The Daily Research, Author at The Daily Research

Amputees’ Brains Remember Their Lost Limbs For Decades

The 2016 Summer Paralympics will kick-off in Brazil in just one week. The Summer Paralympic Games, now in their 15th year, are vital in developing global awareness around disabled athletes and disability in general. Many of the athletes who will compete in these games are fitted with prosthetics – artificial devices that replace missing body parts. These artificial devices can replace hands, arms, fingers, legs, feet, and even sockets like wrists and knee joints. In the 21st century, prosthetics aren’t anything new, but the field is advancing rapidly thanks to incredible scientific research and discovery. This development doesn’t mean they […]

Animals

No Heart, No Brain, No Blood: 20 Facts You Didn’t Know About Jellyfish

Whether they’re simplistic clear blobs marooned on a beach or colorful floaters that form the basis of many nightmares, what are jellyfish exactly? Let’s take a look at a creature that is significantly more interesting, and unfortunately deadlier, than they appear. They Aren’t Fish A jellyfish is certainly gelatinous, but is it a fish? Not at all. A type of zooplankton, it is more scientifically appropriate to refer to them as Jellies, so do so! What is plankton? Plankton is typically defined as a type of small or microscopic organisms, drifting or floating in the sea or fresh water. Jellies […]

Science

A Possibly Habitable Earth-Like Planet Discovered Just 4 Light Years Away

A team of scientists recently announced the discovery of a new planet not far from our Solar System. A discovery of this caliber is fairly typical in the astronomy field, so why are scientists, popular media outlets, and regular people like me and you getting so excited about it? Because this planet could be another Earth! It sounds crazy, we know. We’re more used to hearing about planets being downgraded and stars being named, or NASA exploring planets and moons orbiting our own Sun. But, this new planet, currently dubbed Proxima b, gives us a lot to be excited about. […]

Animals

Do Fish Drink Water?

Without water, there is not life; and this is an un-escapable fact for all organisms on earth. For animals, droughts can have a devastating effect causing mass extinctions and population crashes. Water is taken in via drinking it in through the mouth, a simple method that is second nature to us. But what about species that live in water? Do fish drink water? Why water is important for life Water makes up a large part of our bodies, as it does with all animals. In people this figure is around the 60%-70% mark. Now luckily we are not walking puddles, […]

Animals

How Do Fish Sleep?

Most people, myself included, love a bit of sleep. While we can often get by on varying amounts, it is agreed that sleep is essential to be able to function well the next day; after all a coffee can only go so far! All mammalian species, from wild animals to our beloved pets enjoy a good nap; curling up in their burrows or hide outs when needed. But what about our underwater friends, the fish? How does a fish sleep, if they do at all? Defining sleep To determine whether or not fish sleep, it is necessary to define what […]

Animals

Why Do Cats Always Land On Their Feet

Cats; love them or hate them, there’s no escaping their seemingly improbable nine lives. Part of this stems from the rumour that, no matter what the distance, a falling cat will always land on their feet. But is this the case? Do cats always land on their feet? Quite often, yes. This ability to right themselves has got many a cat out of a sticky situation; seemingly uninjured. So how do they do it? How can they land on their feet when many species (people included), can’t? The Why Before looking at the how, it is important to consider the […]

Science

Planet 9 May be Stalking the Solar System

Planet 9 is the next big thing in the Solar System. Not literally, of course. It’s more massive than Pluto, though that’s not saying much. It’s likely sitting out in the chilly Kuiper belt. And it may be an indicator that there is more going on outside of edge of our neighborhood than we previously thought. When researchers at Caltech announced the possible discovery of a ninth planet, the “Plutocrats” quickly jumped online and furious clicked their way to disappointment. No, this wasn’t a stunning reversal of the 2006 vote by the International Astronomical Union to officially reclassify Pluto as […]

History

Maximón: In Mayan Guatemala, One Legendary Bad-ass has Become a God

Beloved by the Maya of western highland Guatemala, Maximón (pronounced Ma-shee-moan) is part ancient Mayan deity, part Catholic saint, part archetypal trickster. His complex character resonates with ancient religious associations between fertility, virility, the underworld, black magic, and sin. He is the patron saint of travelers and gamblers, and an associate of the devil according to the Catholic Church. A name with many meanings Many people identify him with the ancient Mayan underworld earth-god, Mam (or Ma’am) and may call him Rilaj Mam or “Great Grandfather.” In the local Mayan tongues “Ma” is an honorific title, similar to “Sir” or […]