1

General Science / Should Stephen Hawking be knighted?

« on: 02/12/2009 13:52:08 »

Surly Stephen Hawking has done more for society and our understanding of the universe than Sir Paul McCartney..Many other scientists have been honored with knighthood, why not Stephen?

Sir Paul has promoted the UK's involvement in music and arts and in doing so has provide this country with lots of valuable income over many years. Stephen Hawking's main fame has come from writing a few books that may help some understand the Universe better. Unfortunately he is more recognisable for suffering from ALS and being in a wheelchair with his Equaliser computer voice than anything else. I think his celebrity status seems to have overridden his achievements. No doubt he is a brilliant person when it comes to maths and writing but just what has he actually scientifically proved or discovered so far?

2

General Science / Why not use the UK DNA database for research?

« on: 30/11/2009 20:51:12 »

Thirdly they are setting up a properly organised database of legitimately collected data.
ukbiobank.ac.uk

Since there is a legitimate source of better data it would be a pity to give the police any excuse for delaying the destruction of any illegally held data.
(and in case you are wondering, no, I'm not on the database)

With regards to the Biobank. I think the way it has been set up a bit "pushy" for a voluntary scheme.

I was sent a letter with a pre booked day and time to attend an interview which surprised me and I'm sure some may think from the tone of the letter that they have to attend. After careful reading of the terms I declined as it states that they have full control over your DNA and can do whatever they wish with it. That to me could also mean sharing it with other parties and as its Government backed I don't trust them to have mine on any database.

3

Physiology & Medicine / How did the myth that megadoses of vitamin C cure cancer arise?

« on: 23/11/2009 16:22:41 »

I'm sure I read that the body will not absorb? any more vitamin C after its taken in its RDA. Any excess is not stored by the body and discharged of in the urine. Some other vitamins do get stored though and can cause problems with large doses.

4

Chemistry / How is dishwasher soap different to hand soap?

« on: 23/11/2009 16:07:37 »

IIRC

The "soaps" used in dishwashers and washing machines are not really soaps but detergents that are made from chemicals which do not lather much or produce many bubbles that last. Soaps however, hand soap or liquid soap, is made from a process using oils and caustic soda which lathers a lot.

In an enclosed washing machine low lather detergent is normally used as having too many bubbles can reduce the efficacy of the cleaning process.

When the two get mixed the chemical reaction from the soap causes the bubbles produced by the detergent to collapse. That is what I think is happening to the bubble bath bubbles (detergent) when some soap is added to the water. The exact chemical reaction I'm not sure of.

# edited as I wrote it the wrong way round..

5

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Quantum Brain or Non-Classical?

« on: 15/11/2009 14:53:05 »

''thinking there is only one consciousness make no sense when i am awake...    

That is something individual to you but something that the majority do not think or worry about.

but my mind has no ordered-sense of consciousness when sleeping.

Why should it? we sleep for a reason and go into that unconscious state on purpose. Our brains need that time to re-order the data from the stimuli gained in the conscious hours. Its a bit like a computer de-fragmenting, it don't work when programs are up an running so we sleep and most activities are at minimal. Its detrimental to our health if we don't sleep so it would be daft to feel conscious when doing so.

Only when there is order in our brains, can we individualize ourselves. In a sleeping state, its rare that any one can achieve that without the use of hallucigenics.

See above as that's why we need to sleep and why we feel no consciousness while asleep. You can only use and experience hallucinogens while awake so its an impossible scenario. There are plenty of people with brain disorders that believe that they are individuals.  

Where is the mind when it is not fully aware of its surroundings? Is this the uncollective-consciousness of a one-mind?''

Its asleep or unconscious and no its not an uncollective-consciousness of a one-mind.

6

Just Chat! / Dr. Beaver

« on: 13/11/2009 17:41:06 »

I was very sad to hear of this news although we never met. You could tell by his writing that he was a happy soul that had great character and warmth, not to mention his humour as well.

Farewell Dr.Beaver, you will be greatly missed. My sincerest respects to his family as well.

Bernard

7

Geek Speak / Moving Through Yahoo Email Problems

« on: 10/11/2009 13:07:38 »

I think RD may be right about the revamp to "all-new mail." I cant use the new look as it does not like the screen resolution on this net-book so I'm still using the classic yahoo look and that works fine. Try changing back to classic and see if it makes a difference.

8

Physiology & Medicine / How does magnetism affect cells?

« on: 06/11/2009 20:22:35 »

I have quickly read the paper? and it seems like snake oil is being created for sale.


They have even created a new term "tumour treating fields (TTFields) with lots of fancy talk about frequency, voltage and AC fields. I will await the results of the trial by Novocure Ltd and also what the selling price will be as I presume this product will not be free to use.

9

Physiology & Medicine / Do space travilers suffer a higher rate of cancer than other pilots?

« on: 05/11/2009 18:47:50 »

mountaineirc1969.

Can you explain what this high energy radiation is made up of?

10

Physiology & Medicine / How does magnetism affect cells?

« on: 05/11/2009 18:42:13 »

Quote;
"high voltage power lines and their magnetic fields may be linked to cancer clusters"

So far I don't think that any scientific study has been able to verify that.

Hi hwobot.

MRI scans use very powerful magnetic fields which affects hydrogen atoms in the water of the body, on average its around 1.0 to 1.5 T and with newer scanners around 3.0 T. Those magnetic fields are so powerful that if left unscreened they could affect compass needles over a several mile radius.

What magnetic flux density would therefore be needed to be able to disrupt cell mitosis?

11

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Does dark matter really exsist

« on: 04/11/2009 16:08:32 »

There was a good programme on the BBC about black holes last night.

If you missed it, its on the iplayer here http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00nslc4/Horizon_20092010_Whos_Afraid_of_a_Big_Black_Hole/

I'm not sure if this can be viewed outside the UK.

Caught it, and yes it was good. The conclusion was scientists just don't know what black holes are made of as none has yet been observed directly.

12

Just Chat! / Great concert!

« on: 03/11/2009 16:49:48 »

Glad you enjoyed it and I'm jealous. They were on at Sheffield Arena last night and I couldn't go so as a cheer up I'm now playing Rumours (goes well with decorating)

There is also a good program on the BBC iPlayer chronicling their lives in the band, its called "Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop." If you've not seen it then do so as its good.

13

Just Chat! / What happens when you turn 65 years old?

« on: 03/11/2009 00:31:54 »

Have a good one AND STOP DRINKING THE LINIMENT! it lasts longer that way.

Sorry had to shout as you are now officially an OLD.  []

14

New Theories / AND NOTHING HEARD MY SCREAM

« on: 03/11/2009 00:14:41 »

I agree with Bored chemist.

The writing seems to me to be full of violence towards others who don't think the same as the writer. Its rambling, doesn't make sense and full of twisted logic.

15

General Science / What happens if healthy and dead batteries are used together?

« on: 02/11/2009 23:02:35 »

(and some more modern torches) the batteries may be in parallel.

Wow! That's a new one. No isolating diodes or anything?

Sounds like a scheme invented by battery manufacturers to make us buy more batteries!

Some of the high power LED torches have them in parallel. The combined voltage would be the same as a single cell but the current drain would be shared between the cells so they would last longer.

16

Just Chat! / Announcement :) My wife and I are now Proud Grandparents

« on: 01/11/2009 16:50:04 »

Congratulation to all and hope mother and baby are doing fine.  []

I hope you enjoy the new experience as much as I have with my Grandson.

17

That CAN'T be true! / Is the LHC interferring with itself from the future?

« on: 28/10/2009 14:29:27 »

A number of sci-fi novels have been based on that premise.

There is a current TV series called "Flashforward" based on a book by Robert J. Sawyer which is about the same sort of thing.

18

New Theories / collective unconscious and the number 137

« on: 25/10/2009 23:47:56 »

I forgot to mention that the original number of the beast was 616 and was translated 100 years later as 666 which most now assume it to be.

19

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Do Plants Sleep ?

« on: 25/10/2009 23:09:59 »

A lack of darkness periods during the 24hr cycle could be rather confusing for some plants, such as the 'Daylily' (Hemerocallis ).

I think its the same with most annual flowering plants although some do auto flower after a time and are not dependent on the photo-period (daylight vs darkness). Most outdoor plants sense the photo-period from the seasons and its this difference in the ratio of the day/night period that triggers the plant into flowering.

"and quite incredible about the use of the leaves to tell daily time !"

The plant fairies tell the plant that the nights are getting longer and winter is coming so they better start flowering and spread their seed. Cough.. []

Plants can be grown all year round indoors by giving them the correct photo-period for that plant and providing them with the necessary light intensity/spectrum and nutrients. Its the same with Cannabis, its not grown on a continuous light cycle and needs a dark period of around 8-12 hours to trigger it into flowering.

That photo looks like its a potential fire hazard as well.

20

That CAN'T be true! / How does my navel area turn of Sodium street lights?

« on: 22/10/2009 21:27:24 »

When Sodium lamps are switched off they need several minutes to cool down before they will re ignite again. An old failing Sodium lamp will go off, cool down and then come back on for a brief period before repeating the cycle.