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Sunscreen

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Sunscreen

“Slip on a shirt, Slop on the sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade, Slide on some sunnies.”

  • ‘Sunscreen’ is also known as ‘sun screen’, ‘sunblock’, ‘sunburn cream’, ‘sun cream’, ‘suntan lotion’ and ‘block out’.
  • Sunscreen comes in various forms which include cream, gel or spray mixtures that repel or block the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays.
  • Although sunscreen repels UV rays, they often do not block UVA, which are more damaging to the skin than UVB, so a broad spectrum solution that covers both UVA and UVB rays is highly recommended.
  • It has been proven that regular use of sunscreen can slow wrinkle formation and help prevent skin becoming saggy.
  • Most people do not apply adequate sunscreen, and a dose of one quarter to one third of a teaspoon, at least, should be applied to an adult’s face, and at least one teaspoon for each arm and leg.

Sunscreen, White, Blob, Bottle, tube, Homebrand, Squeeze, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • There are various levels of  sun protection factors (SPF) in different sunscreen lotions, and the higher the number, generally the longer the time you can be in the sun without getting sun burnt, and the better protection it provides.
  • Ancient Egyptians used a sunscreen like formula that helped to block UV rays, and modern formulas were first invented in the 1930s, and over decades they have gradually improved to the broad spectrum formulas that we have today.
  • Sunscreen generally has zinc oxide or titanium oxide as an ingredient, although research concludes that zinc oxide is more effective ingredient.
  • Austrian scientist, Franz Greiter, made a number of significant contributions to the development of sunscreen in the 20th century, including introducing the sun protection factor (SPF).
  • Scientists have been working on edible sunscreen pills and have discovered substances in marine animals and plants, which are the most efficient sun blockers.
Bibliography:
The History of Sunscreen, 2009, Random History, <http://www.randomhistory.com/2009/04/28_sunscreen.html>
Sunscreen, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen>

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Cicada

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Cicada

Buzz… Buzz… Buzz Buzz Buzz… BuzzBuzzBuzz… go the cicadas.

  • ‘Cicada’ is a Latin word meaning ‘tree cricket’, and the insect is also known as ‘cicala’ or ‘cicale’, and is sometimes mistakenly called a ‘locust’.
  • Cicadas are from the family Cicadoidea, which is within the order Hemiptera, the family of true bugs such as aphids.
  • There are 2500 official species of cicadas, with more of the insects that still need to be classified, and they are found on every continent excluding Antarctica.
  • Cicadas are often coloured in dark shades like brown and black, although other colours exist in some species including green, blue and orange.
  • Cicadas generally have two sets of wings, widely placed eyes, three ocelli (small eyes) and two antennae, and a sharp proboscis used to drink tree sap.

Yelow Cicada, Live, Adult, Ten Random Facts, Insects, Single, Australia, Cool, Professional, Stick, Climb, Antennae, Ocelli, Red eyes

  • Cicadas can affect the growth of the trees they feed on, and can cause damage from the laying of their eggs.
  • Cicadas are eaten all around the world, particularly China, Malaysia, Burma, Latin America, Congo and, historically, Ancient Greece.
  • Male cicadas can make very loud buzzing songs, used as a warning or mating call, by rubbing their musical membranes, or tymbals, and perform the most and the best on hot months and hot days.
  • Cicadas live most of their life, which can be 2-17 years depending on the species, burrowed underground as a nymph that feed on the juice of roots, and later they emerge to the surface, malt and generally live for 2 to 6 more weeks.
  • Cicadas are preyed on by birds, squirrels and bass fish, along with wasps who use them to feed their young.
Bibliography:
Britton D, Cicada: Superfamily Cicadoidea, 2012, Australian Museum, <http://australianmuseum.net.au/Cicadas-Superfamily-Cicadoidea>
Cicada, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada>

May Bush

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May Bush

May bushes that flower in September in the Southern Hemisphere!

  • May bushes are ornamental, shrubby plants that belong to the genus Spiraea , that has 80 to 100 species and has its origins in the word ‘wreath’ in Greek.
  • The scientific name of the common May bush is Spiraea cantoniensis, which is native to south east China, although other species of Spiraea are native to the Northern Hemisphere, particularly eastern parts of Asia.
  • In the Northern Hemisphere, May bushes bloom in May, and thus they are named ‘May bushes’.
  • May bushes are from the family rosaceae, which is the family of roses.
  • May bushes are deciduous and typically have green leaves 2.5 to 10 centimetres (1 to 4 inches) in length, and the shrub grows up to 2.5 metres (8 feet) in height.

May bush, White, Green, Foliage, Australia, Plant, Ten Random Facts

  • May bushes contain salicylic acid, which has aided the development of the pain killer Asprin.
  • May bush flowers are very small and have five petals that are generally white, but other species have red, yellow, pink or purple flowers.
  • ‘May bushes’ are also known as ‘bridal wreaths’, due to the historical use of the bushes’ branches as wreaths.
  • May bushes like being in full sunlight and growing in moist soil.
  • May bushes usually have long arching branches which are covered in Spring in white flowers, although they are often grown in hedges, and can be trimmed and shaped effectively.
Bibliography:
Dudman P, May Bush for Spring, 2006, The Garden Guru, <http://www.thegardenguru.com.au/content/File/79_may_bush.htm>
Spiraea, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiraea>

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Common Cold

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Common Cold

Achoo! It’s the common cold.

  • The ‘common cold’ is also called ‘nasopharyngitis’, ‘rhinopharyngitis’, ‘cold’, ‘ upper respiratory tract infection’ and ‘acute coryza’ and was discovered in 1950s, in the United Kingdom.
  • Common colds are multiple viruses that infect the upper respiratory functions, from the throat and up to, and in particular, the nose.
  • The rhinovirus is the most frequent cause of common colds, however there are 200 viruses that can cause the same or similar symptoms.
  • Common colds have symptoms, that are generally a reaction of the human body immune system, that includes coughs, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and fevers, which is similar to influenza, the flu.
  • Common colds are generally gone 7 to 10 days later, but sometime it can take up to three weeks to be rid of the symptoms.

Common Cold, Blowing Nose, Sick, Women, Tissue, Ten Random Facts, Free Digital Photos

Cold
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/Free Digital Photos
  • Although there is not any specific prevention against common colds, they can be avoided by thoroughly washing hands and staying away from others with the symptoms, and it is said that the common belief of consuming extra vitamins to prevent a cold is ineffective.
  • Common colds can not be treated, not even by antibiotics, although pain or symptom severity can be relieved by various means.
  • Common colds are the most common disease, as every year an adult has on average 2 to 5 colds and a child has 6 to 12 colds.
  • ‘Common colds’ are named ‘colds’ due to old folk theories that believed ‘colds are transferred in cold weather’, which is not true, although colds are most common in winter.
  • In the United States alone, it is estimated that more than $10.6 billion is spent on the treatment and health services for the common cold every year.
Bibliography:
Cold, 2011, Better Health Channel, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/colds_explained?open>
Common Cold, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold>

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Metric System

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Metric System

Numbers and measurements in the metric system.

  • The metric system is an internationally used measurement system that is decimal based.
  • The metric system is based on the French measurement system developed in the 17 and 18th century with the French measurement terms – ‘mètre’, ‘are’ (area), ‘stère’ (dry volume), ‘litre’ (liquid volume) and ‘gramme’ (weight).
  • The metric system has it’s own measurements and units for quantities including mass, volumes, time, distance, velocity or speed, acceleration, force, pressure, power, energy and temperature.
  • In 1799, areas of France started following the metric system, starting with kilograms and metres, then litres and Celsius, with more units added over time based on grams, metres and litres, which eventually led to widespread use throughout the world.
  • The United States, Myanmar (Burma) and Liberia do not use the metric system, making up 5% of the world ‘s population not using the system.

Metric System, Measurement, Scales, Grams, Electronic, Utilities, Spoon, Teaspoon, Tablespoon, Cups, Tape Measure, Ruler, Imagine Make Believe, Ten Random Facts,

  • Each unit in the metric system uses an internationally recognised symbol, such as ‘mL’ for ‘millilitres’ or ‘g’ for ‘grams’.
  • In 1960, the metric system was recognised as part of the ‘SI’, or ‘The International System of Units’ which was the establishment of an international standardised measuring system.
  • Prefixes, such as ‘kilo’, ‘centi’ and ‘deca’, are used in front of base measurements, such as ‘grams’, ‘litres’ or ‘metres’, in the metric system.
  • There are many variations in the spelling of terms in the metric system, such as ‘kilometre’ in English and ‘chilometro’ in Italian, or they have different English spellings – ‘gram’ and ‘gramme’, ‘metre’ and ‘meter’.
  • Faulty calculations related to the metric system has resulted in potentially fatal accidents or disastrous economic losses.
Bibliography:
Metric System, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metric_system>
The Metric System, n.d, Wichita State University Department of Mathematics and Statistics, <http://www.math.wichita.edu/history/topics/metric.html>

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Banana

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Banana

Don’t go bananas!

  • Bananas grow on what some people call ‘trees’, up to 15 metres (49 feet) high, that are actually flowering herbs, or plants, generally from the Musa genus, which belong to the family Musaceae, which also includes the genus of ensetes, similar to common bananas, some of which are also a valuable food source.
  • Bananas can be different sizes or firmness, but are usually a curved shape and have soft flesh, and when ripe, the skin can be yellow, red, purple, green or brown in colour.
  • Bananas are native to South to Southeast Asia, which includes the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, and they are believed to have been cultivated since at least 5000 BC in Papua New Guinea.
  • Bananas can also be known as plantains, although there are some small differences, like plantains are generally cooked, have less sugar than the common fruit, and more starch, and common green fruit can also be used for cooking purposes.
  • Commercial bananas are generally seedless, unlike the wild varieties, and are often eaten raw but can be eaten baked, steamed or deep-fried, dehydrated, made into jam, used as a flavouring addition or added to desserts, salads and main dishes like curry, and also made into flour for baking purposes.

Banana, Yellow, Peeled, Unpeeled, Ripe, Bunches, Hands, Long, Flesh, Ten Random Facts, Australia, Aldi

  • Bananas are the most sold edible fruit and one of the most important food crops in the world, ranking number four after rice, wheat and maize, and in 2011, India produce 29.7 million tonnes (32.7 million tons) of the fruit, which was one fifth of the total world production.
  • The term ‘banana’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘banan’ or the West African Wolof word ‘banaana’, and they are grown in tiers known as ‘hands’, with up to 20 pieces of fruit per hand, and each banana is called a ‘finger’.
  • Commercial bananas are often picked unripe and stored in a refrigerated room at 13 to 15°C (56 to 59 °F) to slow down the ripening process, but if the ripening process needs to be sped up, they can be stored with an apple or tomato for 12 hours or so in a paper bag.
  • Bananas are high in Vitamin B6, and have significant amounts of vitamin C, potassium, manganese and magnesium, and are the most radioactive fruit due to the potassium content, but do little or no damage to the human body.
  • There are between 500 and 1000 varieties of bananas, and the yellow Cavendish variety are the most commonly exported bananas, mainly due to easier transportation.

 

Bibliography:
All About Bananas, n.d, Bananalink, <http://www.bananalink.org.uk/all-about-bananas>
Banana, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana>

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