Archive for the ‘Science’ Category
Size zero
Are women who are a so-called size 0 really 12 sizes smaller than a size 12? Size 12 (or American size 10) is roughly designed around three measurements: bust 35in, waist 28in, hips 38in. And then, for every one that you remove from the size, you should remove one inch from each of the measurements. Therefore an American size 0 would have a 25in bust, an 18in waist and 28in hips. A five foot tall, corseted Victorian might just about have a waist that size. But for most women nowadays, it would be tantamount to death.
Technology
Experts at BT Laboratories have said that MP3 and mobile phone technology could be incorporated into women’s breast implants with a signal wirelessly beamed to headphones.
mathematical biology
One of the conventions of a scientific lecture is to introduce what you do with a joke. Here is the canonical joke for mathematical biology.
A mathematical biologist approaches a shepherd surrounded by a bewildering crowd of sheep on a lonely mountainside and proposes a bet. If he can tell how many sheep are in the flock, he can choose one for himself. The shepherd agrees.
"Eighty-seven," says the mathematical biologist. OK, says the shepherd, impressed. "You may pick your sheep." And when the mathematician has picked his animal, the shepherd proposes another bet. If he can identify the stranger’s profession, then he gets the sheep back. The stranger agrees.
"You’re a mathematical biologist," says the shepherd.
"How did you know?" asks the mathematical biologist.
"Because you’ve chosen my dog," replies the shepherd.