Curiosity

Why do we get Goosebumps? Goosebumps are a physiological response left over from our hairy ancestors. When we are cold or stressed our brain releases a hormone called adrenaline that causes muscles attached to each hair on our skin to contract. This creates a shallow depression on the skin’s surface, making the surrounding area stick out. While this provided our ancestors with a thicker layer of insulation and a look that frightened o attackers, today it doesn’t serve any purpose as we are a lot less hairy.

What makes people sneeze? There many stories made up connected to sneezing. Some people take sneezing as good luck while some other say it's bad luck. Some other people say that sneezing is a sign of waiting before starting a task. Other people believe that sneezing was a sign of approaching death. When anyone sneezed people said, "God bless you" because it was a sign of danger. But none of these have any truth to them. Sneezing is just a involuntary reflex action. It occurs when the nerve endings of the nose gets irritated. It's caused when foreign body bacteria somehow manages to get into the nose.  This can also happen when it's cold. Again even allergies produce irritation. The act of sneezing is an attempt of the body to expel air to get rid of irritating substances. Our whole body vibrates when we sneezing and our eyes automatically close. After sneezing we feel fresh and light.

How are Artifcial Sweeteners made? This varies depending on the sweetener. Saccharin – discovered after scientists working with the molecule noticed their food getting sweeter – is made by oxidising a chemical called o-toluenesulfonamide. Aspartame is made differently. Bacteria are used to produce aspartic acid and phenylalanine. These are then purified and mixed with methanol to modify their chemical structure. The two molecules are then mixed together to form crystals, and then mixed with vinegar to make aspartame.

What is Marination? Marination is the process of soaking foods in a seasoned, often acidic, liquid before cooking. In addition to these ingredients, a marinade often contains oils, herbs, and spices to further flavor the food items. It is commonly used to flavor foods and to tenderize tougher cuts of meat.

What is Chronic Anemia? Anemia is a low level of red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. Anemia of chronic disease occurs when that anemia is associated with a chronic condition such as cancer, digestive disorders, autoimmune disorders, and other health problems. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, paleness, and more.

Does LED lights really save energy? LED is a highly energy-efficient lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States. Residential LEDs -- especially ENERGY STAR rated products use at least 86% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.

Does mental exercise burn calories? Mental activity boosts your metabolic rate, which is necessary for extra calorie burn. This equates to about a 300 calorie use by your brain per day for all mentalactivity, taxing or not. Thinking extra hard during the day burns little additional calories.

What is the difference between Earthing and Grounding? Earthing means connecting the dead part (it means the part which does not carries current under normal condition) to the earth for example electrical equipment’s frames, enclosures, supports etc. The purpose of earthing is to minimize risk of receiving an electric shock if touching metal parts when a fault is present. Generally green wire is used for this as a nomenclature. Grounding means connecting the live part (it means the part which carries current under normal condition) to the earth for example neutral of power transformer. Grounding is done for the protections of power system equipment and to provide an effective return path from the machine to the power source. For example grounding of neutral point of a star connected transformer. Grounding refers the current carrying part of the system such as neutral (of the transformer or generator). Because of lightening, line surges or unintentional contact with other high ...

Why Does Hydrogen Peroxide Come in a Brown Bottle? It is used in the food, papermaking, textile and electronic industries, among others, peroxide is a great disinfecting and bleaching agent. It is clear and colorless, and when poured over an open wound, peroxide will kill many types of microorganisms. It's also an extremely stable compound — when properly stored. Many chemical compounds break down over time, and hydrogen peroxide is no exception. Although it is extremely stable, the solution can start to decompose when it comes in contact with light and heat. The brown bottle in your medicine cabinet is a bulwark against those two catalysts. Light cannot penetrate the tint of the brown bottle, preventing oxidation, which can result in an increase in temperature.

How does a Microphone pick up sound? A microphone converts sound into a small electrical current. Sound waves hit a diaphragm that vibrates, moving a magnet near a coil. In some designs, the coil moves within a magnet. Other microphones, such as condenser microphones, work on the principle of capacitance.

Do underwater Snakes have gills? While some snakes spend time in water, sea snakes live there permanently. However, instead of gills, they have a single lung, and must surface to breathe about once an hour. Valves keep their nostrils, which sit on top of their snouts, closed the rest of the time. These snakes also absorb oxygen through their skin, and have small, flattened heads, and paddle-like tails to aid with swimming. Most species live in warm waters in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Sea snakes have very potent venom and release small amounts when biting fish and other prey.

What is SWIFT Code? SWIFT Code (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) or BIC (Bank Identifier Code) is a unique identification code for a particular bank. These codes are used when transferring money between banks, particularly for international wire transfers. The Swift code consists of 8 or 11 characters. SWIFT Code Format : AAAA-BB-00-YYY First 4 characters - bank code (only letters) Next 2 characters -country code (only letters) Next 2 characters - location code (letters and digits) Last 3 characters - branch code (optional).