Author Archives: Cris

DVD

By | |
1 Comment
DVD

Sometimes you just sit back and wonder how so much data can be stored on a small DVD.

  • A DVD is a type of disc storage device, based on and similar to the CD or compact disc invention, that can hold various forms of digital information on its surface.
  • The initials ‘DVD’ were originally an acronym for ‘digital video disc’ and while it was suggested that the name should change to ‘digital versatile disc’, a now generally accepted term describing the invention, the initials became the official name of the disc, as its creators could never agree upon the extended name.
  • DVDs are the same size as CDs, a flat disc typically 12 cm (4.7 inches) in diameter, though there are some that are smaller; and they are most commonly used to store films or video files, but also games, other software and media files, among others.
  • David Gregg from the United States invented the optical ‘Videodisk’ in 1958, that was later developed into the ‘LaserDisc’ which was released for sale in 1978 with limited success, and these formats were the predecessors of the commercially successful and widely popular DVD, which was invented in 1995.
  • DVDs can come in two main forms – the read-only variants and the read-write variants, where the latter has the ability to have data written to the disc via a ‘writer’ – a machine that is often combined with a disc player, and while the data written on some discs is permanent, some writable discs have the ability to have the data removed or replaced with other data.

DVD, Shine, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Film, Movie, Back, Front, Hugo

  • Originally two different groups of companies were undergoing their own research and development to invent what became today’s DVD, with Sony and Phillips in one group and Toshiba and a number of other companies in another, however these companies joined forces on the recommendation of IBM, to avoid another format war like that of the VHS and Betamax videotapes.
  • 4.7 gigabytes is the most common data storage capacity of a DVD disc, having a one side and one layer format; though up to just over 17 gigabytes of data can be stored on a disc if it is formatted with two sides and two layers, as more formatted sides and layers equals more available space.
  • DVDs are particularly more appealing than their videotape predecessors, as they store much more data, have a significantly higher quality of sound and picture, and the data is able to be stored longer.
  • DVDs were first sold in Japan in late 1996; then in early 1997 in Central and North America; in 1998 – Europe, Africa and the remainder of Asia; and finally Australia in 1999.
  • A red laser is used to read and write DVDs, and this allows greater storage capacity than CDs, as red has a shorter wavelength at 650 nanometers, than the CD’s infrared, and therefore the discs are able to be ‘written’ in a smaller format; though Blu-Ray discs, the disc’s successor, which were first available for sale in 2006, can store up to 50 gigabytes of data by using a blue laser which has an even shorter wavelength than that of its predecessor.
Bibliography:
DVD, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD
History of DVD, 2016, Did You Know?, http://didyouknow.org/dvdhistory/
Woodford C, CD and DVD Players, 2015, Explain That Stuff!, http://www.explainthatstuff.com/cdplayers.html

Amazon:        

Immortal Jellyfish

By | |
Leave a comment
Immortal Jellyfish

Something that can live forever like the immortal jellyfish is a very curious thing.

  • Immortal jellyfish are a species of jellyfish found in the oceans near Japan and the Mediterranean area, though populations of them are popping up in various areas across the globe, and their movement to new areas is thought to be assisted by their travel in water held in the base of ships.
  • The scientific name of an immortal jellyfish is Turritopsis dohrnii and it is from the family Oceaniidae, a family of hydrozoans, and the species has also been dubbed as the ‘Benjamin Button jellyfish’.
  • Immortal jellyfish start life as larvae, that develop into polyps that have a similar appearance to soft coral, before they reach the mature jellyfish stage.
  • Immortal jellyfish adults are very small in size, reaching approximately 4.5 to 10 millimetres (0.18 to 0.4 inches) in diameter, and they are a transparent colour, sometimes with a vivid red stomach in its centre.
  • Immortal jellyfish are best known for their ability to avoid death from old age or severe wounds, by reverting back into a polyp form from being an adult jellyfish, by altering their cells – a process called ‘transdifferentiation’.
Immortal Jellyfish, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Animal, Yellow, Transparent, Death Defying, Tentacle, Turritopsis dohrnii
An Immortal Jellyfish
Image courtesy of Discovery News/Youtube
  • As a result of reversions, immortal jellyfish can create numerous exact duplicates of themselves, as one polyp can release a number of medusae (jellyfish).
  • Triggers that can cause immortal jellyfish to revert to polyps include old age, stress, illness, injuries and feeling threatened, though as yet, they have not been seen reverting from adult to polyp forms in their ocean environment, but rather only in laboratory settings.
  • The immortal jellyfish of the species Turritopsis dohrnii, is often confused with the visually-similar Turritopsis nutricula and Turritopsis rubra, with images and common names of the three species frequently confused with each other.
  • Despite the immortal’s jellyfish ability to refrain from dying from age, rendering it fairly immortal, the animal can be killed by disease or by natural marine predators.
  • The immortal jellyfish’s strange properties were first discovered in 1988, by Christian Sommer from Germany, who was studying to be a marine biologist, and this kick-started significant interest in and further research of the jellyfish.
Bibliography:
The Immortal Jellyfish, 2015, American Museum of Natural History, http://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/on-exhibit-posts/the-immortal-jellyfish/
Immortal Jellyfish, n.d, Immortal Jellyfish, http://immortal-jellyfish.com/
Rich N, Can a Jellyfish Unlock the Secret of Immortality, 2012, The New York Times Magazine, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/magazine/can-a-jellyfish-unlock-the-secret-of-immortality.html?_r=0
Turritopsis dohrnii, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_dohrnii

Xochimilco

By | |
Leave a comment
Xochimilco

The bright colours of Xochimilco really convey a sense of fun!

  • Xochimilco is a district or borough of Mexico City, in Mexico, North America, and a lake of the same name is also found in the region.
  • The area of Xochimilco comprises of a range of roughly 125 square kilometres (48 square miles), and contains many canals, made hundreds of years ago in the Pre-Hispanic period.
  • Xochimilco was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, as part of the historic centre of Mexico City, due to its long-established extensive canal network.
  • The many canals that snake throughout Xochimilco, stem from the nearby lake and are utilised for transportation, often using brightly coloured boats named ‘trajineras’, and as a result, the area has become a significant tourist attraction.
  • In 1928, the Mexican government created Xochimilco as part of a restructuring project of Mexico City, separating the city into 16 boroughs, and as of 2010, around 415,000 individuals resided in the district.
Xochimilco, Boat, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Water, Mexico City, Colourful, Canal
Xochimilco
Image courtesy of Christian Cordova/Flickr
  • Originally Xochimilco was the area of which a city of the same name was located, and the site is now considered a part of the borough’s historical centre.
  • There are many man-made islands in the Xochimilco area, know as ‘chinampas’, which are surrounded by the canals, one of which is known as the Island of Dolls, as many dolls can be found hanging there.
  • The term ‘Xochimilco’ comes from the native Aztec language, translated as ‘flower field’ or similar, referring to the area once being a site used for agricultural purposes, mainly growing flowers and crops on the chinampas; and the area is still known for its flower production.
  • Xochimilco’s canals are threatened by pollution, urbanisation, introduced fish species, and over-pumping of the water which has led to severe decline in water levels; all of which contribute to risking its status as a World Heritage Site.
  • In Xochimilco, 49 different festivals are run in the borough each year, with the main festivals celebrating the most beautiful women in the region, ice-cream, and olives, among other things.
Bibliography:
Delsol C, The Stunning Ancient Canals of Mexico City’s Xochimilco, 2015, SFGATE, http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/The-stunning-ancient-canals-of-Mexico-City-s-6130287.php
Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco, 2016, UNESCO World Heritage Convention, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/412
Xochimilco, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xochimilco

Amazon:       

Peanut

By | |
Leave a comment
Peanut

Do peanuts drive you absolutely nutty?

  • Peanuts are a type of nut, or botanically a legume, that is popularly eaten across the world, and the plant species is native to South America and as such, the nut is a major part of the cuisine there.
  • The scientific name of the plant peanuts grow on is Arachis hypogaea, and it is from the family Fabaceae, the family of legumes.
  • ‘Peanuts’ are also known as ‘ground nuts’ and are sometimes called ‘goobers’ or ‘goober peas’.
  •  The peanut plant produces yellow flowers, and after they are fertilised, the petals fall off, after which the tip of the stem heads towards the ground and buries itself to produce the nuts, or technically ‘seeds’, in a pod underground.
  • The mesh-like, textured brown pods of peanuts grow to be approximately 3 to 7 centimetres (1 to 3 inches) in length and while the nut is not a ‘nut’ by botanical definition, it is utilised as one in the food industry.

Peanut, Food, Culinary, Brown, Shell, Ten Random Facts, Trivia

  • Although two is most common, between one to four creamy coloured individual peanuts can be found in a pod, and they are covered in brown to red skin that is easily removed; and the nuts usually darken in colour when roasted.
  • China produces the most peanuts in the world, with 17 million tonnes (18.7 million tons) in the 2013 period, of the total world production of 46 million tonnes (50.7 million tons); and while the United States only produced 4% of the world’s total that year, they are the most commonly consumed nut in the country.
  • Peanuts can be eaten raw, roasted, boiled, or salted, but they can also be ground into flour, or have oil extracted from them; used as an ingredient in baking, main dishes, or sauces; and commonly made into a paste to eat on bread or toast.
  • Raw peanuts are extremely high in manganese; very high in fat, niacin, copper, and folate; high in thiamin, vitamin E, protein, magnesium, and phosphorus; and are a good source of iron, potassium, zinc, fibre and vitamin B6, as well as containing other vitamins and minerals
  • Due to the high levels of a wide range of nutrients, peanuts have been used to feed malnourished people in times of famine; though the nuts can cause allergic reactions, as severe as anaphylaxis, and as such, many schools in some countries have banned consumption of the nuts at school.
Bibliography:
Peanut, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut
Peanut Facts, 2016, The Peanut Institute, http://www.peanut-institute.org/peanut-facts/
Peanuts, 2016, The World’s Healthiest Foods, http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=101

Amazon:       

Sand Food

By | |
Leave a comment
Sand Food

Sand food looks like something from the beach rather than from the desert!

  • Sand food is a species of flowering herb found in deserts of the south-western area of the United States.
  • The scientific name of sand food is Pholisma sonorae and it is from the family Boraginaceae, the family of borages.
  • Sand food is found on sand dunes, and has a single scaly stem that can grow up to 1.8 metres (6 feet) underground.
  • Sand food has a brown, grey or cream coloured, roundish head with a diameter of up to 12.7 cm (5 inches), shaped like a mushroom, that sits above the sand.
  • To obtain moisture and nutrients, sand food plants use their long underground stem to take in water from the surrounding area, and attach themselves to another plant’s roots to absorb some of the host plant’s nutrients, like a parasite.
Sandfood, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Vegetation, Desert, Plant, Flowering, Sand
Sandfood
Image courtesy of Pacific Southwest Region/Flickr
  • The small flowers of the sand food plant often sit in a circle on the top of the head, and they are purple to violet in colour.
  • Sand food heads are generally partially concealed by sand, however when the sand is moved from around the plant, the stem and head combination is visually similar to a mushroom.
  • Exactly how sand food seeds are distributed is uncertain; however it is likely that the ever-shifting nature of sand, or insects or small mammals, bring the seeds deep under the sand.
  • Sand food flowers bloom in the months from April to June, and are covered in hairs that effectively reduce the effects of the heat of the sun.
  • Historically, the stems of sand food plants have been consumed by Native Americans, either cooked, or eaten raw; and as of 2012, they were an ‘at risk’ plant, mainly due to habitat disturbance by vehicles and habitat loss.
Bibliography:
Grant B, Sandfood Plant Info: Learn Facts About Sandfood Plants, 2016, Gardening Know How, http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sandfood/sandfood-plant-info.ht
Pholisma sonorae, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pholisma_sonorae
Pholisma Sonorae: A Strange Looking Flowering Plant, 2016, Amusing Planet, http://www.amusingplanet.com/2016/02/pholisma-sonorae-strange-looking.html
Pholisma Sonorae aka “Sand Food”, n.d, Atlas Obscura, http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/sand-food

Toy Soldier

By | |
Leave a comment
Toy Soldier

Do you remember the days when toy soldiers were the bomb?

  • Toy soldiers, also known as ‘tin soldiers’ are small figurine toys, typically based on members of combat or military groups.
  • Folk depicted as toy soldiers range from those of modern to historical armies, pirates, cowboys and knights, among others, sometimes in both genders.
  • Modern toy soldiers are most commonly made of plastic, although resin, as well as metal ones are also available – typically made of tin, antimony or pewter; while wood, lead, rock and clay ones were produced in the past; and while they are typically three dimensional, sometimes flat two dimensional soldiers were made from tin in the 1700s and 1800s.
  • Toy soldiers are often used for child’s play, though some figurines are designed for collecting, however before they were reinvented as toys, they were made for and used by the military and/or rulers to plan attacks against enemies.
  • Generally, toy soldiers are of a scale ratio of 1:28 to 1:35, with 1:32 is the most common and thus they are an average height of 5.4 centimetres (2.1 inches), though larger and smaller scale ones are available.

Toy Soldiers, Trivia, Ten Random Facts, Invention, Toy, Pirates, Army, Collection, Plastic

  • Figurines depicting army men were sometimes used as part of burial practices in Ancient Egypt thousands of years ago, while toy soldiers created for the purpose of play started appearing around the early 1700s, and were made by Germans.
  • Toy maker William Britain from the United Kingdom invented hollow metal toy soldiers in 1893, which due to their greater affordability because of less metal used, led to an increase in popularity of the play soldiers.
  • Toy soldiers can be purchased either painted or not, while the unpainted ones can be painted by the buyer, or they can be left unpainted, with green being the stereotypical base colour, as depicted in the Toy Story animation films.
  • Popular games using toy soldiers are often orientated around war themes, especially involving the knocking down of said soldiers using cheap, home-made weapons.
  • Toy soldiers are most commonly sold in bulk, often in barrels, buckets or boxes from toy shops, large department stores, or specialty outlets, however, collectible figurines are often sold individually.
Bibliography:
A Brief History of Toy Soldiers, n.d, The Toy Soldier Company, http://www.toysoldierco.com/resources/toysoldierhistory.htm
Toy Soldier, 2015, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_soldier
Toy Soldiers, 2016, Collector’s Weekly, http://www.collectorsweekly.com/toys/toy-soldiers
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...