Articles written by Bennett Kalafut - Page 4

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A single-molecule biophysicist in the final stages of a PhD.

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Sciences > Physics Determining if an invisible man can actually see: 2 of 3
An "Invisible Man" in the Ralph Ellison sense-a social non-entity-can see, as we learn in his novel, all too clearly. An Invisible Man in the H.G. Wells sense of somebody who is "see-through" cannot, for two reasons.The first and most quotidian reason is that, in order to form an image of his surroundings, the man's eyes must... More..
Food & Drink > Ethnic & International Foods What's the difference between a flauta and a taquito?: 5 of 7
The difference is largely whimsy, with a dash of convention in some locales. In most places, "Flauta" and "Taquito" are used interchangeably to denote a rolled, deep-fried taco.In some places, however, the flauta is made with a wheat flour tortilla, whereas a taquito is prepared with corn. In others, a flauta is much longer a... More..
Health & Fitness > Nutrition Basics Health benefits of blueberries: 6 of 8
If one were to advertise a medicine that could retard aging, enhance brain function, improve eyesight, lower cholesterol and blood-lipid levels, and even induce apoptosis in cancer cells, it would sound like Hadacol or snake-oil. The common blueberry contains compounds - resveratrol, pterostilbene, piceatannol, and anthocyani... More..
Pets & Animals > Aquarium Fish Tips for choosing a fish tank: 6 of 8
The main consideration in choosing an aquarium to purchase is space. Measure the area where the tank is to be located, and if it's being placed on a bookshelf or similar structure-a purpose-built aquarium stand is almost always better-find out the maximum supported load.Then buy the largest tank within your budget that fits t... More..
Food & Drink > Ethnic & International Foods How to find authentic Mexican ingredients: 3 of 4
Where possible, the way to find authentic Mexican ingredients is to shop where the local ethnic Mexican-Americans or, better still, the Mexican expatriates shop. Ask a Mexican friend or co-worker or even the staff at the local Mexican restaurant what store they'd recommend.Nearly every major city in America and, due to the hi... More..
Arts & Humanities > Writing & Rating at Helium Writing articles that earn high ratings at Helium: 19 of 24
I cannot speak to the rating practices of others, but I can discuss some of my own criteria for rating Helium.com articles:(1) Have you taken the time to write so that others may read?Many, perhaps most, articles on Helium are written in some sort of Orcish cant which superficially resembles English in some ways. Grammar is o... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Should lawmakers free us from market forces by controlling gas prices?: 20 of 25
As a Zen master would say, "Mu."Standard English has perhaps no such expression, for both saying "no" and expressing disagreement with the premises of a question. As any Public Choice economist could tell us, lawmakers cannot free us from market forces by controlling gasoline prices. Market forces-in this case the common laws... More..
Food & Drink > Spices, Herbs & Condiments Does real vanilla make a difference?: 9 of 11
Real vanilla-the extract of the seed-pod of an orchid (Vanilla planifolia) which is only naturally pollinated by a peculiar Mexican bee that seems intent on staying in Mexico-consists of hundreds of compounds in an alcohol base, among them vanillin and piperonal (known also as heliotropin). Plants tend to produce few flowers ... More..
Arts & Humanities > Photography A beginner's guide to taking better photographs: 8 of 9
If getting the subject in the frame, pressing the button, and capturing an image on film or as a computer file was all there is to photography, photographs wouldn't hang in art museums or be the subject of serious study. The photographer must compose his image just like any other visual artist. This is for nought if the image... More..
Politics, News & Issues > International Politics (Other) A secret society that rules the world: 39 of 39
On average, they all know each other and they all think they ought run your life, but does that mean there's a secret society ruling the world?Nonsense! The statist, leftist elitists get together at their Bilderberg conferences and in their Club of Rome (etc.), but to share ideas and stroke each others' egos. Consider such me... More..