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I read our articles on "the 5 senses."
When i get sick, I can't really taste anything. Does this mean that taste is a sub-set of the sense of smell? Are the two linked in some way? If I smell something foul, am I also tasting particles of it?
Can those without a sense of smell still taste, what about the inverse?
Thanks-- —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.218.24.148 ( talk) 00:22, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
The smell of any substance is recognized by the Olfactory lobe of the brain. The tiny particles from the smelling substance reach the sensors and trigger some particular chemical reactions. On the other hand taste is perceived by taste buds on the tongue surface. But, generally, we recognize any food items by the combined signals of its smell and taste, and memorise the feeling as taste of the substance. It is like matching any object by the use of two different attributes together (e.g. if something is liquide and white in colour, we think it may be milk). However, when one falls ill (specifically cold and caugh), the smell of the food cannot reach the sensors and hence, the individual fails to get the combined sugnal, what he or she recognises as taste of the materials and it appears tasteless to him/her. Also, sometimes medication with antibiotic drugs affects taste buds and everything appears to have a metallic taste. Dr.Rajarshi ( talk) 10:33, 9 May 2008 (UTC)
I read about a set of billboards that show the noise level in decibels of the surrounding area. From an acoustics class I took, I remembered there were a few ways to measure sound levels in decibels. After reviewing the relevant articles in Wikipedia, I deduced the decibel numbers on the billboards are likely sound pressure levels, maybe unweighted or using A-weighting.
When measuring street noise, how large of a difference would there be between the different weightings?
Also in terms of street noise, how much does the location of the sensor affect the decibel reading?
-- Bavi H ( talk) 00:45, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
Thanks everyone for the help so far! But there's still something I'm missing: if the universe is expanding, what is in the space before the universe expands into it? Is it impossible to know how far that area on non-universe goes or if there's something on the other side? Evaunit ♥666♥ 00:52, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
Seeing as we are now in the era of unmanned space travel for a while, why would it not be a good idea to build a centrifuge in orbit around the earth and use it to catapult unmanned space ships at extreme velocity, thus shortening the time for travel to other planets? Also, as we will be re-entering the 'manned space race to unearthly bodies' in the near future, what effect would this system have on astronauts, considering they are already in practically zero gravity? Would the 9Gs or more affect them? My question is, in a zero gravity environment, how would this work, if at all?-- ChokinBako ( talk) 03:30, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
What is the difference between macronutrients and micronutrients? Will the consequences of depriving a plant of a micronutrient be less severe than those of depriving the plant of a macronutrient? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.1.58.38 ( talk) 03:51, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
First of all I would like to differ and negate the answer given above. It was wrongly dealt with. However, to answer your question, both micro and macro nutrients can be defined as essetial elements required for the plant growth and defficiency of which leads to certain metabolic disorders having definite symptoms. Only difference is that micronutrients are necessary in micro quantity while macro nutrients are necessary in large quantity for the plants growth. Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Calcium, Magnaseum, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sulfur are macro nutrients, while Iron, Chlorine or Chloride, Zinc, Molybdenum, Manganese, Copper, Boron are major micronutrients. Sometimes Iron is also kept in the list of macro nutrients. So, difficiency of any of any of the nutrients will be similarly sever, and that will have some definite symptoms. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dr.Rajarshi ( talk • contribs) 05:14, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
The comment has flickered some controversies, which may not be desirable. But, the terms 'macronutrient' and 'micronutrient' are two definite scientific terminologies and those refer only to the nutrients listed above. There is no scopes left, that both the answers are correct. However, it is absolutely right that, if any of the nutrients (be it micro or macro) is necessary for growth, then deficiency of the same will affect the growth. It is also true that if the minimum amount of nutrient is available, then the proper growth and other functioning will continue, irrespective of the fact, whether it is being supplied from outside or not. Dr.Rajarshi ( talk) 09:57, 9 May 2008 (UTC)
Organic matter is not advisable to be added to paddy soils. Yes or No? Why? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.1.58.38 ( talk) 03:59, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
At 2:05 in [2], there's a picture of a cat with crazy blue eyes. Is that really possible? Black Carrot ( talk) 05:23, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
My gums are receding. My dentist says it's probably genetic. But I did not tell my dentist that my sister and mom have recession (see below).
My sister has recession, and I believe she has been flossing once and brushing twice a day. I never had recession, and my dental hygenine is the same. I think I am actually noticing recession. Is that possible? Because I haven't changed how I brush and floss to months ago, but it seems like my gums are receding faster. Also, my mom has recession, but she doesn't floss every day, but I think she at least brushes once a day.
Why can't recession be reversed, as in, why can't I build up bone growth again? How come I lose bone growth and can't gain it back? What are the causes of genetic gum recession? And have there been research to determine if bone can be rebuilt (in terms of gum recssion)? If not, why can't bone be rebuilt (in terms of gum recssion)? And what new research is being done to see if bone can be rebuilt? What are the new techniques? Thanks so much for all your help. 68.148.164.166 ( talk) 02:45, 7 May 2008 (UTC) 68.148.164.166 ( talk) 02:48, 7 May 2008 (UTC) 68.148.164.166 ( talk) 02:48, 7 May 2008 (UTC)
how to make subliminal messaging to subconcious mind —Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.197.48.133 ( talk) 17:09, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
If you are refering to "Neurolynguistic Programing" techniques, I can help you. An example of one of these tactics would be as follows:
Say you need to feel more confident. Close your eyes, and visualize yourself in a past time, when everything just clicked (everyone has at least one, whether it was with family or close friends.) Visualise yourself in the moment, pay close attention to the sounds, visuals, and environment. Try to make them as vivid as possible. Now imagine yourself stepping out of the "flashback" and see yourself watching yourself in this situation. This allows you to become an observer. Take some time, once again to visualise and make sounds, pictures, and envioronments as real as possible. Following this, (still playing an observer) imagine a time when you'll need this confidence again, say like a party, or a wedding. From there, visualise yourself stepping into that scene (whatever it may be). Once again, try to make everything as real in your mind as possible. Open your eyes, and let your subconcious do the rest!. This technique can be applied wherever needed. Even if you are nervous for a test. I use these techniques all the time, they work wonders for me. However, everyone's different. I would be interested to know who this helps, though. Please give feedback. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.40.54.255 ( talk) 15:09, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
From a scientific standpoint, how accurate or valid are Freud's theories? In particular, he introduced the world to the concepts of id, ego and super-ego, the unconscious, and others. Are these measurable? If so, how? If, not, why do they still hold such prominence in western society? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.35.21.126 ( talk) 20:42, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
There's a lot of current discussion about this, actually. There are some who argue that modern neuroscience has vindicated some aspects of Freud's work and some who are that it has disproved it. There are also those—largely psychoanalysts, I believe—who argue that Freud's description was not meant to be a literal biological description of the mind, but is a set of concepts that maps well onto how the mind functions, and thus serve as tools for affecting what, at some level, has to be the the neurological basis of behavior and emotion (analogous argument: the basic principles of engineering can be used without any knowledge of how they correspond with quantum mechanics; a reductionist approach can be unreliable on larger scales). And there are those who argue that it is a 19th century, overly literary approach to what should be a harder science. From what I can tell it is all over the board at the moment.
The question of prominence in Western society is a difference one, though, from the question of whether modern neuroscientists use Freud. Freud is wonderfully literary and his idea of deep seated drives, secrets, and internal struggle is one that has appealed to Americans in particular since the 1940s. The ideas triggered strong cultural valences in postwar America and still holds sway today, even though most people know jack squat about cognitive behavior and science. -- 98.217.8.46 ( talk) 23:04, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
Dont forget the idea of psychological energy. The idea that mental processes are subject to 'forces' and 'energies' just like physical processes are. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychic_energy. Em3ryguy ( talk) 23:25, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
I need help to make sure that what I wrote at Template:POTD/2008-05-13 actually makes sense. Asked at Talk:Stereographic projection with no response, so trying here. Yes, I know that the article talks about representing spheres with 2-D pictures, and this is kind of the opposite, but it's way down at Stereographic projection#Photography. I mostly just copied-and-pasted from there, but since I didn't really understand this section of the article, I'd like more eyes please. Thanks. howcheng { chat} 21:15, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
I'm intrigued by a project from the 1950s or 1960s for building a spaceship which was powered by a number of nuclear bombs inside itself, going off at regular intervals to propel the vehicle. I wonder why this was even considered, as if one bomb went off, it would set all the others off, probably devastating half the planet in the process. Sure, it would get into space (or bits of it), but it wouldn't be a good way to do it. The fix for this would be to put each bomb inside some sort of material that is resistant to a nuclear blast, but this would just make the bombs go off inside their own casings and nothing would happen. It seems that NASA actually funded this project, and I have heard a rumour (sorry, forgot source) that they are even considering it again now. Is this true and is it even feasible?-- ChokinBako ( talk) 23:07, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
Science desk | ||
---|---|---|
< May 7 | << Apr | May | Jun >> | May 9 > |
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. |
I read our articles on "the 5 senses."
When i get sick, I can't really taste anything. Does this mean that taste is a sub-set of the sense of smell? Are the two linked in some way? If I smell something foul, am I also tasting particles of it?
Can those without a sense of smell still taste, what about the inverse?
Thanks-- —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.218.24.148 ( talk) 00:22, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
The smell of any substance is recognized by the Olfactory lobe of the brain. The tiny particles from the smelling substance reach the sensors and trigger some particular chemical reactions. On the other hand taste is perceived by taste buds on the tongue surface. But, generally, we recognize any food items by the combined signals of its smell and taste, and memorise the feeling as taste of the substance. It is like matching any object by the use of two different attributes together (e.g. if something is liquide and white in colour, we think it may be milk). However, when one falls ill (specifically cold and caugh), the smell of the food cannot reach the sensors and hence, the individual fails to get the combined sugnal, what he or she recognises as taste of the materials and it appears tasteless to him/her. Also, sometimes medication with antibiotic drugs affects taste buds and everything appears to have a metallic taste. Dr.Rajarshi ( talk) 10:33, 9 May 2008 (UTC)
I read about a set of billboards that show the noise level in decibels of the surrounding area. From an acoustics class I took, I remembered there were a few ways to measure sound levels in decibels. After reviewing the relevant articles in Wikipedia, I deduced the decibel numbers on the billboards are likely sound pressure levels, maybe unweighted or using A-weighting.
When measuring street noise, how large of a difference would there be between the different weightings?
Also in terms of street noise, how much does the location of the sensor affect the decibel reading?
-- Bavi H ( talk) 00:45, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
Thanks everyone for the help so far! But there's still something I'm missing: if the universe is expanding, what is in the space before the universe expands into it? Is it impossible to know how far that area on non-universe goes or if there's something on the other side? Evaunit ♥666♥ 00:52, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
Seeing as we are now in the era of unmanned space travel for a while, why would it not be a good idea to build a centrifuge in orbit around the earth and use it to catapult unmanned space ships at extreme velocity, thus shortening the time for travel to other planets? Also, as we will be re-entering the 'manned space race to unearthly bodies' in the near future, what effect would this system have on astronauts, considering they are already in practically zero gravity? Would the 9Gs or more affect them? My question is, in a zero gravity environment, how would this work, if at all?-- ChokinBako ( talk) 03:30, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
What is the difference between macronutrients and micronutrients? Will the consequences of depriving a plant of a micronutrient be less severe than those of depriving the plant of a macronutrient? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.1.58.38 ( talk) 03:51, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
First of all I would like to differ and negate the answer given above. It was wrongly dealt with. However, to answer your question, both micro and macro nutrients can be defined as essetial elements required for the plant growth and defficiency of which leads to certain metabolic disorders having definite symptoms. Only difference is that micronutrients are necessary in micro quantity while macro nutrients are necessary in large quantity for the plants growth. Carbon, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, Calcium, Magnaseum, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sulfur are macro nutrients, while Iron, Chlorine or Chloride, Zinc, Molybdenum, Manganese, Copper, Boron are major micronutrients. Sometimes Iron is also kept in the list of macro nutrients. So, difficiency of any of any of the nutrients will be similarly sever, and that will have some definite symptoms. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dr.Rajarshi ( talk • contribs) 05:14, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
The comment has flickered some controversies, which may not be desirable. But, the terms 'macronutrient' and 'micronutrient' are two definite scientific terminologies and those refer only to the nutrients listed above. There is no scopes left, that both the answers are correct. However, it is absolutely right that, if any of the nutrients (be it micro or macro) is necessary for growth, then deficiency of the same will affect the growth. It is also true that if the minimum amount of nutrient is available, then the proper growth and other functioning will continue, irrespective of the fact, whether it is being supplied from outside or not. Dr.Rajarshi ( talk) 09:57, 9 May 2008 (UTC)
Organic matter is not advisable to be added to paddy soils. Yes or No? Why? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.1.58.38 ( talk) 03:59, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
At 2:05 in [2], there's a picture of a cat with crazy blue eyes. Is that really possible? Black Carrot ( talk) 05:23, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
My gums are receding. My dentist says it's probably genetic. But I did not tell my dentist that my sister and mom have recession (see below).
My sister has recession, and I believe she has been flossing once and brushing twice a day. I never had recession, and my dental hygenine is the same. I think I am actually noticing recession. Is that possible? Because I haven't changed how I brush and floss to months ago, but it seems like my gums are receding faster. Also, my mom has recession, but she doesn't floss every day, but I think she at least brushes once a day.
Why can't recession be reversed, as in, why can't I build up bone growth again? How come I lose bone growth and can't gain it back? What are the causes of genetic gum recession? And have there been research to determine if bone can be rebuilt (in terms of gum recssion)? If not, why can't bone be rebuilt (in terms of gum recssion)? And what new research is being done to see if bone can be rebuilt? What are the new techniques? Thanks so much for all your help. 68.148.164.166 ( talk) 02:45, 7 May 2008 (UTC) 68.148.164.166 ( talk) 02:48, 7 May 2008 (UTC) 68.148.164.166 ( talk) 02:48, 7 May 2008 (UTC)
how to make subliminal messaging to subconcious mind —Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.197.48.133 ( talk) 17:09, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
If you are refering to "Neurolynguistic Programing" techniques, I can help you. An example of one of these tactics would be as follows:
Say you need to feel more confident. Close your eyes, and visualize yourself in a past time, when everything just clicked (everyone has at least one, whether it was with family or close friends.) Visualise yourself in the moment, pay close attention to the sounds, visuals, and environment. Try to make them as vivid as possible. Now imagine yourself stepping out of the "flashback" and see yourself watching yourself in this situation. This allows you to become an observer. Take some time, once again to visualise and make sounds, pictures, and envioronments as real as possible. Following this, (still playing an observer) imagine a time when you'll need this confidence again, say like a party, or a wedding. From there, visualise yourself stepping into that scene (whatever it may be). Once again, try to make everything as real in your mind as possible. Open your eyes, and let your subconcious do the rest!. This technique can be applied wherever needed. Even if you are nervous for a test. I use these techniques all the time, they work wonders for me. However, everyone's different. I would be interested to know who this helps, though. Please give feedback. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.40.54.255 ( talk) 15:09, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
From a scientific standpoint, how accurate or valid are Freud's theories? In particular, he introduced the world to the concepts of id, ego and super-ego, the unconscious, and others. Are these measurable? If so, how? If, not, why do they still hold such prominence in western society? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.35.21.126 ( talk) 20:42, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
There's a lot of current discussion about this, actually. There are some who argue that modern neuroscience has vindicated some aspects of Freud's work and some who are that it has disproved it. There are also those—largely psychoanalysts, I believe—who argue that Freud's description was not meant to be a literal biological description of the mind, but is a set of concepts that maps well onto how the mind functions, and thus serve as tools for affecting what, at some level, has to be the the neurological basis of behavior and emotion (analogous argument: the basic principles of engineering can be used without any knowledge of how they correspond with quantum mechanics; a reductionist approach can be unreliable on larger scales). And there are those who argue that it is a 19th century, overly literary approach to what should be a harder science. From what I can tell it is all over the board at the moment.
The question of prominence in Western society is a difference one, though, from the question of whether modern neuroscientists use Freud. Freud is wonderfully literary and his idea of deep seated drives, secrets, and internal struggle is one that has appealed to Americans in particular since the 1940s. The ideas triggered strong cultural valences in postwar America and still holds sway today, even though most people know jack squat about cognitive behavior and science. -- 98.217.8.46 ( talk) 23:04, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
Dont forget the idea of psychological energy. The idea that mental processes are subject to 'forces' and 'energies' just like physical processes are. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychic_energy. Em3ryguy ( talk) 23:25, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
I need help to make sure that what I wrote at Template:POTD/2008-05-13 actually makes sense. Asked at Talk:Stereographic projection with no response, so trying here. Yes, I know that the article talks about representing spheres with 2-D pictures, and this is kind of the opposite, but it's way down at Stereographic projection#Photography. I mostly just copied-and-pasted from there, but since I didn't really understand this section of the article, I'd like more eyes please. Thanks. howcheng { chat} 21:15, 8 May 2008 (UTC)
I'm intrigued by a project from the 1950s or 1960s for building a spaceship which was powered by a number of nuclear bombs inside itself, going off at regular intervals to propel the vehicle. I wonder why this was even considered, as if one bomb went off, it would set all the others off, probably devastating half the planet in the process. Sure, it would get into space (or bits of it), but it wouldn't be a good way to do it. The fix for this would be to put each bomb inside some sort of material that is resistant to a nuclear blast, but this would just make the bombs go off inside their own casings and nothing would happen. It seems that NASA actually funded this project, and I have heard a rumour (sorry, forgot source) that they are even considering it again now. Is this true and is it even feasible?-- ChokinBako ( talk) 23:07, 8 May 2008 (UTC)