AskScience AMA Series: I'm Alexis Kaushansky, a Principal Investigator at the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Seattle, WA. I research malaria and the interactions between host and pathogens. I’m excited to talk to you about it. AMA!

---

• AskScience AMA Series: I'm Alexis Kaushansky, a Principal Investigator at the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Seattle, WA. I research malaria and the interactions between host and pathogens. I’m excited to talk to you about it. AMA!
• In a microwave, why doesn't the rotating glass/plastic table get hot or melt?
• Throughout history were doctors able to diagnose allergies or were they misdiagnosed as something else?
• What the hell is entropy? How can we quantify something as abstract as "disorder"?
• Do short trees bud/blossom faster than tall trees?
• How would a person with slight to moderately low levels of grey matter function? White matter as well?
• Would the clone of an animal with inherited heterochromia also have it? Would it be on the same side?
• Is there a maximum density?
• Can diabetes type 2 be reversed or "cured"?
• Read a really strange article that says we need bacteria (p. Syringae) to make rain and it was full of microbiologist quotes. Is this a commonly accepted theory?
• What did people think prior to cell theory?
• What is Doppler/Laser Cooling (and other questions related to the practice)?
• Are most human genes under Hardy-Weinberg Equilibruim?
• Why does aging cause faces to lose fat under the skin?
• When I add cream or milk to my coffee to mellow it out, is the coffee actually changing chemically in some way? Or is the dairy just masking the coffee's acidic character and tricking me?
• How do firearm scopes accurately predict where a bullet will land when it is slightly above from where the bullet is fired?
• Why does an electric motor interfere with TV reception?
• Recording tinnitus - can you measure it?
• Liquid nitrogen excessive boiling before critical temperature?
• Does the excessive comsuption of violent media has any effect on us?
• Do the lungs, rather the bronchii and alveoli inside them fill from top to bottom, or vice versa?
• Why do some metals corrode faster than others?
• What type of computer / communications hardware / software was used on the Lunar Landing Missions (Apollo)?

AskScience AMA Series: I'm Alexis Kaushansky, a Principal Investigator at the Center for Infectious Disease Research in Seattle, WA. I research malaria and the interactions between host and pathogens. I’m excited to talk to you about it. AMA! Posted: 25 Apr 2016 04:53 AM PDT Hello Reddit! My name is Alexis Kaushansky and I serve as a principal investigator at the Center for Infectious Disease Research. My research studies the interactions between humans and pathogens, with a particular focus on malaria. The malaria parasite and other infectious diseases that burden the world cannot survive independently. To cause sickness and travel through the population, they must appropriate resources from the people they infect. Our work aims to identify what pathogens need from their host and use this knowledge to prevent and ultimately eliminate malaria. When malaria parasites are transmitted from mosquito to human, they are first deposited into the skin, then quickly travel to the liver. In the liver, each parasite replicates tens of thousands of times within the confines of a single hepatocyte, a cell in the liver. During this stage of infection, the parasite causes no clinical symptoms, yet elimination of the parasite in the liver prevents disease and transmission and can even elicit sterile immunity from subsequent infection. Our work focuses on the basic question of how the malaria parasite is able to modify its human liver environment in order to counteract host defenses and ensure for its own survival. At CIDResearch, we breed thousands of research grade mosquitoes each week in order to power our bench research projects. Our work critically depends on malaria parasite infection in mosquitoes and production of sporozoites for lab experiments. We maintain state-of-the-art insectaries that breed and house Anopheles mosquitoes. Here are a few of our recent publications: Suppression of host p53 is critical for Plasmodium liver-stage infection. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23478020 Malaria parasites target the hepatocyte receptor EphA2 for successful host infection. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26612952 To mark April 25 World Malaria Day, I'm taking questions on the research underway to better understand and combat this ancient disease. I will be back at 12 pm ET to answer your questions, looking forward to it! submitted by /u/CIDResearch [link] [comments]

In a microwave, why doesn't the rotating glass/plastic table get hot or melt? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 10:04 AM PDT submitted by /u/wuh_happon [link] [comments]

Throughout history were doctors able to diagnose allergies or were they misdiagnosed as something else? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 09:50 PM PDT submitted by /u/rino23 [link] [comments]

What the hell is entropy? How can we quantify something as abstract as "disorder"? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 09:07 PM PDT I'm aware entropy can be thought of as "unusable energy" but what does that even mean? How does this occur? It sounds just like an exception to the conservation of energy. How exactly is this tied into chaos and disorder? submitted by /u/big_fred [link] [comments]

Do short trees bud/blossom faster than tall trees? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 06:40 PM PDT I was out for a walk today, and I made an observation that most of the tall trees that I saw were still bare, whereas most of the short trees had blossomed. Is this because it takes longer for tall trees to draw nutrients up the trunk in the spring than short trees? Or is it because the "tall trees" are really just a different species and would take longer to blossom even if they were shorter? submitted by /u/taedrin [link] [comments]

How would a person with slight to moderately low levels of grey matter function? White matter as well? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 06:05 PM PDT Not looking for a full blown disorder, but more so a slight nuance to a moderate anomaly, similar to the cortical variability in any given population. submitted by /u/thisdrawing [link] [comments]

Would the clone of an animal with inherited heterochromia also have it? Would it be on the same side? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 06:03 PM PDT submitted by /u/AdmiralBubble [link] [comments]

Is there a maximum density? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 12:49 PM PDT If density is just how close the atoms are to each other, surely there's a breaking point for the atoms, right? submitted by /u/dancingbanana123 [link] [comments]

Can diabetes type 2 be reversed or "cured"? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 06:49 PM PDT submitted by /u/ZombieMIW [link] [comments]

Read a really strange article that says we need bacteria (p. Syringae) to make rain and it was full of microbiologist quotes. Is this a commonly accepted theory? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 08:48 PM PDT Heres the place I read it. Still can't believe I've never heard this before. http://www.theverge.com/2016/4/22/11486644/ice-crystal-bacteria-process-study submitted by /u/antiward [link] [comments]

What did people think prior to cell theory? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 08:23 PM PDT Did they believe that humans were just singular, large organisms or was there a precursor to the concept of cells? submitted by /u/RustyCorkscrew [link] [comments]

What is Doppler/Laser Cooling (and other questions related to the practice)? Posted: 25 Apr 2016 05:21 AM PDT Hi there, science people! I have a few questions about Doppler Cooling! Lets get started :) Ive done a little research on the topic and I know that in at certain frequency red-shifting occurs and atoms moving away "ignore" the photons flying at them while atoms moving towards the photons absorb them, gaining their momentum which slows the atoms down. My question is about this "ignoring," what is that in more technical terms. When the atom absorbs the photon it will be in a higher energy state and will return to a lower energy state and release a photon with the same frequency that was emitted. Wouldn't the momentum be transferred back into the photon and the atom remain moving with the same kinetic energy as before? (Does it have something to do with the angle the photon is absorbed/emitted?) What temperatures have been reached using Doppler cooling? What are the practical applications of cooling to such a low temperature? What principles of quantum mechanics are used in understanding doopler cooling? Sources would be great. Thank you so much! submitted by /u/outside_joker [link] [comments]

Are most human genes under Hardy-Weinberg Equilibruim? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 07:01 PM PDT Aside from the genes (and their surrounding loci) that are under selection, are most human genes in HWE? submitted by /u/TheWrongSolution [link] [comments]

Why does aging cause faces to lose fat under the skin? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 08:38 PM PDT What's the mechanism of action? submitted by /u/364634634634 [link] [comments]

When I add cream or milk to my coffee to mellow it out, is the coffee actually changing chemically in some way? Or is the dairy just masking the coffee's acidic character and tricking me? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:56 PM PDT submitted by /u/ThePeoplesBard [link] [comments]

How do firearm scopes accurately predict where a bullet will land when it is slightly above from where the bullet is fired? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 08:21 PM PDT If the barrel is below the scope, than how does the scope accurately predict where the bullet will land? Wouldn't the bullet land slightly below where the scope predicts it will, since the barrel is slightly below the scope? submitted by /u/charlie12520 [link] [comments]

Why does an electric motor interfere with TV reception? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 08:11 PM PDT My digital antenna signal loses some reception when a certain powerful electric motor is used nearby. I have a moderate understanding of electronics, but I was really surprised when this happened. submitted by /u/jakera [link] [comments]

Recording tinnitus - can you measure it? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 04:05 PM PDT I was once at an audio engineering society meeting where headphone experts were talking about how tinnitus can be an oscillation. I was told that it could actually be recorded if the ear was in the a room like an anechoic chamber. Could anyone fill me in if this were possible? Thanks Reddit. submitted by /u/APKaudio [link] [comments]

Liquid nitrogen excessive boiling before critical temperature? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 10:03 AM PDT I've used liquid nitrogen for the last few years as a low temperature reference point for the calibration of PRTs (Platinum Resistance Thermometers). The process of which involves a filling a 2 liter dewar flask and submerging a copper block inside of it. The process of getting the copper down to the boiling point of the liquid nitrogen takes about 10-12 minutes, for those curious, but what I want to know happens RIGHT before it reaches thermal stability. About 30 seconds before thermal stability the nitrogen starts to boil more vigorously. It "erupts" from the holes at the top of my test set up and shoots a huge cloud of water vapor (from the air) and droplets of liquid nitrogen everywhere. So my question is this: Why do objects submerged in liquid nitrogen cause it to boil more rapidly when they reach the boiling point (-196°C)? submitted by /u/gustomtb [link] [comments]

Does the excessive comsuption of violent media has any effect on us? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 02:51 PM PDT submitted by /u/GomuGomuNoKush [link] [comments]

Do the lungs, rather the bronchii and alveoli inside them fill from top to bottom, or vice versa? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 04:34 PM PDT I'm just a man interested in knowing things. submitted by /u/alienf00d [link] [comments]

Why do some metals corrode faster than others? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 04:31 PM PDT If the environment is the same,why do some metals form rust faster than others. I.e. Copper in sulfuric acid vs steel in sulfuric acid submitted by /u/Onpieceisfun [link] [comments]

What type of computer / communications hardware / software was used on the Lunar Landing Missions (Apollo)? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 03:39 PM PDT Couldn't find much info on: Computing power of Lunar Orbiter / Lunar Landing Craft Radio & Television broadcasting Equipment & Frequencies / Power Needed to transmit to earth Navigation systems used Considering commercial air travel relies Heavily on "fly-by-wire" / computerized Systems, GPS, VHF radio, RADAR, etc, How did NASA pull off getting a Lander, As well as a Lunar Escape / Earth Re-Entry craft to the moon and back without the items less-intense aviation such as Commercial Air Traffic uses today. It's my understanding that a smart-phone today likely has more computing power than NASA had in its entire Mission Control in 1969. How was this feat accomplished lacking the hardware and software we have today? (Which almost begs the question "why haven't we ever returned to the Moon?" Given it should be exponentially easier in 2016 than it was in the late 1960's / early 1970's) submitted by /u/PoppingZitz [link] [comments]

You are subscribed to email updates from AskScience: Got Questions? Get Answers.. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States

Do all salts taste 'salty' i.e. Like sodium chloride? What about other sodium salts? Other chlorides? Alkali metals? Halides? Etc...

---

• Do all salts taste 'salty' i.e. Like sodium chloride? What about other sodium salts? Other chlorides? Alkali metals? Halides? Etc...
• What is the oldest satellite in space still providing us with information?
• Is it possible for a material to be so rigid that vibrations can't pass through it?
• Can sharks smell blood outside of water?
• Are there any interesting things about Quincunx patterns? (pictures inside)
• Why are the undersides of our nails rough?
• Is there a scenario in which heat does not make something expand?
• Why is the integral of 1/x = ln(x)+C?
• How long would it take two bowling balls (one metre apart from each other) to collide in empty space?
• What are these patterns on the ocean floor?
• Can anyone please explain how 'Pumping and Population Inversion' (lasers) works?
• [Space] If all the stars in the night sky appeared at the same brightness to us on earth, would the entire sky be light?
• Why do thin films of oil and bubbles appear more pink and green than other colors?
• [Astronomy] If the International Space Station were to be completely abandoned, how long would it take before the station would be uninhabitable?
• Why isn't dark energy included as one of the four fundamental forces?
• The Oberth Effect (domonstrated in KSP) - Where does the energy come from?
• Why can you look at something very bright with either eye covered but not with both at once?
• Why is O the most common blood group?
• What determines whether a spiral or elliptical galaxy forms?
• I there an asymmetry when it comes to voice sound travelling from downstairs apartment to upstairs versus vice versa?

Do all salts taste 'salty' i.e. Like sodium chloride? What about other sodium salts? Other chlorides? Alkali metals? Halides? Etc... Posted: 23 Apr 2016 10:25 AM PDT submitted by /u/AutologicalUsername [link] [comments]

What is the oldest satellite in space still providing us with information? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 09:40 AM PDT And what is that information? Just a curious thought that struck me. There are tons of satellites up there. Some work , some don't. But which is the oldest one still giving us (useful, useless, whatever) information? submitted by /u/LacksAgency [link] [comments]

Is it possible for a material to be so rigid that vibrations can't pass through it? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 09:56 AM PDT submitted by /u/coffeebribesaccepted [link] [comments]

Can sharks smell blood outside of water? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 10:26 AM PDT Lets say there is a bird flying about the water, with a cut, could the shark smell that blood? submitted by /u/potatoesmasher [link] [comments]

Are there any interesting things about Quincunx patterns? (pictures inside) Posted: 23 Apr 2016 06:47 AM PDT http://imgur.com/a/V7pgm If a Quincunx pattern extends infinitely outward, could you draw infinite lines from a single point? Is there a special ratio of the angle between each of the lines? The pattern is used in farming. Is there any other practical application? submitted by /u/Dasaru [link] [comments]

Why are the undersides of our nails rough? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 10:59 AM PDT When you clip your nails, the underside is extremely rough, almost like sandpaper. The top however, is smooth. I was under the impression that the nails exist because of the sensitive skin, so wouldn't this rough texture irritate it more? submitted by /u/Monsieur_Skeltal [link] [comments]

Is there a scenario in which heat does not make something expand? Posted: 24 Apr 2016 05:58 AM PDT Random shower thought - I'm sure there are situations where the above isn't the case but I'm intrigued... submitted by /u/gyp23 [link] [comments]

Why is the integral of 1/x = ln(x)+C? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 08:23 AM PDT I mean I get that you cannot integrate it normaly as in: x-1 --> (x0 )/0 because you obviously cannot divide by zero. So why does this just happen to equal ln(x)? submitted by /u/Peter_Zwegat [link] [comments]

How long would it take two bowling balls (one metre apart from each other) to collide in empty space? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 08:00 AM PDT How long would it take two bowling balls (one metre apart from each other) to collide in empty space assuming they had no previous velocity? In Universe Sandbox 2, they only take about a day to collide. Would this actually happen? submitted by /u/birthday_account [link] [comments]

What are these patterns on the ocean floor? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 01:46 PM PDT https://www.google.com/maps/@50.9059116,-43.1443462,314461m/data=!3m1!1e3 submitted by /u/registered_lunatic [link] [comments]

Can anyone please explain how 'Pumping and Population Inversion' (lasers) works? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 12:29 PM PDT I'm trying to get the idea behind a laser's working. But I need some help understanding pumping and population inversion. If anyone would be kind enough to enlighten my dumb brain, then they've my thanks. I won't mind if you can simplify the entire operating principle of laser. submitted by /u/ninja_tonguescarf [link] [comments]

[Space] If all the stars in the night sky appeared at the same brightness to us on earth, would the entire sky be light? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 07:55 AM PDT Would there be any dark patches, or do stars (there are a lot of them) fill in all the gaps? submitted by /u/meepsmops [link] [comments]

Why do thin films of oil and bubbles appear more pink and green than other colors? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 08:55 AM PDT submitted by /u/johngigantic [link] [comments]

[Astronomy] If the International Space Station were to be completely abandoned, how long would it take before the station would be uninhabitable? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 06:13 AM PDT Let me clarify. Uninhabitable does not mean not operational. The station can still be functioning, it just cannot support life natively—as in, you would need a spacesuit to stay alive. submitted by /u/GingerDeadshot [link] [comments]

Why isn't dark energy included as one of the four fundamental forces? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 07:24 AM PDT Is there a fundamental difference or is it simply our lack of knowledge on the nature of dark energy which is why we haven't added it as one of the fundamental forces of nature? submitted by /u/SuicidalEclair [link] [comments]

The Oberth Effect (domonstrated in KSP) - Where does the energy come from? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 04:25 PM PDT We are demonstrating and explaining 'The Oberth Effect' and the extra efficiencies you can gain from doing some of your burns at the highest possible velocity. https://youtu.be/FSG33hAtc4c It may seem that the rocket is getting energy for free, which would violate conservation of energy laws. Where does the energy come from? Why does the same amount of velocity increase give you more kinetic energy at higher relative velocities? Would love feedback! submitted by /u/MarcusHouseGame [link] [comments]

Why can you look at something very bright with either eye covered but not with both at once? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 06:03 AM PDT submitted by /u/Fikkia [link] [comments]

Why is O the most common blood group? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 05:42 AM PDT Apologies in advance for my basic understanding. From what I've been taught, the allele for the blood type 'O' is carried on a recessive allele. Due to this, you would expect it to be the least common blood type as the genotype can only be 'ii'. However, apparently almost half of the world have the blood type O? Please could someone explain why this is? Is it because the 'i' allele is more common in the gene pool? If so, why is that? Thank you! submitted by /u/Blanchicus [link] [comments]

What determines whether a spiral or elliptical galaxy forms? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 05:44 AM PDT submitted by /u/PM_ME_YOUR_SENATORS [link] [comments]

I there an asymmetry when it comes to voice sound travelling from downstairs apartment to upstairs versus vice versa? Posted: 23 Apr 2016 06:02 AM PDT submitted by /u/m3wm3wm3wm [link] [comments]

You are subscribed to email updates from AskScience: Got Questions? Get Answers.. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States

What happens on a cellular level when you improve muscle flexibility?

---

• What happens on a cellular level when you improve muscle flexibility?
• [Psychology] Can adults lose/never obtain object permanence?
• Are there any studies that have analyzed risk adverseness varying by location in the United States?
• Why is one hemisphere of mars nearly 8 km below the other?
• Why didn't the univers collapse back into a black hole?
• Why does the compression ratio decrease when soft input levels increase for hearing aids?
• What are the challenges in developing a rapid screening test to determine whether an infection is bacterial vs viral?
• Mental imagery and memory: What do people see and in what detail when they imagine or recall memories?
• Why are so few animals considered self-aware? Mirror test question.
• Using another liquid for steam-powered engines?
• Can a strong enough magnetic field slow down time in the same way gravity does?
• Why do some people's wisdom teeth grow through the gums and some people's don't?
• Why is it so common for people who have undergone trauma in childhood to exhibit compulsive rocking motion?
• Are there any organisms taking advantage of increased co2 levels in order to flourish?
• Why is it that music that is perceived louder, sounds better?
• How is CO2 tested for in ppm in ice core samples?
• Can human brains actually "multi-task" or is our brain just capable of swapping back and forth between tasks quickly?
• With antibiotic resistance becoming more prevalent, what are some possible effective antibacterial alternatives for the future?
• How does aluminum foil, baking soda, and vinegar remove tarnish from silverware?
• Does it matter to the average human body the kind of protein (e.g. plant, animal, etc.) it consumes?
• Why are so many organic molecules carcinogens/toxic?
• Weird reflection?
• What will happen to the earth when the moon inevitably escapes our orbit?
• How exactly does the body's immune system differentiate between pathogens and friendly microbes, for example in the gut?

What happens on a cellular level when you improve muscle flexibility? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 09:08 PM PDT submitted by /u/ynn3k [link] [comments]

[Psychology] Can adults lose/never obtain object permanence? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 07:29 AM PDT submitted by /u/IPlayMidLane [link] [comments]

Are there any studies that have analyzed risk adverseness varying by location in the United States? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 09:45 PM PDT I've found ones that analyze risk adverseness based on age and gender but I'd like to see if any research has been done on people from across the country and their willingness to take risks. Basically are there any locations where people are more alright with risk than others? And which places? submitted by /u/_I_Have_No_Mouth_ [link] [comments]

Why is one hemisphere of mars nearly 8 km below the other? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 03:23 PM PDT I can only find stuff online of people talking about how we got the elevation data... But no one is really talking about the significance of it, why it is this way. Here's the image if it's any help: http://mola.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/topo_labeled.jpg submitted by /u/aggyro [link] [comments]

Why didn't the univers collapse back into a black hole? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 12:05 PM PDT Why didn't the universe collapse back into a black hole right after the big bang? After all wasn't it dense enough? Everything in the universe in such a small region? submitted by /u/DarinHristov [link] [comments]

Why does the compression ratio decrease when soft input levels increase for hearing aids? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 08:54 PM PDT I've been trying to understand compression ratios for hearings aids recently and there's a bit that I'm having a hard time understanding. I think I must have some sort of fundamental misunderstanding of how compression ratios work. I've read that when Input Gain of soft levels increases, the compression ratio decreases. Which to my understanding means that at lower dB levels, as the dB increases, the output decreases - which seems counter intuitive. Wouldn't we want output to decrease as IG increases? Any help explaining this would be appreciated. Thank you. submitted by /u/enderfiend [link] [comments]

What are the challenges in developing a rapid screening test to determine whether an infection is bacterial vs viral? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 07:39 AM PDT It seems like one of the main problem is that there are tons of bacteria and viruses always present that aren't causing an infection. Could we use the quantity of a given bacteria in the location of an infection (e.g. sputum for a throat infection) since there would presumably be more of the infectious bacteria there? Are there any technologies or analytical techniques on the horizon which might help? submitted by /u/ramk13 [link] [comments]

Mental imagery and memory: What do people see and in what detail when they imagine or recall memories? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 08:55 AM PDT This has been bugging me for ~2 years now ever since I started thinking that I might be worse than others and reading about people with exceptional abilities. The so called ''Mind's eye'' in my case is something I'm having hard time describing. When I go to bed it usually takes me quite a bit of time to fall asleep and lately I've been trying to really grasp what am I seeing and how. Initially I just see a black canvas and a single or two color ''masses'' sort of like waves collide and mix between my eyes. I've never seen that in real world and maybe I can't describe it properly and I never talked to someone about this and I really want to know if I am normal or impaired or what. Then comes my memory and ability to recall some things I feel like there's always a part of that ''black canvas'' sort of like grain over whatever I'm trying to remember. I can't recall people's faces or details 1:1 even though I can recognize a person I saw ages ago even if I can't imagine them in that same detail. And then some traumatic things that I experienced if I remember them wash up the very emotions I felt DURING that particular event and it makes me have to turn around in bed and change position from sheer fact it makes me uncomfortable. It's absolutely weird and my memory and these different situations creeps me out. I'm not sure what kind of memory I have. When I normally read like a wikipeadia page or something and not really ''try hard'' to be able to remember all of it and I often don't remember a lot of details and informationm but then again when studying for school I'd often repeat a word, then a sentence then a page until I can basically just repeat everything. Another issue is having issues imagining things like numbers. I can't calculate anything but the basic things in my head though I admit I'm very rusty with math maybe this just comes after you work with numbers a lot. I feel inferior because of all these possible shortcomings. Crappy memory, crappy visualization just useless really. Are there any tests I can do to determine lack of abilities? submitted by /u/Alta_ [link] [comments]

Why are so few animals considered self-aware? Mirror test question. Posted: 22 Apr 2016 02:56 PM PDT Only those animals that pass the mirror test (observing a painted mark on their body in the mirror and using that knowledge to attempt to remove the mark) are commonly accepted as being self-aware to a significant degree. But doesn't the fact that cats and dogs learn not to get tricked by their own reflection in the mirror indicate that they understand mirrors/possess self-awareness? My cat reacts to my reflections but not his own, which means he hasn't simply learned to ignore the mirror but understands it's content on some level. submitted by /u/purewasted [link] [comments]

Using another liquid for steam-powered engines? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 03:23 PM PDT This post is inspired by this image: http://i.imgur.com/j6ZENFS.gifv My question is: would it be feasible to collect the water vapor and use it to heat another liquid with a lower boiling point? Would this increase the efficiency of a steam-powered engine, or would heat loss/something else be too great a barrier? submitted by /u/Its_4_AM_Man [link] [comments]

Can a strong enough magnetic field slow down time in the same way gravity does? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 09:49 AM PDT submitted by /u/15_Dandylions [link] [comments]

Why do some people's wisdom teeth grow through the gums and some people's don't? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 02:56 PM PDT submitted by /u/shawb123 [link] [comments]

Why is it so common for people who have undergone trauma in childhood to exhibit compulsive rocking motion? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 12:43 PM PDT Supposedly one of the main ways a Romanian can tell if someone grew up in an orphanage or not is if they compulsively rock backwards and forwards, even in adulthood. I assume this would be caused by the trauma of growing up in an orphanage, but why is such rocking motion so common as a symptom of that trauma? submitted by /u/holytriplem [link] [comments]

Are there any organisms taking advantage of increased co2 levels in order to flourish? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 02:47 PM PDT Are there any organisms taking advantage of increased co2 levels ? submitted by /u/ThaiKarma [link] [comments]

Why is it that music that is perceived louder, sounds better? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 03:11 PM PDT Loudness war is common term in the music industry. It is the practice of compressing the dynamic range of a song so the overall volume can be raised to a consistent high level. This is common with mainstream music but something that most artist believe kills the art. What is the scientific reason on why we prefer music that is perceived to be louder to be better? If there is very little dynamic range in a song, wouldn't our ears get adapted to that level and null out the perceived loudness? submitted by /u/Acid-303 [link] [comments]

How is CO2 tested for in ppm in ice core samples? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 12:34 PM PDT submitted by /u/withadoubleu [link] [comments]

Can human brains actually "multi-task" or is our brain just capable of swapping back and forth between tasks quickly? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 01:31 PM PDT When I'm brushing my teeth and doing something else at the same time with my other hand, like folding a pair of pants, I find myself involuntarily stopping brushing my teeth and only focus on the folding. I don't even realize I stopped brushing my teeth. What's the science behind this? submitted by /u/Chroniic10 [link] [comments]

With antibiotic resistance becoming more prevalent, what are some possible effective antibacterial alternatives for the future? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 02:25 PM PDT submitted by /u/Bsillly [link] [comments]

How does aluminum foil, baking soda, and vinegar remove tarnish from silverware? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 07:46 AM PDT submitted by /u/lrrelevantEIephant [link] [comments]

Does it matter to the average human body the kind of protein (e.g. plant, animal, etc.) it consumes? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 02:01 PM PDT Hello /r/AskScience! My doctor asked me to work on losing a few pounds a few months ago. So I started paying attention to the nutrition facts labels on foods and tracking my diet and exercise. I noticed that some of the macronutrients groups have subcategories on these labels, while others do not. This lead me to have a few questions: Are there subcategories for proteins that are nutritionally relevant? If so, why aren't those subcategories listed on the nutrition facts labels? If not, does the human body just synthesize the proteins it needs by breaking down the proteins we eat? Finally, I have been trying to find low calorie, high protein foods that I can eat on the go. Lately, this means I have been trying out various protein bars. Are these nutritionally viable options or are they all just marketed to uneducated consumers like myself? Thanks in advance for your informative replies! Edit: I am not looking for specific nutritional advice. I meant for my questions to be more general in nature. submitted by /u/1968GTCS [link] [comments]

Why are so many organic molecules carcinogens/toxic? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 11:56 AM PDT submitted by /u/piecat [link] [comments]

Weird reflection? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 01:48 PM PDT So I installed a window film on my home windows with up to 70% UV blocking capacity so then the film reflects rainbow alike colors on the floor is the film working? submitted by /u/Hibear [link] [comments]

What will happen to the earth when the moon inevitably escapes our orbit? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 03:21 PM PDT How will the lack of tides affect the earth? Will there be any other noticeable effects? Inspired by a recent photo showing the growing distance between the earth and moon between 2015-2016. submitted by /u/demonicsoap [link] [comments]

How exactly does the body's immune system differentiate between pathogens and friendly microbes, for example in the gut? Posted: 22 Apr 2016 06:30 AM PDT I'm guessing this has been discussed but I couldn't find an answer. If someone can simply point me in the direction of a great answer, that'd be just as good as answering yourself. submitted by /u/En_lighten [link] [comments]

You are subscribed to email updates from AskScience: Got Questions? Get Answers.. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States