– BEAUTIFUL BODY – • Humans are not the only animals with opposable thumbs. Most (but not all) species of primates have thumbs, as well as certain species of frogs, rats, mice, lemurs, birds, pandas, and even dinosaurs. The opossum does, and also the chameleon. • But in humans, it made all the difference. “Increased manual dexterity in the form of efficient thumb opposition was among the early defining characteristics of our lineage, providing a formidable adaptive advantage to our ancestors,” says paleo anthropologist Katerina Harvati. The thumb has been described as “mankind’s greatest app.” • The development of the […]
TIDBITS® is color blind
by Janet Spencer It’s estimated that there are about 300 million color blind people worldwide, nearly equal to the population of the U.S. Come along with Tidbits as we look at the facts! COLOR BLIND FACTS • Color blind people are more accurately called “color deficient.” • There are many different severities of color vision deficiency, from nearly normal color vision up to complete color blindness. • It’s estimated that 98% of those with color blindness have red-green color blindness. Of those, 75% have trouble seeing green, while 24% have difficulty seeing red. • The recessive gene for red-green color […]
Presidential Pets
• Thirty-sixth U.S. President Lyndon Baines Johnson came under fire in 1964 for his treatment of his pair of beagles, Him and Her. When LBJ was photographed lifting Him up by his ears, the Humane Society of Texas publicly denounced Johnson, calling for an apology. The President issued a statement, defending Him’s yelps as “a sound of joy.” Her died later that year after swallowing a rock, and Him perished two years later after being hit by an executive chauffeur. • As First Daughter Chelsea Clinton left her piano lesson in 1991, a cat leaped into her arms, […]
The Pancreas – BEAUTIFUL BODY –
– BEAUTIFUL BODY – It may be small – just 4.7 to 5.9 inches (12-15 cm) long – but the pancreas is vital to the digestive process. This week, Tidbits delves into the functions of this important organ. • A Greek surgeon named Herophilus was the first to formally identify the pancreas around 300 B.C. The organ was first referred to as the pancreas about 400 years late, when another Greek surgeon, Ruphos, came up with the name using the Greek word “pankreas,” which translates “all flesh,” perhaps because of its lack of bone or cartilage. • Where is the […]
TIDBITS® Studies some famous pets
by Kathy Wolfe We love our pets! Nearly 70% of us have an animal in the home, and, according to a survey, 90% of pet owners think of their pets as members of the family. For some, pets go way beyond cats and dogs, as you’ll see as you read these Tidbits’ facts. • American soldier Lee Duncan was on a World War I battlefield in France when he happened upon a litter of German Shepherd puppies abandoned in the trenches. Duncan brought the pups back to America and began training them. One of the dogs became Rin-Tin-Tin, starring in […]
Asbestos
• Asbestos was once known as the “miracle mineral.” It’s a type of silicate composed of hair-like fibers. It can be woven into cloth or mixed with other substances to strengthen them and imbue fireproof properties. • Asbestos is not only flame-resistant but also resistant to chemicals. Flexible fibers make it easy to work with, and its insulating properties are unsurpassed. When twisted into a wick, the wax burns but leaves the wick untouched. This led to its name, as “asbestos” comes from the Greek word meaning “inextinguishable.” • The first use of asbestos dates back 4,500 years, when potters […]
TIDBITS® Sniffs CHANEL N°5
by Janet Spencer Who knew there could be so much behind a perfume? Come along with Tidbits as we learn the story behind one of history’s most famous perfumes, and the name behind it. A SUCCESS STORY • Coco Chanel is the name behind Chanel N°5. She was a dress designer long before the perfume came along. In a time when women wore corsets, maintained hourglass figures, and donned excessively ornamental dresses, Chanel designed clothing with elegantly simple lines. She shortened skirts, added pockets, and created her own empire in a business dominated by men. “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise […]
Tickle – BEAUTIFUL BODY –
– BEAUTIFUL BODY – • What exactly is a tickle? In scientific terms, nerve signals are sent from the skin to the primary somatosensory cortex, which is the part of the brain that controls the sense of touch. These signals are analyzed by the anterior cingulate cortex, which is the part of the brain that responds to pleasant feelings. The messages also generate activity in the hypothalamus, which is responsible for instinctive involuntary reactions to situations that might involve pain. • The automatic response from the hypothalamus prepares us for an incoming attack, triggering an involuntary self-defense mechanism designed to […]
Teflon
Every cook loves non-stick cookware! This week, in commemoration National Teflon Day on April 6, Tidbits offers the history of this breakthrough material, considered the most slippery material in existence. • In 1938, 27-year-old research chemist Roy Plunkett was working at the DuPont research laboratory in Edison, New Jersey. Plunkett had been assigned with the task of developing an alternative to existing fluorocarbon-based refrigerants, working with gases related to the Freon refrigerant. He and his assistant had produced 100 lbs. of tetrafluoroethylene during their experiments, and needed a way to store it. The TFE was placed in small cylinders and […]
TIDBITS® Lists some April observances
by Kathy Wolfe This week, Tidbits’ focus is on some rather obscure events commemorated during the month of April. • As you celebrate National Dandelion Day on April 5, consider all the good things about what we often think of as a pesky weed. Dandelions have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for more than 1,000 years, when they were prescribed for many ailments – warts, constipation, and even the plague! Every bit of the dandelion is edible, with a cup of raw greens providing 112% of the daily requirement for Vitamin A. They have more Vitamin A than spinach […]