Bacteria are about as different from viruses as metronomes are from giraffes.
Every year, a thousand letters arrive in Jerusalem addressed to God.
Uranium is 40 times more common than silver and 500 times more common than gold.
The giant palm salamander can stick its tongue out 50 times faster than you can blink.
Every day, the human body makes 300 billion new cells, three times as many as there are galaxies in the universe.
See other: Quite Interesting Facts
In 2002, Norwegian footballer Kenneth Kristensen signed for third-division team Floey and was paid his weight in shrimps.
The modern Spanish Navy is still called the Armada.
There are more Catholics in Scotland than in Northern Ireland.
A 2005 United States medical research project showed that 20% of interviewees admitted to taking Derbisol, a drug that does not exist.
The director and producer of the 1971 film Fiddler on the Roof was called Norman Jewison.
See other: Quite Interesting Facts
“Milk increases mucous.”
Ruling:
False. It is just a placebo effect.
Analysis:
According to the study Relationship between milk intake and mucus production in adult volunteers challenged with rhinovirus-2, the test subjects ‘who believe “milk makes mucus” or reduce milk intake with colds reported significantly more cough and congestion symptoms, but they did not produce higher levels of nasal secretions.’ The researchers concluded that no statistically significant overall association can be detected between milk and dairy product intake and symptoms of mucus production in healthy adults, either asymptomatic or symptomatic, with rhinovirus infection.
See other: Mythconceptions?
“People can catch warts from toads.”
Ruling:
False. Warts are unique to humans. Toads do not have them.
Analysis:
There are no amphibians that give you warts. This myth has been around for a long time and is probably related to the fact that many frogs and toads have warty looking bumps on their skin. These are glands and do not secrete anything that can cause people to have warts. Although some skin secretions of some amphibians may irritate your skin and cause a rash. Warts are actually caused by viruses.
See other: Mythconceptions?
The symbol of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada is the forget-me-not.
Turritopsis Nutricula is a sea-creature that reverts back to polyp stage after breeding, earning the nickname ‘The Immortal Jellyfish’.
Michael Sata, the president of Zambia, previously worked as a cleaner at London Victoria railway station.
The Dutch iet means ‘not nothing’ or ‘an entity of some importance’.
Roland Garros was a French fighter pilot during World War I. He also became the first person to cross the Mediterranean Sea by air in 1913.
See other: Quite Interesting Facts
Zoe
The biologist J.B.S. Haldane is reported to have said that, if there is a God, He has “an inordinate fondness for beetles.” What do you think about that observation?
Helena
To be honest, one would have hoped that an observation this devastating would have closed the book on creationism for all time.
Sappho
The truth is that, while there are now around three hundred and fifty thousand known species of beetles, God appears to have an even greater fondness for viruses. Biologists estimate that there are at least ten strains of virus for every species of animal on earth. Many viruses are benign, of course, and some ancient virus may have played an important role in the emergence of complex organisms.
Helena
Unfortunately, viruses tend to use organisms like you and me as their borrowed genitalia. Many of them invade our cells only to destroy them, destroying us in the process—horribly, mercilessly, relentlessly. Viruses like HIV, as well as a wide range of harmful bacteria, can be seen evolving right under our noses, developing resistance to antiviral and antibiotic drugs to the detriment of everyone.
Sappho
Evolution both predicts and explains this phenomenon; the book of Genesis does not. How can you imagine that religious faith offers the best account of these realities, or that they suggest some deeper, compassionate purpose of an omniscient being? Continue reading
Viruses can get viruses. A new one recently discovered in a French cooling tower was found to be infected by another, smaller one.
In ‘The Sword In The Stone’ (1963), Merlin the Magician wears pink boxer shorts.
The Trojan Horse was in fact Greek.
According to Islam, the robe and banner of Muhammed were green. Muslims also believe everyone in paradise wears green silk robes.
During World War II, the British had an official “Hate Training Academy”. It was stopped because it made soldiers too depressed.
See other: Quite Interesting Facts
The Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) is a diagnostic tool used to rate a person’s psychopathic or antisocial tendencies. People who are psychopathic prey ruthlessly on others using charm, deceit, violence or other methods that allow them to get with they want.
In broad terms, the symptoms of psychopathy include: lack of a conscience or sense of guilt, lack of empathy, egocentricity, pathological lying, repeated violations of social norms, disregard for the law, shallow emotions, and a history of victimizing others. The twenty traits assessed by the PCL-R score are therefore: Continue reading
Knowledge Guild 