Showing posts with label Holiday Facts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday Facts. Show all posts
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Halloween Fact 1: The Silly String Fine
Did you know that you could be fined 1,000 dollars for using or selling silly string on Halloween in Hollywood? This fine started when thousands of people in Hollywood were so bored they went and bought silly string. Thus, they took it upon themselves to start vandalizing the streets of Hollywood, as a side note some people bought it illegally. Unfortunately, the city didn't take this too lightly, thus if you use or sell Silly String in Hollywood from 12:01 am on Oct. 31 to 12:00 pm on Nov. 1, you might get a fine that caps at 1,000 dollars. Talk about an expensive holiday!
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Coming Back from the Dead
Coming Back from the Dead
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Hey guys, it's been a while so I thought I would do something along the lines of Genetics. Also, I feel this would be sort of festive with Halloween coming up, so I thought this would be appropriate for this month's post.
Remember those times when you watched all those horror movies that had to do with monsters and zombies that came back from the dead? Well now, that may actually be a possibility. Scientists have recently found a bacteria called Deinococcus radiodurans which is able to withstand very extreme UV radiation and heat. In fact, it doesn't technically survive under these conditions because it actually destroys the bacteria's genome and breaks it apart into hundreds of fragments of DNA. Then in a few hours it reassembles all the fragments back into it's original genome, thus bringing it back to life. Unlike most bacteria, Deinococcus radiodurans doesn't divide rapidly, instead it has evolved to become more robust to its environment. It is similar the neuron cells in our body, Deinococcus radiodurans carries two copies of its genomes. So what is really behind this weird magic trick?
The Process of Resurrection
When the genome initially breaks apart, it shatters into hundreds of double-helix DNA fragments. Proteins then come to break down the ends of the fragments which created single stranded DNA which are called "tails". Those tails were then called "sticky ends" since they could combine with each other. But they sticky ends must be complimentary to each other. This basically means that the sequence of nucleic bases must be the opposite of the other, and so they attract. (Ex: Adenine is attracted to Thymine, and Guanine is attracted to Cytosine.) A protein helps organize the strands of DNA into circular chromosomes that help make up the bacteria's characteristics. After the genome is back together again, then the bacteria cell can create proteins, lipids, and the membranes. Because of the bacteria's strong tolerance to the most extreme conditions scientists are very excited about new applications of this technique and what this could mean towards the future of health and genetics.
Habitat
It has numerous habitats that it lives in but since researchers have commonly found it in various soils it has been classified as a soil bacteria. Usually, it is cultured from elephant dung and doesn't have any significant interactions with other organisms making it practically harmless.
History
Deinococcus radiodurans was the first discovered in 1956 by Arthur W. Anderson in Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station in Corvallis,Oregon, It had been found in a can of meat which had been treated with very large amounts of radiation to sterilize it from hazardous bacteria. It's complete DNA sequence was first published in 1999 by TIGR. It's durability was put to the test and finally Scientists came found that Deinococcus can survive up to 1,000 times that amount of radiation that would kill a regular human being.
Applications
This mechanism of resurrection has paved a very bright future in the areas of health and biotechnology. For example, scientists believe that they can use this mechanism to help the regeneration of neuron cells inside the human body. In fact, we may be able to utilize this to bring life back to various types of cells in our bodies.
This post might be a little short, don't worry I'll post one or two more in this month. Hope you guys enjoyed this fun little post!
Hey guys, it's been a while so I thought I would do something along the lines of Genetics. Also, I feel this would be sort of festive with Halloween coming up, so I thought this would be appropriate for this month's post.
Remember those times when you watched all those horror movies that had to do with monsters and zombies that came back from the dead? Well now, that may actually be a possibility. Scientists have recently found a bacteria called Deinococcus radiodurans which is able to withstand very extreme UV radiation and heat. In fact, it doesn't technically survive under these conditions because it actually destroys the bacteria's genome and breaks it apart into hundreds of fragments of DNA. Then in a few hours it reassembles all the fragments back into it's original genome, thus bringing it back to life. Unlike most bacteria, Deinococcus radiodurans doesn't divide rapidly, instead it has evolved to become more robust to its environment. It is similar the neuron cells in our body, Deinococcus radiodurans carries two copies of its genomes. So what is really behind this weird magic trick?
The Process of Resurrection
When the genome initially breaks apart, it shatters into hundreds of double-helix DNA fragments. Proteins then come to break down the ends of the fragments which created single stranded DNA which are called "tails". Those tails were then called "sticky ends" since they could combine with each other. But they sticky ends must be complimentary to each other. This basically means that the sequence of nucleic bases must be the opposite of the other, and so they attract. (Ex: Adenine is attracted to Thymine, and Guanine is attracted to Cytosine.) A protein helps organize the strands of DNA into circular chromosomes that help make up the bacteria's characteristics. After the genome is back together again, then the bacteria cell can create proteins, lipids, and the membranes. Because of the bacteria's strong tolerance to the most extreme conditions scientists are very excited about new applications of this technique and what this could mean towards the future of health and genetics.
Habitat
It has numerous habitats that it lives in but since researchers have commonly found it in various soils it has been classified as a soil bacteria. Usually, it is cultured from elephant dung and doesn't have any significant interactions with other organisms making it practically harmless.
History
Deinococcus radiodurans was the first discovered in 1956 by Arthur W. Anderson in Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station in Corvallis,Oregon, It had been found in a can of meat which had been treated with very large amounts of radiation to sterilize it from hazardous bacteria. It's complete DNA sequence was first published in 1999 by TIGR. It's durability was put to the test and finally Scientists came found that Deinococcus can survive up to 1,000 times that amount of radiation that would kill a regular human being.
Applications
This mechanism of resurrection has paved a very bright future in the areas of health and biotechnology. For example, scientists believe that they can use this mechanism to help the regeneration of neuron cells inside the human body. In fact, we may be able to utilize this to bring life back to various types of cells in our bodies.
This post might be a little short, don't worry I'll post one or two more in this month. Hope you guys enjoyed this fun little post!
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Hitler's Capital: Oxford older than the Aztecs
Note:
September, the month where a new year of school begins for many. Since it is that time of the year, I wanted to make a post dedicated to education! I will upload another post really soon after this one. I hope you enjoy!
Oxford University
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Oxford University is one of the oldest universities that are still operational to this day. But, it seems as though Oxford University is never really considered ancient in our books. In fact, Oxford University was around since the Aztec Empire. However, when we think about Aztecs, we associate this civilization with ancient in our timeline. Just the thought that the Oxford University today was around the same time Aztecs were busy sacrificing themselves and Spanish Conquistadors were still looking for gold, is a little weird. Let's go way back to the founding of Oxford University.
There is no clear date for when Oxford University was actually founded, but there was some form of teaching at Oxford during 1096. It developed quickly from 1167. This was when Henry II banned English Students from attending the University of Paris. In 1188, Gerald of Wales, a historian, gave a public reading to the Oxford dons. In 1190, Emo of Friesland attended Oxford becoming the first known overseas student. This started Oxford's University's tradition of international scholarly links. In 1231, the masters were recognized as a universitas or corporation. Later in the 13th century, rioting between the townspeople of Oxford and the students caused the hasty creation of the very first halls of residence for the students of Oxford University. These halls were quickly replaced by Oxford's first colleges, which originally began as medieval 'halls of residence' or endowed houses supervised by a Master. The oldest colleges are Balliol and Merton Colleges, which were established between 1249 and 1264. Soon Oxford was given praises from popes, kings, and sages because of its antiquity, curriculum, doctrine, and privileges. In 1355, Edward III paid tribute to Oxford for its contribution to learning. Oxford University was Royalist during the Civil War, and Charles I held a counter-Parliament in Convocation House. Later, in the later 17th century, the Oxford philosopher John Locke was suspected of treason and had to escape the country. The University assumed a strong leading role in the Victorian era, and contributed significantly to religious controversy. From 1833 and on The Oxford Movement wanted to revitalize the Catholic aspects of the Anglican Church. A well known leader was John Henry Newman, he became a Roman Catholic in 1845 and was later made a Cardinal. 15 years later, the new University Museum was the scene of very well known debate between Thomas Huxley, the champion of evolution, and Bishop Wilberforce. From 1878, academic halls were established for women and were admitted full membership of the University in 1920. Five all-male colleges of Oxford University first admitted women in 1974 and after all colleges have admitted women and men. This is a brief history of Oxford University.
If you ever visit Oxford here are some interesting facts that could make things a little more interesting (not saying that Oxford is boring!).
1. Adolf Hitler planned to make Oxford his capital if he ever took over England. This is why it was not bombed during World War II.
2. Sir Roger Bannister ran the four minute mile in Oxford in 1954. He was a medical student at Oxford University.
3. Bob Hawke, a former Australian Prime Minister, broke the Guinness World Record for drinking a yard of ale in 11 seconds at Oxford University.
4. The formal word for somebody from Oxford is Oxonian.
5. The Oxford Comma is Oxford's own grammatical use for a comma.
6. Oxford is one degree west of the Prime Meridian, thus 5 minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time. This is shown by the bell Great Tom, which rings 101 times during 9:05 pm every evening.
7. For all of you Harry Potter fans out there, Oxford University is where the Great Hall in Harry Potter was filmed. The place in Oxford University is called the Christ Church College. Christ Church College is also where Lewis Carroll was inspired to write Alice in Wonderland.
Besides the history and the interesting facts, Oxford University is one of the leading universities in the world. For all of you people going to Oxford University, it is truly a great honor. A lot of respect goes out to you guys. If you ever get the chance, visit Oxford University sometime. It is really wonderful and a memorable experience. Have a nice day guys!
September, the month where a new year of school begins for many. Since it is that time of the year, I wanted to make a post dedicated to education! I will upload another post really soon after this one. I hope you enjoy!
Oxford University
Oxford University is one of the oldest universities that are still operational to this day. But, it seems as though Oxford University is never really considered ancient in our books. In fact, Oxford University was around since the Aztec Empire. However, when we think about Aztecs, we associate this civilization with ancient in our timeline. Just the thought that the Oxford University today was around the same time Aztecs were busy sacrificing themselves and Spanish Conquistadors were still looking for gold, is a little weird. Let's go way back to the founding of Oxford University.
There is no clear date for when Oxford University was actually founded, but there was some form of teaching at Oxford during 1096. It developed quickly from 1167. This was when Henry II banned English Students from attending the University of Paris. In 1188, Gerald of Wales, a historian, gave a public reading to the Oxford dons. In 1190, Emo of Friesland attended Oxford becoming the first known overseas student. This started Oxford's University's tradition of international scholarly links. In 1231, the masters were recognized as a universitas or corporation. Later in the 13th century, rioting between the townspeople of Oxford and the students caused the hasty creation of the very first halls of residence for the students of Oxford University. These halls were quickly replaced by Oxford's first colleges, which originally began as medieval 'halls of residence' or endowed houses supervised by a Master. The oldest colleges are Balliol and Merton Colleges, which were established between 1249 and 1264. Soon Oxford was given praises from popes, kings, and sages because of its antiquity, curriculum, doctrine, and privileges. In 1355, Edward III paid tribute to Oxford for its contribution to learning. Oxford University was Royalist during the Civil War, and Charles I held a counter-Parliament in Convocation House. Later, in the later 17th century, the Oxford philosopher John Locke was suspected of treason and had to escape the country. The University assumed a strong leading role in the Victorian era, and contributed significantly to religious controversy. From 1833 and on The Oxford Movement wanted to revitalize the Catholic aspects of the Anglican Church. A well known leader was John Henry Newman, he became a Roman Catholic in 1845 and was later made a Cardinal. 15 years later, the new University Museum was the scene of very well known debate between Thomas Huxley, the champion of evolution, and Bishop Wilberforce. From 1878, academic halls were established for women and were admitted full membership of the University in 1920. Five all-male colleges of Oxford University first admitted women in 1974 and after all colleges have admitted women and men. This is a brief history of Oxford University.
If you ever visit Oxford here are some interesting facts that could make things a little more interesting (not saying that Oxford is boring!).
1. Adolf Hitler planned to make Oxford his capital if he ever took over England. This is why it was not bombed during World War II.
2. Sir Roger Bannister ran the four minute mile in Oxford in 1954. He was a medical student at Oxford University.
3. Bob Hawke, a former Australian Prime Minister, broke the Guinness World Record for drinking a yard of ale in 11 seconds at Oxford University.
4. The formal word for somebody from Oxford is Oxonian.
5. The Oxford Comma is Oxford's own grammatical use for a comma.
6. Oxford is one degree west of the Prime Meridian, thus 5 minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time. This is shown by the bell Great Tom, which rings 101 times during 9:05 pm every evening.
7. For all of you Harry Potter fans out there, Oxford University is where the Great Hall in Harry Potter was filmed. The place in Oxford University is called the Christ Church College. Christ Church College is also where Lewis Carroll was inspired to write Alice in Wonderland.
Besides the history and the interesting facts, Oxford University is one of the leading universities in the world. For all of you people going to Oxford University, it is truly a great honor. A lot of respect goes out to you guys. If you ever get the chance, visit Oxford University sometime. It is really wonderful and a memorable experience. Have a nice day guys!
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Valentine's Day
Did you know every Valentine's Day Verona, Italy, where the lovers from Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet?
The Origin of Valentine's Day.
The popular theory about the origin of Valentine's Day was that there was this man who was called Emperor Claudius the Second that didn't want Roman men to marry during wartime. However, Bishop Valentine was against this and disobeyed the Emperor by performing secret weddings. After, Valentine was placed in jail and later executed. But, during the time he spent in jail, he wrote a note to the jailer's daughter signing it "from your Valentine".
The Origin of Valentine's Day.
The popular theory about the origin of Valentine's Day was that there was this man who was called Emperor Claudius the Second that didn't want Roman men to marry during wartime. However, Bishop Valentine was against this and disobeyed the Emperor by performing secret weddings. After, Valentine was placed in jail and later executed. But, during the time he spent in jail, he wrote a note to the jailer's daughter signing it "from your Valentine".
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