Another trivia list! This list explores a variety of fascinating scientific facts that you probably are unaware of. Science is still a very mysterious subject so there are millions of trivial facts about it – this will be the first of many scientific fact lists in the future.
Facts 1 – 5
1. There are 62,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body – laid end to end they would circle the earth 2.5 times
2. At over 2000 kilometers long, The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth
3. The risk of being struck by a falling meteorite for a human is one occurrence every 9,300 years
4. A thimbleful of a neutron star would weigh over 100 million tons
5. A typical hurricane produces the energy equivalent of 8,000 one megaton bombs
Facts 6 – 10
6. Blood sucking hookworms inhabit 700 million people worldwide
7. The highest speed ever achieved on a bicycle is 166.94 mph, by Fred Rompelberg
8. We can produce laser light a million times brighter than sunshine
9. 65% of those with autism are left handed
10. The combined length of the roots of a Finnish pine tree is over 30 miles
Facts 11 – 15
11. The oceans contain enough salt to cover all the continents to a depth of nearly 500 feet
12. The interstellar gas cloud Sagittarius B contains a billion, billion, billion liters of alcohol [JFrater is planning to move there in the near future]
13. Polar Bears can run at 25 miles an hour and jump over 6 feet in the air
14. 60-65 million years ago dolphins and humans shared a common ancestor
15. Polar Bears are nearly undetectable by infrared cameras, due to their transparent fur
Facts 16 – 20
16. The average person accidentally eats 430 bugs each year of their life
17. A single rye plant can spread up to 400 miles of roots underground
18. The temperature on the surface of Mercury exceeds 430 degrees C during the day, and, at night, plummets to minus 180 degrees centigrade
19. The evaporation from a large oak or beech tree is from ten to twenty-five gallons in twenty-four hours
20. Butterflies taste with their hind feet, and their taste sensation works on touch – this allows them to determine whether a leaf is edible
Yarr:
You ask why previous icings and warmings happened, sans our human propensity for warming the atmosphere. Well the answer is no one’s sure, but there’s a lot of good guesses. THE POINT, however, about the CURRENT warming is that it is clearly being caused by too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (to put it simply) and that the warming is happening very rapidly. There is no evidence (that I’m aware of) in ice cores taken, etc. etc. for previous spikes in carbon dioxide that coincide with previous warmings–therefore, the question is why now? And the answer is, clearly, that we’re doing it.
Cyn: I sense WoW fear!
Randall:
Oh.
See, my dad has all these old books and encyclopedias he got when my grandmother died.
In the 50′s they said we were at the end of the current ice age and that over the next 50-80 years, Earth’s temperature would steadily increase, and be an average 1-2 degrees warmer by the year 2,000.
It did, just as predicted.
However, now it’s our fault?
I don’t know. Like I said, I’m not convinced one way or the other, I’m just cynical about ANYTHING I see or hear from TV or the government telling me to be afraid, especially when there’s plenty of speculation that we have no effect at all, and LOTS of money to be made by spreading the fear.
*shrug*
BTW-
I’m not one of those people that want to pave the world or anything. I’m not into strip-mining or clear-cutting or any of that.
I live in Houston, Texas which has some of the worst pollution I’ve ever seen, and I’d like for it to go away.
I just think that it’s pretty ludicrous that while all the petrochemical plants along the (disgusting) beaches here on the Gulf Coast pump out thousands of tons of toxic ***** every hour, the government’s solution is to legislate what kind of light bulb I can put in my closet.
Seems like hunting a rhino with a rubber band gun…
Juggz..hey my best friend is heavy into WoW…but personally…i loath games like that. *shudder*
hehe, then stay away from the forums
too late *sigh*
A question that I hope a few more educated folks here might like to answer: Why is it that when temperatures rise, the carbon dioxide levels follow that rise, and not the other way around?
Butwhat about the fact that some trees are 3000 to 5000 years old !!!!!!!!
If polar bears had transparent fur we could see their skin. So it is not transparent fur that makes them invisible for IR cameras, but great thermal isolation which prevents body heat to escape and be captured by IR camera. That is theory. In real life some heat has to escape, at least through exhaling.
So 15 is basically correct, but due to other reasons and not one specified.
Yarr:
Sorry, but it doesn’t surprise me to hear that you’re from Texas. What IS IT with you people down there? (No offense to you personally, I just have a thing against Texans—only in part because of Bush).
To begin with Yarr, environmental problems aren’t mutually exclusive. If you have tons of pollution in your back yard, then by all means, yes, we should take care of it. But there is ALSO a global warming problem that needs to be addressed… why does it have to be one or the other? (As you seem to be saying).
Secondly, you keep saying it’s the media and government telling you about global warming. Uh, Yarr… they are telling you about it NOW because SCIENCE has been talking about it for years, and gathering evidence for it. This is not, therefore, something that has simply been “made up” by news moguls and politicians to sell magazines and papers and control your life.
Now, I can’t address what was written in some encylopedia from 50 some-odd years ago, when I don’t even know the source (what encylcopedia WAS this, for instance?) but I can guess from what you’ve said that you’ve gotten the whole thing mucked up somehow and need to go back and re-read it. First of all, we are and *have been* in an inter-glacial period for about 10,000 years now… so the last age didn’t just end in the 50s, there, pal. “Inter-glacial” means that *based on* what we know of previous ice age cycles, there MAY be and probably WOULD be another ice at some point down the road–how long it would take no one knows for sure. For some reason, however, we know that a few million years ago, the Earth started on a cyclical ice age kick, with ice ages coming and going every few tens of thousands (or more) years. The last ice age (called the Wisconsin or Wurm age) is generally believed to have concluded in the period of about 12,000 – 10,000 years past. Since then we have been warming, but the warming has generally stabilized.
You may have read that we had warmed up from the median low during that ice age, and are now confused by this—I don’t know. But the point is, *during the 50s* and a few decades before that, the consensus was that we were, yes, in a warmer period BECAUSE we were “inter-glacial” (there was a brief cold spell during the 17th and 18th centuries–the “Little Ice Age” it’s been called–which might also be confusing you) but there was not enough LONG TERM meteorological and geological/environmental evidence THEN to judge what was going on—remember, our data collecting hasn’t been going on that long, so it’s only in recent times that we’ve been able to look BACK on previous weather patterns to determine what possible trends have been going on around us–we’ve also made use of new technologies to delve into past weather patterns—technologies that were not available to scientists in the middle of the 20th century.
Remember, please—the point about global warming is that it is caused (to put it simply) by an over-abundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. There is NO question that we HAVE been experiencing a rise in this gas over the last few decades AT LEAST… but this phenomena probably goes back to the beginnings of the industrial age, when we began spewing great quantities of carbon into the air. It has taken a while for the buildup of this (carbon, in molecular form, is VERY hard to get rid of–it is *extremely* stable and is not much affected by radiation, etc.–so it doesn’t break down easily and can hang in the atmosphere for a very long time, increasing and increasing as we add more to it) and we have been continually adding to the problem, at increasing rates, over the last few decades. We now have an unusual quantity of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that was clearly put there by us, and we have an unusually high rate of increase in global temperature. It doesn’t take a lot of genius to understand the connection.
Again, I don’t know what you actually read–but think about it–you’re basically trying to say that science in the 50s (based on what you think you read in some encyclopedia) knew more and knew better than science does today. This is illogical and silly.
as for TX…we also had Ann Richards, Molly Ivins and can lay claim to Kinky Friedman. to name a few. and i don’t think Shrub was actually born here.
anytime anyone starts badmouthing TX…i just think…where ever you go, there you are. meaning…anyplace has some good stuff and some bad stuff about it. no place is perfect. its all in how you look at it, which is influenced by your own head.
Cyn: you actually want us to claim Kinky?
Juggz: hey..i almost voted for him!
Actually, Randall, it is scientifically documentated that europe, and many other parts of the world, went through a “mini Ice-age” in the 1800′s. It wasn’t an ice age as i the traditional sense, but global the global temp dropped and europe hit some of its roughest winters to date.
I don’t know a whole lot about it, but I remember learning about it frmo one of my history professors. I read a few articles about it online as well, which I will try to dig up and post links later.
I do agree with you though when you say that we are responsible for alot of the carbon in the air. The Warming is a natural thing, but undoubtedly we are greatly speeding it up.
Duh. Me Texas from. Me no know sumpthin ever.
Randall, I agree with you 98% of the time, even though you’re a complete ***** (and kind of a bully).
Thanks for the climatology lesson, but it wasn’t really needed. I simply posed a question, which even after your (I know it’s not personal, because you used parenthesis and everything!) patronizing attack on me, still hasn’t been answered. What’s up with all you know-it-all internet people that you can’t just say “I don’t know” once in a while?
As for the old book, well it’s in a box in a storage unit 200 miles away from me. I didn’t quote it, I just said I read it. I ate a hamburger for lunch. Do you need me to scan and email the receipt to prove it? Is this forum that important to you?
I’m not ‘confused’. I read something in a 60 year old book that said that the Earth would get warmer over time. Lo and behold, it has. The old book attributed it to natural causes. It doesn’t matter. It could have been Curious George for all I care, I just thought it was interesting and decided to share.
I am cynical about the whole global warming thing in the media. In the 30′s it was global cooling. We were all going to freeze to death. Then WWII happened, and all the fearmongers had other things to worry about. I’m cynical of any ‘crisis’ that the people making the most noise about are also the ones who stand to profit from it the most. I choose not to live my life in fear of a falling sky. If that’s what floats your boat, then send all your money to Al Gore for all I care.
And finally, you have a thing against Texans. Whatever. But I have to ask: What exactly is WHAT about people down here? That I read a book? That I’m cynical of the media and government? That I asked a simple question?
(I didn’t vote for that douchebag by the way, so if GW is the reason you don’t like an entire state, you have issues man.)
Oh well, I guess I’m done.
Just one more thing there Randall-
You don’t need to be such an ***** all the time. Take it easy man. Make some cocoa or meditate. Take a hot bath.
It’s just a website dude.
just a website? r u serious? this is my life!
Some people on here take things a little too seriously. That’s all I’m sayin’
Yarr: ya think?
~ ~ ~
i love this site. i really do learn things here. the commentary is mostly enlightening and entertaining too. granted there are some folks who comment that i do wonder why they bother.
people really do need to take a moment to chill and keep things in perspective. this is a site intended to entertain, enlighten and provoke discussion, even debate but NOT incite anger or hate. i do realize some folks use the internet as a place to vent spleen…i just wish they’d do it elsewhere online at places that are designed for that purpose. and not here.
Wow – I didn’t realize how much chatter was occurring on this list! I will try to read all the comments later. As for chatrooms – I am happy to set up an IRC server if you are all keen on the idea – or alternatively we could just use a channel on EFnet. Tell me what you want and I will grant your wish!
Supposedly bug, bug, wastes can be found in various foods – tomato sauce or paste, chocalate syrup, pepper, etc.
Somebody sent me an e-mail with stuff like all humans injest 15? pubic hairs.
Anyway very interesting list.
#14 isn’t a scientific fact
Just mentioning I’m glad to see fellow WoW’ers here.
(Horde FTW!)
last post woo hoo
amanda: not
last ^.^
anyhoo, what I was originally going to say is that you need more of these. LOTS more. Maybe even devote a specific section to random science facts. That’s where you would find me about 98% of the time, I’m estimating (other 2%? Well, I have to come up for other-listly air sometimes.) Yay for listverse!
who gives a ***** if your first to comment? if you dont have anything meaningful to say stfu.
Comment #147: The word “hypocrite” comes to mind …
I am going to have to write a guideline for comments soon – banning FP, LP, and signatures
er…sigs i get but what are FP and LP?
#14 – dolphins and humans share a common ancestor, that isn’t science, that is someone’s belief. That shouldn’t have been in there. Now if you want to believe that, knock yourself out. You can also believe a pineapple and a porcupine share a common ancestor. I don’t care. But don’t call that science!
Heakel-I think what we find complex will become basic and when the full circle closes in, from the end to the start, it wont matter one way or the other.
but I know what you may be saying and I betcha there was a scientific study out there in which this statement may have been based.
sometimes I am led into thinking that wherever we turn our attention, a suitable reflection will occur.
come now Juggs…, Nobody can claim Kinky.
#147 you should follow your own advice…
Cyn: first post / last post
thanx J
reg123456 (#40): evolution is a theory? if evolution is a ‘theory’ then you better think that religion is a theory also. which you cant -also- honestly prove it.
What is the volume of the atmosphere that the CO2 is collecting in? I have a feeling it is an incredible number. Like an algae bloom in water, wouldn’t plants help balance an overabundance of CO2?
I don’t buy the fact that we could raise CO2 levels that much (not saying they need to go up much to hurt) Just sounds like we’re going to die from CO2 poisoning, if you believe the description.
ps Statistics are stupid. 1 in 5 people on earth are Chinese, I THOUGHT my brother looked a bit odd…..
Jamie:
Evolution is a theory. That’s why it’s called the ‘Theory of Evolution’.
Not arguing, just saying.
Religion isn’t a theory, it’s a belief.
Totally different things…
jfrater : “I am happy to set up an IRC server if you are all keen on the idea – or alternatively we could just use a channel on EFnet”
Yes !! An IRC chan would be cool!!
“…banning FP, LP, and signatures”
Ban the sigs…but not the FP, please! It’s kinda slashdotty, dontcha think (which is also cool). Besides, there has to be a FP, even if it is some lamer saying “FP”.
Just my 2c
Jenny Cameron – “imagine a bowl of water, if the ice is held partially above and at water level, the ice that is being held above will impact the overall water levels when melted.”
Your comment would be clearer if you are more specific as to whether you are referring to ice that is already floating or ice that is on land. If the ice is already floating, then the laws of density and specific gravity would suggest that there would be very little – if any – impact on the overall water levels when it melts.
In terms of global warming, it is the ice that is not floating that is the more material concern – because when/if it does melt, this is the ice that would potentially have the bigger effect on existing sea-levels.
I think people are right to question “global warming”. I’m not saying that it is not happening, and it is clear that there is a general consensus amongst “scientists” that it is, in fact, occurring. (Not saying they are right…but you can’t merely dismiss a widely-held expert view without good reason).
As to whether or not man is the cause – this is, IMHO, a red herring. If increasing CO2 levels will, in all likelihood (probabilities, not necessarily certainties), bring about a doomsday scenario, then it is in the interests of all of us that we cease contributing to this (insofar as we are able to).
Personally, I don’t find it constructive to merely dismiss outright the conjecture that Global Warming is over-hyped. There are also eminent scientists who remain skeptical about it, for what it is worth.
kiwiboi: I will definitely look in to an IRC server when I get back to the UK. Also, on your comment 161 you are right – there is no displacement if the ice is already floating – it is the ice on land that matters (and if I recalled correctly – global warming is not effecting that pole).
In addition, I agree completely with comment 162 and I am glad to see more and more people questioning our effect on the environment – it seems to me that anthropological global warming is a fad of the 2000′s which will pass when the press or politicians think of a new fad to make them money.
Actually porcupines and pineapples would share a common ancestor, but that would have been billions of years ago when the first multicellular organisms arose, after the RNA world.
CO2 concentrations are higher now than they have ever been recorded by tens of ppm’s. CO2 is one of the leading greenhouse gases that causes global warming. Ice ages are cyclical and not preventable with current technology. Global warming is not overhyped, do a little research and stop spewing stupid crap that betrays your ignorance. Humans aren’t the sole cause of global warming, but we are speeding it up alright. Polar ice is melting at an accelerated rate, global temperatures are rising on average; I mean just look at when winter really feels as though it is kicking in. (I live in NYC, and right now you can walk around in a sweater and be warm, no coat, gloves or hat)
Good thing that peek oil production was already reached, with less and less available over the coming decades we will see a push towards more and more research into alternative energy sources, but right now there isn’t really a feasible substitute for hydrocarbon, as it packs so much PE that converts into KE when it burns, much more than any current level of substitute
#16 is fairly accurate. Have you ever had an old unopened box of cake mix or flour that has sat around awhile? Take a look at how many bugs you will find inside of it. They didn’t get there after the box was sealed…
And as far as Carbon Dioxide goes with global warming, Cows are the #1 producer of CO2 emissions in the world. Maybe we should all just become vegetarians and get rid of the species…On second thought, I kind of like steak.
Gump: I would rather see the ice caps melt entirely than not be able to eat beef! Power to the cows!
Gump – I seem to recall that livestock produce significant greenhouse gases in terms of “CO2 equivalent” emissions (nitrous oxide and methane, for example) as opposed to CO2 itself.
Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong…who wants to have expert knowledge of animal emissions
jfrater – enjoy NZ. I miss the place at Xmas etc.
Yesssss!!!! 167th!!!!!
Oops…. 170th… damn you people are quick!!!
Kiwiboi: I am having a really great time here – the weather is amazing (though a bit wet today) and the people are so friendly – I had forgotten how nice we were
What country are you in?
jfrater – I’m in the UK. Originally from Wellington. You ?
kiwiboi: Wellington too – I went to high school in the Hutt but then moved in to Wellington to live. I now live in London but am hoping to leave there in the next year or two to return home.
Heh – I’m from Lower Hutt
And now live in London. What part of the Hutt are you from ?
sings…’…its a small world….’
cyn: hehe
kiwiboi: Naenae originally – I went to St Bernard’s College
jfrater – NO WAY ??!! I’m from Naenae and went to St Bernards
okay – that proves it – everyone in NZ knows everyone else! What years were you at SBC?