Pelorus Jack, the dolphin that escorted ships

The story of Pelorus Jack, the dolphin that escorted ships through a dangerous stretch of water in New Zealand for 24 years.

He was so famous that if a crew did not see him when they approached the pass, they would often wait for him.

Pelorus Jack, named after the Pelorus Sound in the South Island, first captured the attention of sailors in the late 1880s. The dolphin exhibited an uncanny habit of escorting ships through the perilous French Pass, a notoriously challenging and narrow strait between D'Urville Island and the mainland. This behavior was both mysterious and welcomed by seafarers navigating the tumultuous waters of the region.

Pelorus Jack was first seen around 1888 when he appeared in front of the schooner Brindle when the ship approached French Pass, a channel located between D'Urville Island and the South Island. When the members of the crew saw the dolphin bobbing up and down in front of the ship, they wanted to kill him, but the captain's wife talked them out of it. To their amazement, the dolphin then proceeded to guide the ship through the narrow channel.

And for years thereafter, he safely guided almost every ship that came by. With rocks and strong currents, the area was dangerous to ships, but no shipwrecks occurred when Jack was present.

In 1904, someone aboard the SS Penguin tried to shoot Pelorus Jack with a rifle. Despite the attempt on his life, Pelorus Jack continued to help ships. According to folklore, however, he no longer helped the Penguin, which shipwrecked in Cook Strait in 1909.

After this event, the New Zealand government decided to protect the friendly dolphin. An ordinance was passed prohibiting the harming, harassing, or killing of Pelorus Jack. This decree reflected the widespread appreciation for the dolphin's role as a maritime guardian and symbolized the intersection of human and cetacean interests.

Pelorus disappeared in 1912 and it's remembered as the heroic friend of sailors and the first individual sea creature ro be protected by law in any country.

Knot to measure the speed of ship

Who knows the meaning of the knot used to measure the speed of ships? And why specifically the knot?

The knot is a unit of measurement for the speed of ships and is used in maritime navigation. It means that the ship travels one nautical mile per hour. The origins of using the knot date back to ancient times when ships used ropes with knots tied in them to measure speed. When the ropes or multiple ropes were let out for a certain period of time, the knots that passed through the sailors' hands were counted, thus measuring the speed of the ship in knots. This traditional unit of measurement has continued to be used in maritime navigation to this day.

The knot is a unit of speed used for ships, equivalent to one nautical mile per hour or 1.852 kilometers per hour. So, a ship with a speed of 20 knots can travel at a speed of 20 nautical miles, which is approximately 37 kilometers per hour.

The usage of the term "knot" dates back to the early eras of maritime navigation when ships carried a device called a "chip log" or "log line." It consisted of a wooden board known as a "chip" and a rope that was wound around a reel.

Indeed, the wooden board would be thrown into the water behind the ship, and as the ship moved, the rope would freely unwind, while the wooden board remained stationary. The rope would have knots tied at specific intervals, with each interval measuring 47 feet and 3 inches (14.4 meters) in length.

Correct, the first knot represented the end of the first interval, and after two knots, two intervals would be completed, and so on.

By calculating the number of knots, their corresponding distances, and dividing them by the elapsed time, the speed is determined in the unit of knots per hour (knots/hour).

The danger triangle

This area is known as the danger triangle, and it is not advised to apply pressure or squeeze pimples in that area. Who knows the reason or explanation?

Let's find out what the death triangle or danger triangle in the face is.

It is the area that covers the corners of the mouth to the bridge of the nose, including the nose and the upper jaw. This area does not contain any valves because it relies on direct blood flow.

This area is filled with blood vessels that are connected to the veins of the entire face and directly linked to the bloodstream to the brain.

When pressure is applied to pimples or abscesses in this area, it can result in the tearing of blood vessels. There is a possibility that bacteria can enter the bloodstream, leading to inflammation in the brain.

There are some incorrect actions within the death triangle in the face.

For example, nose hair removal:

Many people remove nose hair without realizing that such actions can be very dangerous for them. Air enters the nose for breathing, and the function of nose hair is to filter and purify this air before it reaches the body.

When a person removes nose hair using tweezers or wax, they open the skin pores in the nose. As a result, it is possible for dangerous types of bacteria to enter these pores, which can ultimately reach the brain through the bloodstream.

It is recommended that if long nose hair causes discomfort, you should trim it rather than remove it, provided that the scissors you use are clean and sterilized.

Removing facial pimples:

Facial pimples can be bothersome for many people, and some may resort to manually squeezing or popping them. However, removing pimples in this manner leads to opening skin pores and causing small wounds. Through these wounds, filled with bacteria, it is possible for germs to reach the sinus cavities in the brain.

Sinusitis:

Although sinusitis is one of the most bothersome diseases, many people who suffer from it tend to neglect its severity. Severe sinusitis can potentially lead to death, paralysis, or even vision loss.

Therefore, it is important to seek the expertise of a specialized doctor to treat this serious condition that significantly affects brain function.

Caries in the upper jaw:

Caries in the upper jaw is considered one of the most dangerous conditions in the death triangle of the face. Tooth decay in the upper jaw can lead to gum infection, bacterial accumulation around the affected tooth, which makes the transfer of these bacteria to the brain a simple matter, resulting in serious consequences.

Why don't birds get shocked on power lines?

Birds generally do not get shocked when perched on power lines due to a few key reasons:

1. Lack of Complete Circuit: Birds are perched on a single power line, which is typically made of a conductor like aluminum or copper. Since they do not simultaneously touch another conductor or complete a circuit to the ground, they do not create a path for electricity to flow through them.

2. Insulated Feet: Birds have feet that are designed with specialized adaptations. They have thick layers of scales and skin, as well as an insulating layer of feathers, which serve as effective insulators. This insulating barrier prevents the electricity from reaching their bodies.

3. Minimal Contact: Birds usually touch the power line with only a small portion of their feet or body, reducing the chances of electricity passing through them. This limited contact area further prevents the electrical current from flowing through their bodies.

However, it's essential to note that if a bird were to touch two power lines simultaneously or come into contact with a power line and another conductor, such as a tree branch, it could create a path for electricity to flow and result in a shock. This is why birds should always exercise caution and avoid such situations near power lines to ensure their safety.

A story of Platonic Love ( Urwa and Afraa)

A story of Platonic Love

This is a story from pre-Islam era. It tells a melancholic love story. It’s a story of love and sacrifice. The main characters are Urwa, Afraa (the woman he loves), and his uncle (Afraa’s father). This is one of the short stories that that tell about certain value.

Urwa lived with his uncle. Urwa and Afraa grew up together and loved each other since childhood. After many years, Urwa proposed to Afraa but he couldn’t meet Afraa’s father requests as he was poor.

Afraa’s father asked Urwa to travel abroad so that he could afford the money needed for Afraa’s dowry. Urwa traveled abroad and after a while he became very rich. He came back happily to his homeland because he got the money his uncle requested as a dowry.

Urwa daydreamed of a fairy tale of himself with Afraa. Unfortunately, his uncle told him that Afraa died, he took him to a grave and told Urwa that it was Afraa’s grave.

Urwa broke down and mourned over his lost love. Surprisingly, Urwa found out that Afraa was alive and she got married to an Umayyad man from the Levant who lived in the neighborhood. This man Saw Afraa, he fell in love with her, proposed to her, he got married Afraa forcefully and then they left to The Levant.

Urwa got mad at his uncle because he pushed him to travel and he falsified Afraa’s death. Urwa traveled to The Levant and he stayed as a guest at Afraa’s husband house. Afraa’s husband had no idea of the love story between Urwa and Afraa. He knew him as Afraa’s cousin. Afraa’s husband didn’t tell her of Urwa’s visit.

Urwa thought of a trick to tell Afraa about his visit so he threw his ring in the milk pot and he sent her the pot with one of the maids. Afraa identified the ring and she realized that the guest was Urwa; her cousin and first love.

The two lovers met after many years of separation and grieve. Having a good reception, Urwa returned home to keep Afraa’s name clean. Before his departure, Afraa gave him a scarf of her as a souvenir.

After his return, Urwa got very sick. He fainted many times and he developed pulmonary tuberculosis. Urwa wrote many poems in a memory of his lost love. Urwa hallucinated of Afraa while he was dying. Shortly, Urwa died of is grieve and disease. Afraa knew of Urwa’s death. She got sick and died after a short time of Urwa’s death.

Afraa was buried in a grave next to Urwa’s grave. Two beautiful trees grew up wrapping each other between the two graves. The trees fulfilled the lovers’ old dream of living together.

How will renewable energy sources dominate the energy market?

Renewable energy is revolutionizing the future of the energy market. With advancements in technology and growing environmental concerns, more emphasis is being placed on sustainable and clean sources of power. Solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy are reshaping our energy landscape, offering a greener and more sustainable future.

The decreasing costs of renewable energy technologies have made them increasingly competitive with traditional fossil fuels. Solar panels are becoming more efficient and affordable, wind turbines are more powerful and cost-effective, and hydro and geothermal power plants are harnessing the Earth's natural resources. This shift is driving the transition towards a cleaner and more diverse energy mix. 

Renewable energy sources provide numerous benefits beyond reducing carbon emissions. They offer energy independence, as they can be harnessed locally, reducing reliance on imported fuels. They also create job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and improve energy security. The renewable energy sector is becoming a vital contributor to global economies. 

The scalability and versatility of renewable energy make it a game-changer in the energy market. Solar panels can be installed on residential rooftops, wind farms can be developed on land and offshore, and hydroelectric plants can be built on rivers and dams. This decentralized approach empowers individuals, communities, and businesses to become active participants in the energy transition.

As renewable energy continues to grow, it paves the way for a more sustainable and resilient future. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, mitigates climate change, and helps combat air pollution. It also fosters innovation, encourages research and development, and drives technological advancements. The future energy market will be shaped by renewable energy, bringing us closer to a cleaner and brighter world.

Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

There is a subject I have wanted to talk about for a while, but I haven't had the time to write a detailed explanation. It is the topic of using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction through injection into the penis, also known as the P-Shot.

The procedure is not costly, and I do not expect it to exceed 1000 Egyptian pounds, including the cost of preparing PRP and the specialist who administers the injection.

Studies and results in this field are promising, as it completely resolves erectile dysfunction in a significant percentage of those who have undergone the treatment. Additionally, an increase in penis length has been observed in some individuals who have used it.

So far, there haven't been any concerning side effects, mostly just mild pain due to the injection process.

Preparing and processing the sample for injection is straightforward, similar to any other PRP preparation for injections. The method is well-known, and I believe most specialists in my field are fully proficient in it.

I hope that content creators in the medical field discuss this topic due to its significant benefits, despite its low cost. I also request that specialists in the treatment of erectile dysfunction pay attention to this promising treatment.

Furthermore, I urge internists to talk to patients with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and others that are associated with erectile dysfunction about this treatment option.

Dr. Mahmoud Saad Hajji