Naked Science Forum
On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: DocN on 16/01/2006 20:52:25
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Is there some truth that a full moon brings out all kinds of mayhem? I know emergency doctors and nurses, police, etc. have made such claims.
Any reason or explanation?
Doc
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There's a pub in my town where almost invariably there's a fight at full moon. Most of the rest of the time it's rowdy but fight-free.
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DocN
This might put a smile on your face.Bitten in Britain
In England, researchers doggedly examined the records of 1,621 animal bite cases at the emergency room of the Bradford Royal Infirmary, a public hospital. Eleven of the injuries were inflicted by rats, 13 by horses, 56 by cats and the rest by man's best friend.
Here's the real news: Not only are animals twice as dangerous during a full Moon, they seem to warm up their canine teeth (or their homologues) in the days prior.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/lunatic_dogs_010109-1.html
Researchers Simon Chapman and Stephen Morrell of the University of Sydney think they've sniffed out the real truth: No positive relation seems to exist between the full Moon and dog bites, they say.
But how could the results from two studies in two countries be so different? Chapman has what he admits is a somewhat mischievous answer.
Total Diversion ...
Top 10 Luna-Terms
"The only hypothesis that occurs to me is that Britain is such a dull place that when they have full Moons, people get about more," Chapman said. "So there are more opportunities to bite. Australia has perfect weather most of the year, so a full Moon is no big deal."
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/solarsystem/lunatic_dogs_010109-2.html
"The explanation requiring the fewest assumptions is most likely to be correct."
K.I.S. "Keep it simple!"
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quote:
"The only hypothesis that occurs to me is that Britain is such a dull place that when they have full Moons, people get about more," Chapman said. "So there are more opportunities to bite. Australia has perfect weather most of the year, so a full Moon is no big deal."
Haven't they heard of street lights?
Far more likely is that animals have more sense than we give them credit for and wouldn't touch an Aussie with a bargepole! [:D]
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G'day Eth
I bet they couldn't give a Castlemaine XXXX for thinking logically either. I bet most of their dogs are called Sheila and more likely to suck than bite [:D]
Good point about the street lights by the way, bet that will confuse them further.
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Haven't they heard of street lights?
Far more likely is that animals have more sense than we give them credit for and wouldn't touch an Aussie with a bargepole! [:D]
"The explanation requiring the fewest assumptions is most likely to be correct."
K.I.S. "Keep it simple!"
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I have heard of one hypothesis about this--that over the early centuries, caveman, etc. would hunt more likely at the full moon and perhaps, this psychic factor is still in force. Difficult to ascertain?
Doc
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As I understand it, it is not only caveman and hunting; even as late as the 18th century, if one was to go visiting late at night, one would try and do it on the occasion of a full moon, so that one can see one's way home.
Most animals that are active in the twilight hours would probably be far more active during the the full moon than the new moon.
If you recollect all those WWII war films, they used to always plan air raids around the phases of the moon.
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EVEN IN THIS AGE OF HIGH TECH NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT, COMMANDO RAIDS ECT ARE PLANNED TO TAKE PLACE AT THE DARK OF THE MOON,GIVING THE NIGHT VISION EQUIPPED SOLDIER THE ADVANTAGE,THE OLD GREEN STARLIGHT HAS GONE, MODERN GEAR DONT NEED THE AMBIENT LIGHT THAT STARLIGHT DID.
every village has one !