Amazing Science!

[Zzzptm]

Starting things off with "smelling your own farts is good for you!"

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/science-smelling-farts-alzheimers-disease-b2877346.html

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2021/01/rotten-egg-gas-could-guard-against-alzheimers-disease

Pull my finger for your good health! 

[Vyn]

That's amazing!

Here's one: Our eyes are not designed to process photons, therefore light waves themselves are invisible to people. So, the old spiritual, "I Saw the Light,"...well, no, you actually didn't Jethro.

[Zzzptm]

Whoaaaa cool

[Vyn]

Another: When you touch something, you're actually experiencing what it felt like in the past because it takes time for the nerves to send their signal and be processed by your brain.

[Zzzptm]

There is a gene in the fruit fly that makes them susceptible to alcohol's effects. The mechanism for fruit fly inebriation is also present in mammals, including humans, making fruit flies a good subject for further studies in alcoholism.

Now, had biochemist researchers done this study, they would have provided a methodical name for the gene. But because fly researchers were doing the research, they named it "cheapdate".

"I agree, we biochemists call proteins and genes in a methodical sequential manner; fly people name stuff based on the morning cereal or cartoon. I still like them however." - from a Reddit comment about the article.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11199289/

The study also involves an "inebriometer" to test the fruit flies for resistance to alcohol:



The inebriometer is an apparatus that is used to measure the sensitivity of Drosophila to alcohol vapor. Approximately 100 flies are introduced into the top of a 4-foot glass column through which a controlled concentration of alcohol vapor circulates. As they become intoxicated, the flies progressively lose postural control and tumble downwards; their fall is impeded by their ability to cling to oblique mesh baffles distributed along the length of the column. The time required for the flies to emerge at the bottom of the column is a measure of their alcohol sensitivity.

Fly researchers seem like they'd be fun people at parties.

[Typhon]

Another: When you touch something, you're actually experiencing what it felt like in the past because it takes time for the nerves to send their signal and be processed by your brain.

True, but it is hardly a distant past.  You brain has the information in a tiny fraction of a second.

[Zzzptm]

This thread gets me to discover some really cool stuff.

Today I learned about total internal reflection. It can be demonstrated with water, but it's also how fibre optic cables work:

[Zzzptm]

And then that got me to look for stuff by Julius Sumner Miller. I loved watching his Physics presentations back in the day. I still do love them.

[Zzzptm]

Under extreme magnetic conditions, materials can behave as both insulators and conductors.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251108083908.htm

Quantum materials are fascinating stuff!

[Vyn]

Manowar interrupts this regular programming to bring you this important information:


We fight to the death. To the last man.
To the last breath.
Death to False Metal
Into Glory Ride


Regular programming may now resume.

[Zzzptm]

As a self-styled smartass, I am prone to bouts of tomfoolery and hijinks. This weekend, I texted the following to the family group chat:

“I will be leaving to get dinner and should be back by 6:30 pm. If you would like to continue to receive status updates, text YES to this number. Normal text and/or data rates will apply.”

On one of the phones, there was a button to auto-send a YES response.

I had stumbled into the API!

Other family members tried to get that response with less, but it was clear that the full verbiage needed to be in there to make it work. I got a few more of those and we had a laugh.

Today, I went for two:

“Your appointment for 9:30 am is scheduled. Text CONFIRM to this number to confirm your appointment or CANCEL to cancel it. Normal text and/or data rates will apply.”

The result? Both a CONFIRM and a CANCEL button appeared on the other phone for autoresponses.

This means, of course, that the API is invoked via scanning the text message itself. There are no back-end flags in my packets or anything like that, it’s straight-up giving the system a prompt and getting a response out of it that leverages into the target system adding executable code as a result of reading the prompt.

As a security person, I find the upshot of this to be chilling. There are other functions that could be automated and if the API simply attaches code to a message based on its wording without any verification of authenticity or authority, then it is a massive hole in the system. To defend against possible abuses, I know that I have some autoresponders set up with professionals that I make appointments with. Those I already know. If I make a new appointment with a new person and get an autoresponse in the time frame of that appointment, then I’m OK with that. What’s most dangerous is some kind of scam targeting people over 50 who are already at higher risk of implicitly trusting without verification. By using official-looking texts, it already increases the risk that they make an error. By having the system attach code for autoresponses, it makes them look that much more legitimate and, therefore, gives such attacks a higher conversion rate.

Which thought leads me to a larger zero-trust concept: cybersecurity also involves the concepts and philosophies surrounding our work. When we unequivocally accept any new paradigm without sufficient testing, verification, and cautious observation, then we place ourselves into a potentially unacceptably high level of risk. And when we let proven flaws remain in our systems because we choose not to disrupt production, then we know we are set up for a terrible tragedy.

[Vyn]

Reading your latest post reminds me of this exchange from the movie Full Metal Jacket:

Hartman: "If there is one thing in this world that I hate, it is an unlocked footlocker! You know that, don't you?"

Pyle: "Sir, yes, sir!"

Hartman: "If it wasn't for dickheads like you there wouldn't be any thievery in this world would there?"

Pyle: "Sir, no, sir!

Hartman: "GET DOWN!

In response to Hartman's command, of course Pyle gets into push-up position. I always thought it'd be funnier than hell if instead of push-up position, Pyle would have started dancing.

[Vyn]

Female spider monkeys have their sexual organs on the outside, and the male spider monkey has its sexual organ retracted at all times unless erect...so, if you saw a male and female spider monkey side by side it would be easy to mistake the female for the male and the male for the female...Amazing Biology!

[Typhon]

The size of the universe should amaze everyone.

[Zzzptm]

To remove the water filter in the fridge, I have to take out the tray just underneath it so that it can descend to a full 90-degree angle with its housing, then it pops right out.

Also, ^^space is biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig!