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[Interesting Facts]

Rubbed the wrong way 2 1
Posted by duddy   June 4, 2013   8679 views
Shark skin doesn't look like normal fish skin. It's made of microscopic diamond shaped scales with rough edges, called "denticles". These are thought to share an evolutionary origin with teeth - indeed, they have much more in common with teeth than with scales. Like teeth, they consist of a central cavity made of pulp surrounded by dentine and enamel. The flexible but irregular surface is impossible for barnacles and other micro-organisms to cling to, as well as decreasing drag and turbulence. So just when you thought sharks couldn't get any scarier, it turns out that their entire bodies are literally COVERED with teeth. ... Read more
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1 Shark skin is used in some places like sand paper. Stroke one way, it's smooth. Stroke the other way, you might cut your hand. Posted on Jun 4, 2013 by savio 2 Is it true that if you rub a shark the wrong way it can cut your hand like a razor? Posted on Jun 4, 2013 by nite_n_day 3 Yes, it's demonstrated in the picture. Shark skin is very rough and covered with scales called dermal denticles. They are sharp and pointy like miniature teeth. Posted on Jun 4, 2013 by JoAnne View all comments

[Uncategorized]

Golden chrysalis 2 0
Posted by duddy   June 4, 2013   7470 views
The chrysalis of the Metallic Mechanitis butterfly from Costa Rica.
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1 Does anybody see the skull head in the upper left corner? It looks crazy when you zoom in. Posted on Jun 4, 2013 by savio

[Interesting Facts]

Roll cloud 1 0
Posted by duddy   June 4, 2013   7444 views
Roll cloud over Uruguay. This low, roll cloud formation occurs when sinking cold air causes warm, moist air on the planet's surface to climb to higher altitudes, where the moisture condenses into cloud form. Roll clouds aren't dangerous in themselves, though, and many roll clouds form in relatively calm weather as a result of sea breezes.
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1 Amazing thing to behold. I've seen a few, but nothing as big and perfectly formed as this! Posted on Jun 4, 2013 by savio 2 I adore clouds, and I have yet to see a roll cloud. This is awesome! Posted on Jul 1, 2013 by doseofmegan

[News]

Simulating Mars in Northern Canada 2 1
Posted by duddy   June 3, 2013   2866 views
A manned mission to Mars will inevitably consist of a few people living in incredibly close quarters in a constantly stressful environment. Starting next summer, Mars Society will be conducting a mock Mars mission in the Canadian Arctic. Six participants will live in a facility 7.6 meters tall (25 feet) and 8.3 meters wide (27 feet). For one full year, they will perform a great deal of geological experiments similar to work that would be done on Mars. Spacesuits will be worn to help simulate Mars-like conditions. Though similar studies have been done in the past, this is the most stressful and will be more true to actual conditions on Mars. The goal of the experiment is to determine leadership structure and what equipment will be necessary. ... Read more
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[News]

Molecules in high resolution 2 0
Posted by duddy   May 31, 2013   4478 views
This image shows 26 carbon atoms and 14 hydrogen atoms rearranging bonds. There has never been an image of a single bond resolve at this level of detail so close to the reaction time before.
chemistry
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1 What was thought of as strictly theoretical actually came true! Posted on Jun 1, 2013 by bio_man