Astonishing Science Facts

[Magical Realist]

"While traveling last week, I managed to re-read W.G. Sebald’s book The Rings of Saturn.

At one point, Sebald describes two entrepreneurial scientists from the 19th century, who he names Herrington and Lightbown; together, we’re told, they had wanted to capture the bioluminescent properties of dead herring and use that as a means of artificially illuminating the nighttime streets of Victorian London.
Sebald writes:

"An idiosyncrasy peculiar to the herring is that, when dead, it begins to glow; this property, which resembles phosphorescence and is yet altogether different, peaks a few days after death and then ebbs away as the fish decays. For a long time no one could account for this glowing of the lifeless herring, and indeed I believe that it still remains unexplained. Around 1870, when projects for the total illumination of our cities were everywhere afoot, two English scientists with the apt names of Herrington and Lightbown investigated the unusual phenomenon in the hope that the luminous substance exuded by dead herrings would lead to a formula for an organic source of light that had the capacity to regenerate itself. The failure of this eccentric undertaking, as I read some time ago in a history of artificial light, constituted no more than a negligible setback in the relentless conquest of darkness."---- https://bldgblog.com/2009/08/the-biolumi...etropolis/

[Magical Realist]

Anything that swims in the water long enough will start to look like a fish. An example of convergent evolution:

[Image: CaqUGtV.jpg?fbclid=IwY2xjawS05ExleHRuA2F...o9nvxFkUsg]

[Magical Realist]

[Image: CcE0aGp.jpg]

"Researchers across France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the Czech Republic tested how close humans could get to urban birds before they high-tailed it out of there. The researchers consistently found that birds let men approach on average about a meter closer than they allow women to approach. The findings were consistent across 37 species, ranging from the average pigeon and crow to slightly rarer birds like Robbins, suggesting that this isn’t a coincidence."--Vice News

[Magical Realist]

The age of your body's atoms:

https://www.facebook.com/museumofscience...758157626/

[Magical Realist]

Yes...you're literally eating wood.

FYI Where does cinnamon come from?

"Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of multiple tree species. Harvesters scrape off the outer layers to reveal the inner, wetter bark. The bark dries for several hours, naturally curling into quills (or sticks) in the process. Finally, it is cut into small pieces and sold."

[Magical Realist]

This is more language than science..but it IS an amazing fact!

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1594340902293622

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Cosmic coincidence of the moon and the sun..

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=230638809760200

[Magical Realist]

"Did you know that channel catfish have one of the most highly developed senses of taste of all of North Dakota’s fishes? While taste buds are most abundant near the mouth and on its barbels (whiskers), the entire body of a channel catfish is covered in taste receptors.

These taste receptors are especially adept at detecting proteins dissolved in water from potential food sources as well as from other catfish, a very useful adaptation for locating food and potential mates in the murky waters these fish frequently inhabit.

Channel catfish are aptly nicknamed “swimming tongues” and, when you have one in your hands, they are likely getting a good taste of you!"---- https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife-notes/catfish...-receptors