Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2013 December 27

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December 27

Reading newspaper or book in a moving vehicle

Is it harmful for our eyes or health to read newspaper or book in a moving vehicle like bus or car? (This is not a medical question.) Scientist456 (talk) 12:16, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

That's too general a question. You would need to consult a doctor to get a precise answer. This much I know from anecdotal experience: Reading while a passenger in a car can produce a feeling of nausea, sometimes called "carsickness". Whether that phenomenon has any long-term effects, I couldn't say. But your doctor could. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 12:44, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

I wonder, with current technology, if an electronic reading device could do movement stabilization. That is, it would move the words on the screen as you hit each bump, etc., to make them appear steady. You would need a larger screen, though, to keep words from bouncing off the display. Also, if your head is bouncing about relative to the reading material, then no amount of image stabilization will help. Perhaps the reading material could be rigidly attached to your head, but this sounds unpleasant.

A more practical solution may be audio books. StuRat (talk) 13:47, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

Especially if you're the driver. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 14:15, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

I am not the driver instead I am traveller. Scientist456 (talk) 14:57, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

As a passenger, have you ever felt nauseus after some stretch of reading? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 15:54, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

I used to read books while going to school in my school bus and I have never felt any type of nauseas after some stretch of reading. I asked this question just to check whether my friends are right or wrong. Some of them often say that reading book in a moving bus may be harmful for your eyes. Are they right? Scientist456 (talk) 16:20, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

What harm do they think it would cause? ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:30, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

It could cause eye strain, but that isn't damage, just soreness from overuse. (The continual refocusing might make your eyes tired.) But, like other exercise, it might ultimately be beneficial, resulting in stronger eye muscles and a quicker response time when tracking moving objects. StuRat (talk) 15:56, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

• Motion sickness is generally caused by a conflict of inputs, with the visual system saying one is in a stationary box, and the balance system saying one is moving rapidly with differing accelerations. Reading further causes a disconnect between the inputs of the eyes and the ears. μηδείς (talk) 19:51, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

Do you happen electrical fault in an electromagnet? (explanation)

Do you happen electrical fault in an electromagnet? (explanation) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 37.237.195.59 (talk) 16:44, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

Sorry, but the English is so bad that the question is impossible to understand. Looie496 (talk) 16:51, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

In my experience an "electrical fault" in an electromagnet, an inductor or a transformer would be an unintended short circuit between turns in a winding. It could also be a short circuit from a winding to a core or to another winding. Sadly, they do happen from time to time, as when there is overvoltage, insulation failure, moisture contamination or, in an oil-filled transformer or inductor, low oil level. Superconducting magnets also can have faults if the liquid nitrogen coolant is deficient. Back in the 1830's, the electromagnets of Henry or Sturgeon could have faults if the silk insulation got damp or became carbonized. A clearer question will produce a clearer answer. Edison (talk) 04:56, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Agree with Ed (for once!)--109.144.194.11 (talk) 01:24, 30 December 2013 (UTC)

Curing meat

I like making cured meats like spiced brisket and need to know a lot more about the science in order to use and adapt recipes. Sugar produces a good flavour, but presumably I can't dispense with salt entirely. What if I adapt a recipe by increasing the sugar input and reducing the salt input? If I'm doing a dry cure, should I drain off the liquid that is produced when the meat is salted? I can't obtain, therefore don't use saltpetre, presumably that's no problem except for the colour of the finished product? And the spices. To what extent do the salt and/or sugar pull the flavour of the spices into the meat? What spices will effectively flavour the meat and/or have a preservative effect? Can you just tell me a lot more stuff or give me some good references? Many thanks. Itsmejudith (talk) 22:41, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

I wouldn't consider experimenting with that stuff without first having read an authoritative book or two. The risk of harmful or even fatal results is terrifyingly high, especially if you start doing things like reducing the salt. Looie496 (talk) 23:26, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

Although this reference desk is not a forum, a quick search [1] yields (among others):

• Morton® Sugar Cure® • Curing (food preservation) #Sugar • Wikihow:How to Cure Meat • Etc. ~E:71.20.250.51 (talk) 23:35, 27 December 2013 (UTC)

No, look, I really do want to read up on it. What are the authoritative books? I'm not deviating from any recipes until I understand the science in more depth. I did talk to an environmental health officer who said that it is actually really difficult to grow botulinum bacteria. And I don't hold onto meat for more than a week or two. Please, references. Itsmejudith (talk) 00:22, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

How about:

Schweigert, edited by C.O. Chichester, E.M. Mrak, B.S. (1984). "Vol. 29 : Cured Meat Flavor". Advances in food research. New York: Academic Press. ISBN 0080567746. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

~E:71.20.250.51 (talk) 00:59, 28 December 2013 (UTC)

Thank you. Itsmejudith (talk) 08:02, 28 December 2013 (UTC)