94Apprenticeship Alum
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Brigitte Cleroux: Fraudulent Nurse from Ottawa, Ontario
Brigitte Cleroux didn't finish her nurse's training. She has worked in hospitals around Canada and the U.S. by using a fake name and has caused problems for patients. She is now in jail.
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11 Intriguing Dinosaurs: Physical Appearance and Life Facts
What did dinosaurs really look like? Scientists are continuing to make new discoveries about the animals, and viewing life-sized dinosaur models can be educational.
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Eastern Grey Squirrel Facts, Concerns, and Observations
Eastern grey squirrels are native to part of North America. They live in other areas, including mine. They are interesting animals, but they can cause problems.
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Grain Weevil and Flour Beetle Facts and a Flash Fiction Story
Grain weevils and flour beetles can be annoying pests. They are also interesting insects. Animals and nature can inspire the creation of nonfiction and fiction.
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Japanese Knotweed Facts and Problems: A Lovely Enemy
Japanese knotweed has some interesting features. Outside of its native habitat, it's often classified as invasive and a major nuisance that needs to be removed.
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Cichlids, Stingrays, and Goldfish: The Intelligence of Fish
Scientists have shown that at least some fish species have more intelligence than we realized. In laboratory research, they perform relatively complex behaviors.
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Spring Flowers of the Pacific Northwest: Facts and Photos
The coastal range of the Pacific Northwest area of North America has beautiful flowers in spring. In this article, I feature pictures of and describe ten of these interesting floral species.
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You Died Today: Thoughts About Death Plus a Nature Poem
A dead animal is always a sad sight. A dead bird in my garden on an early spring day inspired my thoughts about death and my creation of a poem.
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Exploring the Power of Music in Life and in a Poem
Music can be powerful beyond the notes that are played. It can trigger memories and stimulate intense emotions in real life or in stories and poems.
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Facts About Bizarre Barreleye Fish and Strange Siphonophores
The deep ocean contains some fascinating entities, including barreleye fish and siphonophores. Siphonophores are a major part of the Californian barreleye’s diet.
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Sleep in Jellyfish: Interesting Animals Without a Brain
Sleep is not restricted to animals with brains. A sleep-like state occurs in some animals that have neither a brain nor cerebral ganglia, including jellyfish.
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Facts About Joro Spiders: Interesting and Problematic Animals
Female Joro spiders are large and colourful. Males are smaller and duller. The females build dense and deep webs to trap prey. The webs may be a major nuisance.
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"Five Children and It" by Edith Nesbit: Magic and a Psammead
Edith Nesbit wrote some enjoyable books. The Psammead that she created is a strange character that grants the wishes of children, often with unexpected results.
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Mysteries of the Universe: Space Facts, Thoughts, and a Poem
The universe is fascinating to study. Scientists are learning more about it, but much is still unknown. I share facts, thoughts, and a poem about the universe.
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“The Story of the Amulet”: A Children’s Book by Edith Nesbit
Four children and a Psammead explore the past with the aid of a magic amulet, which is controlled by a strange entity. The story has an unexpected ending.
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"The Phoenix and the Carpet" Story and Edith Nesbit Facts
Edith Nesbit wrote some interesting and popular children's books. One of them includes a Phoenix that talks, a carpet that flies, and five adventurous siblings.
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Geometer Moths, Inchworms, and Two Hemlock Looper Species
Phantom and western hemlock loopers are geometer moths. Their caterpillars are known as inchworms and are interesting to observe, but they may harm trees.
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Manatee Species, Facts, and Problems: Intriguing Sea Cows
Manatees are interesting animals that are sometimes known as sea cows. In Florida, their population is in trouble, mainly due to loss of their seagrass food.
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Breathing Through the Lungs and the Intestine in Mammals
The lungs are vital for life, but their function is sometimes impaired. Scientists have given animals and humans oxygen via their intestine, which has helped them.
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Caffeine Facts, Actions, and Effects in Humans and Bumblebees
Caffeine is a potentially useful chemical for humans and has interesting actions in our body. It can also help bumblebees deal with a harmful fungal infection.
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Facts About Creeping Voles and Their Strange Chromosomes
Creeping voles are interesting and unusual animals. The females have a single sex chromosome, which is an X one. The males have two X chromosomes and no Y one.
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“How Green Was My Valley”: A Memorable Novel Set in Wales
“How Green Was My Valley” is an evocative tale of life in a Welsh mining village. Slag from the coal mine and problems in the community create a compelling story.
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Polychaete Worms: Animals With Straight or Branched Bodies
Polychaete worms are related to earthworms and share some of their features. Two strange species have highly branched bodies and live inside sponges.
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Dire Wolf Facts: An Ancient Animal in the Family Canidae
Scientists have sequenced part of the genome of the extinct dire wolf. The animal was once common and was about twenty percent larger than the gray wolf.
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“The Time Traveler’s Wife”: A Captivating but Flawed Novel
“The Time Traveler’s Wife” is a captivating tale about a man who involuntarily travels through time on multiple occasions and the woman who waits for him.
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Fat-Tailed Dwarf Lemur: An Intriguing Primate That Hibernates
Unlike other primates, the fat-tailed dwarf lemur hibernates in winter. Studying this behavior might be helpful in enabling long-distance space travel for humans.
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Catnip Insect Repellent and the Function of TRPA1 Channels
Catnip contains nepetalactone. The chemical repels mosquitoes via its action on their TRPA1 channels. We contain these channels, but catnip doesn’t affect them.
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The SARS-CoV-2 Virus: Spike Proteins, Glycans, and Vaccines
The SARS-CoV-2 virus causes the COVID-19 disease. Spike proteins and glycans enable the virus to infect us and are research targets for the creation of vaccines.
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Vancouver Sun Run Facts and Virtual Event Ideas
I describe the traditional and virtual Sun Run. I also discuss benefits and drawbacks of these events and describe how people could hold their own virtual event.
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Mysteries of Time and Memory: Facts, Thoughts, and a Poem
Time and memory are mysterious and linked phenomena. I describe some facts and thoughts about them and include a poem that describes a possible connection.
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Llama Antibodies and Fighting the Virus That Causes COVID-19
Llamas produce tiny versions of antibodies known as nanobodies. These might be helpful in dealing with the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the COVID-19 infection.
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Organoid & Stem Cell Facts, With Potential Medical Uses
Organoids are small and simplified versions of organs made from stem cells. They may help scientists to create much better treatments for some diseases.
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The Tongue-Eating Louse: Isopod Features and Taxonomy Facts
The tongue-eating louse is an isopod, despite its name. It destroys the tongue of a fish and lives in the space that's left, where it feeds on blood and mucus.
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Leptin Facts and Effects on Appetite and Lipodystrophy
Leptin is a hormone with many effects. It can reduce appetite when necessary and help people with lipodystrophy. Exploring its behavior is vital but challenging.
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Oats, Oatmeal, and Porridge: Plant Facts and Food Uses
Oats are useful plants that are a member of the grass family. Their seeds are known as groats or kernels and are used to create a great selection of foods.
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Kobudai and California Sheephead Fish: Facts and Gender Change
The Asian sheepshead wrasse, or kobudai, and the California sheephead are interesting fish in the wrasse family. They can change sex during their lifetime.
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Interesting Facts About Cusk Eels and Their Close Relatives
Cusk eels are elongated and interesting fish in the family Ophidiidae. Some species have unusual features. One appears to be faceless. Many live in deep water.
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Tardigrades or Water Bears: Strange and Resilient Animals
Tardigrades are strange, highly resilient creatures that can survive extreme environmental conditions. Recent discoveries revealed the abilities of the animals.
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Caecilians: Strange Amphibians That Look Like Earthworms
Caecilians are intriguing animals that look like large earthworms, snakes, or eels. They are actually amphibians. They are poisonous and may also be venomous.
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Autophagy in Cells: Removal of Damaged or Harmful Contents
Autophagy is the removal of damaged or harmful cell components. Lysosomes are vital in this activity. Autophagy is usually helpful but is sometimes problematic.
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Autumn Leaf Colors, Twilight Facts, and a Fall Poem
I describe the cause of autumn leaf colors and include facts about twilight. I also include my poem about observing a maple tree at twilight in the fall.
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Sea Hares, Angels, and Butterflies: Fascinating Gastropods
Sea hares, sea angels, and sea butterflies are gastropods, like terrestrial slugs and snails. They have interesting features and can be beautiful animals.
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Sea Slug Facts: 12 Beautiful Species
Sea slugs have interesting features and are often beautiful animals. In this article, I include facts about the animals and photos of twelve attractive species.
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Organelles or Compartments in Bacteria and Eukaryotic Cells
Bacteria contain structures that perform specific jobs and resemble the organelles found in eukaryotic cells. The organisms are more complex than once realized.
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Avocado Trees and Fruits: Botanical and Historical Facts
Avocado trees produce appealing and nutritious fruits. The plants have some interesting botanical features, and their historical background is intriguing.
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10 Attractive Moths in the Family Saturniidae: Facts and Photos
Many Saturniidae moths are large, colorful, and vividly patterned. Both the adults and their caterpillars are interesting to observe and study.
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European Medicinal Leech: Features, Biology, and Medical Use
The blood-sucking habit of the European medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) can be very useful in medicine. Scientists have recently sequenced its genome.
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Wolf Spider Facts and the Changing Population in the Arctic
Wolf spiders are great hunters. Some species live in the Arctic, where temperatures are increasing. Evidence suggests that this is affecting their population.
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Bacteriophages: Viruses in Bacteria and Our Gut Microbiome
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria. They don't infect our cells, but they're found in bacteria living in our gut. Here, they may affect our lives.
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Rhinoceros Hornbill and the Horned Guan: Interesting Birds
The rhinoceros hornbill and the horned guan are interesting birds whose populations are decreasing. Both of them have a horn-like head ornament made of keratin.
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6 Colourful Frog Species: Facts About Attractive Amphibians
Some frog species have beautiful colours. Blue and strawberry poison dart, golden poison, Malagasy rainbow, tomato, and emerald glass frogs are six examples.
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Willow Trees and Shrubs: Interesting and Useful Plants
Willows are lovely plants with interesting features and uses. They make salicin, the forerunner of aspirin, and miyabeacin, which may fight some types of cancer.
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Traditional and Inspirational Songs About Hope and Bravery
Traditional songs about hope and bravery can be very inspiring. Here I describe examples and include performances.
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Haiku and Three-Line Nature Poems: Facts and Examples
A haiku is a nature poem consisting of three lines. It contains an observation from a moment in time. It often includes a seasonal reference and juxtaposition.
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Slow Lorises: Venomous Primates and a Related Cat Secretion
Slow lorises are the only venomous primates. A protein in their venom resembles an allergenic protein in cat dander and saliva. Their population is in trouble.
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Epaulette Shark: The Shark That Walks on Land
Epaulette sharks are a type of walking shark and have an elongated body. Muscular fins enable them to "walk" on the ocean floor and on land, as well as swim.
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Goat’s Rue Plant, Metformin, and Medication Action in the Body
Goat's rue contains a chemical called galegine. Studying galegine enabled scientists to create a medication called metformin, which has multiple methods of action.
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Stentor: A Trumpet-Shaped Organism With Interesting Behavior
Stentor is a microscopic and single-celled predator. At least one type makes relatively complex decisions. Studying it may help scientists understand our cells.
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Music for Winter Solstice and Yule: Performances and Facts
Winter Solstice or Yule is an important time of year for many people and is often accompanied by a celebration. Enjoyable music has been created for the event.
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The Strange Aye-Aye Lemur: Features, Life, and a Pseudothumb
The aye-aye is a lemur with some bizarre features. Its thin and long third finger is used for tap foraging, and its hidden pseudothumb may act as a sixth digit.
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American Sweet Gum Tree: An Attractive Plant With Spiky Fruits
The American sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a popular ornamental tree. Its leaves are a lovely colour in autumn, but its spiky fruits may cause problems.
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Canuck the Crow: A Semi-Tame Northwestern Crow
The northwestern crow is an intelligent and interesting bird. Canuck is (or was) a wild but semi-tame crow who voluntarily associates with people in Vancouver.
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Crypt-Keeper Wasp: An Interesting Hyperparasite
The crypt-keeper wasp is a hyperparasite. It controls another parasitic insect called the crypt gall wasp and tunnels through its head to escape from a gall.
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Klebsiella pneumoniae Facts, Possible Effects, and Discoveries
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterium that lives in our body and is sometimes dangerous. It's usually harmless in the digestive tract, but this isn't always true.
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Public Art in Vancouver: Four Sculptures by the Waterfront
"A-maze-ing Laughter," "Inukshuk," "Search," and "Solo" are noteworthy sculptures in Vancouver. They are located by the ocean and near an entrance to Stanley Park.
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Autumn Equinox and Michaelmas: Harvest and Fall Festivals
The autumn equinox is a celestial event and a pagan festival. Michaelmas is a Christian festival. Both occur in September and are related to the harvest.
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The Beautiful Water Hyacinth: An Invasive Plant and a Biofuel
Water hyacinth is a beautiful and invasive plant that causes major problems. It has the ability to act as a great biofuel, especially when combined with cow dung.
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Animatronic Dinosaurs and Facts About the Real Reptiles
Several animatronic dinosaur exhibits have been present at the annual PNE Fair in Vancouver. I show photos of the models and give facts about the real animals.
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The Forest Elephant and Its Importance for the Environment
The forest elephant is in trouble. The loss of the species could increase the carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere, which in turn could worsen climate change.
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Abecedarian Poems and the Nature Facts that Inspired Them
Abecedarian poetry is related to alphabetical order in some way. I share five of my poems in the category as well as the nature facts that inspired the poetry.
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10 Pieces by Michael Praetorius: Performances and a Biography
Michael Praetorius was a prolific composer of the seventeenth century. His compositions are loved today, and his written work about music is a valuable resource.
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Southern Resident Killer Whales or Orcas: Endangered Animals
The killer whales that visit the Salish Sea in summer are in trouble. The group is endangered. One reason may be lack of salmon to eat, but there other theories.
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Plant Extracts That May Fight Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance
Research shows that four plant extracts inhibit the growth of some dangerous bacteria in the lab. Three of them may have been helpful in the American Civil War.
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Exploring the Stone Age Culture Under the Sea in Doggerland
Thousands of years ago, Doggerland connected Britain to Europe, where the North Sea exists today. The area had a rich Mesolithic culture, which is being explored.
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White Kermode or Spirit Bear: Official Mammal of B.C.
The spirit bear has a white or cream coat and lives in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia. It's an unusual form of the Kermode bear, a subspecies of Ursus americanus.
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The Strange Crucifix Frog or Holy Cross Toad: Amphibian Facts
The crucifix frog has a cross on its body. It lives mostly underground but emerges during the rainy season. It makes a sticky substance that may have medical uses.
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12 Recorder Consort Performances and Facts About the Music
A rich repertoire is available for recorder consorts. I describe the instrument, some music written for it, and some ensembles. I also include performances.
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Renaissance Songs and Instrumental Works by John Dowland
John Dowland was a popular and prolific composer of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. His songs and instrumental music are still enjoyed and studied.
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Folk and Traditional Songs About the Moon: Facts and Music
The beauty of the moon and its symbolic meanings have inspired many songs around the world. Some lovely folk and traditional songs about the moon exist.
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40 Facts About Lumholtz's Tree Kangaroos: Unusual Marsupials
Tree kangaroos are marsupials that move with ease through the trees and on the ground. The Lumholtz's tree kangaroo or boongary is the smallest species in the group.
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12 Enjoyable Christmas Songs From Early to Recent Music
Lovely Christmas songs can be found in the early music genre and in the music of more recent times. In this article, I include and discuss twelve of these songs.
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A Different Type of Advent Calendar: Helping Others and a Poem
An Advent calendar is often part of the Christmas season. It provides a small gift every day. Helping someone else every day is another way to celebrate Advent.
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Seven Scottish or Irish Folk Songs: Music and History
Scotland and Ireland have a rich musical heritage. It's interesting, enjoyable, and educational to explore traditional folk songs from the two countries.
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British Folk and Traditional Songs About Trees: Facts and Music
Trees can be beautiful and impressive. They have inspired the lyrics of many songs, including lovely folk and traditional songs of England, Scotland, and Wales.
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50 Wombat Facts: Unique Animals With Cube-Shaped Poop
Wombats are unique mammals that produce cube-shaped poop. They have a dermal shield at the end of their body that helps to protect them from a predator's attack.
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Influenza Virus Facts and a Possible Treatment via Llamas
Influenza viruses have unpleasant and sometimes serious effects. Antibodies to flu viruses made by llamas may enable scientists to create a better treatment.
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42 Interesting Facts About Harvestmen or Daddy Longlegs
Harvestmen or daddy longlegs are interesting animals that are arachnids but not spiders. They have some unusual features and are often fascinating to observe.
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Jackfruit Facts, Cacao Trees, and a Replacement for Cocoa
Jackfruit trees produce huge fruits. Cacao seeds are used to make cocoa, but the trees are in trouble. Jackfruit seed powder may be a good substitute for cocoa.
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Soul Cakes and Souling: A Musical Tradition From the Past
Souling in order to receive a small cake is an old tradition that was a forerunner of trick-or-treating. The "Soul Cake" song has been recorded by multiple artists.
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6 Samhain Songs for Your Halloween Harvest Festival Playlist
Here are six great traditional Samhain songs, along with some history and an explanation of the celebration.
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42 Facts About Western Red Cedar in Nature and Culture
Western red cedar (or redcedar) is a common and interesting tree in the Pacific Northwest area of North America. It was once important in First Nations culture.
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40 Interesting Facts About Hercules Beetles (Genus Dynastes)
Hercules beetles are named after the hero of ancient myths. The male has horns that may be very long. The insects are impressive animals and can change color.
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Acanthamoeba Facts, Eye Infection, and Keratitis Information
Acanthamoeba is a microscopic organism that can infect the cornea of the eye and cause Acanthamoeba keratitis. This disease is most common in contact lens users.
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How Major Antibiotics Work and Hope for Arylomycins
Antibiotics interfere with vital activities in bacteria and kill them. Sadly, bacteria are becoming resistant to the drugs. Arylomycins may help this situation.
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The Mbira: A Musical Instrument and Detecting Fake Medicines
The mbira is a traditional African instrument that is played in North America. An instrument based on the mbira can be used to detect counterfeit medicines.
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Spix’s Macaw Facts: Saving a Parrot Near Extinction in the Wild
The Spix's macaw is an interesting bird that is nearly extinct in the wild. Captive individuals exist. A few have been released and will hopefully survive.
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Staphylococcus epidermidis, Biofilms, and Antibiotic Resistance
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a bacterium found on skin and mucous membranes, often in biofilms. Some strains are harmless, and others are resistant to antibiotics.
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Camu Camu Fruit Facts, Uses, and Potential Health Benefits
Camu camu fruits contain a very high level of vitamin C and a large quantity of polyphenols. In mice, the fruits have been shown to have an anti-obesity effect.
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50 Facts About the Shoebill Stork: A Large and Strange Bird
Shoebill storks, or shoebills, have a huge and impressive bill. The animal's unusual features make it a unique bird. I describe 50 facts about the animal.
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Blood Type Facts and Producing Type O With Microbe Enzymes
Blood type is important to consider in transfusions in order to avoid harmful reactions. Scientists are learning how to make type O red blood cells from other types.
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Cruciferous Vegetables in the Diet and Colon Cancer Risk
Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, which produce indole-3-carbinol in our digestive tract. The latter chemical may decrease the risk of colon cancer.
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40 Interesting Gharial Facts: Weird Crocodile Relatives
The gharial is a critically endangered crocodile relative. It lives in and around rivers in India and Nepal. This reptile has interesting and intriguing features.
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Glaucoma, Curcumin, and Autoimmunity: Exploring the Research
Untreated glaucoma can cause vision loss. Specially formulated curcumin might be helpful for the disease, which in some cases may be an autoimmune disorder.
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Alastair Sim: A Biography of the Actor and Some Popular Films
Alastair Sim was a popular actor who made some memorable films. His version of “A Christmas Carol” (or “Scrooge“) is often seen during the Christmas season.
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Melon-Headed Whales, Rough-Toothed Dolphins, and a Hybrid
Melon-headed whales and rough-toothed dolphins are intriguing animals. They sometimes live in the same area. A hybrid animal was discovered in Hawaii.
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Social Amoebas, or Cellular Slime Molds: Fascinating Organisms
Dictyostelids (also called social amoebas or cellular slime molds) start life as ameboid cells but join to form a multicellular grex or slug when food is scarce.
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40 Hoatzin or Stinkbird Facts: A Strange and Unique Animal
Hoatzins are strange birds from South America. They digest their food in an unusual way and can have an unpleasant smell. Their chicks have claws on their wings.
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Yaws Disease: Causal Bacterium, Symptoms, and Treatment
Yaws is a disease caused by a specific bacterium. The disease has made a comeback after being almost eradicated. It can cause deformities and disabilities.
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40 African Civet Facts: Body Features, Life, and Behavior
African civets have some unusual features and interesting behavior. Unfortunately, they are kept in captivity on civet farms so that their musk can be collected.
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The Endangered Axolotl and Its Powers of Regeneration
The axolotl is a fascinating and critically endangered amphibian. It stays in its larval form throughout its life and has impressive powers of regeneration.
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Asian Longhorned Tick Facts and Potential Health Effects
The longhorned tick is native to Asia. It's present in the United States, where its numbers are increasing. In some areas, it transmits microbes that cause disease.
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Parasitic Horsehair Worms: Facts, Life Cycle, and Effects
Horsehair worms are long and slender animals that writhe and form shapes resembling knots. One larval form is a parasite that controls the behavior of its host.
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Ochre Sea Star or Starfish Facts and a Major Wasting Disease
The population of the ochre sea star has been seriously affected by a wasting disease. The disorder causes the animal’s body to disintegrate into a goo.
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The Endangered Kakapo and Sirocco the Celebrity Parrot
The kakapo is a flightless parrot that's endemic to New Zealand and is critically endangered. It's the heaviest parrot in the world. Sirocco is a famous kakapo.
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Planarians and Regeneration: Facts and Possible Applications
Planarians are flatworms with an amazing ability to regenerate. Scientists are investigating this ability and hope to apply their discoveries to human biology.
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Facts About Ferns and the Western Sword Fern
Ferns are attractive plants with interesting features. They exist in wild and cultivated forms. The western sword fern is common in coastal British Columbia.
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Hammerhead Flatworms: Interesting and Unusual Planarians
Hammerhead flatworms are a type of land planarian. They have a semilunar head and may be very long. These predators have been introduced to the US and Europe.
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The Digestive Tract and Parkinson's Disease: A Possible Link
Alpha-synuclein fibrils in the brain are a feature of Parkinson's disease. The fibrils sometimes appear in gut nerves and might travel from the gut to the brain.
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Plasmodium vivax and Malaria: Microbe and Disease Facts
Plasmodium vivax is said to be a less serious cause of malaria than P. falciparum, but it can be deadly. It may become dormant in the body and later become active.
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Classical Vocal and Piano Music About Mothers and Motherhood
The classical music genre includes some lovely music about mothers. Sharing a playlist of these pieces is a great way to celebrate motherhood or Mother’s Day.
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English and Spanish Bluebells: Features, Facts, and Problems
Lovely English and Spanish bluebells and hybrids between the two species live in British Columbia and Britain. The plants are experiencing or causing a problem.
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Saprolegnia and Phytophthora: Water Molds or Oomycetes
Some species of Saprolegnia kill fish. One species of Phytophthora caused the potato famine in Ireland. Oomycetes are interesting but often harmful organisms.
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Puss and Saddleback Caterpillars: Insects That Sting Humans
Puss and saddleback caterpillars are attractive insects. Unfortunately, they are stinging caterpillars. In some people, the sting can cause serious problems.
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Whistler Resort and Village, British Columbia: Facts and Photos
The Whistler Resort Municipality is a great place to visit at any time of year. It offers Whistler Village, skiing, hiking, sightseeing, food, and much more.
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Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Causes, Problems, and Brain Training
Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing impairment. Ways to deal with the condition exist. One type of brain-training game may be helpful.
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Interstitial Fluid and the Interstitium: Formation and Function
Interstitial fluid bathes and supports cells. The spaces holding the fluid seem to be connected. They may form an organ that has been called the interstitium.
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Hellebores: Beautiful Flowers of Late Winter and Spring
Hellebores bloom in late winter and spring. The flowers are a lovely sight in gardens and landscaped areas. Lenten and Christmas roses are types of hellebores.
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Paneth Cells and Their Association With Crohn's Disease
The glands of the small intestine contain Paneth cells, which help to keep the intestinal lining healthy. Crohn's disease has been linked to problems in the cells.
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Giant Viruses: Facts About Fascinating and Mysterious Entities
Giant viruses are huge entities compared to other viruses and are bigger than some bacteria. They can often be seen under a light microscope and have large genomes.
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Carnauba Palms and Candelilla Shrubs: Plants and Their Wax
The carnauba palm and the candelilla shrub are interesting plants that produce a useful wax. Many people are exposed to the wax via products that they buy.
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FOXO Proteins in Joint Health and Osteoarthritis
Scientists say that people with osteoarthritis seem to have a lower-than-normal level of FOXO proteins in their damaged joints. Raising the level might be helpful.
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Tasmanian Devils and Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD)
The Tasmanian devil is an endangered species whose population is decreasing. The main cause is devil facial tumor disease. Signs of hope have appeared, however.
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Giardia in the Intestine: Parasite Facts and Giardiasis Disease
Giardia is an interesting parasite that causes an intestinal disease called giardiasis. Understanding the parasite's behavior may lead to better treatments.
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The Cornett, Cornetto, or Zink: An Early Music Wind Instrument
The cornett, cornetto, or zink produces a lovely sound that often resembles the human voice. It has finger holes like a recorder and a mouthpiece like a trumpet.
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Multiple Sclerosis Disease Facts and Testosterone Effects
Men are far less likely to get multiple sclerosis than women. This may be because testosterone protects them. Studying how this works may help both genders.
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Facts About the Pre-Decimal Penny in UK History and Culture
The pre-decimal penny existed for hundreds of years before the decimal penny. It's associated with some interesting sayings, traditions, and other facts.
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The Sixpence and the Shilling: Coins, History, and Traditions
The sixpence and the shilling are pre-decimal coins from the United Kingdom. They have a long history and are associated with some interesting traditions.
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Crop Wild Relatives for Genetic Diversity and Food Security
Wild relatives of agricultural crops are in trouble, which could be a major problem. The genetic diversity in wild crops may provide food security for the future.
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Glaucoma: Eye Biology, Nerve Damage, and Research Facts
Glaucoma is a vision problem caused by optic nerve damage. It often involves increased pressure in the eyeball. Medical research may help to improve treatments.
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Epilepsy and a Ketogenic Diet: Facts and Potential Benefits
A ketogenic diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrate. The diet may be very helpful for some people with epilepsy, but it must be monitored by a doctor.
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Replacing Dead Tissue in the Heart: Research and Discoveries
When someone experiences a heart attack, cells in the heart die. Scientists have found ways to replace the cells in rodents. The techniques may one day help us.
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Kennel Cough in Dogs: Causes, Facts, and My Experience
Dogs with a hacking cough may have a very infectious disease called kennel cough. A vet's diagnosis is essential, however. My dog experienced the disease.
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Rigoletto: Great Music, Some Unpleasant People, and a Tragedy
Rigoletto is a popular opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi. I discuss the opera's history, plot, and leading characters. I also include some of its lovely music.
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Diabetes Types and Insulin Resistance in Alzheimer's Disease
Insulin resistance may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and is sometimes called type 3 diabetes.
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Mud of the Earth: Composition, Dangers, and Interesting Uses
Mud is a versatile material. It's useful for both animals and humans. It can also be dangerous, especially in the form of mud volcanoes and flows.
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Opera Facts: "Barber of Seville," "Pagliacci," "Falstaff," and "A Masked Ball"
The four operas listed in the title of this article are very popular. I include a synopsis, music, and a photo of a related sculpture for each work.
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Microplastics in the Environment and Inside the Human Body
Tiny microplastic particles are created from plastic waste. The particles enter our body in multiple ways. Their possible effects are unknown but are a concern.
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Salbutamol Effects in Asthma and Parkinson’s Disease Risk
Salbutamol (also known as albuterol and Ventolin) is used in rescue inhalers for asthma. Research suggests that it might reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.
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Leprosy or Hansen's Disease Facts: Bacteria and Nerve Damage
Mycobacterium leprae is a bacterium that causes leprosy. It damages nerves, perhaps by affecting the Schwann cells around neurons or cells in the immune system.
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Goldfish: Interesting and Surprising Facts About a Popular Pet
Goldfish are interesting fish that have some surprising features. The animals are popular pets. They are found in the wild, where they may become very large.
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Type 1 Diabetes and a Potential Treatment by Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy may one day stop beta cell destruction in the early stage of type 1 diabetes. Beta cells produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
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Biofluorescence in Sharks: Light Emission and Functions
The swell shark and the chain catshark produce beautiful patterns of light in a process called biofluorescence. The light emission may have important functions.
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Tunicate Facts: Ascidians and Bioluminescent Pyrosomes
Ascidians are sessile marine invertebrates. Their mobile larvae have some vertebrate features. Pyrosomes are related and exist as mobile bioluminescent colonies.
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Hearing Loss Facts and the Possibility of Stem Cell Therapy
A common cause of hearing loss is damage to the hair cells in the cochlea of the ear. Researchers hope to one day use stem cell therapy to make new hair cells.
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Bumble Bee Behavior: Surprising Capabilities of Small Brains
Bumble bees have surprisingly capable brains. They can play a simple version of soccer and pull a string to get a reward. They may even experience optimism.
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Public Art by the Waterfront in Downtown Vancouver
The path beside the waterfront in downtown Vancouver is an attractive place to explore. Some interesting examples of public art can be seen near the path.
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Naked Mole-Rats: Facts About Strange and Fascinating Animals
Naked mole-rats have a strange appearance and fascinating features. Studying the rodents may help researchers to understand and treat some human health problems.
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Nine Scottish Gaelic Folk Songs Sung by Julie Fowlis
Julie Fowlis is a popular Scottish folk singer and musician. She often sings in Gaelic and is involved in collecting the traditional songs of the Hebrides.
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Five Contemporary Folk Songs Written by Jimmy MacCarthy
Jimmy MacCarthy is a leading Irish songwriter. He creates contemporary folk songs that often contain interesting imagery that can be interpreted in several ways.
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Cryobiology: Frozen Wood Frogs and Adaptations for Survival
The wood frog survives freezing. Exploring its adaptations may help us deal with some human health problems and improve the use of organs for transplants.
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Peeing in Swimming Pools: Urine, Chemicals, and Health Hazards
Chemicals in urine react with pool disinfectants. The resulting products can be irritating to the eyes, skin, and airways and might cause more serious effects.
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McVitie's Digestive Biscuits, Jaffa Cakes, and Company History
McVitie's is a well known biscuit maker in Britain. The company has had a long history. Two of its most popular products are digestive biscuits and Jaffa cakes.
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Lychees and Ackee Fruits: Plant Features, Toxins, and Effects
Unripe lychees and ackee fruits contain toxins. Both fruits should be eaten only when ripe. It's also very important that ripe ackee is prepared properly.
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Tomato Plant Facts, History, and Improved Flavor
Tomatoes are nutritious and have an interesting history, but they often lack flavor compared to ones in the past. A recent discovery may provide tastier tomatoes.
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Welsh Folk and Traditional Songs: A Rich Musical Heritage
Wales has a wonderful musical heritage. It's known for its vocal music, singers, and choirs. Folk and and traditional songs are a major part of its culture.
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Four Traditional English Folk Songs: Music and Interesting Facts
England has a rich collection of traditional folk songs. This article includes performances of four songs and describes the interesting background of the music.
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Svalbard Reindeer in Norway: Facts and Potential Problems
Svalbard reindeer live on an archipelago near Norway and are the smallest subspecies of reindeer. The population is facing challenges as the environment changes.
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Acorn Worm Facts and the Regeneration of Human Body Parts
Acorn worms have an amazing ability to replace lost body parts. We have most of the worm's regeneration genes. They might one day help us to replace body parts.
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TRIUMF: Canada's National Laboratory for Particle Physics
TRIUMF is Canada's particle accelerator centre and is located in Vancouver. It contains the largest cyclotron in the world and produces medical isotopes.
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Eight Folk Rock Songs of the 1960s: A Playlist for Today
In the 1960s, artists like Judy Collins, Peter, Paul and Mary, Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, The Seekers inspired a folk music revival in the United States and Britain that straddled the line between folk and rock.
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Facts About Pitcher Plants and Enzymes That Digest Gluten
Pitcher plants have cups that trap and digest prey. The digestive enzymes of one species break down gluten in the lab and might help people with celiac disease.
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The Fascinating Venus Flytrap: A Carnivorous Plant in Trouble
The Venus flytrap is a fascinating carnivorous plant that is very popular in homes. The wild population grows in a limited area in the U.S. and is in trouble.
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Sickle Cell Disease or Anemia and CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing
Sickle cell disease is painful for sufferers and can sometimes be dangerous. Genome editing may one day correct the mutation that causes the disorder.
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The Nitobe Memorial Garden in Vancouver: Beauty and Symbolism
The Nitobe Memorial Garden is located in Vancouver, British Columbia. It's a beautiful and often peaceful Japanese garden that is filled with symbolism.
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Exploring the Lovely UBC Botanical Garden in Vancouver
The UBC Botanical Garden is a wonderful place for plant lovers. It's enjoyable and educational to explore. The garden contains a mix of nature and cultivation.
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Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pneumococcal Disease Facts
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium that lives in the nose of many people. It's often harmless but can cause multiple problems. Some are potentially serious.
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Facts About Dinosaurs and Impressive Animatronic Models
Dinosaurs Alive is an exhibition consisting of large, animatronic dinosaurs. This article contains facts about the real animals and photos of some of the models.
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Burnaby Eco-Sculptures: Animals Made From Metal and Plants
Eco-sculptures of animals are a traditional summer and early fall attraction in Burnaby, British Columbia. The sculptures are attractive and often educational.
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Wolbachia Bacteria and Stopping Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Wolbachia is a bacterium that infects mosquitoes. It can prevent viral replication in its host and may protect us from dengue, Zika virus disease, and other illnesses.
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The Brain: Broca's and Wernicke's Areas and the Circle of Willis
Broca's area, Wernicke's area, and the circle of Willis are important parts of the brain. They are named after the famous scientists who discovered them.
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NOAA Ocean Exploration and Life in the Mariana Trench
The Mariana Trench is the deepest place in the ocean and contains some fascinating animals. NOAA has made some exciting discoveries about life in the trench.
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Giant Hogweed and Grapefruit: Effects of Furanocoumarins
The giant hogweed causes burns and blisters. Grapefruit juice interferes with many medicines. The chemicals that cause these effects are called furanocoumarins.
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Purple Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susans, and Michaelmas Daisies
Purple coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and Michaelmas daisies belong to the Aster family. Each species has beautiful flowers and interesting cultural connections.
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Obesity, Appetite, and a Gene Mutation in Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers are lovely dogs but have a tendency to become obese. A mutation in the POMC gene may maintain their hunger and make weight control harder.
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Oral Storytelling, Ancient Myths, and a Narrative Poem
Oral storytelling performances can be entertaining and educational. Prose, poems, and songs can tell a story. Myths and traditional tales are often shared orally.
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Selkirk Rex Cat Breed: Origin, Features, and Pompous Albert
The Selkirk Rex has a curly coat and an unusual appearance. The cat makes a friendly, playful, but generally calm pet. Pompous Albert was a famous example.
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Red-Sided Garter Snakes and Manitoba's Narcisse Snake Dens
In winter and spring, the Narcisse Snake Dens in Manitoba contain the world's largest collection of red-sided garter snakes. The animal is kept as a pet by some people.
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Disease Facts and Discoveries
In familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the SOD1 protein is misfolded due to a gene mutation. Most cases are sporadic ALS and may be due to a different mutation.
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Zika Virus Disease, Microcephaly, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Mosquitoes can transmit the Zika virus to humans. The virus may produce no or mild symptoms but has caused microcephaly in babies and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults.
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Wormwood and Artemisinin: A Malaria Drug Derived From Nature
The sweet wormwood plant makes a chemical called artemisinin. This can be a great prescribed treatment for malaria. Signs of resistance to the drug have appeared.
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Rapamycin, mTOR, and Possible Anti-Aging Effects in Dogs
Rapamycin increases lifespan in mice, apparently by inhibiting a protein called mTOR. It may do the same in dogs and in humans. It's being tested in pet dogs.
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Fish Mucus: Composition, Functions, and Potential Uses
The mucus that covers fish has multiple functions. It protects the animals from specific dangers and, in some species, is food for the young fish. It may help us.
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Coral Bleaching and Oxybenzone: Sunscreen in the Environment
During coral bleaching, corals lose their pigment and main source of food. They often die as a result. Oxybenzone in sunscreens may contribute to the process.
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Flour Beetles and Grain Weevils: Pest Facts and Control Tips
Flour beetles are often incorrectly called flour weevils. I give facts about beetles and weevils found in grain products, as well as tips for controlling them.
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Octopus Facts, the Adorable Dumbo, and Two-Spot Species
Octopuses have fascinating features and abilities. Some have fins that help them move. Others demonstrate intelligence. The genome of one species is unusual.
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Facts About Himalayan Balsam Plants and Still Creek in Burnaby
Himalayan balsam has beautiful flowers but is often invasive. One of the places where it grows is in a lovely area beside Still Creek in Burnaby, British Columbia.
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"Yersinia" Bacteria: Plague, Foodborne Illness, and Other Effects
One bacterial species in the genus "Yersinia" causes bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Others cause foodborne illness. One type might aid cancer treatment.
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Pacific White-Sided Dolphin Facts: Wild and Captive Animals
Pacific white-sided dolphins are intelligent and social animals. This article describes the lives of these wild dolphins and of some rescued animals in captivity.
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40 Facts About Irises: Beautiful Flowers and Useful Plants
Irises are beautiful flowers that have a wide variety of colours. Some are used to make orris root, which has a lovely scent but can cause an allergic response.
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"The Secret Garden": An Analysis of a Classic Children's Book
"The Secret Garden" is a story about a seemingly magical garden that has healing powers. The garden has been hidden for 10 years when a young girl discovers it.