Ep 66 - If math is really difficult, you wear a lab coat
Apr 27, 2022
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A California woman accidentally wins the lottery with a wrong ticket, French scientists create soap bubbles that don't pop, T-Rex's tiny arms may have prevented them from being bitten off, Antarctica's post office is hiring, and the host's house is haunted by Slender Man.
The tiny arms of the Tyrannosaurus Rex may have evolved to reduce the risk of accidental bites during feeding frenzies.
The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust is hiring staff for their research station in Antarctica, which includes managing the world's southernmost post office and census of penguins.
Scientists in France have created a soap bubble that lasted for 465 days, which could have practical applications.
Deep dives
T-Rex arms evolved to prevent accidental bites during feeding frenzies
A new hypothesis suggests that the tiny arms of the Tyrannosaurus Rex evolved to reduce the risk of accidental bites from other dinosaurs during feeding frenzies. Previous hypotheses about the purpose of the T-Rex's arms, such as using them as a sexual aid or for slashing prey, are deemed unlikely due to their small size and weakness. Researchers believe that the reduction in arm size served a greater purpose in minimizing the risk of injury while engaging in group feeding.
Antarctica's Court Lachroy Station seeks staff to run post office and count penguins
The UK Antarctic Heritage Trust is looking for staff to run the Court Lachroy research station in Antarctica. The selected individuals will be involved in managing the world's southernmost post office and assisting with the census of penguins as well. Candidates are required to possess physical fitness, environmental awareness, and knowledge of minimum impact living, and the site also includes a museum and a gift shop.
Scientists create bubble that lasts 465 days
Scientists at the University of Lille in France have created a soap bubble that lasted for an impressive 465 days. The researchers mixed a high concentration of glycerin with water to overcome the typical drainage and evaporation issues that cause bubbles to pop. This finding could have practical applications, although the specific uses were not disclosed by the researchers.
Woman accidentally wins $10 million with incorrect lottery ticket
A woman in Tarzana, California won a $10 million top prize in the California Lottery by accidentally purchasing a more expensive ticket. She usually opted for cheaper scratch-off tickets, but after being bumped by someone at the lottery vending machine, she accidentally selected a $30 ticket. Initially annoyed, she scratched the ticket on her way to her car, only to realize later that she had won the top prize. She plans to use her winnings to buy a house and start her own nonprofit organization.
Scientists hypothesize that T-Rex evolved tiny arms to avoid being bitten by other dinosaurs
A new hypothesis suggests that the Tyrannosaurus Rex may have evolved tiny arms to reduce the risk of accidental bites by other dinosaurs during feeding frenzies. The researchers propose that the reduction of the T-Rex's arms served a greater purpose, as they were not used for predation. Previous hypotheses, such as using the arms for mating or slashing prey, are deemed unlikely due to their small size and weakness. The findings were based on measurements of a mostly complete T-Rex skeleton.
This week, California woman accidentally buys wrong lottery ticket and wins jackpot, French scientists invent soap bubbles that don’t pop, T-Rex may have had tiny arms so they weren’t bitten off, Antarctica’s post office is hiring, and Mark’s house is haunted by Slender Man.
