Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2020 July 16

Science desk
< July 15	<< Jun | July | Aug >>	July 17 >

Welcome to the Wikipedia Science Reference Desk Archives
The page you are currently viewing is a transcluded archive page. While you can leave answers for any questions shown below, please ask new questions on one of the current reference desk pages.

July 16

Organism knows an earthquake's toll?

How can it know? See https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/14/science/earthquake-dna-genes-kelp.html --83.73.199.185 (talk) 07:30, 16 July 2020 (UTC)

There is nothing in that article that suggests an "organism knows an earthquake's toll". What is your question?--Shantavira|^{feed me} 09:24, 16 July 2020 (UTC)

At least it is in its DNA.--83.73.199.185 (talk) 13:28, 16 July 2020 (UTC)

There is. I already asked the question.--83.73.199.185 (talk) 09:51, 16 July 2020 (UTC)

As Shantavira says, there is no suggestion of knowledge or sentience. The kelp populations dispersed and evolved separately. The point of the genetic diversion marks the event. Interesting read though, thanks for posting Zindor (talk) 10:19, 16 July 2020 (UTC)

The seaweed doesn't "know" anything. The earthquake killed off the seaweed in one area, and other seaweed grew in its place. That new seaweed hasn't mixed with the the adjacent seaweed that wasn't killed off, so the two populations are genetically distinct. Iapetus (talk) 09:19, 20 July 2020 (UTC)

foreskin restoration by non-surgical methods B.C.

Is there documentation for foreskin restoration by non-surgical methods in the ancient time (before Christ (BC) or close to this time)? --ThePupil (talk) 19:28, 16 July 2020 (UTC)

See Uncircumcision: a historical review of preputial restoration - a summary is viewable. There's also a brief mention at Restoration device. Alansplodge (talk) 20:51, 16 July 2020 (UTC)

Thank you very much!--ThePupil (talk) 16:46, 20 July 2020 (UTC)