How the Ames room tricks our brain

The Ames room is a distorted room that creates an optical illusion, making objects and people within it appear to change in size and shape. It is named after its creator, American ophthalmologist Adelbert Ames Jr. 

The room is designed in a trapezoidal shape, with one corner closer to the viewer and the opposite corner farther away. This creates a forced perspective illusion, where objects or people standing in certain positions appear much larger or smaller than they actually are. The Ames room is a fascinating example of how our visual perception can be manipulated through clever design and perspective tricks.

Some more information about the Ames room:

1. Illusion of Size and Shape: The Ames room creates an illusion of dramatic size and shape differences. When viewed from a specific vantage point, two people standing in the room may appear to be drastically different in size, with one seeming much larger or smaller than the other.

2. Forced Perspective: The illusion is achieved through the clever use of forced perspective. The room is constructed with a trapezoidal shape, where the ceiling and floor are slanted, and the walls converge to a single point. This tricks the viewer's perception, making objects or people in certain positions appear distorted.

3. Viewing Angle: To experience the illusion properly, the observer needs to stand in a specific viewing position that aligns with the optical trickery. From this particular angle, the distorted proportions become apparent.

4. Popular Demonstrations: The Ames room is often used as a demonstration in psychology, perception, and optical illusion exhibits. It captivates viewers and challenges their understanding of visual perception.

5. Film and Entertainment: The Ames room illusion has also been utilized in film productions and entertainment, creating visually striking effects. It has appeared in movies, TV shows, and even music videos.

6. Variations and Adaptations: Over time, variations of the Ames room have been developed, including modified shapes, sizes, and different objects or subjects placed within them to enhance the illusion.

The Ames room is a captivating example of how our brains interpret visual information and can be easily fooled by clever design techniques. It continues to fascinate and intrigue both researchers and the general public alike.

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Eight things the world must do to avoid the worst of climate change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published the “synthesis report” of its sixth assessment report (AR6) on Monday. Eight years in preparation, this mammoth report encompasses the entire range of human knowledge of the climate system, compiled by hundreds of scientists from thousands of academic papers, and published in four parts, in August 2021, February and April 2022, and March 2023.

The report drew together the most important findings – but also highlighted some key measures that governments and countries must take immediately if we are to avoid climate catastrophe:

Reduce methane

Sharp cuts to short-lived climate pollutants, methane chief among them, could cut more than half a degree from global heating. Produced from oil and gas operations and coalmines, and from animal husbandry and natural sources – such as decaying vegetation – methane is a greenhouse gas about 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. But it lasts only for about 20 years before degrading into CO2.

Durwood Zaelke, a peer review scientist for the IPCC’s AR6 report, and founder of the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development in the US, says cutting it is “the best way to slow near-term warming – indeed the only way we know of, short of [geoengineering through] solar radiation management, carbon dioxide removal and methane removal, all of which are still speculative”.

Cutting it should be easy: the International Energy Agency found that plugging the leaks from fossil fuel operations was not only low-cost but in most cases actively profitable. Butmany of these operations are in countries with little interest in climate action – Russia is the worst offender, but even in the US, action has been feeble – and despite the Methane Pledge signed by close to 100 countries since 2021, methane emissions continue to rise strongly. The Guardian recently revealed 1,000 super-emitting methane leaks.

Benefits of boiled eggs

Benefits of boiled eggs ❤️

1. Considered a complete food: Boiled eggs are considered a complete food as they contain a good balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals necessary for a healthy diet.

2. Improved brain health: Consuming eggs can improve brain function due to their high content of choline, which helps reduce brain inflammation, particularly inflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease.

3. Prevention of anemia: Boiled eggs are a good source of iron, which helps prevent anemia and promotes the production of healthy red blood cells.

4. Stronger bones: Eggs are rich in calcium, which plays a crucial role in strengthening and fortifying bone tissues. They can help address bone thinning and weakness issues.

5. Enhanced skin health: Boiled eggs contain high levels of antioxidants, which help neutralize free radicals in the body. This aids in maintaining healthy skin and achieving a radiant, youthful complexion.

6. Muscle building: Boiled eggs are a good source of protein, making them a valuable food for muscle building and repair. They are highly nutritious and satiating.

7. Cholesterol regulation: Boiled eggs provide both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, known as good fats. They can contribute to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

8. Improved vision: Egg whites contain lutein, a highly beneficial substance for preventing macular degeneration and reducing the risk of developing cataracts.

9. Weight loss: Consuming an egg for breakfast helps individuals feel fuller for longer periods, reducing overall food intake throughout the day. This can lead to a noticeable decrease in body mass and waist circumference.

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.