Science

WTF Fun Fact 13538 – The Power of Smelling Coffee

Do you perk up in the morning after smelling coffee? Maybe you start to feel it working even before you’ve had a sip. Or perhaps you do some of your best work at the coffee shop when you can smell those invigorating beans all day.

Well, that makes sense!

Coffee’s Olfactory Power

Many of us start our day with the intoxicating aroma of coffee. But there’s more to this scent than just an olfactory delight. In 2008, a group of researchers led by scientist Han-Seok Seo looked into the science behind this phenomenon. Their findings reveal that coffee’s aroma doesn’t just wake up the senses but might also rejuvenate the brain.

Smelling Coffee vs. Sleep Deprivation and Stress

Lack of sleep stresses the body and mind. Sleep-deprived individuals often grapple with cognitive and physical health challenges.

Given these effects, Seo’s team wondered if coffee’s aroma could counteract the negative impacts of sleep deprivation. Their subject of choice for this exploration? Laboratory rats.

The team exposed both well-rested and sleep-deprived rats to the scent of coffee. They then examined gene and protein expressions in the brains of these rats. The results were astonishing.

Rats exposed to the coffee aroma showed varied activity in 17 genes. Out of these, 13 exhibited different mRNA expressions when comparing the sleep-deprived group to the group that inhaled coffee while sleep-deprived.

Translating Science: What it Means for Us

In simple terms, inhaling coffee aroma seemed to recalibrate the brain’s workings. It potentially offsets the harmful impacts of sleep deprivation.

Among the impacted genes, some are linked to proteins with antioxidant properties. These antioxidants help protect nerve cells from stress-induced damage.

So, the smell of coffee might do more than just perk us up; it could protect our brain cells from stress-related harm.

The Power of Smelling Coffee Goes Beyond Coffee

Seo’s groundbreaking findings pave the way for more questions. If the aroma of coffee yields such benefits, what about other scents? Could the whiff of freshly baked bread or the scent of rain bring their own set of health benefits?

Next time the weight of sleeplessness bears down on you, remember the power of scent. As you pass a café or brew your morning cup, take a moment to inhale deeply. Behind that sense of alertness and the smile that follows lies a fascinating dance of molecules and biology.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Coffee’s Aroma Kick-starts Genes In The Brain” — Science Daily

WTF Fun Fact 13537 – Black Hole Eating A Star

There’s a black hole eating a star out there at an astonishing rate.

University of Leicester astronomers discovered a star, similar to our Sun, that a relatively small black hole is devouring. Every close orbit results in the star losing a mass equivalent to three Earths!

Watching a Black Hole Eating a Star

The research, chronicled in Nature Astronomy, could be the “missing link” in understanding how black holes disrupt the stars that orbit them. Funded by the UK Space Agency and the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council, this discovery is instrumental in propelling our grasp of celestial phenomena.

An intense X-ray flash originating from the center of galaxy 2MASX J02301709+2836050 is what initially captured the team’s attention. That galaxy is approximately 500 million light-years from the Milky Way.

The anomaly has been designated as Swift J0230. And it was detected in real-time thanks to a pioneering tool designed for the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

Further investigations revealed a curious pattern: Swift J0230 would radiate intensely for about a week, then go dark, resuming its cycle roughly every 25 days.

How a Black Holes “Eats” Star

This behavior parallels certain phenomena involving stars having materials torn by black holes due to close orbits. However, the Swift J0230’s emission pattern positioned it as a bridge between two known categories of these eruptions.

Drawing from existing models, researchers concluded that Swift J0230 demonstrates a Sun-sized star, trapped in an elliptical orbit around a black hole with low mass, situated at the core of its galaxy.

As this star nears the black hole, a gravitational tug wrests away material equivalent to three Earth masses. This process superheats the material to about 2 million degrees Celsius, triggering the massive X-ray emissions detected by the Swift satellite.

Unprecedented Research

Dr. Phil Evans, the lead author, remarked on the unprecedented nature of this find: a Sun-like star being intermittently torn apart by a relatively small black hole. Labeling the phenomenon as “repeated, partial tidal disruption,” Dr. Evans highlighted that such events had been rare finds until now, falling into one of two categories based on their frequency. This new discovery bridges the gap, providing a more comprehensive understanding.

Dr. Rob Eyles-Ferris, who contributed to the Swift satellite study, emphasized the singularity of Swift J0230. Unlike most observed systems where stars are entirely destroyed, this system offers insights into a middle ground. The finding unifies the two previously identified categories of partially disrupted stars.

Further, Dr. Kim Page, part of the study’s data analysis team, is confident that many more similar objects await discovery.

In terms of mass, the team estimates that the black hole is between 10,000 to 100,000 times that of our Sun. That’s a mere fraction when compared to supermassive black holes typically anchoring galaxies. For perspective, our galaxy’s central black hole weighs in at 4 million solar masses.

The Tool That Helped Detect the Black Hole Eating a Star

The University of Leicester team conceptualized and designed a novel transient detector for the Swift satellite, facilitating this breakthrough. This tool instantly detects astronomical X-ray transients—rare and extreme X-ray bursts in previously silent sky regions.

Dr. Caroline Harper, the Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency, praised the globally-acclaimed Swift mission, shedding light on a minuscule black hole periodically “snacking” on a Sun-like star. The mission’s continued partnership with NASA promises further invaluable cosmic insights.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Ravenous black hole consumes three Earths’-worth of star every time it passes” — Science Daily

WTF Fun Fact 13536 – Digitizing Smell

In order to smell, our brains and noses have to work together, so the idea of digitizing smell seems pretty “out there.”

However, if you think about it, our noses are sensing molecules. Those molecules can be identified by a computer, and the smells the humans associated with them can be cataloged. It’s not quite teaching a computer to smell on its own, but maybe it’s best we don’t give them too many human abilities.

The Enigma of Olfaction

While we’ve successfully translated light into sight and sound into hearing, decoding the intricate world of smell remains a challenge.

Olfaction, compared to our other senses, is mysterious, diverse, and deeply rooted in both emotion and memory. Knowing this, can we teach machines to interpret this elusive sense?

Digitizing Smell

A collaboration between the Monell Chemical Senses Center and the startup Osmo aimed to bridge the gap between airborne chemicals and our brain’s odor perception. Their objective was not just to understand the science of smell better but to make a machine proficient enough to describe, in human terms, what various chemicals smell like.

Osmo, with roots in Google’s advanced research division, embarked on creating a machine-learning model. The foundation of this model was an industry dataset, which detailed the molecular structures and scent profiles of 5,000 known odorants.

The idea? Feed the model a molecule’s shape and get a descriptive prediction of its smell.

That might sound simple, but the team had to make sure they could ensure the model’s accuracy.

The Litmus Test: Man vs. Machine

To validate the machine’s “sense of smell,” a unique test was devised.

A group of 15 panelists, trained rigorously using specialized odor kits, was tasked with describing 400 unique odors. The model then predicted descriptions for the same set.

Astonishingly, the machine’s predictions often matched or even outperformed individual human assessments, showcasing its unprecedented accuracy.

Machines That Can ‘Smell’ vs. Digitizing Smell

Beyond its core training, the model displayed unexpected capabilities. It accurately predicted odor strength, a feature it wasn’t explicitly trained for, and identified distinct molecules with surprisingly similar scents. This accomplishment suggests we’re inching closer to a world where machines can reliably “smell.”

But for now, that’s overstating it. The team has made a major leap towards digitizing smell. But machines don’t have senses. They can only replicate the kind of information our brains produce when we smell things. Of course, they don’t have any sense of enjoyment (or repulsion) at certain smells.

In any case, the Monell and Osmo collaboration has significantly advanced our journey in understanding and replicating the sense of smell. As we move forward, this research could revolutionize industries from perfumery to food and beyond.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “A step closer to digitizing the sense of smell: Model describes odors better than human panelists” — Science Daily

WTF Fun Fact 13534 – The Roundest Object in the World

When it comes to spherical perfection, nothing we’ve ever discovered in space beats Kepler-11145123, the roundest object in the world. This distant star is located about 5,000 light-years away from Earth.

What Defines “Round”?

Before diving into Kepler-11145123, it’s essential to understand what we mean by “round.” Most celestial objects take on a somewhat spherical shape due to the gravitational forces pulling matter toward their centers. However, the force of their rotation tends to squash them at the poles and widen them at the equator, causing an oblate spheroid shape. The difference between the equatorial and polar diameters of a celestial body measures its “roundness.”

Kepler-11145123 was initially discovered as part of NASA’s Kepler mission, designed to find exoplanets by observing stars and the tiny dimming caused by planets passing in front of them. While that was Kepler’s primary task, its trove of data fueled other groundbreaking research as well. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany used these precise observations to study the star’s oscillations, which provided clues about its internal structure and, fascinatingly, its shape.

A Surprising Level of Perfection

What truly sets Kepler-11145123 apart is the astonishingly small difference between its equatorial and polar diameters. The star’s equatorial diameter exceeds its polar diameter by a mere 3 km, despite having a diameter of 1.5 million km overall. This difference is microscopic on a cosmic scale and represents an unprecedented level of spherical perfection. For context, the disparity between the Earth’s equatorial and polar diameters is about 42 km, a figure that suddenly feels gigantic compared to this distant star.

The Science Behind the Shape

Kepler-11145123’s almost-perfect roundness is intriguing and prompts the question: how did it get so round? One leading hypothesis is that magnetic fields within the star could be redistributing mass, making it more spherical. However, researchers also point out that the star’s slow rotation rate plays a significant role. The slower an object rotates, the less it gets flattened due to centrifugal forces. Kepler-11145123 spins at a much slower rate than our Sun, thus maintaining its almost perfect shape.

Broader Implications of Being the Roundest Object in the World

The discovery of Kepler-11145123’s unique shape has broader implications for our understanding of astrophysics. It forces scientists to reevaluate models of star evolution, as well as the role magnetic fields play in shaping celestial bodies. Furthermore, this finding might have implications for exoplanet studies. A star’s shape can influence the stability of its planetary orbits, which in turn could have consequences for planetary climates and habitability.

Why Should We Care About the Roundest Object in the World?

Apart from the sheer wonder of discovering such a perfectly round object in space, understanding Kepler-11145123 can help scientists refine their models of stellar behavior and evolution. These models are fundamental to our grasp of the universe, from the life cycles of stars to the forces that shape galaxies. The more accurate our models become, the better we can understand a host of other phenomena, including potentially habitable exoplanets.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Distant star Kepler 11145123 is the roundest object ever observed in nature” — Astronomy Now

WTF Fun Fact 13523 – Narwhal Tusks

The narwhal is often referred to as the “unicorn of the sea.” The creature has long fascinated scientists and the public alike with its iconic spiraling tusk. However, recent research reveals that these tusks are not just ornamental; they serve as invaluable biological records.

Just like tree rings can tell us about environmental conditions, the growth rings in a narwhal’s tusk can shed light on the animal’s diet and the changes in its environment.

Studying Narwhal Tusks

An international team of scientists conducted a study by examining ten narwhal tusks obtained from Inuit hunters in northwest Greenland. The tusks, which are actually elongated canine teeth found only in males, were cut in half lengthwise to reveal their growth rings. Each ring represented one year in the life of the narwhal. By analyzing these rings, scientists could gain a unique window into the life history of these Arctic mammals.

Scientists discovered that narwhals’ diets have changed in response to the environmental changes in the Arctic. This change is partly due to the shrinking of sea ice.

They measured levels of mercury, as well as stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen within each ring. Doing so helped them decipher the types of prey the narwhals had consumed in different years. These markers provided a snapshot of the narwhals’ diets and indicated how high their prey sat on the food chain.

The Narwhal Diet

The researchers found that until the 1990s, when the ice cover in the Arctic was still “extensive but varying,” narwhals primarily fed on sea-ice-adjacent prey like halibut and Arctic cod. However, as the ice cover started to decline between 1990 and 2000, narwhals began to consume more open ocean species. These included such species as capelin and polar cod.

These open ocean species sit lower on the food chain. This was reflected in lower mercury levels in the tusk layers for those particular years.

What’s concerning is that even though narwhals’ diets remained relatively consistent after the year 2000, mercury levels in their tusks started to rise significantly. This increase is thought to be linked to increased coal combustion emissions from southeast Asia. This revelation raises concerns about how pollutants from human activities are affecting even the most remote ecosystems on Earth.

Prof. Rune Dietz of Denmark’s Aarhus University pointed out that tusks in museums around the world represent an untapped data bank. An analysis of these could provide critical insights into how narwhals have adapted to changes over different periods and in different regions. This could lay the foundation for assessing how they are likely to cope with ongoing environmental shifts.

What We Can Learn

This study underscores the importance of understanding how climate change and human activities are affecting marine ecosystems. It shows how even seemingly unrelated things—like coal combustion in one part of the world—can have a ripple effect that impacts the diet and health of animals living in a completely different region.

Narwhal tusks serve as natural archives. They can reveal the complex interplay between marine biology, environmental change, and even global industrial activities. And they’re helping researchers stitch together a more complete understanding of the Arctic ecosystem.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Narwhal tusk rings reveal valuable environmental data” — New Atlas

WTF Fun Fact 13510 – Stephen Hawking’s Wheelchair

Stephen Hawking’s wheelchair was auctioned off for a staggering $387,000 in 2018.

In addition to his groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the universe, Hawking’s name evokes an image of a man in a wheelchair, speaking through a voice synthesizer—a testament to his fierce determination and willpower in the face of a debilitating motor neuron disease.

Stephen Hawking and His Legacy

Before diving into the story of the iconic wheelchair, it’s essential to grasp the breadth of Hawking’s influence. Born in 1942, he made substantial contributions to cosmology, particularly in black hole dynamics and the nature of the universe.

His best-selling book, A Brief History of Time, made intricate cosmological concepts accessible to the general public, ensuring his place not just within the scientific community but also in popular culture.

Hawking’s motor neuron disease diagnosis at the age of 21 was a life-altering moment. Doctors predicted a short lifespan, but he surpassed all expectations by living till the age of 76.

As the disease progressed, mobility became a challenge, and the wheelchair became an integral part of his life. It wasn’t just a tool for movement; it became synonymous with his identity, symbolizing his resilience and the human spirit’s triumph over adversity.

Auctioning Stephen Hawking’s Wheelchair

In 2018, Christie’s auction house in London announced “On the Shoulders of Giants,” an auction featuring items belonging to several renowned scientists, including Hawking. The most poignant item was undoubtedly Hawking’s wheelchair, a piece of modern history.

The wheelchair, used by Hawking in the late 1980s and early 1990s, garnered significant attention. While it was an older model and not the high-tech version he used later in life, its historical and symbolic value was immense. The mere fact that such a personal item from a living legend was up for grabs drew significant global attention.

Hawking’s decision to auction his wheelchair was rooted in his commitment to giving back to the community. The proceeds from the sale were designated for two charitable causes close to his heart: The Stephen Hawking Foundation, which supports neurological research and promotes science education, and the Motor Neurone Disease Association, dedicated to supporting individuals like Hawking who face the challenges of this condition.

Bidding on History

The auction saw fervent bidding, with the wheelchair eventually selling for approximately $387,000 – a figure far surpassing initial estimates. The winning bid was not just for a mobility device but a piece of history. The buyer, whose identity remained anonymous, now owned a symbol of determination, brilliance, and the indomitable human spirit.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Stephen Hawking’s Wheelchair and Thesis Fetch More Than $1 Million at Auction” — The New York Times

WTF Fun Fact 13508 – Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum

If you know a kid obsessed with dinosaurs, you may have heard of Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum. If not, you should let that kid know about this creature immediately because it’s pretty cool.

The Discovery and Classification of Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum

When we think of the most impressive creatures that ever roamed the Earth, our minds often dart to the giants of the Mesozoic Era – the mighty dinosaurs. Among these behemoths, one dinosaur stands out for the astounding length of just one part of its anatomy: its neck.

Meet the Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum, a species of dinosaur that boasted a neck almost 50 feet long. That’s a neck six times longer than that of today’s tallest land animal, the giraffe!

Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum belongs to a group of dinosaurs called the sauropods. They are recognized by their long necks, long tails, and massive bodies supported by four thick, pillar-like legs. Although several sauropods had impressively long necks, the Mamenchisaurus goes well beyond the rest!

The species was unearthed in China and was a significant find for paleontologists. These findings provided more information about the diverse world of sauropods and the different evolutionary paths they might have taken.

A Neck to Marvel At

At nearly 50 feet long, the neck of Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum was a true wonder of nature. To put it into perspective, that’s longer than a school bus and almost as long as a bowling lane! But what evolutionary benefits did such a lengthy neck provide?

Foraging Strategy
With such an extended reach, this dinosaur could access food sources that were out of reach for other herbivores. This reduced the competition for food. It also allowed the creature to graze over a larger area without having to move its massive body frequently.

Cooling Mechanism
Some theories suggest that a long neck could have served as a cooling mechanism. The large surface area could have helped dissipate heat. This may have been vital for such massive creatures that might have struggled to maintain an optimal body temperature.

Display and Mating
In the animal kingdom, impressive physical features often play a role in mating displays. Though speculative, it’s possible that longer necks might have been seen as more attractive or dominant. This would help individuals with longer necks secure a mate.

The Anatomy Behind the Length

The length and weight of such a neck would require robust support and respiratory systems. Vertebrae would have been elongated and possibly hollowed in sections to reduce weight. Air sacs might have been present to aid in breathing, similar to modern birds. The neck’s muscle and tendon structure would also need to be incredibly strong. But it would also have to be flexible to support and maneuver this impressive length.

Comparing Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum to the Modern Giraffe

Modern-day giraffe necks measure approximately 8 feet in length and pale in comparison to the neck of the Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum. However, both animals show that evolution can lead to some astounding anatomical features when they provide an advantage.

It’s intriguing to imagine how these two creatures, separated by millions of years, navigated their habitats with such long necks.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “This Dinosaur Had a 50-Foot-Long Neck, Scientists Say” — Smithsonian Magazine

WTF Fun Fact 13506 – Human Hair Can Hold Two Elephants

When considered collectively (by the head), human hair can hold two elephants! That’s right, it can support the weight of two giant creatures.

Let’s explain.

The Anatomy of a Hair Strand

To truly grasp the astonishing strength of human hair, we must first delve into its structure. Each strand is composed of keratin, a type of protein. This protein is arranged in coiled coils, a configuration that provides both flexibility and strength to the hair.

The innermost layer, known as the medulla, is surrounded by the cortex, which in turn is encased by the outermost layer, the cuticle. Each of these layers contributes to the hair’s overall resilience.

One individual hair strand, despite its tensile strength, is unlikely to impress anyone with its ability to support weight. However, the collective strength of hair is where the true marvel lies.

The average human head has approximately 100,000 to 150,000 hair strands. When working in tandem, these hairs can exhibit strength that belies their delicate appearance.

Why Human Hair Can Hold Two Elephants

So, how do we arrive at the claim that human hair can hold two elephants? Let’s break it down:

  • An average strand of hair can support about 100 grams in weight. This might not seem like much, but when multiplied by the average number of hairs on a human head (let’s take the midpoint of 125,000 strands), we get a total weight of approximately 12.5 tons.
  • An average adult elephant weighs about 6 tons. So, theoretically, the combined strength of the hair on a human head could support two elephants, amounting to 12 tons!

The capacity of hair to support immense weight is just one facet of its remarkable nature. Hair can stretch up to 30% of its original length without breaking when wet. This elasticity is yet another testament to its durability.

But beyond its tensile strength and elasticity, hair also serves as an indicator of our health, reacts to emotional stimuli (like standing on end when we’re frightened), and plays a vital role in regulating body temperature.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Secrets of human hair unlocked at Natural History Museum in London” — The Guardian

WTF Fun Fact 13504 – The Dots on Strawberries

What are the dots on strawberries? You might believe they’re seeds, but you’d be wrong.

It’s not just the layperson who’s been fooled. Even certain educational platforms have, over the years, inadvertently misinformed generations into believing that strawberries carry their seeds on the outside. The truth, however, is far more intriguing.

The small dotted entities on strawberries are known as “drupelets.” But these do contain seeds.

Strawberry Drupelets

Now, the concept of a drupelet can be somewhat counter-intuitive. Each of these tiny fruits contains an actual seed. So, when you look at a strawberry, you’re essentially looking at a collective of multiple fruits.

The evolutionary strategy that led strawberries to develop this unique external fruit-bearing method is fascinating.

The external drupelets potentially increase the chances of seed dispersion. The strawberry’s vibrant red coloration acts as a visual cue for animals, signaling ripeness and inviting consumption. When animals eat these fruits, the seeds within the drupelets get dispersed in the environment, ensuring the strawberry plant’s survival and proliferation.

We’ve Been Misled about the Dots on Strawberries

The strawberry, despite its unique botanical makeup, has earned its place in various cultures worldwide. Its iconic appearance and misinterpreted “seeds” have inspired art, literature, and even fashion. This misrepresentation, while innocent, makes one ponder how many other natural elements we might have misread or misunderstood.

Modern commercial strawberry production seldom concerns itself with the seeds inside the drupelets, as they propagate strawberries using runners, ensuring consistent fruit quality. However, understanding the strawberry’s unique structure has implications for genetic research and potential breeding programs.

By diving deep into the genetic makeup of the actual seeds, scientists could unlock new strawberry varieties or even develop strains more resistant to pests and diseases.

Beyond Strawberries

Strawberries aren’t the only fruits that challenge our conventional understanding. The raspberry, similar in its external seed presentation, also relies on drupelets. Pineberries, which are a blend between strawberries and pineapples in taste, carry the same deceptive exterior. It’s a testament to nature’s ability to consistently surprise and challenge our knowledge.

As the true nature of strawberry “seeds” becomes more widely known, it becomes imperative to adjust educational materials. This ensures future generations have accurate information. Such discoveries, though seemingly minute, underscore the importance of continuous learning and the revision of established knowledge bases.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “These White Dots On Strawberries Are Not Strawberry Seeds” — IFL Science