Did you know that we are made up of about 8%

5 years ago

virus dna? I was reading the February National Geographic last night (since I don't have any books of interest to read right at the moment) and was mildy horrified by this. Did I learn this in school and just blocked it out of my mind?!

It was a fascinating article. Viruses are also the reason we can carry our unborn in our bodies.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

chisue
5 years ago
Verrry interesting, Kath. The human body just amazes me!
bpath
5 years ago
I'm listening to a fascinating book, Ghost Map, about the 19th century cholera epidemic in London. I'm going to have to borrow the print version because there's so much information. But it talks about viruses being responsible for so much of our evolution.
Related Discussions
Did you know about Hallmark selling frogs and lizards?
Q
Comments (1)
I haven't seen these, but some brief online reading tells me that these are called "EcoAquariums" sold by Wild Creations (they're actually sold through a number of retailers), and they're billed as an "educational" toy. Here's a pic of the starter kit: I know nothing about these frogs and their usual habitat, but these small cases they're sold in do seem awfully small. That they're billing this as a "starter kit" might indicate that they recommend the frog be moved to a larger enclosure - but surely they expect that many (or most) of the creatures will live and die in that one small box. Yes, it seems cruel - as do those vases filled with cut flowers and a little fish that I was seeing at every Walgreens checkout counter a few years ago. Goldfish in a bowl ... turtles in a tank ... All of these can be viewed as taking a wild creature out of its natural habitat and forcing it to endure unnatural conditions for our pleasure or education. Same with zoos. As you have stated, there are countless instances where we humans demonstrate a speciesist mentality. This is but a small example of how our collective acceptance of domination and exploitation plays out in a million different ways every day. ::sigh::
...See More
Did you know this about light dimmers?
Q
Comments (6)
Thanks to dim4fun for the interesting link. I am a lighting novice so I had no idea that there was a difference between one dimmer and another. Our cans were installed today and they put in temporary switches. Our contractor said he will put in dimmers, but I don't know how much he knows about different types of dimmers, particularly in light (no pun intended) of our intent to use CFLs. Davidr has posted dimmable CFL's on another thread. I wonder if they work with different types of dimmers such as the ones discussed in this thread. I'm hoping he's lurking on this thread to follow-up. Also, is there a dimmable CFL that doesn't look like a CFL (with the loopy tubes). It is OK for it to be a cool light as we will have xenon undercabinet lights and a couple of halogens (2 pucks in wood trim over sink and 3 mini-pendants over the center island and its attached table). Besides, our countertop is a light color and we want the cool light to bring out the accents in the granite. Anyone out there who can help here? Thanks.
...See More
Is it OK to let you all know about Mom's condo before we list it?
Q
Comments (12)
OP here: WOW! I have listened very carefully to all you guys! Especially the part about NOT chasing the market down, and that it is all about PRICE. I toured 3 other comparable condos, reviewed their amenities, prices, and DOM. I selected a Realtor after interviewing three of them for their marketing plans. I discussed all of this with Mom at her new senior community. Together we chose the preferred Realtor and decided on Price. It went on the market on October 28th. Two weeks to the day later, Mom has accepted their offer of All Cash (it was 2.3% less than full asking price), and they want to close in ONE WEEK. So it's going to be a busy week, and I hope I don't jinx it for writing to tell all of you the good news ahead of closing!!! Mom is quite happy to get a tidy profit and put it into her other investments, and I will be happy to not baby sit that place anymore!!!! Thanks for all the advice, and keep your fingers crossed for us until Friday the 16th!! Acey
...See More
about hot water heaters, did you know?
Q
Comments (5)
Using a lukewarm (but not hot) setting can be dangerous because it results in a temperature that's ideal for bacteria growth. The attached link describes one risk but there are also others. It's a trade-off like many other things. It's not the setting that matters because there's no accepted standard as to what temperature results for a Vacation or Warm setting or any other. Vacation may be 110 degrees on one heater and 80 degrees on another. Instead, measure the water temperature. Experts advise that hot water when fully hot (once the cold water in the pipe has passed) should be at least 120 degrees coming out of the faucet. Cooler than that and an unnecessary risk is taken. Here is a link that might be useful: Water temperature
...See More
Elmer J Fudd
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Ghost Map - great book!
Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
I enjoyed Ghost Map too!
wednesday morning
5 years ago
Much of our body weight is made of microbes. For all that we consider ourselves to be just us, the fact is that we are made of other entities that have their own life, in some form.

It is not just you that is living under your skin, or on your skin, or in your skin. Many other life forms occupy our bodies.
desertsteph
5 years ago
yes and those cells within us are always busy, busy, busy. I blame them when I can't sleep at night!
User
5 years ago
Kathsgrdn, I don't know when you went to school but I remember learning about cell structure, the double helix of DNA, chromosomes and heredity, etc back in the 1970/80's. Cool stuff, sure. But yes, it's changed.

A year or two ago, a retired research scientist presented a 10 hour class on Genes at our adult education group (all the fun of school, with no tests!). It is totally amazing how far our knowledge has expanded in the last 25 years: the decoding of the human genome, computers able to handle huge datasets, tools to physically splice and edit genes. Epigenetics, the role of RNA, how chemical signals transmit information to tell each cell which "recipe" to select from the "How to build an entire human being cookbook" that is DNA, I really can't comprehend it all. Truly, this is the century of Biology. I almost envy kids just starting their studies today.
Kathsgrdn
Original Author
5 years ago
Nickel, I was actually talking about college, which was about 19 years ago. Wow, how has it been that long?! I know I didn't learn that in high school back in the 70s.
lucillle
5 years ago
Much of our body weight is made of microbes.

And we all know how much microbes love chocolate, and how good microbes are at getting their needs met.

Related Stories

WORLD OF DESIGN 8 Things You Didn’t Know About Italian Marble

By Laura Molteni

How did the ancients extract marble? What makes it white or colored? We unearth fascinating facts about this luxurious stone

Full Story

HOME TECH What to Know About Digitizing Your Home Movies

By CEO/Founder The Photo Managers

Find out how to convert VHS tapes or hire a pro to digitize 8mm, MiniDV and more. Plus: how to store and edit movies

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN What to Know About Landscape Design Service Agreements

By Falon Mihalic

Learn about the types of contracts and what they cover to help you set up a smooth working relationship with your designer

Full Story

KNOW YOUR HOUSE Know Your House: What Makes Up a Floor Structure

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Avoid cracks, squeaks and defects in your home's flooring by understanding the components — diagrams included

Full Story

WORKING WITH PROS 8 Things Interior Designers Want You to Know

By Laura Gaskill

Get the scoop on certifications, project scope, working from afar and more

Full Story

164

GREAT HOME PROJECTS What to Know About Installing a Walkway of Pavers and Pebbles

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Find out how to get started, whom to hire, materials to use and costs to expect when adding a path of pavers and gravel

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES 8 Ecofriendly Roof Options for Low Budgets and Up

By Laura Gaskill

Save resources with a cooling or sustainable roof or add-on that looks great and fits your price range

Full Story

WORKING WITH PROS 10 Things Decorators Want You to Know About What They Do

By Laura Gaskill

They do more than pick pretty colors. Here's what decorators can do for you — and how you can help them

Full Story

217

BATHROOM WORKBOOK See How 8 Bathrooms Fit Everything Into About 100 Square Feet

By Mitchell Parker

Get ideas for materials, layouts and more before meeting with pros to plan your own remodel

Full Story

179

HEALTHY HOME What to Know About Controlling Dust During Remodeling

By Mitchell Parker

You can't eliminate dust during construction, but there are ways to contain and remove as much of it as possible

Full Story

Did you know that we are made up of about 8%

Comments (9)

chisue

bpath

Related Discussions

Elmer J Fudd

Annie Deighnaugh

wednesday morning

desertsteph

User

Kathsgrdn
Original Author

lucillle

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Did you know that we are made up of about 8%

Comments (9)

Related Discussions

KathsgrdnOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Kathsgrdn
Original Author