"Famed baseball pitcher James Augustus Hunter got his nickname "Catfish" when he was a kid growing up in N.C."
Hunter was actually given that name by the owner of the Kansas City Athletics back in 1965. The name stuck even after he joined the Yankees in 1975.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Bug repeller?
"Eating garlic will repel insects."
As described in the U of Connecticut Health Center news:
Dr. Thiruchandurai V. Rajan, chief of pathology at the University of Connecticut Health Center, was inspired to check out the effects of garlic on repelling mosquitoes because a colleague's wife was feeding garlic to her horse. He learned that it's a common practice throughout the United States to feed garlic to horses and dogs to prevent mosquito bites. In his experiment, dozens of human test subjects took garlic capsules or placebos and then inserted arms into a mosquito cage to see whether it had any effect on the number of bites they received.
It didn't. Rajan suspects that a longer experiment in which subjects eat more garlic for longer periods might show some improvement. The question is whether eating so much garlic would be more effective at driving away insects or friends.
As described in the U of Connecticut Health Center news:
Dr. Thiruchandurai V. Rajan, chief of pathology at the University of Connecticut Health Center, was inspired to check out the effects of garlic on repelling mosquitoes because a colleague's wife was feeding garlic to her horse. He learned that it's a common practice throughout the United States to feed garlic to horses and dogs to prevent mosquito bites. In his experiment, dozens of human test subjects took garlic capsules or placebos and then inserted arms into a mosquito cage to see whether it had any effect on the number of bites they received.
It didn't. Rajan suspects that a longer experiment in which subjects eat more garlic for longer periods might show some improvement. The question is whether eating so much garlic would be more effective at driving away insects or friends.
Garlic ticker
"Garlic cuts cholesterol level."
According to the U of Connecticut health dept. the " effect of garlic consumption on reducing cholesterol is lower than the reductions that occur with changes in diet and use of statin drugs. The percentage of change is too low to recommend
garlic consumption as a treatment."
According to the U of Connecticut health dept. the " effect of garlic consumption on reducing cholesterol is lower than the reductions that occur with changes in diet and use of statin drugs. The percentage of change is too low to recommend
garlic consumption as a treatment."
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Marco Polo in China?
"Marco Polo, in The Adventures of Marco Polo, describes his sojourn in China."
Historian Jonathan Dresner on the History News Network has this to say about it:
'Marco Polo did not go to China...Marco Polo did not work for the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. Yes, it was possible to make the journey, and yes, some non-Chinese did serve the Yuan. But the errors in his Travels cannot be glossed over as "a traveler's tendency to exaggerate (especially in regard to numbers)" and his absence from Yuan records (which were pretty well kept) cannot be slipped by with "may have been employed" and the distinct likelihood that Polo was simply embellishing translations of Chinese gazetteers he picked up in Persia is not clearly expressed by "Scholars have long regarded Marco Polo's book, if used carefully, as an important historical document."'
Historian Jonathan Dresner on the History News Network has this to say about it:
'Marco Polo did not go to China...Marco Polo did not work for the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. Yes, it was possible to make the journey, and yes, some non-Chinese did serve the Yuan. But the errors in his Travels cannot be glossed over as "a traveler's tendency to exaggerate (especially in regard to numbers)" and his absence from Yuan records (which were pretty well kept) cannot be slipped by with "may have been employed" and the distinct likelihood that Polo was simply embellishing translations of Chinese gazetteers he picked up in Persia is not clearly expressed by "Scholars have long regarded Marco Polo's book, if used carefully, as an important historical document."'
C mark
"In order for a work to be copyrighted it must actually show the copyright notice with the date."
Copyright today follows the Berne convention. Templetons explains it htis way: "...almost everything created privately and originally after April 1, 1989 is copyrighted and protected whether it has a notice or not. The default you should assume for other people's works is that they are copyrighted and may not be copied unless you know otherwise."
Copyright today follows the Berne convention. Templetons explains it htis way: "...almost everything created privately and originally after April 1, 1989 is copyrighted and protected whether it has a notice or not. The default you should assume for other people's works is that they are copyrighted and may not be copied unless you know otherwise."
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tornado Vs windows
"To equalize air pressure during a hurricane leave your windows open."
From the Tornado Project
The idea that moving one thin pane of glass is going to protect a roof or house from one of the most violent natural forces on the planet has a certain absurdity about it...To get to the very center of a mature tornado (where the pressure may be low enough to cause some explosive effects), the windows would have to endure 100-200 mph winds in the walls of the vortex. Those winds would be laden with boards, stones, cars, trees, telephone poles, and the neighbor's roof shingles as well as wind pressure of more than 100 pounds per square foot. This barrage would blow more than enough ventilation holes in the building to allow any pressure difference to be equalized.
From the Tornado Project
The idea that moving one thin pane of glass is going to protect a roof or house from one of the most violent natural forces on the planet has a certain absurdity about it...To get to the very center of a mature tornado (where the pressure may be low enough to cause some explosive effects), the windows would have to endure 100-200 mph winds in the walls of the vortex. Those winds would be laden with boards, stones, cars, trees, telephone poles, and the neighbor's roof shingles as well as wind pressure of more than 100 pounds per square foot. This barrage would blow more than enough ventilation holes in the building to allow any pressure difference to be equalized.
Another Earthquake
"Tens of thousands of people died in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake." (A teacher I had once told me this number.)
According to the Berkeley Seismological laboratory some 3000 died.
According to the Berkeley Seismological laboratory some 3000 died.
Earthquakes
"A 7.0 earthquake is worse than a 6.0 quake."
Not necessarily. A 7.0 earthquake emanating hundreds of miles deep in the Earth's mantle is less intense than a much smaller earthquake emanating only a few miles down.
Not necessarily. A 7.0 earthquake emanating hundreds of miles deep in the Earth's mantle is less intense than a much smaller earthquake emanating only a few miles down.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Volcano park
"Volcanoes are alway cone-shaped."
Some volcanoes erupt so violently from deep within the earth that instead of a cone shape of molten debris they leave a flattened mass. According to scientists Yellowstone National Park is one big supervolcano, with its heated geysers and hot springs stemming from a "magma chamber that is about 45 miles across--roughly the same dimensions as the park."*
*Bryson.
Some volcanoes erupt so violently from deep within the earth that instead of a cone shape of molten debris they leave a flattened mass. According to scientists Yellowstone National Park is one big supervolcano, with its heated geysers and hot springs stemming from a "magma chamber that is about 45 miles across--roughly the same dimensions as the park."*
*Bryson.
Swine Flu war
"Most American casualties of World War 1 came from enemy fire."
In fact some 80% of our casualties came from--the flu, not enemy fire. It was the Great Swine Flu epidemic. According to Bil Bryson's research (in A Short History of Nearly Everything), some military units suffered an 80% mortality rate. "World War 1 killed 21 million people in four years; swine flue did the same in four months."
In fact some 80% of our casualties came from--the flu, not enemy fire. It was the Great Swine Flu epidemic. According to Bil Bryson's research (in A Short History of Nearly Everything), some military units suffered an 80% mortality rate. "World War 1 killed 21 million people in four years; swine flue did the same in four months."
Earth jumpers
"If the entire Chinese population (well over a billion souls) jumped at the same time their collective force could effect the Earth's orbit."
This is the way Robert Wolke (What Einstein Told His Barber) explains the negative side:
"Assuming a population of 1.2 billion...weighing an average of 150 lbs each, their collective pounce would hit the ground with an energy of 1.6 trillion...units of energy (joules)." In short, that would be the equivalent of a 5.0 earthquake measured on the Richter scale. So jump away; the earth will be in good hands.
This is the way Robert Wolke (What Einstein Told His Barber) explains the negative side:
"Assuming a population of 1.2 billion...weighing an average of 150 lbs each, their collective pounce would hit the ground with an energy of 1.6 trillion...units of energy (joules)." In short, that would be the equivalent of a 5.0 earthquake measured on the Richter scale. So jump away; the earth will be in good hands.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Last Supper
"Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper was painted on canvas."
This work is painted on a wall. It is 29 feet long by 15 feet tall. In 101 Things You Didn't Know About Da Vinci Shana Priwer and Cynthia Phillips write, "Duke Ludovico Sforza, Leonardo's patron at the time, commissioned the painting. Sforza had selected the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie as his family chapel, and Leonardo was hired to paint a large mural of the Last Supper on one wall of the refecctory (a room where meals are served)."
This work is painted on a wall. It is 29 feet long by 15 feet tall. In 101 Things You Didn't Know About Da Vinci Shana Priwer and Cynthia Phillips write, "Duke Ludovico Sforza, Leonardo's patron at the time, commissioned the painting. Sforza had selected the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie as his family chapel, and Leonardo was hired to paint a large mural of the Last Supper on one wall of the refecctory (a room where meals are served)."
"Good Day!"
"Rush Limbaugh is the most listened to radio personality in the U.S."
Though Rush is big it's actually Paul Harvey who is the most listened to in radio, with some 24 million listeners a day. He's heard on some 1200 radio stations and 400 armed forces radio stations around the world. This is somewhat of a academic point, however, since we're talking about two different kinds of radio (apples and oranges): Rush Limbaugh is certainly the king of talk radio, along with Sean Hannity, while Paul Harvey gives a short "news and information" broadcast.
Though Rush is big it's actually Paul Harvey who is the most listened to in radio, with some 24 million listeners a day. He's heard on some 1200 radio stations and 400 armed forces radio stations around the world. This is somewhat of a academic point, however, since we're talking about two different kinds of radio (apples and oranges): Rush Limbaugh is certainly the king of talk radio, along with Sean Hannity, while Paul Harvey gives a short "news and information" broadcast.
Light speeds
"Light consistently travels at 186,000 miles per second."
Quoth Robert L. Wolke (What Einstein Told His Barber), "When people talk about the 'speed of light as being 186,000 mps they should always be careful to add 'in a vacuum.'" Because when light enters a transparent medium it slows down...The speed of light in water, for example, is only three-quarters as fast as it is in the air."
Quoth Robert L. Wolke (What Einstein Told His Barber), "When people talk about the 'speed of light as being 186,000 mps they should always be careful to add 'in a vacuum.'" Because when light enters a transparent medium it slows down...The speed of light in water, for example, is only three-quarters as fast as it is in the air."
Friday, July 6, 2007
Gotta go
"The kidney's only function is to remove excess water from our body."
Nope. That's not its only function. It also stimulates growth of red blood cells through hormone secretion. And that's a fact you can take to the bathroom.
Nope. That's not its only function. It also stimulates growth of red blood cells through hormone secretion. And that's a fact you can take to the bathroom.
It's the sewer, stupid
"Bad breath is caused by your mouth."
While your mouth can contribute to bad breath really bad breath--halitosis, for example--usually stems from digestive problems. In plumber's terms your soot pipe is seeping up some awful sewer gas.
While your mouth can contribute to bad breath really bad breath--halitosis, for example--usually stems from digestive problems. In plumber's terms your soot pipe is seeping up some awful sewer gas.
Sinkers
"The sinking of the Titanic with the loss of over 1500 passengers and crew was the worst passenger ship disaster in history."
No, the worst such disaster happened in the US in that eventful year of 1865. The Sultana sunk on the Mississippi River killing 1650 passengers.
No, the worst such disaster happened in the US in that eventful year of 1865. The Sultana sunk on the Mississippi River killing 1650 passengers.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Solid body
"The type of wood a solid body electric guitar is made from influences its tone."
The tone of a solid body electric guitar comes from the sound of the strings as they are "grabbed" (yes, a very technical term) by the pickups. Unlike an acoustic or classical guitar the sound is purely electronically produced.The tone comes from the type of pickups and amplification connected to the guitar. Perhaps this is why the solid body electric guitar would be better described as a music synthesizer with frets rather than a guitar.
The tone of a solid body electric guitar comes from the sound of the strings as they are "grabbed" (yes, a very technical term) by the pickups. Unlike an acoustic or classical guitar the sound is purely electronically produced.The tone comes from the type of pickups and amplification connected to the guitar. Perhaps this is why the solid body electric guitar would be better described as a music synthesizer with frets rather than a guitar.
Plant disaster
"The meltdown at Chernobyl in 1986 was the worst plant disaster ever recorded."
Though 31 people were initially killed at the Russian nuke facility the toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India two years before immediately killed over 2000 and injured 150,000.
The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Health Organization say that ...50 deaths can be directly attributed to the disaster, and that, at most, 4,000 people may eventually die from the accident. Other organizations put the number much higher--at least for those who develop cancer.
Though 31 people were initially killed at the Russian nuke facility the toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India two years before immediately killed over 2000 and injured 150,000.
The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Health Organization say that ...50 deaths can be directly attributed to the disaster, and that, at most, 4,000 people may eventually die from the accident. Other organizations put the number much higher--at least for those who develop cancer.
Supernova show
"Someday our sun will go supernova."
If you're going to bother waiting around for the Really Big Show, forget it. It won't happen. Our sun simply isn't big enough. It would have to be at least ten times larger.
If you're going to bother waiting around for the Really Big Show, forget it. It won't happen. Our sun simply isn't big enough. It would have to be at least ten times larger.
Apocalypse Then
"America lost the war in Vietnam"
Whether you were for or against the war in Vietnam an incredible fact remains: The United States did not lose the war in Vietnam. There's an incredible number of people out there--many of them in our universities--who actually think this way--that we lost militarily. For the most part we had already removed ourselves military from South Vietnam by the time the North invaded, and we did not wish to re-involve ourselves. You could, however, say we lost the war politically.
Whether you were for or against the war in Vietnam an incredible fact remains: The United States did not lose the war in Vietnam. There's an incredible number of people out there--many of them in our universities--who actually think this way--that we lost militarily. For the most part we had already removed ourselves military from South Vietnam by the time the North invaded, and we did not wish to re-involve ourselves. You could, however, say we lost the war politically.
Here, Sponge, here
"The common sponge, the thing we wash dirty plates and cars and toilets with is a plant."
The sponge is an animal, though not the kind that will fetch. Yes, according to the International Council for The Exploration of the Sea, "Sponges are some of the oldest multicellular animals and have been in our seas for more than 600 million years." Hey, who knew? I always thought it was a plant too.
The sponge is an animal, though not the kind that will fetch. Yes, according to the International Council for The Exploration of the Sea, "Sponges are some of the oldest multicellular animals and have been in our seas for more than 600 million years." Hey, who knew? I always thought it was a plant too.
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