Mysterious Undersea Circles Finally Explained

After 22 years speculations regarding the mysterious, strangely appealing circles on the seafloor, the mystery has finally been solved.It turns out that the undersea circles are created by a newly discovered pufferfish species to attract female mates.

In 1995, a number of divers found attractive, strange circular structures on the seafloor near Japan’s Oshima Island. These circular pattern formations would then disappear after a while and new ones would appear after some time.

All those years, no one really knew who/what formed them or how they were created. Finally, scientists made an intriguing discovery. The beautiful undersea formations were created male pufferfish thought to be a new species in the Torquigener genus.

According to scientists, the male pufferfish creates the circular structures, which are actually nests, to woo female pufferfish.

The Actual Creation Process

The male pufferfish which measures about 13 centimeters (less than 5 inches) long flaps its fins while swimming along the sandy seafloor in a circular manner to create peaks and valleys.

He does this by swimming towards the center of the circle in a straight line, and then back around in a circular motion.

He also carefully decorates the peaks of the ridges with shells and coral fragments. The result is amazingly unique circular patterns.

These formations are said to measure approximately 7 feet (2 meters) in diameter and take about 10 days to complete.

Once complete, the female pufferfish come to inspect them. If they feel pleased with the structures, they lay their eggs. According to Hiroshi Kawase, the Coastal Branch of Natural History Museum and Institute’s
curator, no one really knows what the females are attracted to in these beautiful formations.

Female Lays Eggs

Once the female deems the formation satisfactory, she then lays her eggs in the fine sediments at the center of the circle and then vanishes.

The male then fertilizes the eggs externally.

Interestingly, once the female leaves, the male takes up the parenting role where he remains in the nest, perhaps to guard the eggs until they hatch which takes about six days.

Once they hatch, the male repeats the same process all over in another place mainly because these formations don’t stay intact for long as the underwater currents washes them away pretty quickly.

Also, the fact that all the fine sediment within the area is used up prompts him to look for a fresh place to construct another nest.

Small Fish, Large Formations

Initially, scientists assumed that only a much bigger fish would be able to make such large formations. No one would have really thought that such a small fish would be able to make such an amazingly large structure.

However, some scientists suggest various possibilities such as improving the visibility of their nests for females to find them easily or poor visibility at depth.

Formations Similar to Bowers

Bowerbirds are known to build display sites “bowers” to show-off before mating. This behavior is also exhibited in some other animals.

Pufferfish formations are now considered as very rare in biology. And the fact that such a small animal is capable of creating such large nests makes it very interesting.

Additionally, why the male pufferfish tediously spends about 10 days to create a large nest and repeat the process over and over makes it even more intriguing.

All in all, it’s good to know that this decades long mystery has finally been solved.

Featured image by Animal Wire

Why Do We Feel Nervous

It happens all the time. The butterflies in your stomach when out on your first date, when attending a job interview, preparing for an exam, getting married, meeting a business client for a business deal…the list is endless.

Of course, these events are normal parts of life and are natural reactions to stress. However, apart from being normal, they all have something in common- they invoke the feeling of nervousness.

Whenever you feel nervous, your heart starts beating at a faster rate…you start fidgeting…and butterflies fill up your stomach. Of course, we often assume it’s normal since it’s something that we have no
control over.

But even so, why exactly do we feel nervous? What is the science behind why we feel nervous?

According to science, the feeling of nervousness is basically a natural reaction to stress and a part of the flight or flight response.

When stressed, the neocortex triggers hypothalamus, which is a part of the limbic brain, and a signal is misperceived as though you are in some sort of danger, specifically because your brain does not consider your current condition as “normal.”

As a result, the hypothalamus triggers the fight or flight response which is regulated by a part of the autonomic nervous system referred to as the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal-cortical system.

The sympathetic nervous system triggers the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream, causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

At the same time, the hypothalamus releases the corticotrophin-releasing factor into the pituitary gland which consequently triggers adrenal-cortical and causes the release of a number of hormones.

The brain then sends a signal from the pituitary gland to the adrenal glands which release the hormone adrenaline. Adrenaline’s main function is to redirect blood and energy to various parts of the body that will be required to take swift action. They include the heart, muscles, and processes such as digestion.

When blood flow is redirected from the stomach, the blood vessels in this region close, thereby causing a tingling sensation or what many people referred to as” butterflies in the stomach.”

So basically, the fight or flight response prepares your body for stressful situations which as a result cause the feeling of nervousness.

Surprisingly, each type of stress represents a nervousness or “threat” level ranging from mild to life threatening. This means that the weaker the perceived threat, the less intense the reaction to stress will be and vice versa.

According to James Stoiz, a social worker who specializes in anxiety, it’s actually good to have some level of nervousness.

“Nervousness is what keeps us from walking into the street with our eyes closed,” said Stoiz.

So how can we control our nervous feelings?

Well, according to Stoiz, there are several ways in which we can effectively control our nervous feelings regardless of the situation. He recommends regular physical activity such as exercises, deep breathing
exercises, counting down from 10, and visualizing success.

For example, Olympic athletes use mental imagery or “cognitive specific imagery” to lessen the feeling of nervousness before a competition.

Nothing kills confidence than being nervous. It’s quite an overwhelming feeling.

The good news however is that you can easily learn how to combat it to help enhance your confidence and increase your chances of success in many stressful situations.

Can You Really Get a Penile Fracture?

Can a penis really break- considering that it has no bones?

Well, every part of the body is prone to injury, and the penis is no exception. It actually breaks just like bones and even gives out a popping sound.

So what exactly is penile fracture and how does it happen?

Penile fracture a severe form of injury to an erect penis that occurs when a membrane known as tunica albuginea tears.

Tunica albuginea is a special type of membrane that surrounds the corpora cavernosa, a highly specialized spongy tissue situated at the core of the penis that fills up with blood during an erection.

When the membrane tears, the blood that is confined in the corpora cavernorsa leaks out to surrounding tissue, resulting in swelling and bruising.

In most instances, penile fracture occurs when the penis is subjected to a sharp, blunt force trauma. This mostly occurs during sexual intercourse in a situation where there is continuous thrusting and the penis
slips out and hits a solid structure (woman’s thighs or pelvis) instead of penetrating the normal location.

This often occurs during intercourse with the woman on top position. Actually, the woman on top sex position is said to be one of the most dangerous sex positions as it increases the risk of penile fracture.

Usually, there is a popping or cracking sound during fracture and may be accompanied by severe pain in the penis. The penis may also swell with some purple discoloration as blood leaks to surrounding tissue. Loss
of erection following the injury may also occur.

Immediate treatment is often needed since such injuries tend to be serious, otherwise the person may experience immeasurable pain, not to mention future complications such as erectile dysfunction, chronic curvature of the penis (in some cases a 45-degrees angle).

When proper treatment is obtained, most affected men often recover from the injury within a short time.

How Common is Penile Fracture?

As scary as it seems, penile structure is not very common.

In fact, since the first case was recorded in 1924, only 1600 cases have been recorded so far. In these cases, woman-on-top sex position isn’t the only cause of this condition. Other cases have been as a result of
aggressive masturbation, being thrown against the knob of a saddle, rolling over in the morning onto an erection, rolling out of a chair onto the floor, including others.

Who is Highly Likely to Get Penile Fracture?

Of all the cases recorded, statistics show that young men in their 20s and 30s are at a higher risk of getting penile fracture as they tend to engage in vigorous sexual activity compared to their older counterparts.

This does not however mean that the problem does not occur in older men. The number is however low mostly likely due to decreased frequency and vigor of sexual activity, and their erections are not as firm and
rigid, which reduces the chances of fracture.



From the look of things, penile fracture is real and even though it’s not very common, the risk is still there. It’s a dangerous problem that may render a man’s penis functionless especially if not promptly treated,
not to mention having to endure many side effects.

The good news is that it can be prevented, moreso by exercising caution during sexual activity.

China Developing Stealth and Fastest Drones to Evade Anti-Aircraft Weapons

China is currently investing billions of dollars to upgrade old equipment and for the development of new weapons, including stealth drones.

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC), the country’s largest missile maker, is in the process of developing stealth drones with unsurpassed stealth abilities and unmatched speed- drones that can evade radar detection and anti-aircraft weapons.

According to Wei Yiyin, the Deputy General Manager of CASIC, the company is more focused on developing long-endurance stealth drones and near-space drones.

“Drones have become indispensable weapons in modern warfare, the reason being they play a very crucial role in high-resolution reconnaissance, long-distance precision strikes, aerial combat, and anti-submarine operations, Wei was quoted saying.

The Deputy General Manager further added that within the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020), CASIC will strive to develop technologies for long-endurance drones, complete the design of high-speed combat/reconnaissance drones with the aim of deploying them domestically and sell them in international markets.

The development of stealth drones is a great advancement for the country’s highly ambitious military modernization program.

China’s heavy spending on defense weapons has however raised concerns, especially due to Beijing’s firm approach to disputes in Taiwan, South, and East China. The country has however insisted that it has no hostile intent whatsoever.

The plans to develop multipurpose and stealth target aircraft to be used for training are also underway, said Wei.

Cruise Missiles…

All Drones developed by CASIC are said to resemble a cruise missile, unlike other Chinese drones which look more like fixed-wing planes with landing gear.

China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp company is China’s sole producer of cruise missiles.

One report revealed that all CASIC drones are launched and retrieved after descending by parachute.

The company’s newest drone, the WJ-SIX00A/D is said to have a super-fast cruising speed of up to 700km/h. Chinese drones on the other hand can only go up to 280km/h, which is a clear indicator of just how powerful CASIC drones really are.

The WJ-SIX00A/D model is also said to have excellent stealth capabilities and appears as a bird on military radars, said CASIC’s Unmanned Aircraft Institute.

A Great Technological Advancement

As military reforms are drastically changing armed forces around the world, it’s only natural for China to develop high-tech drones with great stealth capabilities and supersonic speeds with the aim to enhance their national defense.

Without a doubt, China has taken its research on military drones a step higher with the aim of taking market share from Israel and the United Stated with its more advanced, cheaper technology.

The country is also willing to share its technology with willing countries internationally, an action that the West is reluctant to take.

China operates stealth drones which are designed and developed with the latest and greatest technology.

The drones are quite stealthy, which is a technique for having more success against high-tech air defenses. Their massively high speed also gives them the ability to urgently reach and deliver weapons and sensors to very crucial time-sensitive combat situations much faster.

With the development of a number of stealthy drones in various stages underway, the China’s future defense capability is certainly bright.

Researchers Create an Interactive Glowing Gold-Leaf Tattoo

DuoSkin, a customizable wearable designed and created by MIT Media Lab, is the most recent thermochromic pigment invention that has got everyone excited.

The customizable wearable which is in the form of a tattoo, is made of thermochromic pigment, a layered adhesive, a silicone interface, and gold leaf. When heated, this tattoo changes color via programmable thermochromic pigments.

So how does this mechanism work?

Asta Roseway, a research designer at Microsoft and student Cindy Hsin-Liu Kao worked with Media Lab on the project. The two place gold leaf underneath the thermochromic layer, where gold leaf is the conductive material as well as the resistive heating element.

When connected to a small battery, the gold leaf (layer) heats up, allowing the thermochromic layer to change color.

The duo also attached an Arduino mini underneath the wearer’s sleeve to be used as a microcontroller that processes the sensor data. This way, the wearer can touch or rather control the tattoo like a button to change color or even change songs.

Usually, it takes approximately 30 seconds for the color to fully display and another 50 seconds for the pigment to change back to its original color. According to Hsin-Liu Kao, 30 seconds delay is due to the fact that pigments are typically slower as compared to regular displays, although they tend to have an ink-like effect and are more textured.

Additionally, the researchers developed a smartphone app that would enable the wearer to control the content displayed. The wearer can use the app to update their “skin status.” They also utilized the NFC technology found in Android phones and Windows to “communicate” with the tattoo.

The inspiration for their invention comes from the highly popular stick-on body jewelry.

“I like to call the tattoo “hybrid body crafting,” said Hsin-Liu-Kao. According to Lao, the main aspect of their invention is to imitate body art with the idea to make it difficult to distinguish from real tattoos. Their goal was also to make this capacitive touch slider much more aesthetically appealing.

Thermochromic pigments have evolved steadily since they first hit the mainstream in the 1970s, which lead to the invention of mood rings. Nowadays, they are used in many creative and fun applications, one of them being the DuoSkin.

The DuoSkin is one incredible invention that has basically changed the way people view thermochromic pigments. What’s even more interesting is the fact that these tattoos are able to withstand some exposure to water, just like normal tattoos.

Scientists Discover Ways to Generate Electricity From the Human Body

The human body could be turned into a power station, scientists have discovered.

As strange as it may seem, it’s unbelievably true.

So how is it possible?

Scientists have in the past found ways to harness electricity from the wind, human waste, solar energy, among others. They have even discovered alternative ways in which we can charge our smartphones.

One of their latest discoveries is piezoelectricity which is electricity resulting from pressure. In this form of electricity, small amounts of energy are produced when pressure is pushed out of shape.

According to scientists, one way to utilize this form of electricity is through artificial pacemakers. Artificial pacemakers typically turn off after a few years when their batteries run out. However, scientists say it’s now possible for pacemakers to operate for a lifetime if it harnesses energy from the heartbeat.

Scientists have revealed that the same innovative technology could be used to generate electricity outside the body.

According to Professor Zhong Lin Wang of Georgia Institute of Technology, a flexible, foldable, and wearable power source could allow people to generate electricity from their own bodies while walking.

A wearable power source referred to as a “power shirt” is currently being developed. The power shirt is woven from pairs of coated fibres including some tiny strips of gold and zinc oxide.

During movement, these fibers rub against each other, thus producing electric currents.

Pizzicato energy is another form of energy produced when a device consisting of a central hub and an outer ring is fixed onto the knee. As a person walks, the outer rings continuously rotate and the 72 spectra around it swiftly pluck four piezoelectric arms on the central hub, generating an electric current.

Scientists have also discovered the possibility of harnessing electrical energy from our own footsteps.

Enough Electrical Energy to Power iPhone 5C

In theory, electricity generated from our brains could charge an iPhone 5C In 70 hours.

While there are no proven ways to harness electricity from our minds, it would be a huge breakthroughs for scientists should this incredible technology become a reality.

How can the Brain Can Produce Electricity?

According to scientists, the human brain consists of 100 billion electrically conductive “wires” (neurons) and that 1% of these wires are firing at any moment.

Therefore, should the 100 billion neurons fire at the same exact time, about 0.0085 Watts of electrical power would be produced. This is enough electricity to power an energy-saving LED bulb.

iPhone 5C holds a charge of 5.7 4 Watt hours. This simply means that it would take approximately 70 hours to fully charge the iPhone.

Of course, this is not the most efficient way of charging the handset considering it takes less than 3 hours to charge it. However, it’s a clear that our bodies hold a significant amount of electrical charge that can be utilized in various ways.

It may not seem like the most effective and efficient way to harness electricity but with more research, this could become beneficial in many ways.

For example, a model in the Science Museum’s Atmosphere gallery indicates the possibility of harnessing electricity from footsteps in the walkway leading to the Olympic park- enough electricity to light the walkway eight hours each day.

The future certainly looks bright.

Shockwave Therapy: A Potentially New Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

Shockwave therapy could be helpful in men with erectile dysfunction,' basic research and clinical trials have suggested.

According to numerous studies, low-intensity shock wave therapy could be effective in restoring the erectile mechanism so as to enable natural or spontaneous erections. This therapy has been successfully used to help patients with kidney stones, heart complications, fractures, as well as joint inflammation.

Unlike other ED treatments such as pills, penile injections, and vacuum erection devices which only work on as-needed basis, this type of therapy works in a way that enables men to achieve firm and long-lasting erections on their own.

How does Shock Wave Therapy Work?

When sexually stimulated, the penis fills with blood and becomes firm due to the widening of the arteries. This allows for easy vaginal penetration.

In cases where there is reduced or restricted blood flow to the penis, a man may not achieve a strong erection or may be unable to have one at all.

Shock wave therapy utilizes energy from acoustic waves which promote the formation of new blood vessels, thus increasing blood flow into the penis in a process known as neovascularization.

To administer shockwave therapy, the doctor uses a wand attached to a machine to send small shocks directly to the shaft. This emits energy that targets deep tissues in the penis where they cause microtrauma and mechanical stress. The stress and microtrauma trigger a series of biological reactions which result in the release of angiogenic factors, which in turn trigger neovascularization.

The aim of this therapy is to fix the root cause of erectile dysfunction, not just alleviate the symptoms.

The treatment therapy includes 12 weeks of continuous sessions with each session going for 15-20 minutes. The treatment itself is not painful, although the patient might experience a slight tingling sensation. The patient does not need anesthesia, and the procedure itself is not invasive.

Therapy a Good Choice for ED Caused by Vascular Complications

Research has also indicated that shockwave therapy is only a good option for men whose ED has been caused by vascular problems (impaired blood flow to the penis), not as a result of other issues such as neurological or psychological, or even after undergoing a major pelvic surgery.

In other words, the treatment only works effectively in men whose erectile dysfunction is as a result of impaired blood flow to the penis.

This treatment therapy was discovered just a few years ago and is still in its experimental stage. However, basic research and clinical trials have shown some encouraging results.

With more comprehensive research and clinical trials, this form of therapy could be the new permanent treatment for one of the most common and devastating male health problems.

Liquid Oxygen for Improving Your Oxygen Intake

Oxygen is synonymous with life. It does not only keep us alive but also controls all the living things on earth. Liquid Oxygen is usually the gaseous form of oxygen that has been cooled down into liquid. Today Liquid oxygen is beneficial in a number of ways including circulating air in aquaculture, in therapies, exercises as well as providing sufficient oxygen to sick individuals. Here are the main uses of liquid oxygen.

To supplement oxygen in our body

Under normal conditions, our bodies only get half of the oxygen we need. When we consider the pollution and contaminant in the environment, it should not come as a surprise that our body lacks enough oxygen to flush out the toxin and waste. If the body does not get enough oxygen to flush these toxins, they tend to accumulate, causing harm and damage to our body.

One effective way of resolving this is going for liquid oxygen. Luckily, today many companies combine liquid oxygen with essential vitamins to improve the health of our bodies. These supplements are taken orally allowing the oxygen to enter the body through the gastrointestinal tract rather than the conventional way of breathing. The increase of oxygen in the body does not only help in detoxification but also fighting infections and diseases.

Liquid Oxygen is also helpful for an athlete as well as people who work in high attitude. In addition, sprays with liquid oxygen can be used in the healing of bruises and cuts, as well as alleviating itching and tackling insect bites.

Supplying oxygen to homes

Liquid Oxygen Supply Systems are efficient means of supplying oxygen to homes to a variety of patients. Usually, the system come with a bulk storage unit which is also referred as the reservoir. The system also has refillable, portable unit that you can carry around. Both the reservoir and portable unit come with a thermos bottle design that helps in keeping the oxygen in its liquid form. When you are ready to use the oxygen you simply need to turn the system on. The liquid gas warms as it leaves the container and changes to a gas. It is then supplied at room temperature for you to breath.

Therapies

Today oxygen therapy is fast becoming popular. The main aim of this therapy is to increase the oxygen available to your lungs. The patient who wants this therapy is made to sit in an enclosure and then the liquid oxygen is then availed through a cannula, which is inserted directly to the nostrils.

There are many uses of liquid oxygen in treating health conditions as well as ensuring that our body gets enough oxygen. Some of the health conditions that cause reduced oxygen in the body include stress and anemia. Individuals suffering from oxygen deficiency constantly feel weak, fatigued, and ill. Using any form of liquid oxygen can help in remedying these conditions.

14,500-Year-Old Prehistoric Cave Paintings Discovered in Spain

Spain boasts of some of the most spectacular cave paintings in the world, including those in the Altamira Caves. The recent cave paintings discovery however sparked a lot of interest mostly due to their large number and most importantly, variety and quality.

In 2014, Diego Garate, a Spanish archaeologist and a cave explorer, Inaki Intxaurbe, discovered a rare set of cave paintings in the Atxurra cave situated in northern Spain. At least 70 cave paintings were discovered- which is a significantly large number compared to previous discoveries.

Sources say that the cave was first discovered in 1929 and explored between 1934-1935, but it wasn’t until 2014 when the archaeologist and his partner discovered the paintings which were estimated to be between 12, 500- 14, 500-year-old. These were more recent creations compared to the 40, 000-year-old paintings discovered on the Indonesian Island of Sulawesi.

One of the reasons for their late discovery is that they are located nearly 1000-feet inside, which is a bit too difficult and dangerous to explore. Because of this, public access to the cave has been prohibited. Also, the paintings are hardly visible, especially to the untrained eye- which explains why it took too long for anyone to see them.

The Rare Findings

The cave paintings, which are estimated to have been created in the Upper Paleolithic era (12500-14500 –years), feature the famous bison, buffalo, horses, deer, goats, as well as hunting scenes. The archaeologist made an interesting discovery on one of the buffalo paintings, claiming that it’s not clear why there were more lances stuck in it compared to other hunting drawings- it had about 20 lances while most drawings have only 4 or 5.

Diego and Inaki found some interesting evidence regarding their creation- the engravings and paintings may have contained black coal dust, and there was a high possibility they were made with flint tools. According to Jose Yravedra, a professor at Madrid’s Complutense University, “No one expected a discovery of this magnitude. There are a lot of caves with drawings, but only a few have this much art and this much variety and quality.”

Experts point out that although it’s a little bit too early to determine whether the Atxurra cave paintings deserve a recognition as one of Spain’s most important prehistoric cave art site, it looks very promising.

Sanctuary Cave Art Site

Because of its hidden location, a large number of engravings and paintings as well as great variety and quality of the drawings, the must have been classified as a “sanctuary” or a “very special” Paleolithic meeting ritual place, just like those at Altamira and Lascaux  in France.

Ancient cave paintings are such incredible sights to behold and the Spain’s Atxurra paintings are no exception. Sadly, preserving such exceptional works for future generations has proven to be a challenge due to their fragile nature.

All the same, these paintings have revealed a lot about the lives of our ancient ancestors.

Are you a logical person or a creative person? Let's find out

Are you a logical person or a creative person? Let's find out

How Optical Illusions Trick Our Brains

Optical illusions can be mind-blowing and it’s interesting how difficult it can be for us to figure them out or rather see through them. A good example of an optical illusion is the image below. This image is known as a Scintillating Grid Illusion.

A quick glance at the glance at this grid, you will see that some black dots appear to twinkle or glow (scintillate) in the intersections of white lines as your eyes make small, rapid movements. This effect is only possible when your eyeball is moving slightly while scanning the image.

The grid is said to induce an effect known as Lateral Inhibition.

How Does Happen?

When you look at an object, the light that bounces off from the object and enters your eye is converted into electrical impulses that your brain turns into an image that you can make out. This process takes place quite rapidly- about a tenth of a second. However, during the period, your eyes receive a constant stream of light and a continuous supply of information, which makes it difficult for your brain to focus all at once.

So to compensate the tenth of a second lag during processing and help you concentrate on what’s important, your brain takes shortcuts.

So optical illusions basically trick out brains by taking advantage of these shortcuts. In other words, optical illusions take advantage of how our eyes and brain process visual information as a way to trick us into seeing or not seeing certain images or patterns.

Most optical illusions also take advantage of other areas such as Peripheral Vision, Mental Filtering, and Blind Spot.

With peripheral vision, your brain takes in what exactly is in your peripheral vision when focused on one point, leaving out some details in the process. In the case of mental filtering, your brain makes assumptions based on expectations, what you’ve learned, and on memory.

In a blind spot, it’s impossible to make out anything that is in the spot as there are no cells to process whatever you’re seeing. Therefore, optical illusions take advantage of this where when you close your eyes and look at an object, something else in the blind spot mysteriously disappears.

From the look of things, it evident that vision doesn’t have everything to do with your eyes. Of course, it’s impossible to see without your eyes, but it surely wouldn’t make any sense without your brain’s involvement.

So basically, optical illusions trick our brains to perceive images, patterns, or color in a manner that differs from objective reality, which is strange and at the same time, incredible.

Unicellular Organisms are Capable of Learning, a New Study Has Revealed

After decades of research, biologists have finally made a significant breakthrough on the learning capabilities of unicellular organisms. Unicellular organisms, also known as single-celled organisms, are capable of learning, even with the absence of a nervous system.

According to the new study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, just like animals adapt behavior and learn from experiences while living in fluctuating and potentially dangerous environments, unicellular organisms also to adapt to change for survival.

Habituation

In bid to prove that single-celled organisms are also capable of learning, the biologists studied a protist known as Physarum polycephalum, which is also commonly known as Slime Mold. They referred to this type of learning as Habituation.

The decision to study slime mold was because this unicellular organism has previously been found to successfully avoid traps, solve mazes, and even carefully streamline nutrition for the purpose of survival.

The protist was put under study for 9 days where the biologists challenged two groups and another control group with a harmless obstacle (caffeine or quinine). For the two groups, they had to pass through a “bridge” containing either of the obstacles while the control group was made to pass through the bridge without the obstacle.

Initially, the mold in the two groups was reluctant to pass through the bridge. However, after a while, they realized that the obstacle was completely harmless and therefore crossed over to the food source. After about six days, the two groups were behaving just like the control group.

This showed clear proof of habituation, in that the mold eventually learnt that the obstacle was after all completely harmless after repeated encounters.

Back to Old Habits

After the 9-day experiment period was over and the process repeated all over again, the biologists made an interesting discovery. After the process was repeated, they discovered that the mold in the experimental groups still distrusted the obstacle just like in the first scenario. It seemed like the memory had already expired in such a short time.

They also discovered that in certain scenarios, the slime mold habituated to caffeine but not to quinine and vice versa.

Habituation is a form of learning that exists in all animals. Until now, it has never confirmed in unicellular organisms devoid of a nervous system. This was an intriguing discovery.

From this study, biologists have been able to unravel the mystery surrounding the evolution of complex organisms, more so on their ability to learn and most importantly, it answers the question on how simple organisms are capable of learning.

Does Photographic Memory Really Exist?

Does the “perfect memory,” also known as “photographic memory” really exist?

Well, there is an answer to this intriguing question.

Photographic memory is defined as the ability to recall any memory and experience, or rather visual information in great photographic detail.

The assumption of this unique kind of memory bears a lot of similarity with a photograph, in that an individual can take mental snapshots and recall these snapshots in great detail and without error. In other words, a person can retrieve a mental photograph from his/her memory and examine it in detail while zooming in on different areas.

However, scientists do not believe in the existence of photographic memory in this sense.

Proof Demonstration of Photographic Memory

To confirm that photographic memory does not exist, scientists have investigated this possibility. During the demonstration, people who claim to posses photographic memories are asked to read at least two lines of text and then report the text in reverse order.

So far, no one has been able to do this. According to the scientists, if they really have a photographic memory where their memory works like a photograph, then these people who have been able to report the text in reverse order without error.

A Memory Almost Similar to Photographic Memory Exists

While there is no evidence that photographic memory actually exists, scientists claim that most people have some kind of photographic memory.

For example, did you know that it’s easier to remember a picture in a book in more detail compared to the text in the same book? Have you ever wondered why most children’s book have more images compared to text?

Well, that’s the simple explanation.

It’s also evident that most of us remember a face much more easily than the name associated with that face. You are also more likely to remember the image on a billboard than the text written on it. This isn’t exactly photographic memory- it’s just a different type of memory that seems more or else similar to photographic memory.

How Does Photographic Memory Come to Be?

Even if its existence has never been demonstrated, scientists believe that it could be caused by a number of factors such as brain development, past experiences, genetics as well as how well one pays attention to material presented.

This means that how different individuals recall things is mainly dependent on these three factors. For example, a person who has encountered some extraordinary experiences may retain sharper memories that may linger for extended periods of time than a person who hasn’t.

Of course, there is a possibility of someone having the perfect memory out there- only that they haven’t been discovered yet. All in all, some people consider having such kind of a memory as a mixed blessing as while having a good memory prowess is great, recalling every single detail of your past, even the most damaging and painful past experiences may not be a good thing.

Volcano Drilling in Iceland Opens Door to Volcano-Powered Electricity

“We could drill into the enormous heat from volcanoes to harness its energy for electricity,” a report from a geothermal borehole projected dubbed the Icelandic Deep Drilling Project (IDDP) stated.

According to the report, IDDP has been drilling shafts reaching up to 5000 m in attempt to harness the massive heat energy from the volcanic bedrocks deep into the surface of Iceland. However, as luck would have it, a pocket of magma was unexpectedly struck in 2009 after reaching only 2100 m in their borehole at Krafla in the northeast of Iceland.

The scientists measured high temperatures ranging from 900-1000 degrees Fahrenheit (over 450 degrees Celsius), compared to only 60-80 degrees Celsius from conventional geothermal energy sources.

Volcanic Geothermal Energy Potential

Unlike conventional geothermal energy which utilizes steam from natural sources such a geysers or drawing water from the super-hot depths of the Earth, volcanic geothermal energy utilizes heat from “supercritical water.”

Scientists have found that energy from supercritical water is much higher compared to that from conventional geothermal heat. Supercritical water is formed when water and molten rock meet, and the extreme heat and pressure transforms the state of water where it’s neither liquid nor gas.

According to researchers, volcanic geothermal energy could create up to 10 times more power output compared to conventional geothermal energy.

The heat from magma was found to be capable of generating about 36 MW of electrical power, which is considerably modest compared to the 660 MW generated from coal-fired power plants and more than half of current output from Krafla plant’s, which is 60 MW.

Future Alternative Energy Source

While the volcano drilling project on the Krafla plant has had its fair share of setbacks that limited harnessing of energy to full potential, IDDP in collaboration with other energy companies in Iceland are working towards making their next drilling operations much easier and more successful.

Research is expected to continue through 2018 in attempt to explore the full potential of volcanic thermal energy, especially as an alternative energy source.

According to Wilfred Elders, a geology professor at the University of California, the success of the drilling was amazing, to say the least. "This could possibly lead to a revolution in the energy efficiency of high-temperature geothermal projects in the near future.” he further added.

By drilling deeper boreholes, the IDDP are sure to harness more volcano energy in the future. The company, together with other energy companies in Iceland, has made a substantial investment to further investigate the underlying potential of these boreholes.

Hopefully, massive production of volcano-powered electricity will be made into a reality in the near future, especially considering that non-renewable energy sources are diminishing day by day.

The Aftermath of a Volcanic Eruption

When you stroll on the ground, you may be oblivious as to what lies under it. Yet during an earthquake, you would surely get a notion that something is going on under the earth you walk on. There is a lot of heat deep down inside the earth. The heat under the Earth's crust is most apparent when volcanoes erupt.

A lot of science books explain in detail the working of a volcanic eruption but what happens after the eruption? A volcanic eruption brings about many alterations in the overall surrounding. In all, this may either be helpful for the environment or disadvantageous. However, it is a natural disaster, and you cannot do anything to avoid its negative impacts.

Initially, it is the air that is affected by an eruption. All volcanoes may be different. While a few erupt with a great jolt, others may be quiet. With an eruption, a huge spell of gases fills the air. These gases (mainly includes carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane) are expelled into the atmosphere. All of these gases elevate the likelihood of an acid rain. With the eruption, tiny rock particles may be splurged into the air which occupy the space that was to be taken by gas particles.

Eventually, the air around the volcano is thick and smothering. Moreover, they have the ability to travel over long distances which makes them capable of taking these heavy volcanic gases all around the globe. Likewise, the ash particles in the air cause breathing disturbances in individuals. These ash particles form a thick layer on the locations in the surrounding. When these meet water, they form a mud-like mass which is tough to remove.

Changes in the landscape around a volcano are immense. When magma flows down, it takes everything along with it such as the trees, plants, animals, buildings and roads which come in the stream of this lava are burnt. When this lava solidifies, a hard rock forms on the surface and if it rains after the eruption, the water and wind will result in weathering of this rock and this will eventually become a fertile soil.

Plants, animals and humans are also influenced by the eruption. However, humans and animals are capable of surviving the changes. The ash is tolerable until it is hot or it lies on the food. However, problem arrives when ash impedes water. The danger is not only done to the aquatic life, but also to other animals and humans as water is the necessary element they need to live. In all, a volcanic eruption does much damage to the whole ecosystem, yet luckily, neither does the eruption nor the effects of the volcano last long. Thus, it is not tough to survive after an eruption.

NASA's Kepler Spacecraft Bounces Back From Emergency Mode

NASA’s exoplanet-hunting Kepler Spacecraft slipped into a state of emergency on April 7, 2016. The spacecraft which is 75 million miles away from our planet has survived many glitches before and once again, NASA’s engineers were able to fix the problem to prevent further damage.

The emergency mode status is the minimum mode of operation that is triggered when the spacecraft is facing serious issues. According to NASA, the spacecraft remained in its “lowest operational mode which was said to be “fuel intensive.”

The glitch was however fixed as the Kepler team reported that the spacecraft had now bounced back from the emergency mode and was now operating in its “lowest fuel burning mode.” The team also embarked on a task to test the spacecraft’s system to determine what actually lead to the glitch and review its overall health.

Spacecraft with Nine Lives

Since its launch in March 2009 with a mission to hunt for exoplanets around other stars, the Kepler Spacecraft has survived several crises.

After accomplishing part of the mission, the spacecraft lost one of its gyroscopic reaction wheels in July 2012 and another in May 2013. This was a huge blow to the mission as both failures resulted to the spacecraft going into “safe mode.” NASA engineered came to its rescue after using the light of the sun as a force to push the spacecraft’s solar panels and then using the remaining wheels to push against the force and point its telescope once again.

The telescope was still able to gather more data as it still had its extensive field of view and ability to measure the brightness of thousands of stars with a powerful precision. NASA finally decided the primary mission was over and set to undertake a secondary mission known as K2.

Still Going Strong

The Kepler Spacecraft is still going strong on the mission to hunt for exoplanets in its current K2 mission, although on a limited basis. Since its launch, it has discovered nearly 5000 exoplanets outside our solar system. Last year, it discovered Earth’s “closest twin” just outside the solar system. According to NASA scientists, this planet could be potentially habitable.

Despite the repeated glitches, the spacecraft has provided a wealth of information on the formation of stars, supernovas, asteroids, and comets. It’s a huge leap towards the study of exoplanets and other planetary systems. The spacecraft is named after Johannes Kepler, a famous German astronomer who played a critical role in the revolution of science.

The Kepler Spacecraft is currently nearly 75 million miles away from planet Earth. It takes around 13 minutes for a signal to travel to the craft and back, even at the speed of light.

In case of a future breakdown, the huge distance between the craft and Earth will now make it more difficult to fix. The spacecraft is otherwise operating normally, although a team of engineers continues to assess its health to prevent future breakdowns.

Satellite Imagery and its Extensive Use in Gold Exploration

Gold prices are steadily rising even as demand continues to increase. This trend is expected to continue as gold reserves all over the world are becoming exhausted day by day. This means that we should expect to see even higher gold prices in the near future.

The concern for shrinking gold reserves has prompted scientists, geologists, and mineral explorers to devise new strategies to make identifying new gold deposits fast and easy.

Use of Satellite Imagery in Gold Exploration

Besides being of high value, one of the reasons why gold is an exorbitantly expensive mineral is because it’s extremely rare, and this makes it very hard to find, more so in economically viable quantities.

Because of this, scientists, geologists, and mineral explorers have resorted to the use of highly advanced satellite imagery technology to collect large amounts of data on potential gold deposits.

The satellites are fitted with advanced imaging sensors which identify specific properties of materials like what wavelengths they absorb or reflect, so as to identify specific materials that cannot be easily identified by the human eye.

Unlike traditional sensors which were only capable of collecting simple data such as surface features to help identify potential gold deposits, these advanced sensors use infrared, near-infrared, short-wave, and thermal infrared to identify the differences in structural features of the earth’s surface, and then interpret the electromagnetic data.

The wavelengths help to analyze the differences in absorption and reflection of rocks (ore deposits), vegetation, and soils. Geologists are therefore able to interpret this data to pick out potential gold deposits as well as other subsurface deposits of oil, gas, groundwater, and other ore minerals based on their absorption and reflection properties.

Use of Satellite Imagery Compared to Aircraft Remote Sensors

Aircrafts are also widely used in the exploration of potential mineral deposits. The aircrafts are equipped with high resolution spectral remote sensors which collect and translate specific data on features of the earth’s surface.

The only difference between them is that satellite imaging technology allows the collection of more data and from vast areas, unlike aircrafts which have to be flown over the area of interest.

With this technology, gold explorers are able to collect a vast amount of data without having to visit the actual location. It also enables them to explore areas that would have otherwise been inaccessible by foot due to topography or harsh climate.

Without a doubt, satellite imagery has made gold exploration an easy task for geologists, scientists, and explorers. It has enabled many exploration companies to identify potentially viable deposits of gold with a greater amount of accuracy while saving a great deal of time.

Biomass as an Alternative Energy and the Benefits

The oil crisis and world overdependence on fossil fuels have paved the way for new developments in alternative energy sources. One of these alternative sources is biomass, which certainly has the potential of being considered a good substitute for fossil fuel. Seeds of fortune are often planted in the throes of a crisis. Biomass may just be that seed of fortune you are looking for.

Biomass is a natural and renewable energy source that is derived from recently dead biological matter and is used as a bio-fuel. It usually comes from plants, but it also comes from animal matter and other agricultural biodegradable waste. Examples of plants that can be used as biomass are corn, sugar cane, wheat, and switchgrass. Waste matter from plants like coconut husks, rice hulls, and bagasse (waste from sugar cane) are also examples of biomass.

Biomass works like this. It is burned to produce heat that makes hot water, which then produces steam that can power turbines. Since biomass is also carbon-based like traditional fossil fuel, it has a comparable burning rate that makes it suitable as an energy source for small-scale power generation. But unlike fossil fuels, biomass absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during its growing lifetime.

Biomass has become a popular alternative source of energy in farming areas and other areas where there is a huge amount of agricultural waste. Farmers have used biomass to power their equipment and for post-harvest processing of agricultural crops.

As an energy source, biomass has many applications depending on the type of material used, the location, and the processing that it has to undergo to make it usable. The simplest biomass application is agricultural fertilizers. Biomass materials can also be used for fiber or building material. Further chemical processing, such as hydrogenation, can produce a biomass that makes it a suitable fuel source. Biomass is also sometimes used for space heating applications.

Some environmentalists argue that biomass is part of the carbon cycle and as such emits greenhouse gases that contribute to global warning. That said, biomass emits 50% less than emissions from burning fossil fuel. Furthermore, the disadvantage of having carbon dioxide emission can be offset by the fact that biomass is often sourced from recycled waste materials, therefore significantly reducing solid waste. This helps to classify it as an efficient and cost-effective energy source.

In addition to this environmental concern, biomass raises another critical issue in the food vs. fuel debate. Some argue that using biomass for energy instead of using it as an edible food is unconscionable. This argument has been magnified by the more recent oil and food price crises, where critics point out that biomass could have helped create or at least magnify the rising cost of food staples. However, some studies suggest the amount of crops that go to bio-fuel production may not be significant enough to tip the food demand.

Vital Health Benefits of Kissing

A kiss is a first step to a very meaningful and exciting journey. Everyone with a social life knows the importance of a kiss, and what a bad kissing experience would mean, and what being a good kisser would mean too.

The best kisser says that there is no replacement to real passion when it comes to kissing the right way. Your partner will find out in an instant if you don't have the heart in the kiss right then. In this article, we will discuss health benefits of kissing.

Kissing helps lower blood pressure

Kissing is not only good for your emotional health but also for your physical health. A good kiss improves the health of your heart and promotes efficient blood flow. It helps lower your blood pressure as it dilates your blood vessels. This ensures that the flow of blood is efficient and blood flows to all vital organs.

Kissing fights cavities

When you’re kissing, you are secreting sufficient saliva in your mouth. This mechanism helps wash away plaque that results to cavities. Kissing is well known to promote healthy teeth.

Kissing helps burn excess calories

Kissing is an exercise that can be fully engaging and fulfilling. The mental and emotional satisfaction promotes the loss of excess calories in the body. Of course you should have a passionate kiss if you want to lose calories. This does not mean you have a 5-hour makeout session.

Kissing boosts self-esteem

Kissing is mentally and emotionally fulfilling. This helps boost one’s self-esteem. It helps boost one’s confidence. Kissing is a sign of being loved and appreciated. When we’re loved, we feel good and confident!

Kissing measures sexual compatibility

Kissing is actually one of the best ways to check if the person you’re dating is sexually compatible with you. Kissing measures sexual compatibility. If you do it great, your partner will be tempted to go an extra mile.

Kissing promotes release of happy hormones

There is nothing important in this world than happiness. If there is no happiness, your relationship with your partner cannot thrive. Kissing promotes the release of hormones such as oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. These hormones are important for your happiness and your relationship.

Kissing is an expression of love, it ignites the love within and reassures your partner. It is a very strong connection that strengthens the relationship. The couple that kisses so often is more likely to stick together than the couple that doesn’t. Kissing expresses love and acceptance. It is an expression of things that cannot be said with words of mouth.

The Deepwater Horizon Tragedy: The Victims Are Still Suffering, Six Years Down the Line

It’s the largest accidental oil spill in history. Over 130 million gallons of oil were accidentally spilled into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, spreading the catastrophe to Louisiana and with traces of slick spreading further to the Florida Panhandle. Six weeks after the accident, the severely damaged wellhead of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig was still spilling thousands of gallons of oil every single day.

Marine life was destroyed and people died while others got severely ill. Six years down the line, people who were exposed to the massive spill are still sick and suffering.

The Use of a Chemical Dispersant: The Biggest Mistake of All Time

Right after the massive spill, a chemical dispersant was used to break up the oil. This move was made even after government scientists expressed concern about the adverse health implications of mixing large quantities of chemical dispersants with millions of gallons of crude oil.

According to occupational health experts, it’s this toxic mix that caused numerous health complications (that doctors were unable to treat) among the locals as well as some of the 47, 000 people who took part in BP’s (British Petroleum) cleanup operation.

Exposure to the thick fumes of crude oil and the chemical dispersants brought all sorts of health complications such as seizures, dizziness, uncontrollable ear and nose bleeds, blood stool, blindness due to irreversible optical nerve scarring, memory lapses, brain damage, chronic respiratory complications, heart damage, infertility in women, severe headaches, nerve damage, internal bleeding, chemical pneumonia, premature aging, decline in cognitive function, and all sorts of neurological problems.

According to Michael Harbut, an environmental and occupational health expert, and a professor at Michigan State University, exposure to organic solvents such as the chemical dispersants used to break up the oil cause the same adverse effects as lead poisoning.

He also believes that some of the victims who were heavily exposed could experience chronic adverse health effects such as kidney and liver disease, developmental disorders, birth defects, and a rise in certain types of cancers such as lung, leukemia, lymphoma, and skin cancers.

Michael Robichaux, a nose, throat, and ear therapist also believes that a good number of people who were heavily exposed to the chemicals will undoubtedly be ill for the rest of their lives.

Lawsuits

According to figures from claims administrators, more than 37, 500 victims filed claims by 2010. The British Petroleum company agreed on a $7.8 billion medical settlement that would have each victim get up to $60, 700 per person.

This class-action settlement also allowed the victims to file further claims should they develop more serious health complications.

Sadly, only a small fraction of the claims have been paid and up to now, many are still pursuing the lawsuits. It might take years before they finally obtain these claims.

Six years down the line and the victims of the Deepwater Horizon tragedy are still suffering. Maybe if things could have been done differently, the aftermath wouldn’t have been so catastrophic.

Hopefully, the same mistakes will be avoided in future accidental spills as clearly, the health effects are just too much to deal with.

Researchers Discover Molecule in Newborn Hearts That Appear to Control Renewal Process

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and yet, most available treatments are unsuccessful due to the fact that damage to the heart tissue is in most cases irreversible.

Generally, mammalian hearts have the ability to regenerate themselves and repair tissue damage. However, this only happens around the time of birth as this ability mysteriously disappears into thin air.

The Discovery of a Miracle Molecule

Researchers have recently discovered a molecule in the hearts of newborns- a molecule that appears to have the ability to control the renewal process, which involves cell and muscle regeneration, and tissue damage repair.

The research which was conducted at the Weizmann Institute of Science and lead by Prof.Eldad Tzahor, research student Alex Genzelinakh, and doctoral student Elad Bassat found that when administered into adult mice hearts injured during heart attacks, the miracle molecule called Agrin, was found to seemingly unlock or rather trigger the renewal process and enabled the repair of damaged heart muscle.

Where the Secret Possibly Lies

According to the researchers, surrounding tissue known as extracellular matrix located just outside the heart muscles could possibly be the holder of the heart renewal secret.

Since most cell-to-cell messages are passed via this matrix while others are stored within its fibrous structure, the researchers experimented with the extracellular matrix from newborns and week-old mice while in the process eliminating the cells until only the surrounding tissues were left.

They then closely observed what would happen when the some ECM bits were added to the heart cells in culture. It was found that the ECM derived from the young subjects elicited cardiomyocyte proliferation, in contrast to older subjects.

The researchers also tested the ability of Agrin in reversing heart damage where they found that a single injection of the molecule into mice hearts almost completely healed the heart tissue and made them fully functional.

Reasons for Inability of Mammalian Hearts to Undergo the Renewal Process

As stated earlier, the ability of mammalian hearts to undergo the renewal process disappears shortly after birth.

According to Prof.Eldad, Genelinakh, and Bassat, the healing process of the mammalian heart following a heart attack is long and in most cases, inefficient.

After damage occurs, the heart muscle cells known as cardiomyocytes are replaced by scar tissue. The scar tissue is sadly incapable of contracting like the muscle cells and thus limits the heart’s ability to pump blood. When this happens, the remaining heart muscles are put under intense stress, which eventually leads to heart failure.

The discovery of Agrin has already provided insights to researchers looking for a breakthrough in restoring the function of damaged hearts.

Hopefully, heart patients will have a real cure in a few years to come. With the new discovery, the scientists are exploring the cues that actually promote heart degeneration.

What Effects Do Ocean Currents Have on Climate and Weather?

Ocean currents are either permanent or continuous directed movements of ocean water that flow in our Earth’s oceans. These currents flow in complex patterns affected by the winds, heat content, earth’s rotation, water salinity differences, and ocean bottom topography. Ocean currents flow for thousands of kilometers.

Ocean currents play a huge role in earth’s climate and weather, especially in continents bordering oceans. A good example of ocean currents in regions bordering the oceans is the Gulf Stream which causes Northwest Europe to be more temperate compared to other regions with the same latitude.

One major factor of climate change is the temperatures of ocean water across the globe, and how they change on a yearly basis. Changes in ocean temperatures have a big effect on weather patterns, including providing energy for coastal storms and creating hurricanes.

Ocean Currents and Earth’s Rotation, Seasonal Winds

Earth’s rotation and seasonal winds push surface ocean water away from some western coasts, which causes the water that rises on the western edges of the continents bordering the ocean to replace it. This is why the ocean is usually much colder on the east coast compared to the west coast.

Ocean Currents and Heat Content

Oceans act as massive heat-retaining solar panels. Besides retaining heat, they also distribute the heat around the globe.

The heat causes water evaporation which in turn increases temperature and humidity in the surrounding air, forming rain and storms which are then carried by trade winds over long distances. The tropical regions of continents near oceans are particularly rainy are ocean evaporation is higher in these areas.

In other words, even the smallest changes in the ocean currents can have a huge effect on continental and global climate.

Ocean Currents and Heat Redistribution

Ocean currents play a crucial role in heat redistribution around the globe. When ocean water is heated by the sun near the equator, the winds transfer it to higher latitudes where it cools off and sinks.

This cold water then makes its way back to the Equator and the cycle repeats itself. This system is known as Thermohaline Circulation System. The effect of this is that regions in higher latitudes become colder compared to those near the Equator (lower latitudes).

Ocean currents basically act like conveyor belts which transport water and precipitation from the equator to the poles and back. Without these currents, continental temperatures would be extreme, meaning that regions around the Equator would be extremely hot while those around the polar region would be extremely cold, making most of these areas inhabitable.

Therefore, ocean currents do play a very crucial role on the Earth’s climate and weather.

Sugar Substitutes: How Safe Are They?

If you have been trying to reduce sugar and calories in your diet, chances are that you’re considering using sugar substitutes such honey, Stevia, or Aspartame instead. Furthermore, the health risks associated with processed sugar and high fructose corn syrup are many and severe.

So it makes sense to opt for sugar substitutes as most of them are generally considered as “healthy.” Well, healthy they may be. But how safe are they?

Well, to answer this question, let’s first discuss what sugar substitutes are.

What are Sugar Substitutes?

Sugar substitutes are low-calorie or calorie-free sweeteners used instead of sugar to sweeten food and drinks. They tend to be far much sweeter compared to regular sugar.

Sugar substitutes are divided into four categories namely;

• Artificial sweeteners…e.g. Aspartame, Saccharin, Acesulfame, Neotame, and Sucralose
• Natural sweeteners…e.g. Honey, Maple Syrup, Agave Nectar, Molasses, and Fruit Juice Concentrate
• Sugar alcohols…e.g. Isomalt, Erythritol, Lactitol, e.t.c
• Novel sweeteners…e.g. Stevia, Tagatose, and Trehalose

How Safe are Artificial Sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners are found in thousands of food and drink products like cakes, chewing gums, ice creams, desserts, and many others.

Although they have been approved by the FDA and are widely used, they are not as safe as they are thought to be. In fact, all artificial sweeteners should be avoided like plague.

Numerous studies indicate that artificial sweeteners could far worse be dangerous than sugar and fructose. There have been claims that these sweeteners, especially Aspartame, cause cancers such as lymphoma, leukemia, and accelerate tumor growth in laboratory animals.

Scientific evidence shows that Aspartame also worsens insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients to a greater degree compared to sugar. However, if used in moderation, the risk of developing these complications is said to be lower.

How About Natural Sweeteners?

Natural sweeteners are generally healthy when used in moderation. However, the risks they pose when taken in high amounts are no different from that of sugar.

For example, honey is high in fructose, although its health risks are lower because it’s completely in its raw form.

Agave syrup on the other hand is said to be much worse than high fructose corn syrup because it has higher fructose content than any other commercial sweetener. Furthermore, most agave syrups are commercially produced, not all natural like most people think.

Are Sugar Alcohols Any Better?

Sugar alcohol sweeteners contain few calories than processed sugar, which makes them a great alternative. They also have less sugar than sugar.

However, the danger lies in the fact that they are not completely absorbed in the body and consuming anything containing these sweeteners in high amounts may lead to abdominal gas and diarrhea. Research also indicates that maltitol raises blood sugar levels especially when taken in large amounts.

Safest Sugar Substitutes

Scientific evidence shows that Stevia, a very sweet herb derived from the Stevia plant, is one of the best and safest sugar substitutes. It’s mostly used in many drinks and dishes.

Another safe and healthy sugar substitute is Lo Han Guo which is said to be about 200 times sweeter than sugar. Its however harder to find and more expensive compared to Stevia.

When used in moderation, most sugar substitutes are generally safe. However, the only problem is that most foods and drinks contain high amounts of these sweeteners, which many consumers are unaware of. It’s therefore important to tread carefully when considering using these substitutes as they could potentially do more harm than good.

Ice Cave: Stunningly Beautiful but Potentially Dangerous

If you’ve never visited an ice cave before, a simple web image search will give you loads of beautiful caves from all over the world. They are amazing wonders of nature.

Ice caves happen to be some of the most popular tourist attractions in the world and provide tourists with an interesting interactive experience.

How are Ice Caves are Formed

Ice caves are basically types of natural caves that contain significant amounts of year-round ice (perennial ice). For an ice cave to form, at least a portion of the cave must have a temperature below 0 degrees Celsius all year round, and that water must have traveled into the ice cave’s coldest zones.

Ice caves can occur as static ice caves or dynamic/cyclical ice caves. Different types of ice caves form depending on temperature mechanisms like cold traps, evaporative cooling, thermally insulated surface, and permafrost.

The Dangers of Ice Caves

As fascinating as they are, ice caves are very dangerous. They can collapse anytime. Besides being dangerous, ice caves are difficult to navigate, which further increases the risk.

In 2015, the Big Four Ice Caves collapsed, killing one person and injuring five. The Big Four is a mountain located in the Cascade Range of Washington. The snowfield in this mountain appears in the shape of the numeral four, hence the name.

The Big Four ice caves situated on the north face of the mountain is not entirely made of pure ice. They are rather formed when avalanches fill the gully with snow, and the snow is sheltered from direct sunlight by the mountain all year round.

The ice caves are then gradually expanded by an inrush of warm air under the snow and also get carved out by melted water flow, which makes the snow even heavier and thus more prone to collapse.

Over time, the roof of the caves thin and weaken, increasing the risk of cave roof collapsing or the formation of a snow bridge. The risk is said to be highest especially near the entrance since ice here is much thinner compared to the inside.

According to Adrienne Hall, a manager at the Verlot Ranger Station near the Big Four mountain, heatwaves especially during summer make the ice caves even more dangerous to navigate.

The Big Four Ice Caves are not the only dangerous ice caves. The risk is widespread as many caves around the world have resulted in numerous accidents too.

Tourists visiting these attraction sites should trend carefully as ice collapse isn’t the only risk- falling rocks or boulders are too. Even when the caves seem stable from the inside and outside, they are still unsafe to venture further.

Even during summer, there are ice caves that stay frozen all through the season. However, this doesn’t make them any less dangerous. They tend to become highly vulnerable especially if the conditions around them are disrupted. Even worse, many caves are already being lost as a result of climate change, making them even more dangerous to explore.