I am cancer researcher Wes Wilson. I study immunotherapies, which use the immune system to treat cancer. AMA!

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• I am cancer researcher Wes Wilson. I study immunotherapies, which use the immune system to treat cancer. AMA!
• If left, spilled soda eventually ends up attracting ants. Would diet soda do the same, or do they ignore it because there is no caloric benefit?
• Why don't you feel an electric shock while touching a 9V battery but feel one with the fake pen and gum toys with button cells?
• Is atomic stability of radioactive elements affected when they form a molecule with another element?
• Does Jupiter have a solid core of anything or is it truly just a large ball of gas?
• Why do fishes go belly up?
• Would Earth's magnetic field get weaker as the outer core solidifies?
• How does staying hydrated help your body fight infections? Is it a matter of just not being dehydrated?
• Is it possible to burn calories without increasing the heart rate? Also, why does resting heart rate tend to go down the more "in shape" someone gets?
• How does sunscreen work?
• Two photons are fired to the same point at the same time from different distances, so one photon reaches the destination first, yet for both of the photons no relative time has passed, yet one arrived first. What did the photon which was more distant "see"?
• Does electrolysis happen when a current passes through the body?
• Would sending a Nanobot spacecraft through a black hole using Quantum Communication be the best method for gathering information?
• Why ∞ x 0 is a indetermination and not 0?
• How does Missile Approach Warning (MAW) systems work?
• Why, in a fluid, is pressure the same in all directions?
• How much energy would be released from a single atom splitting?

I am cancer researcher Wes Wilson. I study immunotherapies, which use the immune system to treat cancer. AMA! Posted: 24 Jun 2017 08:06 AM PDT Hi, I'm Wes Wilson (/u/LabcoatNomad), a Canadian cancer researcher currently working in Australia on treating metastatic mesothelioma using combination immunotherapy treatments. I first got started in cancer research in Toronto at Sunnybrook Hospital before moving into research on childhood brain tumours at The Hospital for Sick Children. There I worked on the epigenetics of childhood brain tumour progression in 2010. In 2013 the journal Science labeled cancer immunotherapy as "the breakthrough of the year" and many cancer patients were given new hope for treatment. But the work and research to identify the best treatments and combinations for the variety of types of cancer is still on going and desperately needed. No one knows why some immunotherapies work for some patients and others they fail. Our work hopes to increase the effectiveness of these new therapies by combining it with adjunct therapies to help the body self-vaccinate against the tumours! I will be back at 8pm ET to answer your questions. Ask me anything! (Note from the mods: we cannot comment on specific patients' cases, so please do not post any personal medical information on the subreddit. Thank you!) submitted by /u/AskScienceModerator [link] [comments]

If left, spilled soda eventually ends up attracting ants. Would diet soda do the same, or do they ignore it because there is no caloric benefit? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 07:13 PM PDT submitted by /u/Redheadwithoutacause [link] [comments]

Why don't you feel an electric shock while touching a 9V battery but feel one with the fake pen and gum toys with button cells? Posted: 25 Jun 2017 04:02 AM PDT submitted by /u/enginerd_140999 [link] [comments]

Is atomic stability of radioactive elements affected when they form a molecule with another element? Posted: 25 Jun 2017 02:09 AM PDT For instance say plutonium bonds with some other element. Is it's half life reduced or is it constant regardless? submitted by /u/Largedump [link] [comments]

Does Jupiter have a solid core of anything or is it truly just a large ball of gas? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 05:25 PM PDT submitted by /u/Megatryst [link] [comments]

Why do fishes go belly up? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 07:26 PM PDT When a fish dies, why do the go upside down? submitted by /u/Jettward [link] [comments]

Would Earth's magnetic field get weaker as the outer core solidifies? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 09:07 PM PDT submitted by /u/PM_ME_Y0UR_T1T5 [link] [comments]

How does staying hydrated help your body fight infections? Is it a matter of just not being dehydrated? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 03:44 PM PDT submitted by /u/PM_ME_HUMAN_EFFIGIES [link] [comments]

Is it possible to burn calories without increasing the heart rate? Also, why does resting heart rate tend to go down the more "in shape" someone gets? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 03:45 PM PDT submitted by /u/OscarBars [link] [comments]

How does sunscreen work? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 03:34 PM PDT submitted by /u/gishnu11 [link] [comments]

Two photons are fired to the same point at the same time from different distances, so one photon reaches the destination first, yet for both of the photons no relative time has passed, yet one arrived first. What did the photon which was more distant "see"? Posted: 25 Jun 2017 03:54 AM PDT The question still stands for if the photon that was closer would be fired later, yet arrive first. submitted by /u/uniklas [link] [comments]

Does electrolysis happen when a current passes through the body? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 09:54 AM PDT I was thinking that areas of the body with salt and water (a saline solution) should cause electrolysis to happen, making NaOH on/in the body and releasing chlorine gas. However, when I get a current through my body from un-grounded electronics (like my macbook), I don't feel or smell any sodium hydroxide or clorine gas. Why is this? I would really expect NaOH in the eyes to sting. submitted by /u/Annrothb [link] [comments]

Would sending a Nanobot spacecraft through a black hole using Quantum Communication be the best method for gathering information? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 07:13 PM PDT Since you probably wouldn't be able to use radio / light communication once you went past the event horizon. submitted by /u/HeavierMetal89 [link] [comments]

Why ∞ x 0 is a indetermination and not 0? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 11:41 AM PDT submitted by /u/Halograma [link] [comments]

How does Missile Approach Warning (MAW) systems work? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 12:21 PM PDT As title. Detecting a piece of metal flying so fast and knowing where it targets seems to be quite an amazing feat. submitted by /u/gordandisto [link] [comments]

Why, in a fluid, is pressure the same in all directions? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 11:26 AM PDT I understand that, with depth, the weight of the fluid in question increases, so that accounts for the downward force, but why do fluid particles exert the same pressure from every other direction? submitted by /u/samtheman0126 [link] [comments]

How much energy would be released from a single atom splitting? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 04:03 PM PDT Also, how many atoms were split during the explosions of little boy and fat man? What about the tsar bomb? Thanks in advance submitted by /u/Inferno_4 [link] [comments]

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Do insects/arachnids get headaches?

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• Do insects/arachnids get headaches?
• How do brain cells get replaced without changing who you are?
• What makes electronic money officially money? Why can't people forge electronic money?
• Did humans always have to drink water regularly or was it an environmental/genetic factor that caused it?
• When my garden soil is too alkaline, I'm told to add sulphur or other somewhat noxious chemicals. Why can't I just pour a bottle of vinegar into the garden bed?
• What's the reason diesel engines are left to idle for long periods of time instead of shutting them down?
• Why does a lump form when a mosquito bites you, and why does it grow as you scratch it?
• Have we put life on Mars?
• Do animals acclimatise to heat in the same way humans do?
• Why is it that most animals have hair that stops growing at a certain point, but human hair does not?
• Is it possible to alter the epigenetic structure of a zygote?
• Why does humans lose their hair when undergoing chemo, but dogs don't?
• Why do cleaning bottles say, "Kills 99.9 percent of germs"? What about the other 0.1 percent and why is it immune?
• Is there a differential equation relating a change in thrust with a change in the semi-major/semi-minor axes?
• Would LIGO signal change for merger of larger black holes?
• Aquariums hold sea life that live great distances below the surface where the pressure is much greater. Do aquariums some how simulate the amount of pressure the animals would experience in their natural habitat, or does it not matter?
• How much does CO2 from carbonated beverages contribute to greenhouse gas emissions? Can this be measured?
• How can I, as a human male, share 45/46 (~98%) of my DNA with a human female, but ~99% with a male chimpanzee?
• Why isn't there smoke after a lightning in the sky ?
• Since theoretical physics and chemistry exists, why doesn't a theoretical periodic table for exotic atoms?
• How does having "extra" (more than needed) satellites make GPS more precise?
• Do we know of animals that use plants or certain things in general as medicine when they are wounded or sick?
• Are there or have there been cultures where general sexuality isn't considered something "private"?

Do insects/arachnids get headaches? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 05:21 AM PDT submitted by /u/March1392 [link] [comments]

How do brain cells get replaced without changing who you are? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 04:49 AM PDT I don't have any cells that I did from 8 years ago so how id that possible? submitted by /u/1-9-9-8 [link] [comments]

What makes electronic money officially money? Why can't people forge electronic money? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 04:53 PM PDT submitted by /u/synchpo [link] [comments]

Did humans always have to drink water regularly or was it an environmental/genetic factor that caused it? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 05:42 AM PDT submitted by /u/theirondrag0n [link] [comments]

When my garden soil is too alkaline, I'm told to add sulphur or other somewhat noxious chemicals. Why can't I just pour a bottle of vinegar into the garden bed? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 03:35 AM PDT What would go wrong? submitted by /u/SurprisedPotato [link] [comments]

What's the reason diesel engines are left to idle for long periods of time instead of shutting them down? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 06:44 AM PDT Heavy diesel engines (buses, construction equipment, transport trucks, etc) particularly tend to be left idling for long periods of time between uses. What's the rationale behind this practice? Is this practice still applicable to modern engine design? submitted by /u/TerribleTortoise [link] [comments]

Why does a lump form when a mosquito bites you, and why does it grow as you scratch it? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 08:54 PM PDT submitted by /u/potatomctato [link] [comments]

Have we put life on Mars? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 02:44 PM PDT Unless the rovers that we sent to Mars were 100% Sterilized before they were launched, wouldn't they have carried with them lots of microorganisms, even ones that could eventually evolve into more advanced life forms? submitted by /u/isademigod [link] [comments]

Do animals acclimatise to heat in the same way humans do? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 02:09 AM PDT I understand that the human body acclimatises to heat over a period of time, but do animals such as dogs and horses undergo the same changes? If I take my dog to a hot country, will his body make the same physical changes as mine in response to the change in climate? submitted by /u/Hillshurt [link] [comments]

Why is it that most animals have hair that stops growing at a certain point, but human hair does not? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 03:09 PM PDT submitted by /u/waddywatchell [link] [comments]

Is it possible to alter the epigenetic structure of a zygote? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 02:17 AM PDT submitted by /u/Jnicky69 [link] [comments]

Why does humans lose their hair when undergoing chemo, but dogs don't? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 04:10 AM PDT Inspired by a post over at /r/rarepuppers, which got me thinking... submitted by /u/TrinitronCRT [link] [comments]

Why do cleaning bottles say, "Kills 99.9 percent of germs"? What about the other 0.1 percent and why is it immune? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 04:40 PM PDT submitted by /u/lit282 [link] [comments]

Is there a differential equation relating a change in thrust with a change in the semi-major/semi-minor axes? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 08:41 PM PDT I have played around a bit, and I feel as though I have an expression that does what I want. However, I can't check it. Is there a established equation for da/dT? submitted by /u/makeshift8 [link] [comments]

Would LIGO signal change for merger of larger black holes? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 04:56 PM PDT Would the signal picked up by LIGO from the merger of two moderately large black holes (1,000 suns each to pick a number) be the same only larger, or would it convey additional information not obtained by the signals so far? submitted by /u/bjscript [link] [comments]

Aquariums hold sea life that live great distances below the surface where the pressure is much greater. Do aquariums some how simulate the amount of pressure the animals would experience in their natural habitat, or does it not matter? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 02:47 PM PDT submitted by /u/mywhiteplume [link] [comments]

How much does CO2 from carbonated beverages contribute to greenhouse gas emissions? Can this be measured? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 07:32 PM PDT submitted by /u/Electrofruit [link] [comments]

How can I, as a human male, share 45/46 (~98%) of my DNA with a human female, but ~99% with a male chimpanzee? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 05:15 AM PDT The 45/46 number is meant to account for the XX / XY difference and the chimp DNA number comes from here: http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2012/06/bonobos-join-chimps-closest-human-relatives If this doesn't come down to semantics, I will be surprised. submitted by /u/Bill_Nihilist [link] [comments]

Why isn't there smoke after a lightning in the sky ? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 09:12 PM PDT As I understand , lightning happens when oppositely charged clouds of particles come in contact generating light and sound. We know that lightning carries a huge amount of voltage , hence current and heat. My doubt is , when the clouds of particles collide, woudn't the burning of various gasses in the atmosphere cause significant smoke and why don't we see smoke in the skies after lightning ..? Thankyou in advance submitted by /u/warlock1992 [link] [comments]

Since theoretical physics and chemistry exists, why doesn't a theoretical periodic table for exotic atoms? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 04:40 AM PDT We all know the periodic table, but exotic atoms such as Muonic Hydrogen, Positronium and Muonium dont have a place in the periodic table. Of course, it would be tedious having a table full of thousands of theoretical atom varieties with one electron switched with a muon or tauon etc, but why not those exotic atoms we have already synthesized? If muons and tauons have more energy and (mass?) & (size?), wouldn't they take up more slots which would give the exotic atom a distinct chemical property? submitted by /u/Sednaball [link] [comments]

How does having "extra" (more than needed) satellites make GPS more precise? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 03:23 AM PDT I understand that 4 satellites are required to calculate a position. Makes sense. But how does receiving the signal of more satellites makes the calculation more precise? How do we know, which signals are better than the others? How is decided which 4 or many possible combinations is used for the calculation. Or how else is dealt with over determined equations for the position calculations? submitted by /u/idkblk [link] [comments]

Do we know of animals that use plants or certain things in general as medicine when they are wounded or sick? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 02:14 PM PDT submitted by /u/overlydelicioustea [link] [comments]

Are there or have there been cultures where general sexuality isn't considered something "private"? Posted: 24 Jun 2017 02:50 AM PDT In my impression it seems that sexuality in "modern" cultures is either something very intimate between people or when it happens "in public" it is most likely a special turn-on for the participants and/or observers. A simple example is a couple being intimate in a public place without the explicit intention to be caught or as another extreme example a swinger club where people explicitly want to be watched. Anyway, these things are considered taboo in all cultures that I know. But are there or have there been cultures where it is/was completely normal to engage in sexuality in public without it being something considering kinky by the rest of the society? Some cultures in the jungle or islands walk around naked. No big deal for them. In most "modern" cultures one would get arrested. submitted by /u/idkblk [link] [comments]

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The recent fire in London was traced to an electrical fault in a fridge freezer. How can you trace with such accuracy what was the single appliance that caused it?

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• The recent fire in London was traced to an electrical fault in a fridge freezer. How can you trace with such accuracy what was the single appliance that caused it?
• In Earth travel, we use North, South, East, and West, plus altitude for three-dimensional travel. Since those are all relative to the Earth, what do they use for space travel?
• Why are humans so diverse and unique in appearance to the point where none of us look the same compared to other animal species where all individuals look the same?
• What do blind people see when they dream? Assuming they were blind from birth.
• Is the calculation of the atoms in the observable universe being 10 to the eightieth power accurate?
• Why do astronomers think a collision caused Uranus' extreme tilt yet it's moons are also tilted?
• Can the spontaneous fission of Uranium 238 emit neutrons capable to fission Uranium 235 in the same solid matrix?
• Is it possible for a planet to have at least two moons orbiting it in opposite directions? If yes, what would be the effects if it somehow happened to Earth?
• At what point in time do we stop seeing wolf fossils near humans and start seeing "dog" fossils associated with humans?
• How do cars with adaptive cruise controls deal with the 'noise' of other vehicles on the same road potentially using similar or identical radar or lidar based systems?
• How do scientists determine which two elements to use when synthesizing new elements?
• Will copper hot pipes or an iron boiler rust first?
• How do fast-acting anti-anxiety pills like Xanax work compared to drugs like buspirone, which work to change your neurochemistry more permanently over time?
• How does the primary coil impedance change due to the eddy current?
• What does wind look like on an atomic level?
• What makes AC current better suited than DC current for certain applications, and vice-versa?
• Are there events that are in the future in every frame of reference?
• Why are Birds sub-grouped under Reptiles and not in their own unique standalone class like Amphibians?
• Why did some social mammals evolve into patriarchal groups and others into matriarchal groups?

The recent fire in London was traced to an electrical fault in a fridge freezer. How can you trace with such accuracy what was the single appliance that caused it? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 05:16 AM PDT submitted by /u/Teacob [link] [comments]

In Earth travel, we use North, South, East, and West, plus altitude for three-dimensional travel. Since those are all relative to the Earth, what do they use for space travel? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 06:56 AM PDT submitted by /u/Doc_Hooligan [link] [comments]

Why are humans so diverse and unique in appearance to the point where none of us look the same compared to other animal species where all individuals look the same? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 06:35 AM PDT People can vary so much in looks regarding eye/hair/skin colour, height, bone structure, build, to the point where everyone who has ever existed has a unique "look". Some animals are like that too to a certain degree, like cats and dogs. For many other species of animals though all the individuals in a population look the same, like idk elephants, crows, sharks...how come they have little or no diversity in appearance? submitted by /u/Krahz [link] [comments]

What do blind people see when they dream? Assuming they were blind from birth. Posted: 23 Jun 2017 06:28 AM PDT submitted by /u/LachiBalabanski [link] [comments]

Is the calculation of the atoms in the observable universe being 10 to the eightieth power accurate? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 01:40 AM PDT submitted by /u/PazPuraVida [link] [comments]

Why do astronomers think a collision caused Uranus' extreme tilt yet it's moons are also tilted? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 04:05 PM PDT Tilted, as in spinning in the same axis relative to our Sun. Yet it's moons have the same axis as Uranus, so collisions did all that? Sounds unlikely. submitted by /u/Sciex [link] [comments]

Can the spontaneous fission of Uranium 238 emit neutrons capable to fission Uranium 235 in the same solid matrix? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 06:37 AM PDT submitted by /u/plutonium-239 [link] [comments]

Is it possible for a planet to have at least two moons orbiting it in opposite directions? If yes, what would be the effects if it somehow happened to Earth? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 11:59 PM PDT submitted by /u/Mornar [link] [comments]

At what point in time do we stop seeing wolf fossils near humans and start seeing "dog" fossils associated with humans? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 07:32 AM PDT Did dogs also go through intermediaries to transition between wolf and dog? Ie, we have H. erectus before H. sapien. Or are modern dog and modern wolves too similar ro be classified differently? submitted by /u/Mizz_Wright [link] [comments]

How do cars with adaptive cruise controls deal with the 'noise' of other vehicles on the same road potentially using similar or identical radar or lidar based systems? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 06:59 PM PDT I was thinking of a scenario where two vehicles in adjacent lanes (which could potentially be of the exact same make) are both using adaptive cruise control to maintain a fixed distance from the vehicle in front. There must be systems that allow each vehicle to differentiate the radar reflections of the proceeding vehicle in their lane and not be confused by the adjacent vehicle. I'm curious as to what those systems are specifically. submitted by /u/a_lowman [link] [comments]

How do scientists determine which two elements to use when synthesizing new elements? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 09:52 PM PDT For example, Oganesson was synthesized using Californium and Calcium (98+20=118). However, another lab using Krypton and Lead (36+82=118) tried and failed to produce Ognesson. My question is, why were those specific elements chosen? I know their atomic numbers have to add to 118, but why not use Iron and Uranium? (92+26=118) Two Praseodymiums? (59+59=118) And why did Krypton and Lead fail, even though their numbers add up? Thanks in advance. submitted by /u/DoomCrystal [link] [comments]

Will copper hot pipes or an iron boiler rust first? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 02:44 AM PDT submitted by /u/SilverArrow123 [link] [comments]

How do fast-acting anti-anxiety pills like Xanax work compared to drugs like buspirone, which work to change your neurochemistry more permanently over time? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 07:26 PM PDT I'm mostly looking for the neurochemistry aspects of it. Like, why do some drugs only perform for a short amount of time while others you have to take continually and they gradually suppress symptoms? submitted by /u/frottingotter [link] [comments]

How does the primary coil impedance change due to the eddy current? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 03:50 AM PDT This question is based on one of the common methods of Non-Destructive Testing ( NDT ), called Eddy Current Testing. In this method, they use a primary coil with an AC voltage supply to it. This AC current produces a changing magnetic field in the primary coil ( Call it excitation field ). When the primary coil is brought near the component to be tested, the changing excitation field induces circular eddy currents in the surface of the component. This eddy current in turn produces a magnetic field in such a way as to oppose the changing excitation flux. The reduction in the resultant field strength will change the coil impedance. But how? Isn't the primary coil impedance only dependent on R ( resistance ), L ( inductance ) and w ( angular frequency of the AC voltage source ) ? submitted by /u/Jactly [link] [comments]

What does wind look like on an atomic level? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 02:24 PM PDT submitted by /u/How2Dennis [link] [comments]

What makes AC current better suited than DC current for certain applications, and vice-versa? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 01:28 PM PDT I work as an electrical assembler and have been wondering this for a while now. Why is it that high-power applications like servos and VFDs seem to be exclusively 240V+ AC, while small things like sensors seem to be exclusively 24V DC? submitted by /u/twodeepfouryou [link] [comments]

Are there events that are in the future in every frame of reference? Posted: 23 Jun 2017 03:04 AM PDT The relativity of simultaneity shows that there's no "present": there's a causal past, a causal future, here-now, and "elsewhere", as this animation handily depicts. It depicts that the faster a frame of reference moves relative to another, things that are in the causal future become the present (or past) of things in another frame's here-now. This obviously leads to the worrying conclusion that everything in the future has already happened in another frame of reference. Is that so? Is this true mathematically, in general relativity? Is this true observationally, that there are objects moving at such high speeds relative to another object, that one object's entire causal future is "visible" from another object's here-now? I assume events that are farther in the future than the diameter of the universe cannot be observed from within the universe, but is that so? Is there any group of events that is in the future in every frame of reference? What are some "canonical" books/papers that deal with the subject on a physics undergrad-postgrad level? edit Event C is arbitrarily far in the causal future of event A in frame of reference O (this order of events is absolute and is the same in all frames of reference) Event B is simultaneous with event A in frame of reference P (this order of events is relative) Is there, for any group of events A, B, and C, a frame of reference where B and C are simultaneous? If so, then any event in the future could be said to have already happened. If not, what is the group of events that are not simultaneous with B in any frame of reference? submitted by /u/12mo [link] [comments]

Why are Birds sub-grouped under Reptiles and not in their own unique standalone class like Amphibians? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 05:13 PM PDT submitted by /u/themightykites0322 [link] [comments]

Why did some social mammals evolve into patriarchal groups and others into matriarchal groups? Posted: 22 Jun 2017 09:04 AM PDT Specifically looking for an answer outside of the context of human culture. For example, elephants, meerkats, lions, and killer whales all live in matriarchies - why did they evolve this way while many other mammals evolved in patriarchies? submitted by /u/marsupial23 [link] [comments]

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