q_id stringlengths 5 6 | title stringlengths 3 301 | selftext stringlengths 0 39.2k | document stringclasses 1
value | subreddit stringclasses 3
values | url stringlengths 4 132 | answers dict | title_urls list | selftext_urls list | answers_urls list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1ywm2o | how does a radiation meter work? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ywm2o/eli5_how_does_a_radiation_meter_work/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"There are different types of radiation detectors\n\n* Geiger tubes: A tube filled with an inert gas at low pressure, when radiation enters the tube it knocks electrons off of the gas and creates a brief pulse of current that can be detected.\n\n*... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
bi3fm0 | why does the moon look huge in the distance when poping over a mountain but small on a picture or a video? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bi3fm0/eli5_why_does_the_moon_look_huge_in_the_distance/ | {
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2978,
869,
5,
18,
1642,
7,
7... | [] | [] | [
[],
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[],
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"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_illusion"
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"https://petapixel.com/2018/02/06/shot-super-blue-blood-moon-rising-london-skyline/"
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[]
] | ||
33hanm | difference between a think tank and a lobbyist | Hi people, I'm not from USA and not familiarized with the term "Think Tank", for what I've read TT are companies do research and try to influence politicians and society in general, but isn't this the same thing that lobbyist do? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33hanm/eli5_difference_between_a_think_tank_and_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqkutvq",
"cql1mgt"
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"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"Lobbyists generally work on the behalf of a specific entity, be it a company or some other interest group. Basically, you tell them what your goals are, and they'll go argue for you for a fee. \n\nThink tanks tend to be more... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/07/us/politics/foreign-powers-buy-influence-at-think-tanks.html?_r=0"
]
] | |
3tlebc | why doesn't the government build hospital's with the medicare budget instead of acting as insurance? | The Medicaid and Medicare budgets are massive so why not simply build hospitals instead of insurance for people? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3tlebc/eli5_why_doesnt_the_government_build_hospitals/ | {
"a_id": [
"cx74idk",
"cx75exv"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"Because the issue being addressed isn't \"there are not enough hospitals\".\n\nThere are *plenty* of hospitals in the US. The issue is that not everyone can afford medical care. Medicare/Medicaid are intended to help remed... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
4uot0t | why do carbonated drinks hurt us when we drink too fast? | It's just bubbles, right? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4uot0t/eli5_why_do_carbonated_drinks_hurt_us_when_we/ | {
"a_id": [
"d5rhgvr",
"d5rhx19"
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"score": [
2,
21
],
"text": [
"The bubbles are composed of carbon dioxide, which can taste \"spicy\"...here's an article with more information _URL_0_",
"Carbonated drinks contain dissolved carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide naturally reacts with water (... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.livescience.com/34994-soda-is-actually-spicy-says-your-tongue.html"
],
[]
] | |
7h2bdl | Why did people pay money to buy officers commissions in the army? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7h2bdl/why_did_people_pay_money_to_buy_officers/ | {
"a_id": [
"dqnkdwm",
"dqp2phq"
],
"score": [
4,
2
],
"text": [
"Just to clarify, are you asking why an army would allow people purchase commissions, or why someone would bother paying money for an officer's commission?",
"While previous questions don't address the precise points you ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1vp8bb/how_accurate_is_the_cliche_of_useless_aristocrats/",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1hnrbx/what_were_the_effects_of_the_purchasable/"
]
] | ||
cvkh5w | how have actions such as the head nod and head shake become universally understood in contrast to languages. | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cvkh5w/eli5_how_have_actions_such_as_the_head_nod_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"ey4q9mz",
"ey4qciq",
"ey4qll4",
"ey4tly1"
],
"score": [
10,
5,
2,
2
],
"text": [
"They haven't really. Lots of places won't know what you mean if you shake your head. In India they do a side to side wobble instead of nodding. Stuff like hand signals can mean co... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
1fqeoi | What was the vikings' knowledge of contemporary mathematics? (What kind of number system did they use, etc?) | Coming from Norway I have always learned a great bit about vikings and their endeavors: Their culture and craftsmanship is always mentioned in the same breath as their ship building skills. And, of course, their — ehm — "sightseeing" and other exploits in England are covered. However, something I've been curious about ... | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1fqeoi/what_was_the_vikings_knowledge_of_contemporary/ | {
"a_id": [
"cad78fj",
"cad7k3o",
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8,
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"text": [
"I can't speak to much of this, but I doubt they had a concept of zero. If we're talking about the Viking Age here, that's centuries before Fibonacci and the introduction of Hindu mathematics. Vikings *... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.sjolander.com/viking/plans/vikingship1.gif",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catenary"
],
[
"http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/numeric-reckoning.shtml"
]
] | |
5e8wyi | why do human babies take years to raise while other animals like puppies or antelopes take only a few months? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5e8wyi/eli5_why_do_human_babies_take_years_to_raise/ | {
"a_id": [
"daam5az"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Partially because of life-expectancy - a human lives 75 years, whereas a dogs life-expectancy is more like 10 years.\n\nAlso, humans traded instinct for a more advanced brain. Animals instinctually know how to do a lot more than we do, but our le... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
bpc1h1 | home buying terms | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/bpc1h1/eli5_home_buying_terms/ | {
"a_id": [
"enrbsux"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
" > What are points and origination fees?\n\nThe origination fee is like an upfront payment to the lender for creating the loan. It is usually a percentage (0.5%, 1%) of the loan amount. _URL_1_\n\n > Is earnest money basically just a deposit? D... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-learning/private-mortgage-insurance/",
"https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/origination-fee.aspe"
]
] | ||
ee6chc | What causes flesh to rot? | Is the cause internal, external, a chemical reaction? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/ee6chc/what_causes_flesh_to_rot/ | {
"a_id": [
"fbrosj3",
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"score": [
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15
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"text": [
"Cells die and dry out, releasing gases that attract insects and bacteria as well as other scavengers to break down the flesh. This is a very basic explanation and I’m sure someone else can do a better job of it.",
"Micr... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1qza1a | Celtic Warfare | Hi there. I am a historian student and I'd like to write my bachelorpaper on Celtic Warfare. Not against Romans but among other Celtic Tribes. I wonder if some of you know some sources from this topic? Your help is greatly appreciated :) | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1qza1a/celtic_warfare/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdi04rx",
"cdirgdl"
],
"score": [
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2
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"text": [
"Does your assignment require you to use primary written sources? \n\nOur knowledge of the Celts comes mainly from Greek and Roman writers, from myth and legends ostensibly based on oral traditions and from archaeological evi... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Chiefdom-State-Prehistoric-Archaeology/dp/0521585791",
"http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/2*.html#28.3"
]
] | |
12k1it | Is is possible to regrow half of your liver? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/12k1it/is_is_possible_to_regrow_half_of_your_liver/ | {
"a_id": [
"c6vpowe"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"_URL_1_\n\nShorter answer: yes.\n\n[Oh hey, the wikipedia article 'liver'](_URL_0_) says it grow from as little as 25%, though not in the original shape, but expansion from what's left to the same size and function as the original."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver#Regeneration",
"http://lmgtfy.com/?q=can+the+liver+grow+back"
]
] | ||
35efvf | why do newtonian physics break down at a quantum level? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/35efvf/eli5why_do_newtonian_physics_break_down_at_a/ | {
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"cr3na21",
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"text": [
"Because, Newtonian Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics and other mechanics are simply a model of reality.\n\nIn each case, the model is the simplest explanation (Occam's razor) which c... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
2uka8z | Could an "electromagnetic black hole" exist? | My understanding of the fundamental forces of the universe is that gravity is extremely weak compared to the other forces, such as electromagnetism. Still, gravity has profound effects in the universe, and it seems like the most extreme example is a black hole. For the purposes of this question, this is a "gravitati... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2uka8z/could_an_electromagnetic_black_hole_exist/ | {
"a_id": [
"co9pswv"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"The answer is no. There are a couple of features of gravity that make it unique and the only candidate force to produce black hole-like phenomena.\n\n1. Gravity interacts with everything on the same way (it's very democratic). And everything is e... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
dzdlb2 | What if you took some simple scuba gear, maybe a weight, and applied a hydrophobic layer? | Let's say you put in ear plugs, wore goggles that covered the nose, a diving cap to hold your hair down, took a tank of air, and then sprayed everything in a hydrophobic layer. Would this allow you to go deeper into a body of water than if you just did this without the hydrophobic layer? The earplugs is obviously t... | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/dzdlb2/what_if_you_took_some_simple_scuba_gear_maybe_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"f87e1h9",
"f87gcuh",
"f8828wj",
"f8b3lh6"
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"score": [
22,
3,
5,
2
],
"text": [
"What stops you from sinking is not friction, but buoyancy. The water pressure supports you with a force equal to the weight of the water you displaced. Having a layer of hydrophob... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
qeuc7 | why the vitamins are named like they are. why do we have 12 vitamin b's but no vitamin j? is there a vitamin b9? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/qeuc7/eli5_why_the_vitamins_are_named_like_they_are_why/ | {
"a_id": [
"c3x1e5y",
"c3x1f3i"
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"score": [
2,
8
],
"text": [
"[Copy-paste from here:](_URL_0_)\nWhen they[Vitamins] were discovered they were given temporary names, starting with Vitamin A, then B, C, D and so on. Then we discovered that Vitamin B was a mixture of several different che... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.purchon.com/biology/vitamins.htm"
],
[]
] | ||
5u7ooe | How should we remember Captain James Cook? | I came across an controversial Facebook post regarding his death and decided to do some research. Was he a ruthless colonialist or a brilliant navigator? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5u7ooe/how_should_we_remember_captain_james_cook/ | {
"a_id": [
"dds1qll"
],
"score": [
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],
"text": [
"Really there's nothing stopping him from being both. He did have significant navigation/cartographical skills, sailing thousands of miles that he had no maps for. \n\nThat said he was an English sailor under the British Navy at the start of Briti... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
9mw9q0 | why can’t you hum while holding your nose? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9mw9q0/eli5_why_cant_you_hum_while_holding_your_nose/ | {
"a_id": [
"e7hugu6",
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"score": [
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3
],
"text": [
"You can if you open your mouth. The air that carries the sound from your vocal cords has to go somewhere. ",
"Because humming is essentially forcing sound to come out of your nose. You're basically pronouncing a nasal co... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
b45rb3 | Is it possible to navigate without GPS and satellites using the earth's geomagnetic field instead (like birds do)? | I was reading about birds sense of Biomagnetism and was wondering myself if there was a way to use earth's magnetic field to navigate and determine latitude or even longitude. Now, I've heard about Compasses, but it's a little dated technology. Are there sensors around that can measure the geomagnetic field more accura... | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/b45rb3/is_it_possible_to_navigate_without_gps_and/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
10,
3,
8
],
"text": [
" > Now, I've heard about Compasses\n\nYou are probably thinking of regular old cheap compasses. But there are high accuracy electronic compasses which is what you appear to be talking about. [Like this... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.electronics123.com/shop/product/srs-220-high-accuracy-digital-compass-with-4-20ma-output-24v-dc-powered-9032?search=power&category=390"
],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sextant"
]
] | |
555gaf | why do separate drops of cooking oil tend to drift towards each other when on water? | explanetti my spaghetti | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/555gaf/eli5why_do_separate_drops_of_cooking_oil_tend_to/ | {
"a_id": [
"d87p16p"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Gravity. Water is polar so it forms a strong surface tension, the oil is less dense so it sits on top. Gravity makes the oil naturally tend to \"puddle\" on top of the water."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
1id1mz | How much gasoline is actually wasted at a stop sign? | I am curious to know how much extra pollution is created by adding stop signs to a road. There's a 3-way intersection on my street that never had a stop sign, but some woman down the road recently complained to the city about the speed of drivers, and they erected a 3 way stop.
I'm wondering just how much extra pollut... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1id1mz/how_much_gasoline_is_actually_wasted_at_a_stop/ | {
"a_id": [
"cb39db1",
"cb3gf6a"
],
"score": [
2,
5
],
"text": [
"well fuel is burned very slowly\n\nI get 33 mpg at 60mph chilling at 3000 RPM in my 4 cylinder 1.9 liter Mazda.\n\nI'd say that I burn 1/33 of a gallon of gas a Minute because I'd have to go 33 miles to use a gallon, right?\... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://gist.github.com/anonymous/6005155"
]
] | |
4c8q75 | could a nuclear submarine survive in space? if so, for how long? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4c8q75/eli5_could_a_nuclear_submarine_survive_in_space/ | {
"a_id": [
"d1g03s1"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It is strong in compression, in tension it's less clear."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
dmro2y | Rhodesia | I've heard about Rhodesia recently and have found an article by the new York times about White supremacists linked to it, I had always had the impression the fight was about communism, and avoiding a shift of power that led to Dictatorships and totalitarian regimes, can anyone sort this out? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/dmro2y/rhodesia/ | {
"a_id": [
"f54dlgj"
],
"score": [
5
],
"text": [
"You might find interesting the following previous answers:\n\n* [Why does the story of Rhodesia attract so many racists?](_URL_2_) answered by /u/swarthmoreburke\n\n* [What was Rhodesia's end game during the Bush War?](_URL_1_) answered by /u/pro... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/7ez6dz/the_rhodesian_bush_war_is_heavily_romanticised_by/dq94ta9/",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3lshmp/what_was_white_rhodesias_endgame_during_the_bush/cv95cce/",
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/b9j69x/why_does_the_... | |
eszrpk | United States officials and politicians grossly overstated Soviet military capabilities in the cases known as the "bomber gap", "missile gap" and "cruiser gap". Did Soviet officials ever have similarly overestimated any U.S./NATO military equipment levels and technologies? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/eszrpk/united_states_officials_and_politicians_grossly/ | {
"a_id": [
"fgguo2h"
],
"score": [
10
],
"text": [
"Yes, very much. One example that comes to mind is the \"military-technical revolution\" of the late 1970s and 1980s. Soviet military leaders during the Reagan years in particular were fairly spooked by Western advances in precision weapons, reco... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235114019_Transformation_and_Transition_DARPA's_Role_in_Fostering_an_Emerging_Revolution_in_Military_Affairs_Volume_2-_Detailed_Assessments",
"https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a231900.pdf",
"https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Richard_Atta/publicatio... | ||
5euvxr | how do nature documentaries capture audio? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5euvxr/eli5_how_do_nature_documentaries_capture_audio/ | {
"a_id": [
"dafb3kc",
"dafdw4j"
],
"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
" > I can't help but be bugged by wondering how they manage to capture such pristine audio.\n\nTake along a really good microphone with a cover, or even a microphone within a parabolic dish to get audio from far away. Or of ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2hqe0b | When did people start realizing that the Soviet Union was going to imminently collapse? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2hqe0b/when_did_people_start_realizing_that_the_soviet/ | {
"a_id": [
"ckvgech",
"ckvphle"
],
"score": [
3,
6
],
"text": [
"I'm sorry I don't have the answer to your particular and interesting question, but perhaps you might be interested in this slightly relevant tidbit.\n \nIt was George Kennan, a diplomat stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Mosc... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
1d1m22 | What was the system for giving African American Slaves or Ex-Slaves second names? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1d1m22/what_was_the_system_for_giving_african_american/ | {
"a_id": [
"c9m0rx9"
],
"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"Howdy!\n\nThe first census of the United States that attempted to count slaves precisely was the 1850 census. The census wanted the name, age, sex, and color of each person (among other things), which would have us to find the name of slaves in ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.amazon.com/African-American-Genealogical-Sourcebook-Genealogy/dp/0810392267"
]
] | ||
1qrkof | what will pot businesses look like in washington and colorado? | So I understand that the stuff is going to be legal (or is), but what will that customer experience be like? Right now, in Oregon, we have the dispensaries, but they're closed-off, very weird places I would feel weird entering. What will the stores in Washington State feel like? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qrkof/eli5_what_will_pot_businesses_look_like_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdfrg3s"
],
"score": [
11
],
"text": [
"Coloradan here. The dispensaries, or medicinal marijuana stores, here are not weird or shady places. Many neighborhoods have multiple dispensaries. The recreational marijuana stores will be modeled after dispensaries. In fact, current medicinal ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
g0ns9w | watts vs va | Why is power draw measured in WATTS ( which is volts multiplied by amperage ) but power production or power sources are measured in VA ( volt amps ). Are they not identical? What’s the reason for the difference. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/g0ns9w/eli5_watts_vs_va/ | {
"a_id": [
"fnan73e",
"fnb0pr5"
],
"score": [
9,
7
],
"text": [
"For a purely resistive load, like a light bulb or heater, volts times amps equals watts. But many loads are not purely resistive; they can also be capacitive or inductive. By far the most common of the two is inductive: most... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
abnnby | Do alcoholics develop kidney stones as often as non-drinkers? | [deleted] | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/abnnby/do_alcoholics_develop_kidney_stones_as_often_as/ | {
"a_id": [
"ed2vqva"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Good question, I googled and found this:\n\n & #x200B;\n\n > While no direct causality has been found between drinking alcohol and the formation of kidney stones, alcohol can contribute to increased risk for the formation of stones through a var... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/kidney-stones"
]
] | |
33wgud | if a nuclear bomb were being tested, and it didn't go off... how is it approached and dismantled? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/33wgud/eli5_if_a_nuclear_bomb_were_being_tested_and_it/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqp0pxt",
"cqp1tiu"
],
"score": [
9,
9
],
"text": [
"Chances are they'd shoot another (small and conventional) bomb at it to blast it into tiny, no-longer explodable pieces, then pick those up and dispose of them.",
"A nuclear bomb is typically set off by a conventional bo... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_%28nuclear_test%29",
"http://www.gearthhacks.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6087&d=1186376319"
]
] | ||
irf18 | Will bacteria always find a way to become resistant in the end? | I know that through heavy use of anti-biotics certain bacteria have become resistant to them since they become resistant over time.
However there was this article awhile time ago that that talked about cold plasma killing bacteria. Is it scientifically possible that this method could create plasma resistant bacteria... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/irf18/will_bacteria_always_find_a_way_to_become/ | {
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"It's kind of like saying will human skin ever become resistant to bullets. I don't know too much about cold plasma, but if it perforates the membrane like alcohol does, then there'... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-12/cold-plasma-treatment-kills-drug-resistant-bacteria-heralding-new-antibiotic-alternative",
"http://news.discovery.com/tech/cold-plasma-kills-bacteria-better-than-antibiotics.html"
],
[],
[]
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cqtd1h | what causes bond interest rates to fluctuate? | I understand that the reason that Dow J dropped so sharply yesterday was because the interest on a longer term bond was higher than that of a short term bond (or at least that what my personal finance teacher explained it as; inverted interest was the term I think) but what major factors affect the interest rate for bo... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/cqtd1h/eli5_what_causes_bond_interest_rates_to_fluctuate/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The more you want a bond, the less the government has to pay you in interest to buy it. How much do I have to pay you per day to pick up dog poop? A lot. Now how much do I have to pay you per day to pet kittens? Very little, because everyone ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2u26yk | why doesnt your soda get "shaken up" when it falls out of the vending machine? | When you buy a soda out of an older vending machine (not the ones with the moving tray thing that catches and deposits it), it falls down through the machine and hits through the door and lands in the slot with a bang. It seems like a rough journey. Why doesn't it explode when opened then? If you took that same bottle,... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2u26yk/eli5_why_doesnt_your_soda_get_shaken_up_when_it/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Two reasons that both contribute:\n\n1) The vending machine acts as a fridge, and at a colder temperature the CO2 gas requires more force to seperate from the liquid\n\nBut more importantly:\n\n2) The \"drop\" you see in these machines isn't as d... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://eddieleephotography.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/insidecokemachine.jpg"
]
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3vo2c9 | What is the evolutionary background behind Temperature Dependent Sex Determination? | I understand that this phenomenon allows for groups of a single sex to be produced depending on the ambient temperature. But I'm still confused as to how this trait evolved in the first place and why it is restricted to mostly reptiles.
Also, why is the TSD pattern in turtles the opposite from crocodiles and lizards? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3vo2c9/what_is_the_evolutionary_background_behind/ | {
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"I would be curious if the lizards realize temperature affected sex. Like would they intentionally control for more females if popula... | [] | [] | [
[],
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"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Patterns_of_Temperature-Dependent_Sex-Determination_in_reptiles.png"
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vreyb | What are the chances that a ray, if projected outwards in a random direction, will hit a planet before it exits the observable Universe? | Assuming the ray is infinite for the sake of this hypothetical. And as for which direction, why not directly upwards from the Statue of Liberty?
Sorry if my question is not scientifically intelligent, but I tried to word it as well as I could. | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/vreyb/what_are_the_chances_that_a_ray_if_projected/ | {
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"If you assume that the ray doesn't diffract and stays the same size like a laser beam I would estimate that the chances are as close to zero as you can get.\n\nIf it does diffract and spread out - like the beam from a flashl... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
dvm001 | what is the rationale behind kicking out a business from a strip mall/shopping center and leaving the space to sit for months/years? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/dvm001/eli5_what_is_the_rationale_behind_kicking_out_a/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"If it’s empty, they get tax write offs. Maybe they want to empty out the whole place and sell it for multi-family housing development."
]
} | [] | [] | [
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] | ||
5mn1bl | how does a game like call of duty have practically no online delay at all while when playing a game like nba 2k17, multiplayer modes experience about a full second of delay between when the button is pressed and when the game responds? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5mn1bl/eli5_how_does_a_game_like_call_of_duty_have/ | {
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"text": [
"Err. I haven't noticed this to happen in any online game so thought I'd start with that. \n\nVideo games online don't use much bandwidth so getting a faster connection doesn't really impact them that much. (Unless it comes w... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
8cpf94 | how does saudi arabia make sure all of their expats like engineers, businessman, and english teachers follow their religious laws? | I heard that personal computers are all inspected for adult content and images. How are all expats monitored? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8cpf94/eli5_how_does_saudi_arabia_make_sure_all_of_their/ | {
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"It only 'counts' inside the country. If you hang out with Arabs, you quickly learn they are all hypocrites and will happily travel to... | [] | [] | [
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] | |
3ev7rz | mountains are brown, yellow, and green and definitely not blue or purple, yet they look purplish-blue from far away. why is this? | Noticed it on my drive home in the desert...never occurred to me to actually ask why... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3ev7rz/eli5_mountains_are_brown_yellow_and_green_and/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Because if they are far away, there's more stuff i.e. atmosphere between you and the mountains and thus it gets a slight bluish tint. It's the same reason why the sky is blue. Blue wavelengths are scattered less easily than... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
518gob | now that mother teresa is saint teresa, how does her image change in the minds of christians? | [deleted] | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/518gob/eli5now_that_mother_teresa_is_saint_teresa_how/ | {
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"Catholics and Christians already held Mother Teresa in a Saint like regard, so her getting actual Sainthood doesn't actually change very much.\n\nAs for her position, technically she isn't \"worshiped\"... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints"
],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Mother_Teresa"
]
] | |
1x1tj4 | Why are peasant rebellions so present and successful in Chinese history as opposed to European history? | Or is it only an impression? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1x1tj4/why_are_peasant_rebellions_so_present_and/ | {
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"text": [
"I think the success is an impression. Because of China's myriads of historical peasant rebellions, only two can be called successful - the Red Turbans who overthrew the Mongol Yua... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
6hvqba | What is alcohol actually doing to our brains when we drink? And why does it improve moods so quickly? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/6hvqba/what_is_alcohol_actually_doing_to_our_brains_when/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Ethanol (common drinking alcohol) is a drug that interacts with a variety of neurotransmitter systems; most importantly GABA-a, but also serotonin and NMDA receptors.\n\nYour body produces a molecule called GABA(gamma amino... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
9gw1at | When and how did the names for aircrafts go from being nouns (Hurricane, Spitfire) to alphanumeric codes (F-16)? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/9gw1at/when_and_how_did_the_names_for_aircrafts_go_from/ | {
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"text": [
"You’re confused. The two planes you listed with names are British. The British have retained the name only system (e.g. the Eurofighter Typhoon).\n\n Meanwhile the US Army air corps/air Force has used a type-number designat... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
46qul7 | uk vote on leaving the eu - brexit | Today it was announced that there will be a referendum for the UK to leave the EU on June 23rd. All related questions in ELI5 will be forwarded to this sticky thread. Please read the comments on this thread and if your question isn't already covered please ask it as a question in this thread.
Thanks! | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/46qul7/eli5_uk_vote_on_leaving_the_eu_brexit/ | {
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7witzr | Do babies remember their parent's faces and voices before four months? | I read that most babies develop short-term memory around four months into their life. However, would a month-old baby be able to remember who is and who is not their parent? And if that baby were kidnapped would it know that the person who is handling them is not their parent?
Disclaimer: I am not planning to kidnap a... | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/7witzr/do_babies_remember_their_parents_faces_and_voices/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Also if someone has a source for their answer, that would be a huge help. Not trying to be picky though. If it's difficult at all to find one then it'll be no issue. I'm mostly just hoping for an answer. Thank you.",
"I ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
1923h4 | Explain to me the science behind something I witnessed this morning in my water bottle | I'm not really well versed on science, so you'll have to be patient...
Last night I left a bottle of water in the freezer, I meant to take it out but forgot to. This morning (8 hours later) I went to the freezer to get the water. When I opened I saw to my surprise that it wasn't frozen solid as it usually is, it still... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1923h4/explain_to_me_the_science_behind_something_i/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8k4oq1"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"You most likely experienced a [supercooling](_URL_0_) phenomenon. This happens, simplistically, when the liquid has nothing to grab onto (a bit of dust, something like that) to form crystals or other ordered structure like ice. When you took it o... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercooling"
]
] | |
2yh4ny | What evidence is there, that Carthage sacrificed humans? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2yh4ny/what_evidence_is_there_that_carthage_sacrificed/ | {
"a_id": [
"cpa90q7"
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"text": [
"Historically, the practice of child sacrifice is attested by Greek historian Plutarch, and Carthaginian Christian historian Tertullian, and Orosius, Philo, and Diodorus Siculus. Some scholars contend that these records are exaggerated remembranc... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
zjoj3 | Scissors' effect on a molecular level | When I use scissors to cut a piece of paper, do the scissors sever the bonds between atoms in the constituent molecules, or does the edge just push itself between the molecules? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/zjoj3/scissors_effect_on_a_molecular_level/ | {
"a_id": [
"c656l4z"
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"score": [
27
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"text": [
"Both are happening."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
3mgf5v | How socially liberal was the Middle East before Wahhabism? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3mgf5v/how_socially_liberal_was_the_middle_east_before/ | {
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"text": [
"You're making the assumption that Wahabism is widely spread across the middle east. It is not, and it never was. It has always bee... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/wiki/middle_east"
],
[],
[],
[],
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Constitutional_Era",
"http://utpress.utexas.edu/index.php/books/tezmus",
"http://bostonreview.net/madawi-al-rasheed-arab-spring-saudi-arabia",
"https://en.wikipedia.... | ||
2f1yak | what does this joke mean? i've been staring at it and i just don't understand it. | I was told at the doctor’s office that I should get a facelift. The doctor agreed with the waiting room when he came out.
[From this, the second bullet point](_URL_0_)
Maybe something to do with how bad the doctor's eyesight is? I don't see how that would be self-deprecating... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2f1yak/eli5_what_does_this_joke_mean_ive_been_staring_at/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The doctor is supposed to be objective and not influenced by personal opinion/judgement when dealing with patients. The fact that the doctor, whose duty is to the patient's care and wellbeing, joined the waiting room group in belittling the prota... | [] | [
"http://www.wikihow.com/Sample/Self-Deprecating-Humor"
] | [
[]
] | |
3fqi5q | when a sound or person wakes you up while dreaming, is it just me or is the noise always perfectly timed with an event in the dream? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/3fqi5q/eli5_when_a_sound_or_person_wakes_you_up_while/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
4,
3,
3
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"text": [
"Memory of what happened in dreams is quite inaccurate. Your brain can actually construct the memory afterward, for example showing you that something happened simultaneously that didn't.",
"Your dre... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
543osu | what did wells fargo do? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/543osu/eli5_what_did_wells_fargo_do/ | {
"a_id": [
"d7yncpa"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Imagine you went to the bank to open a checking account and the banker tried everything possible to get you to sign up for a credit card and maybe even a second checking account to \"help you manage your finances\" but you just kept saying no. \... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1whscs | What were some common phobias throughout history that don't exist today? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1whscs/what_were_some_common_phobias_throughout_history/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"I wouldn't call it common, as there's only a handful of well documented cases in the literature and much of the other evidence for its prevalence is anecdotal, but I'll mention it because it's wonderfully weird... \n\nFrom ... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://podcasts.howstuffworks.com/hsw/podcasts/symhc/2013-04-24-symhc-glass-piano.mp3",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_delusion"
],
[
"http://australianmuseum.net.au/Safety-coffins"
]
] | ||
7id8bi | why is it that you are able to start a manual car by popping the clutch in second gear? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7id8bi/eli5_why_is_it_that_you_are_able_to_start_a/ | {
"a_id": [
"dqxxxrr"
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"score": [
2
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"text": [
"No-one is really addressing the *why* portion.\n\nIn short there are several ways to ignite fuel. One is by a spark, another other is by compressing the fuel/air mix. Boyle's law tells us that when you compress a gas the temperature increases. ... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_piston"
]
] | ||
1ojjt9 | how can colleges legally create "customized" textbooks and not be found guilty of unlawful monopoly/duopoly? | A monopoly is a company that is the sole producer of a certain good or service. I know that monopolies themselves are not inherently illegal, but can become so when they exhibit certain qualities. For example: price gouging and "refusal to deal".
At my university, the school buys books from Pearson or McGraw hill, the... | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1ojjt9/eli5_how_can_colleges_legally_create_customized/ | {
"a_id": [
"ccsjklj"
],
"score": [
2
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"text": [
"Your college isn't the only one offering BIO 101 or whatever the course is. It's not exclusionary because you could have chosen a different college, so they aren't doing anything anti-competitive. It's sort of like how a bank can charge you a fee... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
fftsxg | What exactly are VPN’s and how do they work? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/fftsxg/what_exactly_are_vpns_and_how_do_they_work/ | {
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"text": [
"All of your traffic that goes to the VPN adapter is addressed to the same destination (the VPN gateway). Inside those packets (encrypted) is another packet with the real destina... | [] | [] | [
[
"xxxpirates.net"
],
[],
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] | ||
1fgrwi | if we die after roughly 3 weeks without eating, why do eat 3 times a day? | I know you wouldn't spend 3 weeks very wealthy or you would lack energy, but still, it seems it's some sort of waste. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1fgrwi/eli5_if_we_die_after_roughly_3_weeks_without/ | {
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"score": [
111,
25,
19,
5,
3,
2,
3
],
"text": [
"Eating three times a day is actually a modern invention (modern in terms of human history as a species). It wa... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
3oo9yd | How much 'real time control' did pre-20th century generals have over the battlefield? | Generally speaking, how much of an army's victory relied on pre battle planning versus immediate real time decisions by the highest ranking officers? (I realize this would obviously vary depending on the commander.)
I'm in a mechanized infantry unit in the US National Guard, and my Company Commander has a LOT of too... | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/3oo9yd/how_much_real_time_control_did_pre20th_century/ | {
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17,
6,
14,
2
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"text": [
"Depends on when and where. Pre-20th century, after-all, covers over 2500 years. While I've not read anything explicitly stating it, i... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[]
] | |
2ffwny | Why is it better letting banks loan 10x of bonds they hold (fractional reserve banking), than letting people to spend 10x of bonds they hold? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2ffwny/why_is_it_better_letting_banks_loan_10x_of_bonds/ | {
"a_id": [
"ck97vki",
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"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"The short answer is bank loans are generally supposed to be done in a manner which is controlled, conservative and carrying a large chance of return. Banks also usually have large diversity of revenues streams, which means t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
7yyyiq | the strength of currency | I don't think the "strength" is a exactly what I don't understand, but it's the closest word I could find. I've heard people say that the Euro is better than the USD because it's worth more per unit. This doesn't make sense to me. That's like saying a dollar is better than a cent because a cent is 100x more than a doll... | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/7yyyiq/eli5_the_strength_of_currency/ | {
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4,
2,
3
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"text": [
"You're right. It's a common misconception to say, for example, that since you get more Canadian dollars in exchange for US dollars, the US dollar is worth more. If prices were the same in both countries... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | |
404s7n | why wont an xbox dvd work on a playstation, or computer? | I've been wondering. Movies are able to do this, is it only to make money? It would, however, destroy the whole "console exclusive" thing. | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/404s7n/eli5_why_wont_an_xbox_dvd_work_on_a_playstation/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
2,
2
],
"text": [
"its just different hardware. DVD machines are made to be able to be played on multiple different systems (theres sortof a standard), while thats just not the case for console gaming. They have no need to keep a standard so t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5nna4m | How much influence had Fake News to cause the Spanish–American War of 1898? | Was public pressure (caused by Yellow Journalism) a major factor into the war being declared? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/5nna4m/how_much_influence_had_fake_news_to_cause_the/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"I think this is an incredibly complex question, and really one that has gained added depth the further we have gone from the events as more has been learned.\n\nIn particular I want to focus on two areas, the reporting of pre US intervention news... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.steelnavy.org/history/items/show/149",
"http://fs2.american.edu/wjc/www/wjc3/notlikely.htm"
]
] | |
2cuzx1 | why is the fetal position so comforting? | In other words, why do we curl up in the fetal position when we're in pain, are stressed, or are uncomfortable? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2cuzx1/eli5_why_is_the_fetal_position_so_comforting/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"Simple answer: *We don't know.*\n\nPostulation: The fetal position may be a learned response, similar to how some people sit and sway back and forth when distressed.\n\nSince we associate the position with fetus's, or young babies, it may be a vi... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
qoa0m | How was sovereignty and colonialism different 2000 years ago? | I know places like Egypt had colonies, but it seems like with so much of a smaller world there's less opportunity to subjugate people and nations. Did nations still see some countries as 'lesser nations' that were in need of civilizing by their 'greater nations'? The only nation that really set itself apart from smalle... | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/qoa0m/how_was_sovereignty_and_colonialism_different/ | {
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"You're talking about whether states had the same sense of external sovereignty as we do today, and the answer is generally no. The modern idea of noninterference in another state'... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[]
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a3l6ra | why are the front and back cameras on smartphones not the same to begin with? why do they need to differ in quality? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/a3l6ra/eli5_why_are_the_front_and_back_cameras_on/ | {
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"cost and size.\nif all other variables remain constant, a bigger lens allows for better photos, as well as a bigger image sensor (the... | [] | [] | [
[],
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[],
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3dqn0a | Why are gamma rays so hard to stop? | Doing some research on why glass is transparent, I understood that visible light doesn't have enough energy to excite the electrons in the SiO2 molecules, so it simply passes trough the glass, making it transparent. UV light does have enough energy, thus getting absorbed by glass.
But gamma rays are extremely high ene... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/3dqn0a/why_are_gamma_rays_so_hard_to_stop/ | {
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" > But gamma rays are extremely high energy photons, they should have enough energy to excite any electron, so why doesn't every material absorb them?\n\nGamma rays typically have *more than enough* energy to excite atomic ... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
5p4xi5 | If you flip a coin an infinite amount of times, will you also at some point have an infinite streak of heads? | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/5p4xi5/if_you_flip_a_coin_an_infinite_amount_of_times/ | {
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"For any fixed n, you will (almost surely, aka with probability 1) have a string of n heads in a row sometime; if you divide up your throws in sets of n, you have probability 2^(-... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
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9m8d63 | how does an epipen work to help severe allergies and why don’t we use it for moderate/mild allergies? | I’ve always wondered why people use an epipen when having a severe allergic reaction to things like peanuts or shellfish but we don’t use it for people who get bad allergies to things like pets or pollen? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9m8d63/eli5_how_does_an_epipen_work_to_help_severe/ | {
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"Because it’s a huge strain on the system of the person receiving it. It’d be like killing an ant mound with a bazooka — it would work, perhaps, but it’s not a thing you’d do often, and there are better... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
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] | |
2sqcf7 | if oil has a finite supply and is steadily running out, why does the price per barrel fluctuate? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2sqcf7/eli5_if_oil_has_a_finite_supply_and_is_steadily/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"It comes down to basic economics of supply and demand.\n\nThe amount of oil in the ground is finite but the amount of oil that has been pumped to the surface and available for use changes on a regular b... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwfXGKrGzAM"
],
[]
] | ||
1t4ye1 | what causes cars to sometimes explode when they flip over in a crash? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1t4ye1/eli5what_causes_cars_to_sometimes_explode_when/ | {
"a_id": [
"ce4dc3j",
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Cars generally don't actually tend to blow up.\n\nThe only reason a car would explode would be a spark or fire reaching the gas tank and even then its not quite like how you see it in movies. ",
"As a 25+ years firefight... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
8sb7r3 | What is the history of Rome's Colloseum from post-roman times through to modern time? | The Colloseum is still standing today. It was in use at one point as an arena, and then it wasn't at some point. When was its last use as a a typical Roman arena? And what did medieval Italians think of it? Or during the renaissance for example? Was there some kind of active preservation through the years? Are their pa... | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8sb7r3/what_is_the_history_of_romes_colloseum_from/ | {
"a_id": [
"e0y8thr"
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The emperor Honorius abolished man vs man gladitorial games in AD 404. There were some animal games (venationes) in 503, and in 508 the place suffered earthquake damage. Rome's population had plummeted by about two thirds over the previous centu... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://www.jstor.org/stable/20060637?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents",
"https://books.google.com/books?id=LiJljEXvwAoC&pg=PA160&dq=totila+siege+of+rome&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mbuIUo2jFo6ihgf-n4HYBQ&ved=0CGUQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=totila%20siege%20of%20rome&f=false",
"http://www.abroa... | |
eyq1ij | why we get sleepy in situations that sleeping can kill us | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/eyq1ij/eli5_why_we_get_sleepy_in_situations_that/ | {
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"text": [
"What situations do you mean?",
"Yeah I've always wonder why we get sleepy after hitting your head. I remember my parents always telling me to not fall asleep while they drove me to the hospital...."... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[]
] | ||
6adtg6 | Why was Henry 1 Charter of liberties largely ignored by monarchs until the issuing of Magna carter? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/6adtg6/why_was_henry_1_charter_of_liberties_largely/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"To answer the question in depth we first have to look at the circumstances of the charter. After William II. Rufus died on August 2nd of 1100, Henry hurried first to Winchester - to secure the royal treasure - and then to Westminster, where he wa... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2fceq9 | For those who know a bit about the Arthurian legends.. | I have a few questions for you!
I've always loved the Arthurian tales (actually ended up studying them briefly when I was still at uni, though that was a while ago now and I'm not knowledgable enough to be certain on a few points, and I want to be accurate!)... but anyway, long story short I am looking at getting a ta... | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2fceq9/for_those_who_know_a_bit_about_the_arthurian/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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"text": [
"The Arthurian stories have been retold and recycled for centuries (if not over a thousand years - it depends on how we date the Welsh Arthurian stories). Thus they have amalgamated into a mish-mash of features. Any tatoo or image of Excalibur wil... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/arthur/malorys_knights.html",
"http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1251/1251-h/1251-h.htm#link2HCH0025"
]
] | |
8ta7gw | What is the biochemical origin of caffeine dependence? | There's a joke that if you've been drinking coffee for a long time, when you wake up you'll need a coffee to get you back to the point where you were before you started regularly drinking coffee. But, if you stop for a week or two, your baseline goes back up. What happens to regular coffee drinkers to lower their basel... | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/8ta7gw/what_is_the_biochemical_origin_of_caffeine/ | {
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"score": [
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"text": [
"Caffeine is a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist, acting at A1, A2a, A2b, and A3 receptors (it als... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3777290/#!po=5.95238"
],
[],
[],
[
"https://www.elsevier.com/books/clinical-and-translational-science/robertson/978-0-12-802101-9",
"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3381939/"
],
[],
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"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed... | |
1vfx6i | Is there more oxygen in water or air? | Is assume there is more O2 in air but if you took the oxygen from H2O, does it add up to more oxygen than total oxygen in all the molecules in air?
Also, would be possible to make a device to harness the oxygen in H2O to breathe it? ( I'm imagining some fancy little device you put in your mouth and then you can breath... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1vfx6i/is_there_more_oxygen_in_water_or_air/ | {
"a_id": [
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"text": [
"I am not sure of the question, but if you mean whether an equivalent volume of air or water holds more oxygen, the answer is (under typical conditions assuming the dissolved oxygen is at equilibrium with the air) the air. Ox... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
d68i1f | A couple universe related questions from a layman - can you explain any of these things? | I might have done some thought gymnastics to come to weird ideas regarding this, so please bear with me.
If energy is finite, wouldn't the universe be finite?
If energy is infinite, wouldn't the universe be infinite?
If energy is finite, wouldn't matter be diluting as an infinite universe expands?
If th... | askscience | https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/d68i1f/a_couple_universe_related_questions_from_a_layman/ | {
"a_id": [
"f0stpgr"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Couple corrections that weren't made.\n\nThe universe does not create new dark matter as it expands. It appears you are confusing dark matter and dark energy, two largely unrelated concepts. Overall dark energy increases because the energy densit... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
drto7p | how can a single pixel on a tv screen change to so many different colors? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/drto7p/eli5_how_can_a_single_pixel_on_a_tv_screen_change/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
13,
4
],
"text": [
"You remember mixing paint colours when you were a kid? A single pixel is made up of a tiny blue light, a tiny red light, and a tiny green light. It can be any colour just by controlling how strong each of these colours shin... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYbdx4I7STg"
]
] | ||
4mh538 | if insects and arachnids don't have feelings, than what would trigger them to act if in danger? | If the title doesn't make much sense, this is what I mean. For example, I saw a gif of a toilet being flushed and a spider going down with it. The spider is rapidly wriggling its legs as if it's trying to save itself. If they really can't sense fear, or feel threatened, then why would they bother try to stay alive? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4mh538/eli5_if_insects_and_arachnids_dont_have_feelings/ | {
"a_id": [
"d3vhksa",
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"score": [
2,
2
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"text": [
"Because reflexes and involuntary reactions often have little to do with emotion. Just like when a doctor hits you in the knee with the rubber mallet or when you stub your toe in the dark. Your reaction is to make a jerking... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/flies-experience-emotions-like-fear-and-might-offer-insight-into-how-the-brain-makes-feelings-10253201.html"
],
[]
] | |
139ef8 | the us and why israel is important to the us. | It seems like both republicans and democrats think Israel is important. Can somebody cover some of the details.
This is more of an 'in general' question. I'm not looking for information on the recent news. | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/139ef8/eli5_the_us_and_why_israel_is_important_to_the_us/ | {
"a_id": [
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"score": [
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3
],
"text": [
"After the Holocaust in the 1930s-40s, it became clear that the Jewish people needed a homeland that could protect their culture and their people in the event that another group decided to attempt to exterminate them. Many b... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | |
g6euo | Which (living) professor or scientist do you find most inspiring? | I've really become interested in psychology with the help of Paul Bloom from the Yale University, so he's been a real inspiration to me. Also V.S. Ramachandran helped me become interested in the human brain.
Who inspired you to become interested in science and/or is still inspiring you?
| askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/g6euo/which_living_professor_or_scientist_do_you_find/ | {
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"c1l9tr3",
"c1l9whk",
"c1la43t",
"c1la5bw",
"c1lahf1",
"c... | [] | [] | [
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"http://web.mit.edu/langerlab/langer.html",
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Cox_\\(physicist\\)"
],
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[],
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... | |
2u548b | how is tesla able to improve the efficiency or performance of their cars with over-the-air updates? | They seem to be constantly improving the range of their cars and Elon Musk just tweeted that the Model S P85D will be able go 0-60 mph ~0.1 sec faster with a new update. How is this possible? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2u548b/eli5_how_is_tesla_able_to_improve_the_efficiency/ | {
"a_id": [
"co58br7"
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"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"It's the future, man. Nowadays, computers control every aspect of cars from running the engine to turning on the interior lights when you open the door. Electric motors are controlled by changing the voltage and current running to them. More volt... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
34kjnh | I'm looking for video footage of 1919-1946 Germany, Can anyone help? |
I've recently become interested in World War II, and I'm looking for a website that allows one to download footage of Germany during 1919 to the aftermath of world war II (~1946).
However, most videos on youtube that have these videos either have annoying watermarks or names printed onto the video, or have been uploa... | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/34kjnh/im_looking_for_video_footage_of_19191946_germany/ | {
"a_id": [
"cqvpy11"
],
"score": [
2
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"text": [
"You may want to look into ripping DVDs of classic german art films? \n\nedit: HA! I found it!\n\n I present to you, \"[Berlin: Symphony of a Great City](_URL_0_)\". It's basically just a sort of documentary of a generic day in Weimar-era Berlin... | [] | [] | [
[
"https://archive.org/details/BerlinSymphonyofaGreatCity"
]
] | |
aaz8s6 | If Romans relied upon local forces as auxiliaries, what language would be used on the battlefield? Were front-line soldiers required to learn Latin or were orders relayed through translators (and at what point in the chain)? | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/aaz8s6/if_romans_relied_upon_local_forces_as_auxiliaries/ | {
"a_id": [
"eczbw40"
],
"score": [
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"text": [
"In “The Middle East Under Rome,” Maurice Sartre discusses the concept of lingua-franca in the Mesopotamia and Anatolia. Although all high ranking Roman officials were asked to learn Latin, the majority of the known-world spoke Greek due to the He... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
5w2q23 | what is a social construct? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/5w2q23/eli5_what_is_a_social_construct/ | {
"a_id": [
"de6uskr"
],
"score": [
17
],
"text": [
"Something that only exists solely because a bunch of humans agree it exists. Consider the value of cash, for example. A couple of sheets of cotton and some mostly zinc coins you have in your pocket aren't of much practical use to anyone. However... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
8ixq8p | how can lonely cloud survive in a crystal clear sky? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/8ixq8p/eli5_how_can_lonely_cloud_survive_in_a_crystal/ | {
"a_id": [
"dyvei9e"
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"score": [
4
],
"text": [
"In the absence of winds in the atmosphere, the \"lonely cloud\" would certainly dissipate. However, the rotation of the Earth and the different gradients of heating (of the soil and water) that the Sun causes, result in the atmosphere having cur... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
2n5k42 | when holding hands, why does it feel so much better to be the "under" hand than the "over" hand (since neither position is actually ~~physically~~ uncomfortable)? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2n5k42/eli5_when_holding_hands_why_does_it_feel_so_much/ | {
"a_id": [
"cmaucji"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"Supposedly has to do with left and right brained. Which may or may not be a thing. For me the left thumb has to be over the right when I clasp my hands and its same for holding hands. There's a thing with preference in crossing your arms and a co... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1qbrc7 | how can uranium be used for "peaceful" purposes (as iran wants to do)? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/1qbrc7/eli5_how_can_uranium_be_used_for_peaceful/ | {
"a_id": [
"cdb7j9x"
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"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"Uranium can be used to generate nuclear energy, which can be used as an alternative for fossil fuels to provide buildings with electricity."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
4yfkp7 | why do people become traumatized | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4yfkp7/eli5_why_do_people_become_traumatized/ | {
"a_id": [
"d6ndz39",
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"score": [
16,
2
],
"text": [
"Your brain is a processing center that takes various stimuli and decides what to do with it. Say you're sorting toys into various bins and every time you pick a certain one up it gives you an electric shock and you drop it.... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] | ||
2u4z3c | How big of a problem was alcohol abuse/alcoholism in the Red Army during WW2? | AskHistorians | http://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/2u4z3c/how_big_of_a_problem_was_alcohol_abusealcoholism/ | {
"a_id": [
"co5sc8u"
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"score": [
10
],
"text": [
"The atrocious conduct of the Red Army following their conquest of Eastern Europe and East Germany was largely influenced by their blatant abuse of alcohol. In fact the NKVD allegedly reported back to Moscow complaining that 'mass poisoning from ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
i4thm | What are the bones that fuse together as we become adults? | Babies are born with 300 bones, and as they become adults the bone count goes down to 206. I know the skull fuses together, I'm just wondering what other bones fuse together? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/i4thm/what_are_the_bones_that_fuse_together_as_we/ | {
"a_id": [
"c20xc1e"
],
"score": [
7
],
"text": [
"This is kind of a misconception. It's not as if babies have more bones when they're born, it's just that bones aren't completely ossified at birth, so if you took an xray (for example) you'd see some areas where there were \"transparent\" areas ... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
chhiii | Did America's founding father's engage in acts that would be considered to be terrorist actions? | I heard somewhere that America's founding fathers engaged in acts that would be considered terrorist actions, though I can't remember any examples being cited by the person that I heard it from. I was wondering if there was any actual evidence to support this or if my source was just making stuff up. | AskHistorians | https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/chhiii/did_americas_founding_fathers_engage_in_acts_that/ | {
"a_id": [
"euwm8eo"
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"score": [
2
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"text": [
"I would like to point out a quick note that things can get messy with terminology: as it was a ‘civil’ conflict at first, terms like ‘partisan group’ comes to mind. Then, after independence, anachronistic requisites would have it be that they wer... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | |
2k7ijc | why don't any of the american ebola patients have privacy dealing with their sickness? aren't patients supposed to have medical privacy? | explainlikeimfive | http://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/2k7ijc/eli5_why_dont_any_of_the_american_ebola_patients/ | {
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88,
28,
2,
2,
3,
2
],
"text": [
"The medical staff protect their privacy, news teams have no such inhibitions",
"The patients gave permission for the information t... | [] | [] | [
[],
[],
[],
[],
[],
[
"http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/10/20/anonymous-ebola-patient-released-from-emory-after-being-declared-virus-free/"
]
] | ||
9571t6 | how can hackers have more power in gta online than the makers of the game (rockstar) | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/9571t6/eli5_how_can_hackers_have_more_power_in_gta/ | {
"a_id": [
"e3qigo2"
],
"score": [
2
],
"text": [
"It's eather two things. One is that there is so much traffic that they can't find the hackers or they don't care enough to fix it."
]
} | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
l0x7y | Given what we know about the human genome, how many genetically unique offspring is one pair of parents capable of producing? | I always find it incredible to think about the odds of my existence as a result of my ancestors reproducing with the right people at the right time. I was thinking about the odds of my parents producing a child with my genetic code as opposed to any other genetic combination. How many different potential offspring coul... | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/l0x7y/given_what_we_know_about_the_human_genome_how/ | {
"a_id": [
"c2ovchp",
"c2ovchp"
],
"score": [
7,
7
],
"text": [
"First, each parent has two copies of each chromosome they can give you. So already we are at \n\n 2^46, or 7 x 10^13\n\nNow let's add in crossing-over: \n\n[This paper](_URL_0_) states that oocytes have, on average, 70 c... | [] | [] | [
[
"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC379134/?tool=pubmed"
],
[
"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC379134/?tool=pubmed"
]
] | |
4ns8vc | what exactly makes sunlight hot on a nice sunny day? is it the temperature of the sun itself radiating through space or some form of refraction of the light itself? | explainlikeimfive | https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4ns8vc/eli5_what_exactly_makes_sunlight_hot_on_a_nice/ | {
"a_id": [
"d46hgqg"
],
"score": [
3
],
"text": [
"Sunlight hitting the atmosphere is always the same.\n\nIt's local weather conditions that change. Warm dry conditions, open sky, the sun is going to continue to warm up the already warm air. Warmth (or lack of) from previous days is stored in the... | [] | [] | [
[]
] | ||
1ao7hy | Is it possible to explain magnetic fields in terms of electric fields? | For example, a current carrying wire will generate a magnetic field, which will exert a force an any moving electrons in the vicinity. Can this be explained by electric forces alone? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/1ao7hy/is_it_possible_to_explain_magnetic_fields_in/ | {
"a_id": [
"c8z7k33",
"c8zb7aj"
],
"score": [
2,
5
],
"text": [
"The way I understood it from my E & M class was that magnetic fields are Lorentz transformed electric fields. There was a cool illustration in the book showing how the spherical electric field gets squashed into an ellipsoid... | [] | [] | [
[],
[
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velocity-addition_formula#Special_theory_of_relativity"
]
] | |
2kawc7 | If you have a cold container (soda, water, etc.) and you place it in front of a fan, is it being cooled more/kept the same temperature by the fan or is it being warmed up faster? | askscience | http://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/2kawc7/if_you_have_a_cold_container_soda_water_etc_and/ | {
"a_id": [
"cljke5t",
"cljl4m4"
],
"score": [
9,
3
],
"text": [
"A fan moves air, and heats it up slightly because the fan itself is hot. More air passes over the container due to being the target of the fan, so the container will become the temperature of the air more quickly. If the air... | [] | [] | [
[],
[]
] |
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