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Just Chat! / Surrounded by folk with zero scientific understanding or critical thinking!

« on: 25/02/2011 16:43:36 »

I find myself constantly frustrated at being surrounded by folk with zero critical thinking ability, and a habit of believing and lapping up every type of pop culture conspiracy theory and mumbo-jumbo. It drives me crazy! I just wonder if anyone else is in the same situation and what you do, if anything, to get by. It makes the value of any kind of scientific training or education all the more obvious. 

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Technology / What are the health risks associated with air conditioning?

« on: 28/07/2010 19:22:15 »

I both live and work in hot countries where the use of air conditioning is prevalent. In my work place of North Africa the local people have concerns over the health implications of using the AC. Even when the ambient temperature may be 40’C they are often reluctant to turn on the air conditioning, especially in cars. Even in a hot gym they prefer to keep the AC off. The issue seems to be that changing from a hot environment to a cold environment is very much detrimental to ones health, especially to the heart. I am skeptical of this, especially since the people I am talking about are generally under 30 years old. However since I am not from a country that relies on the use of air conditioning and they are I do wonder if they are in any way right in their concerns.

As well as this I also hear from all nationality’s the assertion that their AC use has led to a list of minor ailments, including stiff back and neck, headaches and common cold symptoms. Once again I am skeptical of these claims.

I would be very interested in any information on the subject of health concerns over air conditioning. I think this affects many people across the board and it particularly relevant at this time of year with the sun beating down on many of us.

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Chemistry / What is pure water and at what temp. does it freeze?

« on: 23/06/2010 23:00:21 »

Tonight a friend told me that pure water does not freeze! He said that a TV show showed a beaker of pure water in a freezer unfrozen, before having a metal rod added and seeing the water immediately freeze. I presume he meant that pure water does not freeze at 0'C, as it must surely freeze at some point. So my question is, can this be true, and also what exactly constitutes pure water anyway? Is it the same as distilled water? If so I have frozen distilled water myself in a domestic freezer.

Thanks.

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The Environment / Could the thin air in Jo'burg affect the flight of a football?

« on: 19/06/2010 21:34:15 »

In case you didn't know it is the football/soccer world cup in South Africa right now, and my question relates to it.

The tournament is being held in some places of high altitude. A couple of work mates commented on how the 'thin air' is effecting the movement of the ball through the air. I am a little skeptical of this and can't imagine it to be true. Surely something the size of a football move at speed will not be effected in any tangible way. Has anyone got any idea if I am right to be skeptical or if my colleagues are correct?

Thanks

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That CAN'T be true! / Indian yogi master has not eaten in 70 years!!!

« on: 11/05/2010 07:02:47 »

Has anyone got any idea or opinion on the current media story about an Indian mystic who claims not to have eaten for 70 years.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100510/tod-starving-yogi-astounds-indian-scient-451ab4f.html

I think it has to be bunk and said so when my wife told me of the story last week. However the story has returned and now claims that the guru has been monitored in an Indian facility for the past two weeks and has not eaten. My thoughts are that Indian facility's are not to be trusted in such matters, but who knows.

Anyway, I would be interested an in anyone else's opinion.

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Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Is there 2 meters of DNA on each nucleus in our bodies?

« on: 29/04/2010 16:29:39 »

I am studying Human Biology and have been given a fact that I have come across several times before but always found difficult to believe. I know I should accept it but I just find it so amazing. The fact is:

'there is approx. 2 meters of DNA in each cell'

When I imagine the size of a cell, then I imagine the nucleus of that cell it is hard to believe this can be possible. It probably is but I thought I would share it and see what folk think.

Thanks.