Articles

TLDR: The mold in blue cheese is a specific, safe strain grown in a controlled environment where harmful molds cannot survive. Bread mold is a random, unknown fungus that can produce dangerous toxins, and its invisible roots contaminate the entire loaf.

TLDR: Fresh pineapple has an enzyme that cuts up gelatin proteins, preventing them from linking together to become solid. Canned pineapple works because the heating process destroys this enzyme.

TLDR: Those blocks are sacrificial anodes. They are made of a metal that corrodes more easily than the ship's hull. In saltwater, the blocks get destroyed by electrical currents and corrosion on purpose, so the important parts of the ship, like the hull and propeller, are protected. It is much cheaper to replace the blocks than to repair the ship.

Eggs are egg-shaped because the asymmetrical shape is structurally strong, packs efficiently in a nest, and prevents them from rolling off ledges by making them roll in a tight circle.

TLDR: Blue lines were historically invisible to early copiers, making them disappear on copies, while the attention-grabbing red margin line clearly marked a space for a teacher's or editor's notes.

TLDR: That extra rail is a third rail. It is a live, high-voltage electrical conductor that powers the train through a sliding contact shoe, acting as an alternative to overhead lines. It is extremely dangerous to touch.