

To help prevent backpack-related injuries and posture problems, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that backpacks never weigh more than 10-20% of their carrier's total body weight. (http://www.aap.org/pubed/ZZZY72DZCKD.htm)

Answer to What is dark energy? And is it physically possible?

Tue, 26 Apr 2005 09:20:55 -0700

What is dark energy? And is it physically possible?

Dark energy is a hypothetical form of energy which permeates all of space and has strong negative pressure. According to the theory of relativity, the effect of such a negative pressure is qualitatively similar to a force acting in opposition to gravity at large scales. Invoking such an effect is...

Answer to How do you hypnotize someone?

Tue, 26 Apr 2005 06:14:22 -0700

How do you hypnotize someone?

Hypnosis is portrayed as a procedure which introduces a subject into a mental state where they can be made to recollect knowledge not consciously accessible, accept instructions and commands, or be given instructions ("post-hypnotic suggestion") that can be triggered when the subject...