My dad calls the first few months of a baby's life "the necessary larval stage". I've heard other people refer to it as "the fourth trimester". Basically, newborn human babies are pretty useless, as far as baby animals go. This is especially true in comparison to baby apes, who come out of the womb at a much higher level of development. Scientific American has an excerpt from an upcoming book by Chip Walter that talks about this fact and its connection to two key moments in human evolution — the development of bigger brains (and thus, bigger heads) and walking upright (which has the side effect of creating a narrower birth canal).
Baby humans are premature, fetal apes
Don't dip your hand in boiling hot oil like this
Don't try this. Dianna from Physics Girl showed how under highly controlled conditions it's possible to dip one's hand into boiling oil without injury. The video is unlisted and age-restricted to keep children and dummies from trying to replicate the physics demonstration that's often done with molten metal. Image: YouTube / Physics Girl READ THE REST
Scientific American endorses Joe Biden, breaking 175-year tradition of never endorsing a presidential candidate
Because Trump is an enemy of science. "Scientific American has never endorsed a presidential candidate in our 175-year history—until now," tweeted the publication today. "The 2020 election is literally a matter of life and death. We urge you to vote for health, science and Joe Biden for President." Excerpt: The evidence and the science show… READ THE REST
Scientists find preserved cave bear frozen more than 20,000 years ago
Reindeer herders in the Russian Arctic's Lyakhovsky Islands found a preserved carcass of a cave bear frozen in the ice between 22,000 and 39,500 years ago. From the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk: [North-Eastern Federal University} scientist Lena Grigorieva said of the island discovery of the adult beast: 'Today this is the first and only find… READ THE REST
Book a live cooking class with 84-year-old Italian grandma and pasta expert Nonna Nerina
In our new reality, you've undoubtedly been looking for fun and inventive new ways to enjoy an evening. So if you're not exactly feeling comfortable spending a night out at your favorite Italian restaurant right now, why not have an inspired date night or host a small gathering of social distanced friends while an 84-year-old… READ THE REST
Knife Aid's sharpening by mail service will feel like you bought a new set of knives
If you've been hacking away at meat or vegetables with blunted kitchen knives, annoyed that they're so dull that it's starting to feel more like tenderizing than slicing, you should probably stop. Dull knives are more than just a nuisance. They aren't safe. The worn-down edge of your blade requires more force from you to… READ THE REST
MATLAB is computer science for legit scientists, but you can learn it too with this training
If you've never heard of MATLAB or think it sounds vaguely like certain TV shows from the '80s, you'd be forgiven. Because even in a tech sector chock full of intricate, complex programs and systems that routinely leave lay people scratching their heads, MATLAB is science tech for the serious, SERIOUS scientists. Since its humble… READ THE REST
