/oss/taxonomy/term/2889/all en /oss/article/history-general-science/how-come-you-never-see-baby-housefly <p>Simple. Because baby houseflies don’t exist. A little backgrounder on the flies’ reproductive cycle can clear up this apparent conundrum. Within a week of mating, a doggie-style activity lasting from a few seconds to several minutes, not unlike humans, a female fly will lay an average of 120 eggs. Nice warm manure is preferred. Then in roughly 12 days, the eggs develop into larvae, then into maggots, and then into pupae from which flies emerge fully grown. That’s why you will never see a baby fly!</p> Fri, 16 Jul 2021 22:03:34 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8787 at /oss /oss/article/environment/under-microscope-bees-knees <p><img height="1536" width="2048" style="width: 600px; height: 450px;" class="file-original " src="/oss/files/oss/img00008.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img height="1536" width="2048" style="width: 600px; height: 450px;" class="file-original " src="/oss/files/oss/img00009.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p><img height="1536" width="2048" style="width: 600px; height: 450px;" class="file-original " src="/oss/files/oss/img00010.jpg" alt="" /></p> Wed, 06 Mar 2019 19:01:24 +0000 Adam Oliver Brown PhD and Ada McVean B.Sc. 7635 at /oss /oss/article/health-nutrition-quackery/sun-potions-or-privilege-paying-75-get-ants-your-smoothie <hr /> <p class="note"><strong>Take-home message:</strong><br /> -Sun Potion is a brand of plants and mushrooms (and sometimes ants) in powder form that you can add to your food.<br /> -The health claims the company makes are not based on rigorous science</p> <p>There are days when the turbid waters of pseudoscience rise up, seemingly sentient, into a tsunami. You think you’ve seen the tallest wave there could be, but you catch yourself staring at a massive swell of unpalatable water of simply astonishing height.</p> Wed, 12 Sep 2018 13:23:55 +0000 Jonathan Jarry, MSc 7346 at /oss /oss/article/did-you-know/queen-ants-dont-have-divine-right-their-thrones-just-right-genetics <p><span>Humans have classified more than 12,500 species of ants, and there are an estimated 10,000 more waiting to be discovered. Besides their incredible strength, almost all of these species have something in common: queens. </span></p> Thu, 02 Aug 2018 17:39:57 +0000 Ada McVean B.Sc. 7200 at /oss /oss/article/environment/do-not-mess-bombardier-beetle <p>Why not? Because you risk being sprayed with a hot solution containing irritant chemicals known as benzoquinones.  In all likelihood it would be a memorable, but unhappy experience.  Based on their ability to discharge “chemical bombs” when threatened, bombardier beetles are aptly named.  </p> Thu, 28 Dec 2017 17:40:18 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 6857 at /oss