Answerbag: lynnenorth's answers

Answer to Why are alcoholic drinks better if they are 'shaken and not stirred' (the way James Bond likes them)?

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 09:46:08 -0800

Why are alcoholic drinks better if they are 'shaken and not stirred' (the way James Bond likes them)?

Actually, the popular quote has it wrong way round, and it was the fault of the scriptwriters for the first Bond movie. Traditionally, martinis are supposed to be stirred rather than shaken, because shaking "bruises" the gin, and it's generally agreed that it makes the martini...

Answer to What/who do you think you were in the past life?

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 01:45:05 -0800

What/who do you think you were in the past life?

An anonymous Romanian peasant farmer who died at age 48 from overwork and malnutrition. Isn't it funny how every* average schmuck today seems to be the reincarnation of someone royal, or one of the Knights of the Round Table or such? And what's most amazing is how these remarkable...

Answer to At what age should a cat be declawed? Are there alternatives to declawing (I can't be at home 24/7 to catch her and train her not to claw the furniture)?

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 01:33:53 -0800

At what age should a cat be declawed? Are there alternatives to declawing (I can't be at home 24/7 to catch her and train her not to claw the furniture)?

I'm going to join the chorus of "Don't declaw!" It's a really horrible thing to do to them. It involves the amputation of the ends of the toes. Not every cat has a problem with it, but some sure do -- and there is no way to undo it. What is worse, though, is the...

Answer to How long do domestic cats live on average?

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 01:26:39 -0800

How long do domestic cats live on average?

Actually, it depends on *where* they live. Feral cat -- 3 years. Outdoor only domestic (owned and cared for) cat -- average 5 years. Indoor/outdoor cat -- average 11 years. Indoor only cat -- average 16 years. An indoor-only cat CAN live more than 25 years.

Answer to I have heard that if one's dominant hand is seriously damaged, their handedness can change. Is this possible without losing a limb?

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 01:17:15 -0800

I have heard that if one's dominant hand is seriously damaged, their handedness can change. Is this possible without losing a limb?

If someone can't use their dominant hand for some weeks, for example if their arm were badly broken and had to be immobilised, then they can (and usually will) learn to use their off-hand to do a lot they ordinarily wouldn't use it for -- and this can include writing. The younger...

Answer to I have a pair of black pants with subtle grey pinstripes. Does the shirt need to be a solid color or can I wear one with a pattern?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 08:09:26 -0700

I have a pair of black pants with subtle grey pinstripes. Does the shirt need to be a solid color or can I wear one with a pattern?

Go with a solid color. It is very, very easy to go wrong, mixing patterns.

Answer to When do babies/fetuses get a conscience? (is that how u spell it?)

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 04:12:10 -0700

When do babies/fetuses get a conscience? (is that how u spell it?)

Do you perhaps mean "consciousness" --as in, awareness and self-awareness -- rather than "conscience", the ability to understand moral judgements? If you mean consciousness, then there is some debate over that, as well. Brain waves first become detectable at around 16...

Answer to Could lipid chains act in the same way as a cellular membrane?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 03:51:25 -0700

Could lipid chains act in the same way as a cellular membrane?

Q: Can you use a piece of string as a blanket? A: Only if you weave it together with a lot of other pieces of string. It's the difference between a line and a plane....

Answer to Is there a rating website for companies that is similar to RateMyProfessor.com?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 03:44:22 -0700

Is there a rating website for companies that is similar to RateMyProfessor.com?

There is something almost similar, goodnightvienna.com: http://www.goodnightvienna.com/display/index.php This allows people to make entries on companies they have dealt with.

Answer to How does cholesterol help to stiffen membranes?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 03:41:21 -0700

How does cholesterol help to stiffen membranes?

I'm not sure that I would say it "stiffens" membranes, since the presence of cholesterol can actually make membranes less rigid and more fluid. It depends on the rest of the membrane composition. Cholesterol has a very small polar (charged) "head", in relation to the...

Answer to How does absorbance relate to amylase activity?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:55:22 -0700

How does absorbance relate to amylase activity?

Absorbance is generally proportional to amylase activity (a broadly straight-line relationship), after you subtract the "blank absorbance" of the supernatant.

Answer to What would a daughter cell look like if cytokinesis did not occur after mitosis?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:51:10 -0700

What would a daughter cell look like if cytokinesis did not occur after mitosis?

It would be shrunken and potentially devoid of vital organelles such as mitochondria and the microbodies, which replicate separately from the nuclear DNA. All of these things need to be shared between parent and daughter cell, and this can only be done by the cytosol being shared.

Answer to What does the "G"stand for in G1 and G2 during mitosis?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:49:08 -0700

What does the "G"stand for in G1 and G2 during mitosis?

It stands for "gap" -- nothing exciting. It refers to a pause in activity.

Answer to At what point during human life does mitosis occur the quickest?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:47:13 -0700

At what point during human life does mitosis occur the quickest?

Short answer is, during embryological development.

Answer to How can a single cell organism evolve when they lack the competition and 'fitness' of which Darwin speaks?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:44:32 -0700

How can a single cell organism evolve when they lack the competition and 'fitness' of which Darwin speaks?

Godfather Part II covered a lot of the relevant points, but the short answer is that your premise is wrong. There is competition for chemical resources from the very start, not all single celled organisms are identical, and as they are competing for resources, some will do better than others at...

Answer to What organelle controls what enters and leaves the cell?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:37:27 -0700

What organelle controls what enters and leaves the cell?

Carmella is right, the cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell. Technically, the cell membrane is not an organelle, though. Control of what passes into and out of the cell is an active, not a passive process, and often depends on the types of proteins embedded in or attached to...

Answer to What attributes can you choose when creating "designer babies?"

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:34:22 -0700

What attributes can you choose when creating "designer babies?"

In theory, it is just becoming possible to select for some of those traits -- body hair and eye color, for instance -- but not all of those are controlled by characterised genes, so no-one would be able to select for left- or right-handedness or bone-density on the grounds that no-one is sure of...

Answer to What will happen if gravitation stopped?

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 01:14:10 -0700

What will happen if gravitation stopped?

All the large, spinning bodies -- planets, stars, moons -- would immediately lose cohesion and begin to spin apart, and shortly the universe would consist of a nearly uniform thin, drifting, lifeless soup of debris.

Answer to What contributions has physics brought to biology?

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:48:47 -0700

What contributions has physics brought to biology?

To name just a few: Pretty much any kind of medical-imaging scanner -- X-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), PET (Positron Emission Tomography), CAT (Computed Axial Tomography), OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), to name just a few; as well as electron microscopy, flourescence microscopy,...

Answer to Why could the development of living organisms not have occurred on Earth without liquid water?

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:38:17 -0700

Why could the development of living organisms not have occurred on Earth without liquid water?

Water has some unique solvent properties, which make it absolutely vital in the chemical processes which power life. It stores a fair amount of heat energy in the bonds between its own atoms, as well. Water, as you probably know, is two atoms of hydrogen sharing electrons with one atom of...

Answer to My male rabbit has recently started picking off his fur underneath his chin. Why is he doing this, and should I call the vet?

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:23:01 -0700

My male rabbit has recently started picking off his fur underneath his chin. Why is he doing this, and should I call the vet?

Rabbits get allergies too; it could be an itchy allergic reaction to something. Alternatively, it could be he is itchy because of parasites, or because his skin is too greasy, or it could be a nervous habit because he is feeling stressed and unhappy. It's difficult to tell from the amount...

Answer to A friend said a breeder told her that dogs shouldn't be vaccinated every year as it can weaken their immune system, and the first series of shots they get when they are pups should last them for years, is this true? Vets seem to recommend annual shot

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 03:55:35 -0700

A friend said a breeder told her that dogs shouldn't be vaccinated every year as it can weaken their immune system, and the first series of shots they get when they are pups should last them for years, is this true? Vets seem to recommend annual shot

The breeder isn't entirely incorrect, although overvaccination is more likely to provoke allergic reaction and autoimmune disease than to weaken the immune system. Overvaccination has been recognised as an issue as understanding of duration of immunity has increased. Annual vaccinations...

Answer to I am 14 weeks pregnant, but when I have sex I get a sharp pain on the right side of my lower stomach, like my partner is hitting something. Could he break what is holding the fluids or harm the fetus?

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 03:30:46 -0700

I am 14 weeks pregnant, but when I have sex I get a sharp pain on the right side of my lower stomach, like my partner is hitting something. Could he break what is holding the fluids or harm the fetus?

Not if your cervix if functioning normally, no. However, if what you are doing hurts, it may be worth trying alternative sexual techniques purely for that reason.

Answer to How long do robins live?

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 03:23:54 -0700

How long do robins live?

See the bit on robins at the University of Michigan Animal Diversity web: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Turdus_migratorius.html, for a start, and the robin FAQ at http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/robin/FAQGenInfo.html . A lot of robins have been banded, and...

Answer to I have terrible pain in side if my man penetrates me to deep. I never had this problem could it be that I am pregnant...seeing as I am four days late with my cycle?

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 03:18:32 -0700

I have terrible pain in side if my man penetrates me to deep. I never had this problem could it be that I am pregnant...seeing as I am four days late with my cycle?

Pregnancy is a possibility, but not the only one or even necessarily the main one. It is also possible that your uterus has tipped -- come out of its normal position and fallen over to one side. It could also be a symptom of developing endometriosis, which is when a fragment of the lining...

Answer to Do lizards creak or make any other sound?

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 03:13:18 -0700

Do lizards creak or make any other sound?

Many lizards hiss when they are afraid or angry (it's a "warning: back off!" noise), and some make clicking sounds to talk to each other with, but those clicks are generally right on the edge of human hearing. I've never run into one that "creaked", but some may.

Answer to Has someone really developed a perfume that smells like Play-Doh, the modeling clay, to celebrate its 50th "birthday"?

Wed, 27 Sep 2006 01:33:45 -0700

Has someone really developed a perfume that smells like Play-Doh, the modeling clay, to celebrate its 50th "birthday"?

Yes: see http://www.hasbro.com/playdoh/default.cfm?page=50thbday and http://www.toymania.com/news/messages/8137.shtml . Got to hit that nostalgia market somehow....

Answer to How long does the Western Blot test take?

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 02:29:53 -0700

How long does the Western Blot test take?

It depends on what protein the blot is being used to detect, and the protocol being used. Minimum time is 4-5 hours, including materials preparation and stripping the blot afterwards. Some protocols strip the blot overnight, however. (This step is necessary to make the tagged proteins...

Answer to Has the Time Cube theory really been left unchallenged by scientists?

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:07:47 -0700

Has the Time Cube theory really been left unchallenged by scientists?

I would say, no-one has attempted Gene Ray's "$10,000 challenge" because the so-called "theory" was constructed completely without reference to any physical evidence, and takes no account of physical evidence -- therefore, any attempt to disprove it using physical...

Answer to If, as the Genesis account describes, there were "waters above" and presumably these fell to earth during the flood, how might this "canopy" of water have affected radiation of the earth and, in turn, carbon dating?

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 01:48:44 -0700

If, as the Genesis account describes, there were "waters above" and presumably these fell to earth during the flood, how might this "canopy" of water have affected radiation of the earth and, in turn, carbon dating?

Any "canopy" of water sufficient to contribute to a 40-foot deep layer of water over the whole surface of the earth would have blocked out virtually all the sunlight, leaving the surface of the planet in constant darkness, or else it would have required an atmosphere which extended over...

Answer to I need help!! What are some interesting topics on education during the Renaissance in Florence?

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 01:35:28 -0700

I need help!! What are some interesting topics on education during the Renaissance in Florence?

The resurgance of interest in ancient Greek and Roman texts; the birth of humanism and the humanist philosophy of learning. Florence is counted as the birthplace of the Renaissance, and part of that was the "studia humanitatis", which counted itself separate from theology and natural...

Answer to How can you tell whether a lobster is male or female?

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 01:21:56 -0700

How can you tell whether a lobster is male or female?

In a male the first pair of swimmerets ("swimming legs") are hard and bony, and in a female they are feathery and soft. The female's tail is wider, and the female has a rectangular plate between her second pair of walking legs which the males lack. There is a labelled...

Answer to Is it true that there are genes "running free" in the human body and wherever they settle is where cancer begins?

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 12:32:26 -0700

Is it true that there are genes "running free" in the human body and wherever they settle is where cancer begins?

Actually, you are probably thinking of "retrotransposons". These are small sections of DNA which simply copy themselves, over and over and over; they are not "functional genes" which code for proteins, the only thing they code for is more of themselves. They are essentially...

Answer to If pigeons make milk, is it possible to make pigeon cheese?

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 12:17:20 -0700

If pigeons make milk, is it possible to make pigeon cheese?

Bob Blaylock has the right of it, here; pigeon milk or crop milk is partially-digested food, from whatever the pigeon has been eating. It's generally high in fat and protein, and it's already semi-solid, but...you certainly wouldn't be able to treat it like you would a dairy...

Answer to Does size matter when you are getting in a fight?

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 12:02:35 -0700

Does size matter when you are getting in a fight?

Size matters. The longer a bone is, the more surface there is for muscle to attach to, and the more of a strength advantage that person has. There is also an issue of, are you within his arm's reach without him being in yours? Longer limbs == longer reach, after all. This is not to say...

Answer to In biology witch on of the following parts by itself can carry on infromation? A)Genome B) Chromosome C)Codon D)Nucleotide

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 11:55:47 -0700

In biology witch on of the following parts by itself can carry on infromation? A)Genome B) Chromosome C)Codon D)Nucleotide

Kind of a weird question, since all of these carry different levels of information. Maybe visit http://www.agresearch.co.nz/scied/search/molecular/dnabackground.htm and go through the pages and movies to see if you can figure out what you are really after.

Answer to I twitch when I'm falling asleep, and also when I'm lightly sleeping. Sometimes I spasm violently. I also snore. Is it related? I take a few medications but I'm not sure when this started (before or after). What's going on?

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 11:29:11 -0700

I twitch when I'm falling asleep, and also when I'm lightly sleeping. Sometimes I spasm violently. I also snore. Is it related? I take a few medications but I'm not sure when this started (before or after). What's going on?

The twitch when you're falling asleep or in a light sleep is called "hypnic myoclonia". It isn't necessarily related to snoring at all. Snoring occurs because of flaccid tissue in the soft palate, which can be caused or exacerbated by any number of things. Hypnic myoclonia...

Answer to What good do fleas do?

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:32:05 -0700

What good do fleas do?

They don't. They are purely parasites, and irritating at best or harmful at worst to the unlucky host. They can carry disease, they can kill small animals through simple blood loss, they confer no particular immunities to the host, and they do not function as a significant food source...

Answer to I need to know what to feed my baby squirrel next. she has been on fromula and is doing well,but it is time consuming

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 09:05:27 -0700

I need to know what to feed my baby squirrel next. she has been on fromula and is doing well,but it is time consuming

Seriously -- your best bet is to find a wildlife rehabilitator. Best for you AND for the squirrel. Squirrel babies nurse for up to four months, although you can start them on some solids after two months. It is horrendously easy to feed them the wrong kind of milk or solids, though, and...

Answer to Why are tortoiseshell cats usually female?

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 08:44:07 -0700

Why are tortoiseshell cats usually female?

There are several genes which control cat coat color, and they interact in a phenomenon called "epistasis". One of the main determinants for color is the gene for Orange, which has two possible alleles (forms): XO, orange, or Xo, non-orange. XO, orange, is the dominant gene; that...

Answer to Can rabbits get vicious, or are all rabbits friendly?

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 07:57:34 -0700

Can rabbits get vicious, or are all rabbits friendly?

Oh, rabbits can definitely get vicious and aggressive. It has much to do with their personality, and how they've been socialised, and what experiences they've had with humans. I have personally had the misfortune to deal with some very aggressive rabbits. A full grown rabbit can...

Answer to Why don't seals get the bends?

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 07:42:14 -0700

Why don't seals get the bends?

Decompression sickness (the bends) happens when gases bubble out of the blood, which happens when there is a too-fast change in pressure. For that to happen, more than the usual amount of gas needs to be in the blood in the first place. The situation that causes the bends is set up in the...

Answer to Why were bomb sniffing dogs ordered to be removed 5 days before 9/11 and who gave the order?

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 03:30:19 -0700

Why were bomb sniffing dogs ordered to be removed 5 days before 9/11 and who gave the order?

They weren't. I'm afraid this is another allegation unsupported by evidence. There HAD been increased security around the WTC in August, which had been returned to normal by early September. However, there were still bomb-sniffing dogs on duty; one of them (Sirius) was killed....

Answer to To say "0000": Can you say "four-time zero"? or is it only "four times zero"?

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 02:26:57 -0700

To say "0000": Can you say "four-time zero"? or is it only "four times zero"?

You could also say "quadruple zeroes".

Answer to How long can an octopus survive out of water?

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 02:21:16 -0700

How long can an octopus survive out of water?

It's "octopuses" rather than octopii -- the Latin plural form doesn't really apply -- and most can survive easily for about a half an hour. There have been unconfirmed reports of them hanging on, in a half-dead and asphyxiated way, for up to an hour. As a side note, part of...

Answer to No office furniture or equipment was found to be in one piece in the debris of WTC. Everything was discovered in pieces or blown away as the buildings blew apart. Why has not anyone tested for thermite residue in the debris?

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 02:06:16 -0700

No office furniture or equipment was found to be in one piece in the debris of WTC. Everything was discovered in pieces or blown away as the buildings blew apart. Why has not anyone tested for thermite residue in the debris?

See the Wikipedia article on the collapse of the towers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse_of_the_World_Trade_Center) and the NIST FAQ (http://wtc.nist.gov/pubs/factsheets/faqs_8_2006.htm) and final report (.pdf -- http://wtc.nist.gov/NISTNCSTAR1CollapseofTowers.pdf ). The towers collapsed...

Answer to Observing photo and video of fallen buildings that have caught fire, the core of the building is always intact. What happened to the cores of WTC? The buildings exploded, they did not pancake as they do in a normal demolition.

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 01:43:19 -0700

Observing photo and video of fallen buildings that have caught fire, the core of the building is always intact. What happened to the cores of WTC? The buildings exploded, they did not pancake as they do in a normal demolition.

The Wiki article on this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse_of_the_World_Trade_Center) is good. A brief summary -- it was a combination of things. First, there was the simple kinetic energy of the planes impacting the towers. The towers were built to withstand an impact from the largest...

Answer to What book would you recommend to someone who is very lonely?

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 01:28:49 -0700

What book would you recommend to someone who is very lonely?

I would recommend "Intimate Worlds: How families thrive and why they fail" by Maggie Scarf (published 1997). It is actually about family dynamics, and how patterns of behavior get passed down from one generation to the next, and how these patterns of interaction can sabotage you...

Answer to Is it possible for my cockatiel's egg to be fertile if the only other bird in the cage is a male Amazon bird?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:00:57 -0700

Is it possible for my cockatiel's egg to be fertile if the only other bird in the cage is a male Amazon bird?

It's not likely. If by "Amazon bird" you mean an Amazon parrot, then the two birds aren't just different species, they are different genera entirely. I would be _very_ surprised if any mating outside the same genus was fertile, ever; I've never heard of that working.

Answer to Female rats and mice can store sperm and therefore give birth to more litters without the presence of a male. Are rabbits the same?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 08:54:06 -0700

Female rats and mice can store sperm and therefore give birth to more litters without the presence of a male. Are rabbits the same?

Yes; rabbits and hares can store sperm for up to six months after mating.

Answer to You see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant, and the animal can't live without the plant. What do you do?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 06:02:04 -0700

You see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant, and the animal can't live without the plant. What do you do?

Shoo the animal away long enough to take a cutting of the plant, so that the plant can be propagated. Yeah, yeah, I know it's a boring answer. You asked, I answered, don't whine about it.

Answer to What are prions? How can they be destroyed?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 05:56:10 -0700

What are prions? How can they be destroyed?

Prions are indeed abnormally-folded proteins, which have created stable internal bonds such that they are extremely resistant to heat, acids or bases, or other causes of denaturation. How to destroy them -- since they are very resistant to the usual methods, you just have to keep hammering on...

Answer to Are we cool people or what?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 05:33:42 -0700

Are we cool people or what?

"What".

Answer to Can someone tell me something, anything? The boredom is starting to take over.

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 05:31:32 -0700

Can someone tell me something, anything? The boredom is starting to take over.

A significant fraction of your body weight is bacteria, and you have mites living in the pores of your face. Everyone does. And taking showers doesn't make them go away, either. There, now, feel better? Did you really want to know that?

Answer to I heard it's possible to boil someone's blood with sound. Is this true?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 05:28:24 -0700

I heard it's possible to boil someone's blood with sound. Is this true?

You CAN cause nitrogen to bubble out of the blood by using sound waves, on some sonar frequencies (10- to 50-kilocycle acoustical frequency range, but I don't know the precise frequencies which have this effect) and if the sound waves are sufficiently loud. This causes symptoms like...

Answer to Will there ever be a total cure for cancer? If so, how long do you think it will be?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 05:13:31 -0700

Will there ever be a total cure for cancer? If so, how long do you think it will be?

Not very likely, but not because of any conspiracy by drug companies or to maintain population control; the unfortunate fact is, cancer is not a single disease. Cancer is actually a whole range of diseases, with a wide range of causes, which all result in a similar effect (uncontrolled cell...

Answer to What is trysomy 21

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 05:05:30 -0700

What is trysomy 21

Trisomy 21 is commonly known as Down's Syndrome; it is what happens when someone inherits an extra 21st chromosome in the egg or sperm, so that they get two of that chromosome from one parent and one from the other parent for a total of three. What is *supposed* to happen is that you get...

Answer to Is it normal to have a blind spot in the middle of your field of vision? It's detectable only at night.

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:53:27 -0700

Is it normal to have a blind spot in the middle of your field of vision? It's detectable only at night.

It is not normal to have a _noticeable_ blind spot in your field of vision, anywhere. A blind spot in the center of your field of vision often means something is going wrong with the macula, the part of the retina which deals with tight-focus; you need to go to your ophthalmologist (not just an...

Answer to I found blood in my guinea pig's cage. It looks like she has given birth but there is no baby and she wasn't fat before. There is a white shrimp-like thing in the cage and it's about 2 inches long. Was she maybe pregnant but then lost the b

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:50:21 -0700

I found blood in my guinea pig's cage. It looks like she has given birth but there is no baby and she wasn't fat before. There is a white shrimp-like thing in the cage and it's about 2 inches long. Was she maybe pregnant but then lost the b

It is possible that your guinea pig was pregnant and had a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage, yes. Clean the cage thoroughly, and take the guinea pig to a vet to be checked over thoroughly, because it would be very unusual for a pregnancy to have involved only one pup, and she may need help if...

Answer to If you place plastic jugs filled with water around the perimeter of your yard, will that keep dogs from coming into your yard to do their business?

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:46:28 -0700

If you place plastic jugs filled with water around the perimeter of your yard, will that keep dogs from coming into your yard to do their business?

Nope. Doesn't work at all. Dogs really don't care. Makes a good, persistant urban myth, though. Unfortunately, there is no tried-and-true method of keeping all dogs off a lawn except for a fence. There are a number of odor-aversion products out there that are supposed to keep...

Answer to Why do we die?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:52:22 -0700

Why do we die?

There is a simple engineering rule: the more complicated something is, then the more likelihood there is that something, somewhere, will go wrong. Life (in the purely biological sense, not the philosophical sense) is incredibly complicated. It also accumulates wear and tear, as any other...

Answer to Does anyone know of a quick way to drop 15 lbs.? I'm 5'6" and weigh 135 lbs.

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:32:23 -0700

Does anyone know of a quick way to drop 15 lbs.? I'm 5'6" and weigh 135 lbs.

I hate to say it, but if you lose weight fast, it will come back fast. If you starve yourself or speed up your metabolism to shed weight, your body responds as if it were subject to real famine -- and the next time it gets calories, it stores as many of them as it can in fat cells, just in case...

Answer to Why shouldn't I just end it?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:25:24 -0700

Why shouldn't I just end it?

Because cutting off all future possibilities to escape from current pain doesn't actually gain you anything. There are an awful lot of good things in life, and even if you are at a stage now where you don't /feel/ like there are (or feel like you can appreciate them), that doesn't...

Answer to What do i do when i accidentaly swallowed catipillar eggs?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:17:52 -0700

What do i do when i accidentaly swallowed catipillar eggs?

Appreciate the fact that, hey, it's extra protein in your diet. Seriously, what do you think is going to happen? They are unlikely to be poisonous. You'll digest them. Trust me, if you've ever eaten cheap hot dogs, then you've ingested worse things than a few insect eggs.

Answer to How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:07:43 -0700

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

According to Ponder Stibbons, 16. The wizards of Discworld's Unseen University counted them. Terry Pratchett said so.

Answer to What is a good example of a recent biological observation that demonstrated evolution in practice?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 08:46:18 -0700

What is a good example of a recent biological observation that demonstrated evolution in practice?

One such example would be the speciation of the mosquito Culex pipiens, into the new species of Culex molestus. About 100 years ago, when London's Underground system was first built, a population of C. pipiens followed the workers into the tunnels. Less than a century later, the...

Answer to Has evolution stopped? If not, what can humans expect to look like in say, 1000 years?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 06:47:12 -0700

Has evolution stopped? If not, what can humans expect to look like in say, 1000 years?

Human evolution hasn't stopped, but we have shifted much of our ability to adapt to changing conditions to products of our intelligence, rather than having to deal with these conditions by changes in our bodies. Culture, language and technology all change in response to changing conditions,...

Answer to What are the 50 most intelligent animials on earth?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 06:26:05 -0700

What are the 50 most intelligent animials on earth?

Although exact locations on the ranking are generally disputed, according to standard assessments of problem-solving abilities, social complexity and self-awareness the most intelligent species would be: humans chimps (Pan troglodytes) bonobos (Pan paniscus) gorillas (Gorilla beringei and...

Answer to Is it true that mules are very sure footed and good at mountain trails because their eyes are located so as to see all four hoofs at the same time?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:19:48 -0700

Is it true that mules are very sure footed and good at mountain trails because their eyes are located so as to see all four hoofs at the same time?

No. A mule's eyesight is precisely the same as a horse's eyesight, but mules are nevertheless generally more surefooted than horses. They inherit surefootedness from their donkey ancestor, and it does not have to do with where their eyes are, but with their psychology and how their...

Answer to Which animal has the least ability to think?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:00:45 -0700

Which animal has the least ability to think?

If you are only looking for a multicellular animal with a nervous system, and disregarding single-celled creatures or colony creatures like sponges, with no central nervous system at all -- then any number of nematodes (flatworms) might qualify. The biological "model organism"...

Answer to Is the crow the most intelligent animal in the world?

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 03:47:52 -0700

Is the crow the most intelligent animal in the world?

Depends on whether or not you consider humans "animals". As humans ARE animals according to scientific classification, in that way, clearly no. If you exclude humans from the equations, then certain problem-solving and self-awareness tests (such as, being able to figure out a puzzle...

Answer to What is the scientific community's best estimate of human life expectancy 50 years from now?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:25:50 -0700

What is the scientific community's best estimate of human life expectancy 50 years from now?

According to the paper "Broken Limits to Life Expectancy" by Jim Oeppen and James W. Vaupel (Science, 10 May 2002: Vol. 296. no. 5570, pp. 1029 - 1031), which is a definitive survey of trends and expectations and which seems to be the paper which _everyone_ now refers back to, 50 years...

Answer to I just started my first pack of birth control. How long should I wait before having unprotected sex?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:01:38 -0700

I just started my first pack of birth control. How long should I wait before having unprotected sex?

One week minimum, to ten days if you're worried.

Answer to Can my boyfriend actually ejaculate inside of me while I am on birth control?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:00:57 -0700

Can my boyfriend actually ejaculate inside of me while I am on birth control?

Yes; if you are taking the pill properly, then the whole point is that you can have normal sex without getting pregnant.

Answer to While taking the placebo pills, how can those "fake" pills protect you in the same way as the "active" pills can?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:00:00 -0700

While taking the placebo pills, how can those "fake" pills protect you in the same way as the "active" pills can?

They don't; but if you have taken the hormone pills on schedule the way you are supposed to, then you will not ovulate during that week. The placebo pills are just there to keep you in the habit of taking a pill a day.

Answer to Why are there placebo pills during the last week of the 28 day pill pack?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 03:58:52 -0700

Why are there placebo pills during the last week of the 28 day pill pack?

Just to keep you in the habit of taking a pill a day. You can take them out and throw them away if you want, it makes no difference.

Answer to How big is the largest rat?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 03:56:04 -0700

How big is the largest rat?

The largest rats in the world are the African giant pouched rats. In general, they have a mass of 1 to 1.47 kg (2.2 to 3.23 lbs), and grow to a length of 65 to 91 cm (25.39 to 35.83 in). Most people are familiar with Norway rats; they generally weigh between 10 and 18 ounces and can grow up...

Answer to How did foxes originate? Are they related to dogs?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 03:14:06 -0700

How did foxes originate? Are they related to dogs?

Foxes, wolves and dogs are all part of family Canidae; see http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/classification/Canidae.html#Canidae . However, foxes are very close to the ancestral canid form, and are recognizeably close to the ancient split between canids and felids. One of...

Answer to Do pigs have hamstrings?

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 02:08:58 -0700

Do pigs have hamstrings?

Absolutely. "Hamstrings" acquired the name because people used to use those tendons as a handy bit of strong tissue to hang up hams (the pig's leg up to the hip).

Answer to What is the slowest-growing bacterium?

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:40:16 -0700

What is the slowest-growing bacterium?

The best candidates that I know of are the cyanobacteria that inhabit the porous sandstone of Antarctica's dry valleys, including at least one species of Chroococcidiopsis. In a landmark paper of 1991 ("Photosynthetic Carbon Incorporation and Turnover in Antarctic Cryptoendolithic...

Answer to Why can't viruses infect humans through the skin?

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 05:39:33 -0700

Why can't viruses infect humans through the skin?

The topmost layer of skin (the "stratum corneum" of the epidermis) is composed of dry, flattened, glued-together cells where the normal fluids which compose the inside of most cells have been replaced by the relatively hard protein "keratin", in masses of tiny fibers. These...

Answer to My Chihuahua has hot spots on his lower back. How can I get rid of them?

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 04:27:13 -0700

My Chihuahua has hot spots on his lower back. How can I get rid of them?

Try changing his diet; "hot spots" are frequently a symptom of a food allergy, believe it or not.

Answer to My dog has painful, itchless, bloody lesions from her neck down to the top of her tail. What could be the cause?

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 04:25:43 -0700

My dog has painful, itchless, bloody lesions from her neck down to the top of her tail. What could be the cause?

If it's not itchy it suggests a hormonal imbalance/disease, although it could also be bacterial infection. I hope you took your dog to the vet rather than just asking here!!!

Answer to What was tetrafluoroethylene gas used for before it started being polymerized into Teflon?

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 04:08:48 -0700

What was tetrafluoroethylene gas used for before it started being polymerized into Teflon?

It wasn't being used for anything that I can find a record of; it was being investigated as a possible non-toxic (or at least less-toxic) refrigerant gas, however. (From Serendipity: Accidental Discoveries in Science, by Royston M. Roberts; John Wiley and Sons; New York; 1989.)

Answer to How old was the oldest surviving Civil War veteran and when did he die?

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 04:02:12 -0700

How old was the oldest surviving Civil War veteran and when did he die?

From http://www.nycivilwar.us/jahard.html, I believe it was James A. Hard, who died March 12, 1953, at the age of 111. He was not the *last* Civil War veteran to die -- that was probably Albert Woolson, who died August 2,1956 -- but Woolson was "only" 109 when he died.

Answer to Is it true that it is impossible to burst a bubble from the inside?

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 03:42:41 -0700

Is it true that it is impossible to burst a bubble from the inside?

No, it isn't true, but it is somewhat more difficult. Are you worried about a fish being trapped in a bubble? You shouldn't be; gravity will take care of most problems (an air bubble will rise, the fish generally won't, and will generally just go through the bottom of the bubble).

Answer to According to evolution, are monkeys smarter than dolphins?

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:46:05 -0700

According to evolution, are monkeys smarter than dolphins?

Evolution addresses how intelligence could appear, but doesn't directly address whether one species is more intelligent than another. Whether monkeys are smarter than dolphins is a question for ethologists, behaviorists, and probably anatomists; evolution's role is simply one of...

Answer to What would be considered the smartest insect?

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:31:02 -0700

What would be considered the smartest insect?

Bees are a good candidate, actually. Hive-living, cooperative insects in general have larger brains relative to body mass, and more complex behaviors, than solitary insects. At 100,000+ neurons, the honeybee brain is just about the biggest insect brain in existance, and bees have demonstrated a...

Answer to Is it possible for an insect to become resistant to DDT (inseticide) by eating it?

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:19:22 -0700

Is it possible for an insect to become resistant to DDT (inseticide) by eating it?

jalex137 is right, not by eating it, but by already having less susceptibility and that resistance being selected for and strengthened, a population of resistant insects can build up. Can, and has. DDT is still used in the developing world for the control of malarial mosquitos, but it is not...

Answer to Is it possible for an insect to become resistant to DDT (inseticide) by eating it?

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:19:21 -0700

Answer to Where do bees go when night falls? Do they sleep?

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:10:08 -0700

Where do bees go when night falls? Do they sleep?

Actually, though yes, they do return to the hive, there is a question about whether they "sleep". Insects have periods of dormancy in which their physical and nervous activity "ramps down", which is exactly analogous to sleep in more complex creatures. As diurnal creatures,...

Answer to What are genetic algorithms?

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 14:02:47 -0700

What are genetic algorithms?

Oh, genetic algorithms are FANTASTIC. I suppose you want more of an answer than that, though. In brief, genetic algorithms are a way of posing a problem, any problem, as a "fitness solution", with a random set of possible solutions, or elements of possible solutions, being your...

Answer to Why does my cat run out of the litter box if she's in it when I walk by?

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 10:51:39 -0700

Why does my cat run out of the litter box if she's in it when I walk by?

Your cat is in a vulnerable position position when "doing its business" and perhaps he/she doesn't trust people enough to have people in proximity when this is happening.

Answer to Why does my cat like to be kissed? She showers me with licking and purring when I kiss her head

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 10:49:39 -0700

Why does my cat like to be kissed? She showers me with licking and purring when I kiss her head

My guess would be that she has identified your kissing her as the human version of "grooming", or else that she has simply correctly identified kissing as something you do out of affection, and she is quite happy with the affection and attention.

Answer to Does the exterior color of a refrigerator have any effect on its efficiency?

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 10:45:24 -0700

Does the exterior color of a refrigerator have any effect on its efficiency?

If it is a dark-colored fridge and you sit it in the sun, then it is more likely to absorb heat from the sunlight, which would make it work harder to stay cool and somewhat less efficient. Otherwise, no, I have never seen an efficiency rating change due to color, and there is no immediately...

Answer to Two of my dogs have died with similar mysterious symptoms after my neighbor complained that the dogs didn't let him sleep. Is there anything I can do legally against this neighbor?

Sun, 09 Apr 2006 10:40:21 -0700

Two of my dogs have died with similar mysterious symptoms after my neighbor complained that the dogs didn't let him sleep. Is there anything I can do legally against this neighbor?

The dogs need to be autopsied and tox screened for evidence of poison. If the vet can produce evidence of poisoning, then you can go to the police with this and ask for an investigation, and mention your suspicions of your neighbor. The ASPCA might also offer suggestions or resources in the...

Answer to What could cause a change in the pH of the egg yolk or egg white?

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 06:22:18 -0700

What could cause a change in the pH of the egg yolk or egg white?

The two possibilities I thought of straight off are, age, or infection by a strain of bacteria. As an egg ages, water and CO2 diffuse out through pores in the shell, which raises the pH (it becomes more alkaline). The pH of the white of a freshly-laid egg is between 7.6 and 7.9, but that is...

Answer to How did claws evolve into nails, assuming that they did?

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 06:04:03 -0700

How did claws evolve into nails, assuming that they did?

About 53-54 million years ago, at the beginning of the Eocene epoch, primates appeared in the fossil record for the first time. Around the time that primates became arboreal and developed prehensile hands and feet, with opposing thumbs and toes, their claws also became nails. This being the...

Answer to Is organised religion considered to be an evolutionary development?

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 05:54:20 -0700

Is organised religion considered to be an evolutionary development?

Most people like to think of organised religion as being "special", inspired by some transcendent spiritual awareness or experience rather than by any evolutionary process. However, many biologists have explored the ways in which social organisation in general and moral imperatives...

Answer to Which evolved first, the opposable thumb, the capacity for speech or walking upright?

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 05:15:49 -0700

Which evolved first, the opposable thumb, the capacity for speech or walking upright?

Given that many lines of primates, including Old World monkeys, great apes, and humans, have an opposable thumb, this was almost certainly the first of these three things to appear, and would have appeared in whatever was the common ancestor of all these lines. A permanent upright posture...