[ad_1]
By now, it’s been pretty well documented that Brad Pitt’s characters love to stuff their face on screen. They do it early, they do it often. It’s such a strange phenomenon, that we decided to collect as many instances as we possibly could where food ends up in Brad’s mouth. And to celebrate that special moment where skin and sustenance meet, we’ve captured it all in GIF form.
Please. Enjoy your meal.
[ad_2]
Zach Nading
Source link
[ad_1]
There’s a way of turning peanut butter into diamonds. Yep – your go-to sandwich spread can actually be turned into one of the most coveted gemstones on Earth.
So, why isn’t everyone making diamonds in their kitchen?
At the heart of this astonishing fact is the basic science of how diamonds are formed. Diamonds are made of carbon, arranged in a crystal structure under extreme heat and pressure. This process typically occurs naturally over billions of years, deep within the Earth’s mantle. This is where conditions are just right for carbon atoms to bond in a way that creates diamonds.
Peanut butter, believe it or not, is also rich in carbon. When subjected to intense pressures and temperatures similar to those found deep within the Earth, the carbon within peanut butter can theoretically rearrange into diamond structures. Scientists achieve this through a process called high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) synthesis. This uses specialized equipment to mimic the extreme conditions necessary for diamond formation.
Before you start eyeing your jar of peanut butter as a potential gold mine, it’s crucial to understand that creating diamonds from peanut butter is not a simple or efficient process. The transformation requires sophisticated machinery capable of generating pressures over a million times the atmospheric pressure at Earth’s surface, along with temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius (about 3,632 degrees Fahrenheit).
The process starts by placing a source of carbon—in this case, peanut butter—into the core of a press designed specifically for HPHT synthesis. The peanut butter is then subjected to these extreme conditions, where the carbon atoms begin to break down and reassemble into the crystalline structure of a diamond.
You might wonder, with many sources of carbon available, why choose peanut butter? The answer lies partly in the novelty and the proof of concept. Scientists have experimented with various carbon sources. They’ve tried to demonstrate the versatility of the HPHT process and its ability to create diamonds from unexpected materials.
Peanut butter, as a common household item rich in carbon, is just one fascinating example. It’s amazing how ordinary elements can be transformed into extraordinary substances under the right conditions.
Moreover, the process highlights the fundamental principle that diamonds are, at their core, just a form of carbon. Whether derived from the depths of the Earth, a lab, or a jar of peanut butter, the end product is a testament to the remarkable adaptability and transformational capabilities of carbon atoms.
Turning peanut butter into diamonds is more of a scientific curiosity than a practical diamond-producing method. It does offer a glimpse into the future possibilities of synthetic diamond production. As technology advances, the ability to create diamonds from various carbon sources could have implications for industries ranging from jewelry to manufacturing to technology.
Source: “Geophysicists Are Turning Peanut Butter Into Diamond Gemstones” — Popular Science
[ad_2]
WTF
Source link
[ad_1]
Hippos make their own sunscreen. And it’s all natural!
Hippos spend a significant amount of time submerged in water to keep cool under the hot African sun. However, they can’t stay underwater forever. When they emerge, they’re exposed to the same UV radiation that has us humans slathering on sunscreen. But nature has equipped hippos with a remarkable solution.
Hippos secrete a reddish fluid from their skin, often referred to as “blood sweat.” But don’t be alarmed; it’s neither blood nor sweat. This secretion is unique to hippos and serves multiple purposes, including acting as a potent sunscreen. This natural sunscreen is crucial for their survival, protecting their sensitive skin from sunburn and possibly even skin infections.
What makes this “blood sweat” so special? It’s a combination of two distinct pigments: one red (hipposudoric acid) and one orange (norhipposudoric acid). These pigments absorb ultraviolet light, preventing damaging rays from penetrating the hippo’s skin. Moreover, this secretion is both antibacterial and antifungal, providing an all-around protective barrier for the hippo’s skin.
Researchers have studied these pigments, hoping to unlock their secrets for potential applications in human sunscreens. The idea of a sunscreen that not only protects from UV radiation but also offers antibacterial and antifungal benefits is certainly appealing.
The hippo’s “blood sweat” isn’t just about sun protection. This secretion also helps to regulate their body temperature. As the liquid evaporates, it cools the skin, much like sweating does for humans. This is vital for an animal that spends time in both the scorching heat and the water.
This multifaceted secretion underscores the complexity of nature’s adaptations. Hippos, with their massive size and seemingly leisurely lifestyle, might not strike us as the pinnacle of evolutionary innovation. Yet, they carry within them a biochemical marvel that scientists are only beginning to understand fully.
In wrapping up this exploration into the hippo’s sunscreen, it’s clear that nature often holds the most sophisticated solutions to life’s challenges. The hippo’s ability to produce its sunscreen is a testament to the ingenuity of evolutionary adaptations, providing protection against the sun, bacterial and fungal infections, and helping regulate body temperature.
This unique adaptation not only highlights the importance of sun protection across the animal kingdom but also opens doors for scientific research. The potential applications of mimicking or harnessing the properties of the hippo’s “blood sweat” could revolutionize how we approach sunscreen and skin protection in the future.
In essence, the hippopotamus, with its hefty frame and aquatic lifestyle, is a walking, basking example of nature’s ability to find creative solutions for survival. So, the next time you reach for your bottle of sunscreen, spare a thought for the hippos, who have been basking under the African sun with their own built-in UV protection for millennia.
Source: “How Do Some Animals Make Their Own Sunscreen?” — National Geographic
[ad_2]
WTF
Source link
[ad_1]
A day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus. Yes, you read that right. But before your brain does a somersault trying to wrap itself around this fact, let’s break it down into bite-sized chunks.
First off, let’s talk about planetary rotation. A rotation is how long it takes for a planet to spin once around its axis. For Earth, that’s what gives us a 24-hour day. Venus, on the other hand, takes its sweet time. It rotates once every 243 Earth days.
That’s right. If you were standing on Venus (ignoring the fact that you’d be crushed, suffocated, and cooked), you’d experience sunlight for about 116.75 Earth days before switching to an equal length of pitch-black night. That’s one slow spin, making its day extraordinarily long.
Now, flip the script and consider how long it takes Venus to orbit the Sun, which is what we call a year. Venus zips around the Sun in just about 225 Earth days. This is where things get really interesting. Venus’s year (its orbit around the Sun) is shorter than its day (one complete rotation on its axis).
Imagine celebrating your birthday and then waiting just a bit longer to witness a single sunrise and sunset.
So, why does Venus have such an unusual relationship with time? It all comes down to its rotation direction and speed. It’s is a bit of a rebel in our solar system; it rotates clockwise, while most planets, including Earth, rotate counterclockwise. This is known as retrograde rotation.
Scientists have a few theories about why Venus rotates so slowly and in the opposite direction. One popular theory is that a massive collision early in the planet’s history could have flipped its rotation or altered it significantly. Another theory suggests gravitational interactions with the Sun and other planets over billions of years have gradually changed its rotation speed and direction.
Regardless of the cause, Venus’s leisurely pace and quirky orbit give it the unique distinction of having days longer than its years. This fact not only makes Venus an interesting topic of study for astronomers but also serves as a fascinating reminder of the diversity and complexity of planetary systems.
Source: “Interesting facts about Venus” — Royal Museums Greenwich
[ad_2]
WTF
Source link
[ad_1]
People can’t burp in space.
Now, you might wonder, why on Earth (or rather, off Earth) can’t astronauts do something as simple as burping? It boils down to gravity, or the lack thereof.
Here on Earth, gravity does a lot of work for us without us even noticing. When you eat or drink, gravity helps separate the liquid and gas in your stomach. The solids and liquids stay at the bottom, while the gas, being lighter, floats to the top. When there’s enough gas, your body naturally expels it as a burp. Simple, right?
But, take gravity out of the equation, and things get a bit more complicated. In space, there’s no up or down like here on Earth. This means that in an astronaut’s stomach, gas doesn’t rise above the liquid and solid. Instead, everything floats around in a mixed-up blob.
If an astronaut tries to burp, they’re not just going to expel the gas. No, they might bring up some of the liquid and solid matter too. Not exactly pleasant, and definitely something you’d want to avoid.
NASA, being aware of this, actually trains astronauts on how to eat and drink in a way that minimizes the chances of needing to burp. They choose foods that are less likely to produce gas. Also, space food is designed to reduce crumbs and loose particles, which can be a nuisance in microgravity. Even with these precautions, though, the human body can still produce gas, thanks to the digestion process.
So, what happens to all that gas if it can’t come out as a burp? Well, it has to go somewhere. The body adapts in interesting ways. The gas might get absorbed into the bloodstream and expelled through the lungs. Or it might travel through the digestive tract and leave the body as flatulence. Yes, astronauts can still fart in space, which, without gravity to direct the flow, might be a bit more… interesting.
This isn’t just a quirky fact about space travel; it has real implications for astronaut health and comfort. Gas build-up can cause discomfort, bloating, and even pain. In the confined, zero-gravity environment of a spacecraft, managing these bodily functions becomes crucial for maintaining the well-being and harmony of the crew.
It’s funny to think about, but this no-burp scenario highlights a broader point about space travel. Living in space requires us to relearn and adapt basic bodily functions. Everything from sleeping to eating to going to the bathroom is different up there. Astronauts undergo extensive training to prepare for these challenges, learning how to live in a world without gravity’s guiding hand.
In the grand scheme of things, the inability to burp is just one small part of the vast array of adjustments humans must make to thrive in space. It serves as a reminder of how finely tuned our bodies are to life on Earth, and how much we take for granted the invisible forces that shape our everyday experiences.
Source: “Ask an Explainer” — Smithsonian Institution
[ad_2]
WTF
Source link
[ad_1]
When Boeing set out to improve in-flight WiFi, they needed a solution to simulate how human passengers would affect signal strength and distribution. Enter the humble potato.
Yes, you read that correctly. Boeing used sacks of potatoes as stand-ins for passengers. This innovative approach, dubbed “Project SPUDS” (Synthetic Personnel Using Dielectric Substitution), played a crucial role in enhancing wireless connectivity on aircraft.
So, why potatoes? The reason is scientific. Potatoes, due to their water content and chemical makeup, absorb and reflect radio and wireless signals similarly to the human body. This makes them ideal subjects for testing the in-flight wireless network, as engineers sought to ensure strong and consistent WiFi signals across all seats.
Boeing filled airplane seats with sacks of potatoes to mimic a fully booked flight. This setup allowed them to measure the WiFi signals’ behavior accurately. Engineers could then adjust the placement of WiFi transmitters and receivers in the cabin to optimize signal strength and distribution, ensuring passengers could enjoy stable and fast internet access.
The use of potatoes went beyond mere convenience. It offered a cost-effective and efficient method to test and refine in-flight WiFi systems. Traditional methods of using human volunteers for such tests were not only time-consuming but also less reliable due to the variability in human behavior and positioning. Potatoes, on the other hand, provided a consistent and controlled environment for testing.
Project SPUDS showcased how thinking outside the box—or the sack, in this case—can lead to innovative solutions to complex problems. Boeing’s engineers demonstrated that sometimes, the most unconventional tools can offer the best answers.
The research and adjustments made possible by Project SPUDS significantly improved the quality of in-flight WiFi services. Passengers now enjoy better connectivity, with fewer dead zones and stronger signals throughout the cabin. This improvement enhances the overall travel experience, allowing pa
Source:
[ad_2]
WTF
Source link
[ad_1]
Before we jump in here, these aren’t just tiny groups of people. These are entire fanbases who have a cult-like, mob mentality about something as trivial as Pokemon relationships. These are the stans that need to take a step back, go outside, and touch some grass.
Enjoy the worst of the worst!
[ad_2]
Zach Nading
Source link
[ad_1]
Did you know that clouds are heavy?
Yep, those fluffy, floating fixtures in the sky, hold a heavy secret. It’s a surprising fact that the seemingly weightless clouds drifting above us actually carry an immense amount of water, making them far heavier than they appear.
A single cumulus cloud, the type that looks like a giant cotton ball in the sky, can weigh as much as 1.1 million pounds. That’s equivalent to the weight of about 200 elephants. How can something so heavy float? The answer lies in the density and distribution of the cloud’s water droplets or ice crystals and the air surrounding them.
Clouds form when water vapor rises into the air and cools, condensing into tiny droplets or ice crystals. Despite their mass, clouds float because these water droplets are spread over a vast area and are less dense than dry air. When you look up at a cloud, you see millions of these tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.
The atmosphere is a fluid, and like all fluids, it supports objects less dense than itself. Cloud droplets are tiny, about a hundredth of a millimeter in diameter, allowing them to be kept aloft by rising air currents until they combine with other droplets to form larger ones and eventually fall as precipitation. This process is a fundamental aspect of the water cycle, redistributing water from the earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back again.
Clouds play a crucial role in the earth’s climate system. They reflect sunlight, helping to cool the earth’s surface, and they trap heat, contributing to the greenhouse effect. The balance between these two roles depends on the type, altitude, and thickness of the clouds.
Understanding the weight and composition of clouds is crucial for climate scientists. It helps them model the earth’s climate system and predict changes in weather patterns. With climate change altering the atmosphere’s dynamics, scientists are studying clouds more intensively to understand their impact on global temperatures and weather anomalies.
To grasp the true weight of clouds, consider the water cycle. Water evaporates from the earth’s surface, rises up, cools, and condenses into clouds. A cloud’s weight comes from this water content.
The amount of water in a typical cloud is enough to fill 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Yet, this water is so dispersed within the cloud that it doesn’t fall to the ground until it condenses into larger droplets.
When clouds become too heavy, that’s when precipitation occurs. The process of droplets merging to become heavy enough to overcome air resistance and fall to the ground can result in rain, snow, sleet, or hail. This transition from cloud to precipitation illustrates the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our atmosphere.
Source: How Much Does a Cloud Weigh? — U.S. Geological Survey
[ad_2]
WTF
Source link
[ad_1]
Squirrels’ brains get bigger so they can remember where they buried their nuts. At least, that’s the theory!
Squirrels that engage in scatter-hoarding exhibit a level of methodical planning that rivals that of humans in complexity. They don’t just bury their food anywhere; they make calculated decisions on where and how to store each nut. This behavior involves assessing each nut’s weight, freshness, and potential infestation through methods like paw manipulation. Such detailed analysis requires a significant amount of cognitive processing.
Interestingly, the type of nut and its size influence how and where it’s stored. Larger nuts are buried less densely to prevent other animals from finding a jackpot. Meanwhile, smaller nuts like peanuts are scattered more broadly.
This not only showcases squirrels’ strategic planning but also their ability to categorize and organize their food sources spatially.
The act of burying nuts isn’t just about survival through winter. This behavior is a cognitive exercise that may lead to physical changes in the brain.
Lucia Jacobs, a professor at the University of California-Berkeley, posits that the intense period of nut storage is linked to observable growth in squirrel brains. This growth isn’t permanent, however. Brain sizes fluctuate with the seasons, enlarging during the autumnal nut-gathering frenzy and reducing thereafter.
This seasonal brain change isn’t unique to squirrels!
Shrews experience a reduction in brain size to conserve energy during winter, a phenomenon known as the Dehnel effect. Unlike shrews, squirrels live much longer and thus exhibit a cyclical pattern of brain enlargement and reduction correlating with their nut-gathering activities.
The cognitive demands of scatter hoarding may enhance squirrels’ spatial memory. The constant interaction with their cache, through checking and sometimes relocating nuts, helps squirrels build a mental map of their stored food. This becomes crucial in winter, when finding food quickly can mean the difference between life and death. The ability to remember the location of their food stores allows squirrels to efficiently forage in the snow, minimizing exposure to predators.
This research into squirrel behavior and brain size opens up new avenues for understanding animal cognition and seasonal adaptations. It challenges us to reconsider the intellectual capabilities of animals and their responses to environmental pressures. The insights gained from studying squirrels could inform broader studies on memory, survival strategies, and brain plasticity across species.
[ad_2]
WTF
Source link
[ad_1]
Most people would think shooting and killing other humans is a very serious matter and not something that we want to do under any circumstance. And I would hope that we would hold our elected officials to an even higher standard. Though apparently, that’s ideal thinking. Texas Governor Abbott is once again proving why he’s totally cruel and honestly unfit for office.
Republicans use migrants as a political prop to stoke fear all the time, as a way to push their political agenda. We know this. But Abbott has been particularly egregious on this issue, coming from a border state. His latest comments show just how disturbing his views really are. On a podcast with National Rifle Association spokesperson Dana Loesch, Abbott said his administration has been using “every tool” to limit migration into Texas.
“The only thing that we’re not doing,” he went on to say, “is we’re not shooting people who come across the border, because of course the Biden administration would charge us with murder.” Um … WHAT?
So I am glad that Biden, painted here as some kind of killjoy, and the potential for charges is holding back a sitting governor’s desire to shoot people en masse but … does Abbott know that we can hear him? Or maybe he doesn’t genuinely see anything wrong with this. Fortunately, there is still a Democratic party in the state, and they quickly condemned his remarks. The chair of the party gave a blistering statement, saying, “Time and time again, Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans have made it abundantly clear they have no morality or humanity.”
Republicans are constantly trying to convince American voters that migrants pose a direct threat to them and their safety. This is fear-mongering and it’s straight-forwardly false. Stanford economist Ran Abramitzky recently revealed substantial research on the crime myths associated with immigrants. One of the most important overarching findings refutes the right-wing talking point that immigration causes crime spikes. That hasn’t been true in this country for 140 years. Oops!
Abramitzky’s study also found that in today’s America, immigrants are 30 percent less likely to be incarcerated than American-born white people—a.k.a. Republicans’ favorite kind of person. An important note is that the rates have increased since 2005 for Mexican and Central American immigrants, BUT that is mostly attributed to census data, including detentions as part of overall crime and incarceration stats.
Either way, Abbott’s disgusting rhetoric cannot be overstated. Democrats sometimes say “cruelty is the point” when they refer to Trump and his policies and we have to extend that to most Republicans at this point. They don’t want to focus on policies that have the highest positive utility, they want to drive wedges between Americans that are stoked in hate because they are counting on the worst within the American, not the best. And that is a real shame.
(via HuffPost, featured image: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
[ad_2]
Autumn Alston
Source link
[ad_1]
At the risk of sounding clinically insane, I actually want to play an “inappropriate” song at my funeral. The song I’ve had in mind for the last couple of years now is called “Next Time Might Be Your Time” by Gene Tyranny. I think it’s a beautiful song, and it’s a nice way to make people paranoid about which funeral they’ll be attending next.
As we go through these options, I’ll be linking to each song (assuming it’s available via YouTube links):
[ad_2]
Jacob
Source link
[ad_1]
In a bizarre turn of events, a female kangaroo recently found herself the protagonist of an unexpected adventure in Ontario, Canada.
Born in captivity and accustomed to a life far from the Australian outback, this marsupial made a daring escape during transportation to a new home. She set off a series of events that would leave the local community and police force both baffled and amused.
One Thursday evening at the Oshawa Zoo and Fun Farm, during a routine rest stop, the kangaroo seized an opportunity. She hopped over her handlers, darting into the wild unknown of Oshawa, a town located about 37 miles east of Toronto.
The news of a kangaroo on the loose quickly spread, capturing the attention of residents and media alike. Videos of the marsupial sprinting along roads surfaced on social media, painting an almost surreal picture against the Canadian backdrop.
The search for the runaway kangaroo continued into the early hours of Monday. Finally, the officers on patrol spotted her on a rural property. With guidance from the kangaroo’s handlers, the police attempted a capture by grabbing her tail, a technique advised for handling such animals. However, the kangaroo was not ready to surrender her newfound freedom without a fight.
In a surprising act of defiance, she punched one of the officers in the face, adding an unexpected twist to the already unusual situation. Staff Sergeant Chris Boileau remarked that this incident would undoubtedly become a long-remembered story among the force.
Despite the scuffle, the kangaroo was safely captured and received medical treatment to address any potential stress or injuries. The Oshawa Zoo decided to provide her with a few days of rest, ensuring she was in good condition before arriving at the zoo in Quebec.
Kangaroos are naturally curious and energetic animals, traits that might have contributed to this particular individual’s decision to explore beyond her familiar surroundings. In their native habitat of Australia, kangaroos are known for their powerful hind legs. These allow them to leap great distances and reach impressive speeds.
These adaptations, while beneficial in the wild, can lead to unpredictable behavior when the animals are kept in captivity.
In the end, the kangaroo’s brief taste of freedom will go down as a peculiar tale in Canadian history. For the police officers involved, it was an encounter they are unlikely to forget!
Source: “Escaped kangaroo captured after punching Canadian officer” — Reuters
[ad_2]
WTF
Source link
[ad_1]
Everyday on your work commute, you probably think to yourself “My state has the worst drivers ever,” and for some of you, that’s absolutely true. But some of you out there don’t have it nearly as bad as others do. Forbes Advisor has released their stats on our country’s drivers.
The results are based on each state’s Number of Fatal Crashes Per 100,000 Drivers. Try not to be offended if your state makes the top 25 worst, we’re sure it’s definitely not your fault personally.
[ad_2]
Zach Nading
Source link
[ad_1]
What’s better than spending 9 months at sea with hundreds of people you don’t know? Many, many, many things. Like, soooo many things. Probably most things. But to some people, I guess it sounds like a dream come true and that’s why they bought passage on Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas cruise liner.
[ad_2]
Camry
Source link
