I've fixed thousands of brains and seen proof we have a soul... just look at conjoined twins, even trees
A neurosurgeon who has performed more than 7,000 surgeries believes he has proof that people possess souls, pointing to everything from dying patients and conjoined twins to trees.
When Michael Egnor, 69, began studying to become a neurosurgeon decades ago, he most certainly didn't believe in the concept.
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The Independent
36 minutes ago
- The Independent
Scientists solve solar system mystery after freak accident at planetarium show
Scientists have solved one of the solar system's enduring mysteries with the help of an unexpected source: a planetarium show. Last year, experts at the American Museum of Natural History were preparing 'Encounters in the Milky Way," a deep dive into our home galaxy shaped by the movements of stars and other celestial objects. While fine-tuning a scene featuring what's known as the Oort Cloud, a region far beyond Pluto filled with icy relics from the solar system's formation, scientists noticed something unusual projected onto the planetarium's dome. The Oort Cloud is known to send comets hurtling towards Earth, but its true shape has remained elusive to scientists until now. 'Why is there a spiral there?' said the museum's Jackie Faherty. The inner section of the Oort Cloud, made of billions of comets, resembled a bar with two waving arms, similar to the shape of our Milky Way galaxy. Scientists had long thought the Oort Cloud was shaped like a sphere or flattened shell, warped by the push and pull of other planets and the Milky Way itself. The planetarium show hinted that a more complex shape could lie inside. The museum contacted the researcher who provided the Oort Cloud data for the show, who was also surprised to see the spiral. 'It's kind of a freak accident that it actually happened,' said David Nesvorny with the Southwest Research Institute. Realising they'd stumbled on something new, the researchers published their findings earlier this year in The Astrophysical Journal. The spiral is "a striking shift in our understanding of the outer solar system,' planetary scientist Andre Izidoro with Rice University, who was not involved with the study, said. The discovery, relying on data on how celestial objects move and using simulations, will be difficult to confirm with observations. But knowing more about the orbits of distant comets could give scientists some clues, Izidoro said. While putting together the planetarium show, the museum's experts weren't expecting a window into the universe's inner workings. The show, narrated by actor Pedro Pascal, features many vivid scenes that may capture audiences more than the Oort Cloud, said the museum's Jon Parker — including an ongoing merge of the Sagittarius mini galaxy with the Milky Way. No matter how striking and beautiful the visuals of the show, the museum was committed to making it scientifically accurate. That's what created the perfect conditions to stumble upon something new, said the museum's Carter Emmart. 'You just never know what you're going to find,' Emmart said.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
How to turn down the volume and protect wildlife in your yard and garden
In the garden, the start of the growing season means the return of dirt under our fingernails, the scent of freshly spread mulch and the first blooming roses. In my neighborhood, and perhaps yours, it also means an audible onslaught of lawnmowers, leaf blowers and other tools of the landscaper's trade. From 8 a.m. through at least early afternoon — five or six days every week — the hum of power tools and other machines disrupts my peace. But even more concerning is that my peace pales in importance to that of my property's other residents. Birds, squirrels, rabbits, frogs, insects and other wildlife are critically affected by human-made noise. They're outdoors right in the middle of what must seem to them a war zone — with no escape. And the battleground noises that surround them aren't merely nuisances; they disrupt the basic instincts the animals' lives depend on. Instincts such as those that alert them to the presence of predators become masked under the gas-powered cacophony prevalent throughout most of suburbia. The unnatural sounds can also force birds, bats and insects into changing their feeding, nesting and mating habits, says Kevin Munroe, Long Island Preserve Director for The Nature Conservancy, based in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. 'Quite a few animals communicate primarily through song, and their songs are how they find each other,' Munroe said. Those with soft and quiet songs, like warblers, small species of owls, bats and some species of crickets, for instance, can be so badly drowned out by noise pollution that 'they literally cannot build families or reproduce,' he said. To illustrate the point, Munroe likens the animals' songs to navigation systems. 'Imagine these songs are the birds' roadmaps to each other, and imagine you're using your GPS to get somewhere and all of a sudden it turns off, and that's the only way you can find your family. Now, with it turned off, there's no way you'll find your family. That's what song is like for these animals,' he said. Artificial noises from power equipment, traffic, construction and industrial sources, can also cause stress and hearing loss in animals. A University of Georgia study even found that highway noises can elevate heart rates in monarch caterpillars. Thoughtful planning can reduce the noise This may seem like a losing battle in modern society, but there are steps we can take to help. The Nature Conservancy recommends changes to industrial practices that include accounting for sensitive areas when siting noise-producing facilities, such as access roads and compressor stations, and designing them to include sound barriers such as walls, vegetative screening and noise-absorbing equipment. Altering the timing and duration of noisy activities during breeding and hibernation periods could also reduce adverse effects on wildlife, the organization said. What you can do at home On our own properties, small changes can make a big impact. Because birds do their 'most important talking to each other' between dawn and 9 a.m., Munroe recommends shifting noisy yardwork later. Another critical time for many species of wildlife is after dark, he said. 'You can play music and have fun, but try not to make any loud noises,' he said. In addition, creating sound buffers by planting dense native trees, evergreens or deciduous shrubs, and switching from gas- to battery-powered tools, including leaf blowers, string trimmers and chainsaws, are simple things homeowners can do to avoid causing harm. Educating and introducing change to local communities is important, too. Munroe suggests working with your homeowners association, schools, businesses and churches to limit loud, destructive activity on their properties. 'Talk to local municipalities about their noise ordinances and (encourage them to) create a sound sanctuary in the neighborhood (to protect) wood thrushes, katydids' and other wildlife, he said. And always observe noise ordinances at home and in public places, like parks. Wild animals serve as 'pollinators, affect pest control and have a positive effect on our agriculture and our economy,' Munroe said. 'We want them in our neighborhoods.' ___ Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice. ___
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Mom-of-11 reveals how she spends over $1,000 on groceries in a single trip and is forced to use FOUR shopping carts
A mom-of-11 has revealed that she spends over $1,000 in one trip to the grocery store, and has to use a whopping four shopping carts when she stocks up for her enormous brood. Alicia Dougherty, 44, from Pittsford, New York, has four biological children and eight others she adopted with her husband, Josh, 44. The mom-of-11 often gives people a glimpse inside her life on TikTok and Instagram, where she has about 9.1 million followers collectively. In a recent video, she documented a shopping trip to Walmart, and left viewers stunned over the immense amount of stuff that she had bought for her family. Alicia started the video by showing a clipboard with her immense list of items. It then cut to her four full carts, the first of which held toiletries and medicines, a kiddy pool, a case of printer paper, cleaning supplies, and matching family shirts in two colors. The second cart held most of the dry food items including dressings, jams, and crotons. It also held other food items including tomato products, pasta, bread, cereal, coffee, mints, and muffin mix. Alicia then spotted red and blue Gatorade and Jello cups so she joked that she 'had to get them for the kids for Memorial Day.' She also stocked up on sodas, teas, and juices. Cart three held the family's produce items including fruit, avocado, tomatoes, potatoes, Lunchables, and salad. Alicia also got 'the meats for the week,' including, '20 lbs of chicken for grill night, ground beef for taco Tuesday, and pork chops for slow cooker night.' The fourth cart included 10 dozen eggs, yogurt, orange juice, cheese, and nine different kinds of milk. Her last stop was in the freezer section, where she placed frozen pizza, fries, Pizza Rolls, White Castle burgers, four gallons of ice cream, and a slew of different treats. At the end of the video, she showed two long receipts for her purchases, which came out to more than $1,000. In 2023, Alicia came under fire after she fed her kids out of a baby pool. In a viral video, Alicia showed viewers how she prepared a 'nacho party' that saw her dozen kids munching out of a baby pool. She began by pouring tortilla chips on the bottom of the pool before adding ground meat, cheese sauce, lettuce, olives, tomatoes, and sour cream. At the end of her video, the busy mom showed the children digging into the pool and indulging in the Tex-Mex-inspired meal without any forks or napkins in sight. While the pool platter proved to be a hassle-free feeding strategy because it had no dishes involved, many viewers couldn't believe how 'unsanitary' the mom's 'party' was.
