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Consider computer simulations of dissipative (open) thermodynamical systems. Some examples include Cellular Automata grids, fluid motion, and autocatalytic sets. Have replicating "units" ever been observed emerging within such simulations, even in very simple ones? What about the so-called, effective dissipaters of gradients? paros ( talk) 04:24, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
While looking in a plowed field I found a round 1 inch ball made of stone. Could this be a native american artifact and if so what was its purpose Curiouspatty ( talk) 01:02, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I am still very curious but I have to admit to being a computer novice and I don't know how to post a picture. I do know how to take the picture and put it on my computer. What would be the next step without giving my e-mail address? The ball is on tour through the family right now so it may take a couple of days. Curiouspatty ( talk) 00:53, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
Why Mars after Earth (and the moon!)? Venus after Mercury?, Andremeda galaxy after our own solar system?, etc. You get the picture. Is there a particular reason, such as this group of rocks formed over there, that group of rocks gathered yonder why things in space are laid out the way they are? 5 dollars rides on this bet. THE WORLD'S MOST CURIOUS MAN ( talk) 01:28, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
When the solar system was forming two big rock smashed together. Their combined gravity pulled in more rock. Eventually the was a planet. So in answer to your question: Completely random (Unless you believe in God) 4.159.183.112 ( talk) 02:37, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I am looking for a plant that has a Wikipedia entry:
What is the plant? -- Toytoy ( talk) 02:11, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I took a picture of this while visiting tidepools at the Oregon coast, but for the life of me I cannot figure out what it is. I can't find any species of kelp that have so many small, ruffly leaves, which seem to grow out of long, thin strap. Nor can I find anything with air bladders that shape and size. It's not very long, just a few feet. Any ideas? -- Masamage ♫ 05:03, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
What's the usual abbreviation for volume percent in English? %vol or vol% or something else? Our article doesn't say. (I'm more interested in the use in general chemistry, not necessarily in alcohol content of drinks.) 62.145.19.66 ( talk) 08:03, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Excuse me, but I watched all the Neil Armstrong stuff on teevee when I was a child. Can someone please explain to me why primates aren't living and working on the Moon right now to help out all the primates and other species on Earth? I was brought up to believe that this would have happened by now, and I'm rather puzzled that it hasn't. Someone please explain this to me. -- arkuat (talk) 08:48, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Okay, that makes sense, but why do some people think it is more important to have primates on Mars before we establish primates on the Moon? I guess that's the part that I really don't understand yet. -- arkuat (talk) 11:04, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I think that once America won the Space Race, the political point had been proven and there was insufficient imagination among our political leaders to understand why a sustained human presence on the moon would be useful for the long-term progress of our species. (Of course, this was before many folks realized how close we were to actually destroying the conditions on our planet that sustain life, leading to projects such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault; nowadays, having a back-up planet or even moon might be viewed as handy.)
Atlant ( talk) 13:55, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Thanks to all of you for your many interesting responses, especially to PrimeHunter for posting the relevant link and to Carmildo for the interesting point, new to me, about fuel consumption. I will confess that I am interested in solar power satellites, which will probably require raw materials support from workers established on the Moon if they are to become economically feasible. -- arkuat (talk) 05:01, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
How long (current estimate) before the LHC starts doing crazy stuff? Black Carrot ( talk) 11:28, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
current stastics of kwashiorkar and marasmas occurence in india????? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.92.9.106 ( talk) 11:29, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
1. When will the next leap second be? 2. Why was 1972 given two leap seconds just because it was the year the leap second was invented? 208.76.245.162 ( talk) 12:42, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
How long does it take until we eliminate endorphin from our body? Mr.K. (talk) 12:51, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I'm about to read Robert Wald's "Space, Time, and Gravity: The Theory of the Big Bang and Black Holes," second edition (1992). Should I? I'm wondering if there is anything significant in there refuted by recent discoveries. I might also ask the same question about the Feynman lectures. Cannongrandee ( talk) 13:52, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Someone on the innertubulars asked something along the lines of "Is it true [what I heard from someone in a philosophy discussion channel] that human genetic diversity is tiny, among the least diverse of all animals?". I was, of course, struck by an instant bout of premium-strength dubiosity regarding the source and reliability of the information. However, a brief attempt to remedy with a timely injection of actual scientific results was sadly unforthcoming. To which end, I wonder if anyone knows of any studies that have been conducted into the absolute or relative degree of genetic diversity in humans, or how best to go about finding such a study should one exist. It's possible, I'm aware, that the technology has only recently descended to the level of affordability to undertake such investigations, and as such relevant information may not yet be available, though I'd like to think that such a matter would have aroused scientific interest already. Appreciative regards 153.1.253.80 ( talk) 15:26, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I was just reading Nemesis (star) and the article says that "due to orbiting the Sun it would have a very low proper motion and would escape detection by proper motion surveys". Surely at 1–1½ light years away it would have a large proper motion compared with other stars. Am I missing something?-- Shantavira| feed me 17:48, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Many thanks everyone. I was confusing proper motion with parallax shift.-- Shantavira| feed me 07:51, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
It's nothing of any consequence but I've always wondered about this. Whenever I stroke/scratch my Hyacinth Macaw's head in a certain place, it makes her open her beak wide and stretch her neck, like she's yawning. It's always the same spot that triggers it off, just behind her beak on both sides. Any idea what causes this? It doesn't seem to actually bother her in any way. -- 84.66.131.165 ( talk) 19:44, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
In the film Rat Race a heart is shown is a cooler box on transit to a patient waiting for it to be installed. The driver says "it's been locked in that cooler box for seven hours". Can this really be true? The heart was not beating and was just shown in a plastic bag on top of ice. Would it really work if it was put into someone? Plemis monter ( talk) 20:19, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Science desk | ||
---|---|---|
< June 29 | << May | June | Jul >> | July 1 > |
Welcome to the Wikipedia Science Reference Desk Archives |
---|
The page you are currently viewing is an archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages. |
Consider computer simulations of dissipative (open) thermodynamical systems. Some examples include Cellular Automata grids, fluid motion, and autocatalytic sets. Have replicating "units" ever been observed emerging within such simulations, even in very simple ones? What about the so-called, effective dissipaters of gradients? paros ( talk) 04:24, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
While looking in a plowed field I found a round 1 inch ball made of stone. Could this be a native american artifact and if so what was its purpose Curiouspatty ( talk) 01:02, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I am still very curious but I have to admit to being a computer novice and I don't know how to post a picture. I do know how to take the picture and put it on my computer. What would be the next step without giving my e-mail address? The ball is on tour through the family right now so it may take a couple of days. Curiouspatty ( talk) 00:53, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
Why Mars after Earth (and the moon!)? Venus after Mercury?, Andremeda galaxy after our own solar system?, etc. You get the picture. Is there a particular reason, such as this group of rocks formed over there, that group of rocks gathered yonder why things in space are laid out the way they are? 5 dollars rides on this bet. THE WORLD'S MOST CURIOUS MAN ( talk) 01:28, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
When the solar system was forming two big rock smashed together. Their combined gravity pulled in more rock. Eventually the was a planet. So in answer to your question: Completely random (Unless you believe in God) 4.159.183.112 ( talk) 02:37, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I am looking for a plant that has a Wikipedia entry:
What is the plant? -- Toytoy ( talk) 02:11, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I took a picture of this while visiting tidepools at the Oregon coast, but for the life of me I cannot figure out what it is. I can't find any species of kelp that have so many small, ruffly leaves, which seem to grow out of long, thin strap. Nor can I find anything with air bladders that shape and size. It's not very long, just a few feet. Any ideas? -- Masamage ♫ 05:03, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
What's the usual abbreviation for volume percent in English? %vol or vol% or something else? Our article doesn't say. (I'm more interested in the use in general chemistry, not necessarily in alcohol content of drinks.) 62.145.19.66 ( talk) 08:03, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Excuse me, but I watched all the Neil Armstrong stuff on teevee when I was a child. Can someone please explain to me why primates aren't living and working on the Moon right now to help out all the primates and other species on Earth? I was brought up to believe that this would have happened by now, and I'm rather puzzled that it hasn't. Someone please explain this to me. -- arkuat (talk) 08:48, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Okay, that makes sense, but why do some people think it is more important to have primates on Mars before we establish primates on the Moon? I guess that's the part that I really don't understand yet. -- arkuat (talk) 11:04, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I think that once America won the Space Race, the political point had been proven and there was insufficient imagination among our political leaders to understand why a sustained human presence on the moon would be useful for the long-term progress of our species. (Of course, this was before many folks realized how close we were to actually destroying the conditions on our planet that sustain life, leading to projects such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault; nowadays, having a back-up planet or even moon might be viewed as handy.)
Atlant ( talk) 13:55, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Thanks to all of you for your many interesting responses, especially to PrimeHunter for posting the relevant link and to Carmildo for the interesting point, new to me, about fuel consumption. I will confess that I am interested in solar power satellites, which will probably require raw materials support from workers established on the Moon if they are to become economically feasible. -- arkuat (talk) 05:01, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
How long (current estimate) before the LHC starts doing crazy stuff? Black Carrot ( talk) 11:28, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
current stastics of kwashiorkar and marasmas occurence in india????? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.92.9.106 ( talk) 11:29, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
1. When will the next leap second be? 2. Why was 1972 given two leap seconds just because it was the year the leap second was invented? 208.76.245.162 ( talk) 12:42, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
How long does it take until we eliminate endorphin from our body? Mr.K. (talk) 12:51, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I'm about to read Robert Wald's "Space, Time, and Gravity: The Theory of the Big Bang and Black Holes," second edition (1992). Should I? I'm wondering if there is anything significant in there refuted by recent discoveries. I might also ask the same question about the Feynman lectures. Cannongrandee ( talk) 13:52, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Someone on the innertubulars asked something along the lines of "Is it true [what I heard from someone in a philosophy discussion channel] that human genetic diversity is tiny, among the least diverse of all animals?". I was, of course, struck by an instant bout of premium-strength dubiosity regarding the source and reliability of the information. However, a brief attempt to remedy with a timely injection of actual scientific results was sadly unforthcoming. To which end, I wonder if anyone knows of any studies that have been conducted into the absolute or relative degree of genetic diversity in humans, or how best to go about finding such a study should one exist. It's possible, I'm aware, that the technology has only recently descended to the level of affordability to undertake such investigations, and as such relevant information may not yet be available, though I'd like to think that such a matter would have aroused scientific interest already. Appreciative regards 153.1.253.80 ( talk) 15:26, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
I was just reading Nemesis (star) and the article says that "due to orbiting the Sun it would have a very low proper motion and would escape detection by proper motion surveys". Surely at 1–1½ light years away it would have a large proper motion compared with other stars. Am I missing something?-- Shantavira| feed me 17:48, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
Many thanks everyone. I was confusing proper motion with parallax shift.-- Shantavira| feed me 07:51, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
It's nothing of any consequence but I've always wondered about this. Whenever I stroke/scratch my Hyacinth Macaw's head in a certain place, it makes her open her beak wide and stretch her neck, like she's yawning. It's always the same spot that triggers it off, just behind her beak on both sides. Any idea what causes this? It doesn't seem to actually bother her in any way. -- 84.66.131.165 ( talk) 19:44, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
In the film Rat Race a heart is shown is a cooler box on transit to a patient waiting for it to be installed. The driver says "it's been locked in that cooler box for seven hours". Can this really be true? The heart was not beating and was just shown in a plastic bag on top of ice. Would it really work if it was put into someone? Plemis monter ( talk) 20:19, 30 June 2008 (UTC)