ScienceIQ.com

What Is pH?

Anyone who is the least bit familiar with vinegar, nausea, sodium bicarbonate, and ammonia-based cleaning solutions probably has a very good 'feel' for the different natures of acidic and basic solutions. But what the heck is 'pH' all about? To understand that one first has to know what makes a solution acidic or basic. The water molecule, H2O (or ...

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Astronomy

Dark Matter Mystery

While carefully measuring the speed of rotation of galaxies, astronomers stumbled upon a profound cosmic mystery. Determining the gravity of the galaxy. They could estimate what the rotation speed ... Continue reading

DarkMatter
Medicine

What is Asthma?

In many people, asthma appears to be an allergic reaction to substances commonly breathed in through the air, such as animal dander, pollen, or dust mite and cockroach waste products. The catch-all ... Continue reading

WhatisAsthma
Engineering

Drip, Drip Water Clocks

Water clocks were among the earliest timekeepers that didn't depend on the observation of celestial bodies. One of the oldest was found in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep I, buried around ... Continue reading

DripDripWaterClocks
Engineering

Searing Heat, Little Package

Engineers have created a miniature hotplate that can reach temperatures above 1100C (2012F), self-contained within a 'laboratory' no bigger than a child's shoe. The micro-hotplates are only a few ... Continue reading

SearingHeatLittlePackage

Your Friend, the Fat Cell

FatCellA healthy, adult human body contains about 35 billion fat cells. Each contains about 0.5 micrograms of fat. Stored fat is essential to good health. Fat is the body's principal energy reserve. It is used during long periods of exertion, such as running a marathon. It's also critical when food is in short supply, a situation that still faces most of the world's people today. Fat-storing tissue beneath the skin conserves body heat. It acts as a shock-absorbing, protective pad that protects body organs against injury. Fats contain the body's reserve of vitamins A, D, and E. Some of the substances stored in fat are growth factors. Others are essential for normal sexual development and reproduction.

Humans must get at least six essential fatty acids from food, because the body cannot make them. Fat-containing foods such as nuts, peanut butter, and olive oil reduce the risk of heart disease. These foods contain plant sterols. The sterols are fat-like substances that interfere with absorption of artery-clogging cholesterol from foods. They also contain monounsaturated fatty acids. Among the other friends of the fat cell are the oily fish. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils lower cholesterol levels. Too few of them in the diet elevate the risks of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. As few as two servings of salmon, tuna, anchovy, or sardines a week cuts the risk of sudden death from heart disease or stroke.

Fat cells are friends unless they grow too large in size and number. That's overweight or obesity. The only treatment is weight loss. Losing weight doesn't decrease the number of fat cells, but it does decrease their size. Fat loss isn't easy, but it's important for those who need it. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer.