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
Incredible Hair Growth Remedy: Bay Leaves Oil
If you’re looking for a natural solution to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss, bay leaves oil might be the secret you’ve been searching for. Bay leaves are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that can contribute to healthier, stronger hair when used regularly. Here’s how you can make and use bay leaves oil at home to nourish your hair and stimulate growth.
Ingredients:
- A handful of dried bay leaves
- 1 cup of coconut oil or olive oil (as a base)
Instructions:
Prepare the Oil Infusion:
- Place the dried bay leaves in a pot and cover them with the coconut oil or olive oil. You can choose between coconut oil, which is great for nourishing and moisturizing, or olive oil, which is excellent for strengthening and adding shine.
Heat the Mixture:
- Heat the mixture over low heat for about 10-15 minutes. Avoid letting the oil boil; a gentle simmer is enough to infuse the oil with the properties of the bay leaves.
Let It Steep:
- After heating, remove the pot from the stove and let the oil cool completely. It’s best to allow the bay leaves to steep in the oil for several hours or even overnight to maximize the infusion.
Strain the Oil:
- Once the oil has cooled and steeped, strain it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove all pieces of bay leaf. Pour the strained oil into a clean, airtight bottle or jar for storage.
Application:
- To use the bay leaves oil, massage it into your scalp and hair. Start at the scalp and work the oil through to the ends of your hair. Massaging helps improve blood circulation to the scalp, enhancing hair growth.
Leave It On:
- For best results, leave the oil in your hair for at least an hour or overnight if possible. Cover your hair with a shower cap to avoid staining pillowcases.
Wash Out:
- Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and conditioner after the treatment. You might need to shampoo twice to remove all the oil if your hair feels too greasy.
Benefits:
- Promotes Hair Growth: Bay leaves are rich in antioxidants that help stimulate hair follicles and promote stronger and faster hair growth.
- Prevents Hair Loss: The nutrients in bay leaves strengthen hair from the root, making it less prone to falling out.
- Improves Hair Health: Regular use of bay leaves oil can improve the overall health of your hair, making it shinier, softer, and more resilient.
Frequency:
- Use this treatment once or twice a week for the best results in promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss.
This natural remedy is a fantastic way to harness the power of bay leaves for hair care. It’s easy to prepare and use, making it a cost-effective and efficient method to maintain the health and beauty of your hair. Try incorporating bay leaves oil into your hair care routine and see the difference it can make!
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