The world is a big, wonderful place full of facts we never thought possible. For instance, if a pregnant mouse has a sudden medical issue, the fetus will send stem cells to heal the mother, increasing its chances of survival as well. Fetal stem cells have been found in human mothers as well, dubbed by science as microchimerism.
Bright Side dug up some more marvelous facts about nature and its creations, upholding our yearly resolutions to spread knowledge and joy.
1. The heart slows when your face touches water.
As mammals, we can’t breathe underwater, so as part of the mammalian dive reflex, our heart rate goes down in the water — more so if we go underwater. Even splashing the face with water makes the heart slow down, making it a great way to calm down.
2. Fungus can break down plastic in weeks.
It is said that in the future, there may be more plastic in the ocean than fish. This is why the plastic-eating fungus is great news, and there are around 50 new species of such fungi discovered already. One of the fungi discovered can digest plastic within 2 months, so there’s hope for us yet.
3. Newborn babies can support their own weight.
Newborn babies are strong — strong enough to be able to grasp things in their tiny fists and even support their weight as shown by an experiment done in the nineteenth century. Louis Robinson witnessed babies able to hang from a walking stick, from 10 seconds to 2 minutes and 35 seconds.
4. Koala fingerprints have been mistaken for human ones.
We’ve been told that our fingerprints are unique, and they are. But the fact remains that even though we share a common ancestor with the koala that was alive 100 million years ago, koala fingerprints look very similar to human fingerprints, as do chimpanzee fingerprints for that matter.
5. Snails can sleep for 3 years.
If you thought bears had it good with hibernation, meet the snail. Snails can sleep rather than hibernate for 3 years at a time without needing food. Of course, this is with some snail species, not all of them. Meanwhile, bears usually hibernate for just 4-8 months.
6. Sloths need 2 weeks to digest food.
Sloths don’t only move in slow motion — even their insides move slowly, ostensibly to preserve energy, which is why a sloth’s digestive system takes 2 weeks to process the food it ate. Plus, most of what it eats is indigestible, giving it very little energy from each slowly chewed mouthful.
On the other end of the spectrum lies the shrew, whose digestion takes mere minutes and is done so fast, not much of it is fully digested. This is the reason why shrews eat their own feces. They can die of starvation in a matter of hours if they don’t eat.
7. Your brain ignores seeing your nose.
We can see our nose all the time, it’s just that the brain tends to ignore it because it’s a constant visual stimulus. It’s the same with people who wear glasses. After a while, they simply stop noticing them.
8. Your forearm is the same length as your foot.
If you don’t have the time to try on a shoe, measure it from your elbow crease to your wrist. If it fits or is just a little smaller, it would fit your foot because the length of your forearm is the same as your foot. And this is just one of many human body ratios that are a marvel in themselves, including the fact that your femur bone is one-quarter your height.
9. You can “see” your white blood cells.
If you look up at a cloudless, bright blue sky and see some wiggly things at the periphery of your vision, you’ve just experienced the blue field entoptic phenomenon. The wiggly things are white blood cells moving in the fine blood vessels moving in front of the retina, at the back of the eye.
10. Human beings have striped skin, but only cats can see it.
Human beings have stripes and patterns on the skin too, and they are called Lines of Blaschko, name eponymously by the scientist who discovered them, Dr. Alfred Blaschko. These are closer to tiger stripes, forming more of a V-pattern fanning out from the center to the extremities. These lines are visible under UV light, a spectrum that cats can see too, which is why cats can see you as a striped being as well.
Which of these facts turned out to be a revelation for you? Share your extreme nature facts with us and blow us away.
Preview photo credit Shutterstock.com, Shutterstock.com
Leonardo DiCaprio, 49, spotted engaging in public display of affection with 19-year-old girlfriend in the Caribbean ‘He previously broke up with his ex-girlfriend because she turn 25 years old’
In a recent sighting that has sparked widespread media attention, Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio, aged 49, was caught in a steamy embrace with his 19-year-old girlfriend during a romantic getaway in the Caribbean.
The passionate display of affection between the acclaimed actor and his much younger partner has ignited a flurry of discussions regarding age gaps in relationships and societal perceptions of romance.
The images captured by paparazzi show DiCaprio and his girlfriend, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, sharing intimate moments on a pristine beach.
Clad in swimwear, the couple seemed unabashedly lost in each other’s company, their chemistry palpable even from a distance. The stark age contrast between the two has undoubtedly become a focal point of public scrutiny.
While DiCaprio has always been notoriously private about his personal life, his romantic endeavors have often drawn considerable attention.
Throughout his illustrious career, the actor has been linked with several high-profile celebrities, yet he has maintained a certain level of mystery surrounding his relationships. However, his latest liaison with a partner nearly three decades his junior has inevitably invited speculation and commentary.
The incident has reignited debates surrounding age disparities in relationships, with critics quick to question the dynamics at play. Some have raised concerns about power imbalances and societal pressures, highlighting the potential for exploitation or manipulation in such unions.
Others argue that consenting adults should be free to pursue relationships regardless of age disparities, provided that they are based on mutual respect and understanding.
Despite the controversy surrounding his personal life, DiCaprio’s professional accomplishments continue to earn him widespread acclaim. Renowned for his versatile performances and commitment to environmental advocacy, the actor remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. His latest project, an eagerly anticipated biopic, has generated significant anticipation among fans and critics alike.
As news of DiCaprio’s romantic escapade spreads across tabloids and social media platforms, opinions remain divided. While some admire the actor’s unabashed embrace of love, others question the morality of such relationships.
Nevertheless, one thing remains certain: Leonardo DiCaprio’s love life continues to captivate audiences worldwide, proving that even amidst controversy, his star power remains undiminished.
In the realm of celebrity gossip and speculation, the saga of DiCaprio’s romantic exploits serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination with fame and love. As the actor navigates the complexities of public scrutiny, his fans eagerly await his next cinematic masterpiece, while the world watches with bated breath for the next chapter in his captivating love story.
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