#lack of iron-calcium

[rock-swag-tournament]

Mineral Swag Tournament Finals

Okay y'all, this is it. The FINAL for the Mineral Swag Tournament.

Fluorite.

Fluorite is a fantastic mineral. It would not have gotten this far otherwise. It comes in a ton of colors, it naturally forms both octahedra and cubes (and massive deposits), and it show brilliant bright blue color under UV light. Fluorescence (the phenomena) is named that because of fluorite!

It also does this fun thing (that other minerals do as well, but it is common among fluorite) where it changes color as it forms because of changing impurities in the solution from which it grows! Elements like iron, copper, manganese, chromium (and more!) can replace individual ions in fluorite's chemical structure and cause the light to reflect different wavelengths and we therefore see that as a different color. This can also happen if a fluorite ion is missing because the sample has been irradiated (for example) and NOTHING replaces it and so the light still reflects in a different way! That is one of the ways we get purple fluorite and this method of producing color is known as color centers.

Of course, not all fluorite fluoresces. Not all fluorite forms cubes or octahedra. Some fluorite is colorless. Some of it looks like an ugly little piece of translucent rock. Or a vein of purple mineral in a crack between two other rocks. It would be irresponsible for me to insinuate that all fluorite is this majestic.

But there are some properties that you will always find in fluorite. It has four directions of cleavage. It is the defining mineral for a 4 on the Mohs hardness scale. It will always be made of calcium and fluoride in a 1:2 ratio. These things are some of what define fluorite as a distinct mineral!

Opal.

Opal is a beautiful gemstone. Please note that I did not call it a "beautiful mineral" because it is not technically a mineral. It is a solid, inorganic substance with a defined chemical formula, but it lacks the specific crystal structure which minerals MUST have to be considered a mineral.

This crystal structure is the entire reason why fluorite is capable of forming cubes and octahedra. And why garnet forms dodecahedra and beryl forms columns and so on. Opal only comes in those fun little oval shaped stones because it was cut that way! Fluorite forms cubes because it just knows how. Otherwise, opal forms shapeless masses that fracture rather than cleave (fluorite cleaves--four ways). That being said, opal's lack of crystal structure allows it to sometimes be iridescent.

After all, there is a reason opal made it this far. When it shines, it is beautiful. There are several varieties of precious opal (opal that displays its trademark play-of-color/iridescence) and they are all very fun to look at. These precious opals are made of microscopic silica spheres that light reflects off of in weird ways and causes opal to look like it is glittering with a dozen different colors.

However, one would be remiss to forget common opal! Some opal is milky white or a translucent blue, and if you're going to love opal at her fire opal, you better also love her at her common opal.

Here are some raw pieces of opal (common opal on the left). Note how they break irregularly. They have conchoidal fracture, which both quartz and normal glass (all of which are just silica) also have. I personally think conchoidal fracture is pretty neat.

Also, while the opals on the right would still be considered precious opal, they are what the average person is likely to find. Just little bits of iridescence here and there.

And, like fluorite, while not all opals have all of the cool features, they do have some similarities. They will always have conchoidal fracture if they break. And they will always be made of hydrated SiO2.

...That's all I have for these guys, I think! I hope I have been as impartial (and accurate) as possible while presenting these, your FINAL mineral swag contestants. If you have any questions or anything, let me know. The Rock Swag Tournament will start shortly after this concludes! Submit your rocks here! And specific rock formations or named rock varieties here!

[nshtn]

[ UV Albert Wesker Uroboros & PG67 HCs ]

These take after the knowledge that PG67 contains hastily-added leech genes. This is full of medical jargon related to virology and genetics. It's hard sci-fi styled!

the neurology is probably capable of being refuted easily, unfortunately- a lot of sert rabbithole research can't be cited because it's... lacking in couth towards how they talk about neurodivergence...

tags: medical:genetic;neurology (hardly);virology;needles (PG67-A/W), cannibalism mention, childhood trauma, body horror, mental decay

Such a far cry from his beginnings... he's truly taken after the man he hates the most.

Unfortunately for Wesker, adding Uroboros in intensely massive quantities to an existing Progenitor-67 infection is a poor choice that makes him spend much of his fight with Chris alternating between pouncing him like a rabid animal and curling like the death throes of a dying spider.

And unfortunately for Chris, Wesker doesn't die when he's left at the volcano to stew in a puddle of himself. Even with the awakened lack of thermophilic qualities as a result of G, there is enough local flora and fauna to keep him alive, albeit in a subdued state.

Physiological:

Uroboros, combined on the initial foundation of Progenitor 67, takes after Progenitor 67's metabolic inefficiency and drives that far higher than it was ever meant to go in an attempt to sow compatibility.

Due to this, Wesker needs a truly ridiculous amount of calories (~6,000 - ~9,000 kcal/d) to remain fully intelligent.

A lesser amount will generally retain him, though he will experience a plethora of negative symptoms related to starvation (~3,500 - ~5,500 kcal/d).

Wesker cannot digest iron bound to salt or any organic chelates except heme (or hemeprotein) as a result of initial Progenitor 67 infection.

Progenitor 67 epigenetically alters his enterocytes. The genes involved with this are the upregulation of HCP1 and the downregulation of DMT1 and, less intensely, Dcytb, and is a result of both Progenitors' own natural leaning and, primarily, the hasty introduction of leech genes when microinjection became available.

This ultimately means that, as time drags on, he begins to find his palate shifts from a lot of power smoothies to meat.

But there is something crucial here: 67% or more of heme iron is lost when you cook meat. That means...

He slowly slips into preferring his meat blue or raw, otherwise he won't be able to properly supplement his need for heme iron.

With the addition of Uroboros, which dethrones and replaces Progenitor, this change persists and couples roughly with his modified caloric needs.

Uroboros; a monster that eats itself continually without end. It physically presents a sign of Wesker's malingering, creeping need to consume biomass.

Patches of necrotizing, hardening skin and flesh form across his arms and legs in uneven patterns.

Scaly, itchy lesions creep along his cheekbones and the sides of his neck like a corrupted skin flush. They make him look draconic and feral.

These are a weaker, useless vestigial presentation of the hardening of skin he undergoes when he's being flash-fried by high temperatures.

One of the scars of Wesker's infection and subsequent mutative transformation are hypermelanotic deposits.

They start strongest at his fingertips and weaken at the base of his shoulders.

They are also strongest in the center of his chest where his macronuclei is present and taper off approaching his shoulders and abdomen.

His face has some of the same tinting where he was burned and developed heat-resistant scales.

Uroboros enhances the strength of many of his bones - worse closer to the surface of his body - by fortifying them with calcium and double-thickening them.

As a feature of the beginning stages of Uroboros' starvation, it will begin to leach calcium out of bones and the deposits it creates when time to intellect loss is ticking down.

When resources are low, the bones will be stripped for the calcium they uniformly contain, causing him to experience an effect similar to calcium gout / pseudoarthritis, malaise, and brittling.

This leaching undoes itself and becomes re-fortifying under the duress of stress hormones like cholecystokinin and epinephrine.

To note, epigenetic changes brought on by Progenitor physiologically are stacked upon inappropriately and randomly by Uroboros like re-patchwork, which leads to a general instability and accidental incorporation of Progenitor's physical defense mechanisms.

This is what ultimately enables him to survive the events of RE5.

Neurological:

Progenitor infection spiraling into his temporal lobes, brain stem, and, minorly, his frontal lobes as years progress are the cause of his irritation and aggression in RE5.

It does this because it has no antimutagenic properties unlike the more developed t-Virus, slowly mutating out of control into a dysfunctional beast as Wesker experiences more and more stress and trauma.

A bit like G in this regard...

His SERT is disrupted by its' presence in the midbrain raphe nuclei along the brain stem.

This causes elevated extracellular serotonin levels initially, followed by receptor downregulation and eventual serotonin deficiency.

The lack of available serotonin leads him to experience, at first, heightened periods of aggression. Later, this becomes mania and even delirium if he forfeits sleep or a PG/67 shot, because...

As time ticks on, his dopamine begins to become dysregulated as well.

This imbalance contributes to mood swings, aggression, and impaired decision-making.

It also leads to a loss of the ability to feel pleasure or joy in things, making him manic and paranoid, taking risks uncharacteristically to feel something, anything.

As Progenitor 67 degrades brain function, particularly areas involved in impulse control and aggression, Wesker experiences the uncontrollable urge to consume.

This leads him to cannibalize interns and people he calculates won't be missed, as well as people who piss him off enough. During this time it does change - and become true - that a misplaced boop! or headpat! might get you killed.

His ego begins to vacillate and strengthen itself in an effort to maintain itself despite his decline. If he can just finish Uroboros, everything will be okay again, he can fix himself...

His brain practically relies on his PG67-A/W dose before he gains Uroboros.

A rapid decline in cognitive and emotional stability when he’s off the dose is present.

It's not unlike sundowning...

You would not want to see his MRIs during this time. They look awful - his brain has lesions and there are parts that are grossly overgrown; there are tiny black specks where Progenitor has gnawed holes in the fabric of him. If he hadn't roped it in, he would probably end up eventually going completely feral from his brain swelling up against the sides of his skull; he'd just become another victim of Cannibal Disease and turn, simply painfully slowly.

Uroboros is not supposed to crawl into the brain. It's supposed to leave it unaffected - but Progenitor having already curdled and spread unchecked into it gives it an opening for opportunistic infection.

It attempts to knit the holes and tamp down overgrown regions, but in doing this, it feeds from a sort of 'genetic template' that restores Wesker's ability to feel and feel greatly. This includes the reactivation (and reanimation) of the greatly disordered regions of his brain responsible for empathy, sleep regulation, attachment, and guilt.

It also cannot perfectly recreate lost tissue or resurrect memories from dead, liquefied tissue, so he retains some of his symptoms, like mood swings.

Rage becomes consuming, hunger becomes voracious, and guilt becomes haunting; he is plagued with an unfortunate (to him) tendency to consider others.

He finds it a prying weakness, but he can no longer tamp it down into nonexistence as he did; he is, essentially, thermally reduced to his Arklay days in behavior. He’s still intelligent and cunning, but he must now wrestle with intense emotional responses that don’t align with his goals at all...

Guilt and empathy are so foreign to him they are nearly out-of-body; he views them clinically and tries to rationalize them away, but his inability becomes the stake that impales him and imparts a malingering sense of conflict.

...and he must take a good, hard, long look at his goals and how far they've diverted from their initial precedence.

... what is he now? What use does he serve in this world - to what master does he heel, clearly dethroned from his position? These questions and more are things he asks himself now.

Is he doomed to roam aimlessly without purpose until he perishes?

[napfordinner]

My lovely friends, this is a friendly evidence-based post pertaining to the risk reduction of a few well-known health effects of 4n4 and mia. Including: Amenorrhea (loss of regular menstrual period), anaemia, digestive upset, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, general well-being, and osteoporosis. It is quite a long post, but please let me know if there’s any other information you would like me to cover. 💕

🪐 Vitamins and Supplements:

• A-Z Multivitamin. Is beneficial for supplementation. For example, Vitamin C is a vitally important vitamin for the body’s connective tissues, including the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, cellular formation and maturation, resistance to infection, and an increased ability to heal. Additionally, B12 contributes to an adequately functioning nervous system, bone marrow, and intestinal tract. It also acts to increase metabolism of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Finally vitamin B2 when combined with Vitamin A promotes good vision and healthy skin, as well as assists in metabolising proteins and fats at a cellular level.

• Calcium and Vitamin D. Seek a preparation which offers 1000mg of calcium and 10-20mcg (400-800 iu) of vitamin D. Vitamin D increases the bodies efficacy during the absorption, retention, and metabolising of calcium. Calcium of course being vital for bone integrity and imperative for the prevention of osteopenia/osteoporosis.

• Iron. An appropriate iron intake will restore the functionality of red blood cells, allowing the proper oxygen transportation around the body, increase focus, energy, athletic performance, and sleep. Having a sufficient iron store will alleviate some commonly experienced symptoms of low iron including fatigue, dizziness, pallor, and shortness of breath. It may also reduce the sensation of cold hands and feet.

• Potassium and Zinc. A lack of zinc impairs the ability to smell and taste. Connecting this impairment to nose blindness. For example, a lack of a sense of smell and taste may impair one’s own ability to detect their own bad breath, BO, and other unpleasant smells that others may be able to detect.

• Omega 3’s - Fish oil, Krill oil, Hemp oil, or Flaxseed oil. Improper dietary intake, or supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids will result in areas of epidermal (skin) dryness, hyperkeratosis, and hyperpigmentation. As well as the formation large scales expose underlying tissue, which are easily infected. The hair becomes sparse, dry, lusterless, and brittle, with a reddish tinge. Furthermore, nails become brittle and dull, tear production reduces, the tears are also significantly less oily leading to increased evaporation contributing to chronically dry, red, and itchy eyes.

If oil supplements are scary for you to intake due to calorie fears (there is only approx 25 calories in 2 average fish oil capsules). There are dietary sources of omega 3 that are relatively low calorie including chia seeds, edamame, and seaweed. However they provide little amounts in comparison to supplementation or traditional dietary sources such as fish, avocado, oils etc.

However this should also be considered when deciding whether to supplement omega 3’s - they stimulate the secretion of leptin, a hormone that decreases appetite and promotes the burning of fat. Through the enabling of conversion of dietary fats into body cells for burning as fuel.

🍄 Dietary Intake

•Bone broth (or vegetable broth if meat is not apart of your diet ☺️) I cannot stress how great bone broth is! Extremely low calorie, but incredibly nutrient-dense. It also acts to decrease the inflammation within the gut that many of us will experience due to our dietary habits. Including conditions such as constipation, gastroparesis, liver disease, bloating, abdominal pain, and stomach ulceration.

Bone broth also contains large amounts of protein, collagen, iron, vitamins A and K, fatty acids, selenium, zinc, and manganese. Protein being the most satiating macronutrient can decrease hunger and associated discomfort. Collagen and the variety of micronutrients within the bone broth contributes to joint and bone health. Bone broth will also contribute to hydration.

•Nutrient-dense foods including blueberries l are among the best sources of anthocyanins (antioxidants) that promote brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, red tomatoes and red capsicum (Peppers). Tomatoes are the richest source of lycopene, which is a type of carotenoid found in red fruits that has powerful antioxidant effect that may help protect against heart disease and certain types of cancer.

•Fibre is imperative for smooth gastrointestinal function, including regular bowel movements. Fibre is of course typically found in whole fruits and vegetables, beans/lentils, and whole grains. Low calorie fibre sources include: red kidney beans, carrot, and chickpeas. Psyllium, chia seeds are also good sources of fibre. Fibre supplants such as Metamucil may also aid to increase fibre intake. An adequate intake of fibre may reduce the dependence of laxative for bowel movements. Prolonged use of laxatives may create a dependency on them to even have a bowel movement.

🥥 Adequate Hydration

• The best way to ensure adequate hydration is simply by consuming enough water during the day. However, if plain water consumption is difficult, fluid intake will also suffice. Including fluid such as teas, flavoured/enhanced water, diet soft drinks, juices, etc. The optimal fluids to consume in addition to, or instead of simple water to ensure adequate hydration is mineral water, coconut water, or diet electrolyte replacements (Powerade/Gatorade, Pedialyte, Hydralyte). Correct hydration and electrolyte intake will reduce headaches, constipation, and muscle cramps/weakness.

❤️ Reproductive Health

•Amenorrhea is a common experience for those of us with a uterus. However it is imperative to understand that you are more than likely still ovulating despite the lack of a regular menstrual period. Therefore, contraception must still be used. Amenorrhea may be alleviated through dietary supplementation and small changes to the diet to include more micronutrients, but it may not be completely fixed unless there is an increase to body fat percentages.

[yourgamemasterthewhiterabbit]

So to really oversimplify it, Calcium is what your body releases to signal your muscles and tissues to tense up, and Magnesium is what your body uses to tell your muscles and tissues to relax again.

An imbalance of these is BAD.

Too much or too little of either can stop your heart in extreme cases, and suddenly changing your serum/blood levels is particularly dangerous.

Part of why vitamin D is important but also why it's so fucked up supplements often contain magnitudes more than they claim they do, is because vitamin d so strongly impacts how much calcium -also iron- you will suddenly be absorbing from your food, which can trigger cardiac spasms [heart attacks with no clot].

This is why hard water causes muscle cramps and headaches, because it causes you to overdose on calcium, or alternately magnesium, depending on the hard water, location etc...

This is why "calcium channel blockers" relax heart muscle tension, lower your blood pressure and relax your muscles.

This is also why trying to relax your muscles more without lowering your blood pressure is fucking impossible. A problem for anyone with muscle tension but also low blood pressure. You literally cannot treat one without making the other a lot worse.

This is why magnesium supplements -IF YOU ARE DEFICIENT- can help with sleep, high blood pressure, pain and muscle tension.

This is also why -due to the physical feedback created by being physically unable to relax to your nervous system- magnesium can help with anxiety.

You need both for healthy bones too, btw, not just calcium supplements as you age.

Low calcium or too much magnesium can also cause slowed heart rate, missing heartbeats, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. HOWEVER, too much calcium can also cause skipped heartbeats and dizziness from a lack of proper circulation because your heart isn't relaxing enough between beats. Both are dangerous.

BOTH of these minerals can build up in your body and aren't like 'water soluble' nutrients in the body in the same way that vitamin C is for example where too much will just be flushed away, your body stores these bitches in your bones pretty obsessively, so it's a good idea to get your levels checked if you think supplementing either might help you. [Technically they are water soluble, but it's helpful to think of them as being like 'fat soluble' nutrients that your body will hold onto, just like, for bones and not fat... This is also why meat broth and meat in general is high in calcium, once life isn't holding the minerals in the bones it dissolves out into the meat.]

If you have problems with blood pressure, heart symptoms, tension or fatigue at all, it is a good idea to rule out low or high calcium or magnesium as a cause because it's a really simple thing to treat with supplements or dietary changes that doctors can't deny you once you have the information about your blood levels in your hands. You only need them to agree to check your levels here and there to make sure nothing is getting out of hand.

I'm not just saying "ask your doctor before supplementing" I am saying "Doctors are necessary idiots ask them to actually CHECK your blood levels before advising you on whether or not to supplement".

This is why I find it interesting that people with high blood pressure or chest pain or cardiac spasms are asked about their salt intake or told to avoid salt but aren't ever asked about their calcium intake. I'm kind of low-level pissed at all times that doctors don't check both of these mineral levels on a regular basis for everyone.

Having the right mineral levels, including these but also phosphorus and potassium and iron etc... has such a HUGE body-wide impact on things you would never guess they would impact so so badly, but they are like, the main components of the molecules your body uses to do everything, including like, signal nerves and move muscles. You use these things every time your heart beats and every time you breathe or have a thought, etc... They impact everything. Everything.

Hell a lot of lists of the minerals you need will straight up not even mention phosphorus, but your body uses phosphate groups to make ATP... You know, the molecule that is literally "energy" in your body at a cellular level. It is recommended that healthy adults get between 800 mg and 1,200 mg of phosphorus each day. And it's hard to source because most plant sources aren't bio-available unless you soak your grains [remember that trend of "activating" nuts and grains?... I like cokey-cola because is uses phosphoric acid in place of citric acid which gives it a dryer taste and helps my energy levels in ways not accounted for by the caffeine]. But also too much Phosphorus can pull calcium out of your bones and leave it free floating around your body to build up random places and cause problems!

Potassium is an important electrolyte in your BRAIN and without it you can't think critically and can be prone to all sorts of mental problems like confusion, depression, mental fatigue, running instinctively on autopilot and not engaging critically with ideas because you brain literally can't! Low Potassium makes you more susceptible to mental manipulation and lowers your defenses to negative thought patterns.

I know it can sound stupid and fake, but getting the nutrients you need really does impact your day to day health and specifically your energy levels and mood. Mineral deficiencies can cause depression, fatigue and anxiety and can make existing mental health problems so so much worse.

Kowing your micromineral levels is important! [I am sure trace minerals are important too but your body needs so little it's usually a lot harder to be deficient unless you have a very restricted diet or absorption issues].

Check your levels periodically with your doctor's help and make sure you keep them -not just- "in normal ranges" but have your doctor specify whether they are on the high or low end so you know where your wiggle room is to adjust accordingly depending on your symptoms and how those potentially reflect your personal body's needs. [ie: just because your iron isn't dangerously low doesn't mean supplementing it wouldn't help your energy levels, so long as you aren't getting too much, etc]

Btw this is also why starving yourself fucks you up. And it's why having a lot of food aversions gets tricky to manage. You need to eat. You need specific nutrients and not just calories [you need those too]. And by *need* I don't just mean you might feel slightly crappier in some vague abstract way, I mean you need it for your heart and brain to function correctly and for your muscles to move. [Your brain is you]

[balkanradfem]

Making a nettle infusion!

You need: dry nettle, a jar, a lid, a butterknife, hot water, and a fridge.

Nettle is once again lush and beautiful so I harvested a bunch (wearing gloves) and left it on the bedsheet for a few days to dry. Nettle already has very low water content so it dries very fast! Once it's crunchy it can no longer sting you, and it's harmless to touch (but don't push your hand in it randomly because stems can still cause some irritation.)

Now, when it's dry, you can grab a bunch, and stuff it inside of a jar, filling about two thirds of it (if your nettle is in smaller pieces then less!).

Once it's in a jar, you pour boiling water over it. Once the water covers all of the nettle, there's going to be a lot of displaced air bubbles inside, so grab a butter knife, and stir it around, the water level will get significantly lower.

The nettle gets so pretty and green inside. After stirring and freeing all the air bubbles, you fill it up to the very top, and you put the lid on. (If you need to grab onto the jar to close it up, use a cloth to touch it! Hot.)

You leave this to cool down, and then leave it in the fridge overnight. The next day, you grab it out of the fridge, strain it into a cup, and that's it!

The color can vary from yellow to black, depending on how much nettle you used, and how long it was left in the fridge. For some people, this will have a taste similar to milk! Sometimes it can feel slightly grassy if it's only been 24 hours since you've made it, but if you leave it half a day longer, it gets to a much sweeter tasting phase.

Now that you know how, why would you make this? Because this is amazing, incredibly helpful herbalist potion-like thing to drink. Firstly, if you're in any way lacking in iron or calcium, this will have your back. I'm using it every day to make sure my calcium levels are good and my bones healthy. It also has immense positive psychological effect on a person, it will regulate your hormones, lower your stress levels, and give you a burst of new energy. First few times I had this, it made me incredibly energetic, and for about a month I was able to get all of my chores done, despite chronic exhaustion. It made me happy and giddy and whatever I was stressed about, now seemed like an easy, do-able task. Forever impressed with this drink! And will never stop making it and drinking it, for as long as nettles are growing.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Massive stars born from violent cosmic collapse: New process of star formation challenges turbulent core model

Controlled chaos is a key part of forming massive stars. An international team of astronomers has observed evidence that massive stars can be born from rapidly collapsing clouds of gas and dust, challenging long-held assumptions about star formation.

The heavy elements that heavy stars create, like iron or calcium, are scattered across the universe when they collapse as supernovas. These elements become part of new stars, new planets—and everything in between.

The research team analyzed 44 high-mass starless clumps (HMSCs) using the Green Bank Telescope (GBT). The scientists discovered that nearly all of these stellar nurseries (43 out of 44) are in a "sub-virial" state, meaning they lack sufficient internal energy to resist gravitational collapse.

This research, led by Prof. Ke Wang of Peking University's Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, contradicts the prevailing turbulent core model, which assumed these regions were in equilibrium before star formation began. The results are published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

As Wang explains, "Instead, the data we saw suggests a more dynamic process involving rapid collapse. HMSCs are undergoing an almost free-fall collapse, explaining why genuine massive prestellar cores are so rarely observed. To prevent collapse, these regions would require unusually strong magnetic fields. These fields are the invisible scaffolding of the universe, holding things up in ways astronomers are just beginning to understand."

This research used the Radio Ammonia Mid-Plane Survey (RAMPS) survey on the GBT. This survey focuses on 24 square degrees of the Galactic Plane, and provides valuable data for understanding the formation of high-mass stars, the structure and composition of molecular clouds, and the dynamics and evolution of our galaxy.

This discovery provides crucial insight into the birth of massive stars, which are responsible for creating the heavy elements essential for life. "The universe is a giant puzzle, and surprising findings like this are a sweet part of life as an astronomer," adds Fengwei Xu, co-author of the paper.

Existing theoretical models will need to adapt to account for this more violent and rapid star formation process. The team plans to use high-resolution telescopes like the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array to further confirm their findings and probe the earliest moments of massive star formation, and future magnetic field measurements within HMSCs.

IMAGE: Overview of an example high-mass starless clump (HMSC) G022.5309-0.1927. Credit: The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2024). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad7b08

[tribbetherium]

'An unlucky ratbat, grounded by a crippling wing injury, falls prey to perhaps the unlikeliest of opportunistic, part-time predators: an ungulope. Ungulopes are specialized herbivores, with teeth designed for cropping tough vegetation and a modified compartmentalized stomach for fermenting and processing abrasive, cellulose-rich plant matter, and indeed they are highly efficient at the job as to become a very diverse and successful clade occupying large-herbivore niches throughout the planet. Yet, from time to time, especially when they are lacking in minerals such as calcium and iron due to poor soil quality and scarcity of choice forage, ungulopes may occasionally display a carnivorous streak: typically, by scavenging carrion to access the calcium-rich bones and iron-rich tissues--but sometimes targeting small, live prey, such as the aforementioned injured ratbats unable to escape, or small rattiles, furbils or duskmice that they may accidentally unearth while foraging. They are, however, not very optimized for processing and digesting animal matter, and thus only consume them as a rare supplement when mineral stores run low. Still, such behaviors do become more frequent in the saberleaf forests, where little to no predators survive: and local ungulope populations experience drastic boom-and-bust cycles that periodically lead to bursts of overpopulation, aggressive competition, high mortality due to starvation and injuries in conflict-- and opportunistic scavenging by starving survivors when fatalities do occur.'

-------------

[rotclaw]

to my fellow bearded dragon owners- this video was made by an australian veterinarian specializing in exotics, BeardieVet. it has tons of info on proper beardie care and i highly recommend watching/listening to it when possible (it's quite long at nearly 4 hours)

here's a long comprehensive list of info, copied from a reddit comment

• Bearded dragons do not bask all day. They come out in the morning and in the evening to bask for a bit

• If you have warm nights, your dragon will bask less. They will only bask based on their body needs and if they are warm all night they do not have a need to bask

• It can get as low as 5°C/41°F at night in Australia during spring and typically is about 11°‐12°C/51.8°‐53.6°F in their burrows

• Preferred core temp for their body is 36.3°C/97.34°F. This is achieved with a basking spot of about 42°C/107.6°F

• They do not have bile acids to ingest vitamin D3. They get this vitamin through proper UV

• Average preferred UVI is 4.1, but any where in the range of 3.8-4.5 is acceptable

• A high amount of bright visible light is needed for them. They know to go to the bright light to bask

• A heat bulb with visible light and UVA (like a halogen bulb), a proper linear UVB bulb, and a full spectrum LED bulb are the preferred lights used to achieve a proper LUX (perceived brightness)

• They are considered beginner pets because they are so robust that they can stay sick for so long without showing signs (not because they are easy to care for)

• Humidity isn't an issue by itself (they actually seek out humidity microclimates). It's high humidity combined with improper temps that causes issues

• They are very active animals and the main reason they aren't active in captivity is because they are bored

• Bare minimum size enclosure is 4x2x2. This is really needed in order to get proper UVI and temps. 5x3x3 would be better.

• They spend a lot of time higher up (more males than females) to be able to survey their territory in places like bushes and trees (not something like a hammock)

• They like to be able to see their surroundings fully

• Deep Heat Projectors are unnatural wavelengths and cause them to dry out which increases water loss

• In the wild they will sleep out in the open in 15°C/59°F, but will go into a burrow with anything under 10°C/50°F

• "Brumation" during our summer months is due to increased temps that cause them to stay sheltered to reserve their energy

• Substrate in Australia is 0.3% gravel, 1.5% silt, 2.3% clay, 95.9% fine sand (quartz & iron oxide)

• If they try to ingest their substrate it's a nutritional deficiency or a psychological reason: not proper UV, fed high phosphorus & low calcium, MBD & parasites, husbandry issues

• If you don't have loose substrate, you're depriving them of one of their 5 freedom rights

• Straight play sand isn't the best because it lacks clay

• Pin worms are needed to break down cellulose

• An overload of parasites is due to poor husbandry. The parasites are a secondary issue, so fix the husbandry and the parasites will go back in check

• No loose substrate equals a loss in muscle mass and causes stress on the joints, this becomes a welfare issue

• Keepers that bathe their dragons so they can defecate that is trying to solve a problem that's caused by poor husbandry (i.e. temps not high enough, parasite overload, not enough UV)

• If your husbandry is correct, you should not have to bathe them at all. It's not something they typically do (sit in puddles of water). Unless of course they are visibly soiled

• They should be able to do normal bodily functions on their own. If they can't, it's a welfare issue

• They do not absorb through their skin or their cloaca. They are not designed to take water in that way.

• They should be getting enough water from their food. You can mist them (from above not straight in the face) and the enclosure to mimic rain as well once a week. This will create little spots for them to drink from too

• Some causes of MBD include: not enough vitamin D production, not enough heat, not enough calcium, and too much phosphorus

• In the wild they eat a lot of flowers, wild sage, hibiscus, and Australian blue bells

• We grow them way too fast in captivity. It should take them 2 years to grow to full size, not 6 months

• Babies should get 5-6 protein items (about the size that is between their eyes) a day

• Adults should get 3-4 protein items (about the size that is between their eyes) 3 days a week and 3 times that in greens

• They do not need to eat if they are overweight

• Absolutely no fruit ever. They do not eat any in the wild at all and it causes dental disease and fungal cultures

• All protein items should be dusted with calcium

• BSFLs do have high calcium, but a majority of that is in their exoskeleton which is indigestible so they still need to be dusted

• You can dust a salad with a multivitamin once every other week

• ADV is something natural to them and is only an issue if husbandry is wrong (like cold sores in people, only comes out under stress)

• Obesity causes a lot of health issues

• Their insides are in one cavity so when they are obese it pushes their lungs in and they have a really hard time breathing

• Obesity also insulates them which prevents them from reaching optimum core temperature as the heat cannot penetrate past the fat

• Weight and length to compare what an ideal body composition should be (SVL= snout to vent length):

• Male: 372 grams; 24cm/9.45in SVL

• Female: 254 grams; 21.5cm/8.46in SVL

• Gravid Female: 315 grams; 22cm/8.66in SVL

• Average Dragon: 341 grams; 23.3cm/9.17in SVL

(thanks to schance99 on reddit for writing all this down)

[little-pondhead]

As more and more people are checking in to the Amity Park clinic, and all with the same symptoms, the Fentons suspect foul play of the ghostly kind. After days of testing and collaboration with doctors, the Fenton parents are horrified to discover that all the patients have been heavily exposed to ectoplasm, and now they’re experiencing something similar to withdrawal symptoms??

After their son requested the shutdown of the Fenton Portal, ectoplasm stopped leaking into the mortal world at such an alarming rate. The people of Amity Park had absorbed the ambient ectoplasm-bonded with it, even. It became a part of their chemical makeup and acted like an extra vitamin that boosted one’s immune system to withstand almost any human illness. But now that the portal was off? The regular citizens of Amity were liminal, sure, but still human. They didn’t produce their own ectoplasm and now there was no way to get it from an outside source. These people were getting sick from the lack of ectoplasm just like someone would get sick from a lack of iron or calcium.

So how would the Fentons fix this?

Well, Jack said. Maddie was very good at making fudge.

[juniorfruitcase]

Happy Moon Landing Day!

Let's talk about the Moon itself! Specifically, its surface

The light areas of the Moon are known as the highlands, or the terrae (singular terra, Latin for land). They are largely made up of anorthosite, which is what most people recognize as a "moon rock".

The dark areas, called maria (singular mare, Latin for sea), are pools of hardened lava from 1.2 to 4.2 billion years ago. It's mostly basalt.

The moon's crust is covered with a fine powder called regolith (Greek for "blanket rock") caused by frequent collisions with asteroids and meteorites. It can be as thick as 20 meters (66 feet) in the highlands, and as thin as 3 meters (10 feet) in the maria

Regolith captures imprints very well, and they stay for a long time due to the lack of wind or atmosphere. Neil Armstrong's footprints are famously still perfectly intact, and will remain for millions of years if undisturbed.

The elemental composition of the crust consists of 43% oxygen, 20% silicon, 19% magnesium, 10% iron (blue in the picture), 3% aluminum (orange in the picture), 3% calcium, and trace amounts of many other elements.

Once again, Happy Moon Landing Day, and see the Moon if you can! It's a waxing crescent tonight!

[itsunnys-world]

Alimentos para substituir quando der vontade de comer besteira

Chocolate: Frutas, vegetais, nozes e castanhas. (Seu corpo pode está com falta de magnésio.)

Comidas doces: Brócolis, queijo, carne de frango, peixes, ovo, couve-flor, batata doce e espinafre. (Seu corpo pode está com falta de ferro e enxofre.)

Frituras: queijo, leite, cogumelos (ou gorduras boas em geral. (Seu corpo pode está com falta de cálcio.)

Mas lembre-se de adicionar algumas das suas vontade na sua alimentação para evitar "exageros". M4gr4s tem autocontrole.

Foods to replace when you feel like eating junk food

Chocolate: Fruits, vegetables, nuts and chestnuts. (Your body may be lacking magnesium.)

Sweet foods: Broccoli, cheese, chicken, fish, eggs, cauliflower, sweet potatoes and spinach. (Your body may be lacking iron and sulfur.)

Fried foods: cheese, milk, mushrooms (or good fats in general. (Your body may be lacking calcium.)

But remember to add some of what you want to your diet to avoid "overdoing it". Sl1m has self-control.

[ask-egonspengler]

Egon have you been keeping track of your vitamins? You’re iron might be lacking, and take some vitamin C to help

I have. I take iron, calcium, and vitamin C supplements regularly, since I’m deficient in the former two and the latter aids my immune system.

[transgenderer]

the wikipedia page for USDA soil taxonomy is really good

There are 12 soil orders (the top hierarchical level) in soil taxonomy.[2][3] The names of the orders end with the suffix -sol. The criteria for the different soil orders include properties that reflect major differences in the genesis of soils.[4] The orders are:

Alfisol – soils with aluminium and iron. They have horizons of clay accumulation, and form where there is enough moisture and warmth for at least three months of plant growth. They constitute 10% of soils worldwide.

Andisol – volcanic ash soils. They are young soils. They cover 1% of the world's ice-free surface.

Aridisol – dry soils forming under desert conditions which have fewer than 90 consecutive days of moisture during the growing season and are nonleached. They include nearly 12% of soils on Earth. Soil formation is slow, and accumulated organic matter is scarce. They may have subsurface zones of caliche or duripan. Many aridisols have well-developed Bt horizons showing clay movement from past periods of greater moisture.

Entisol – recently formed soils that lack well-developed horizons. Commonly found on unconsolidated river and beach sediments of sand and clay or volcanic ash, some have an A horizon on top of bedrock. They are 18% of soils worldwide.

Gelisol – permafrost soils with permafrost within two metres of the surface or gelic materials and permafrost within one metre. They constitute 9% of soils worldwide.

Histosol – organic soils, formerly called bog soils, are 1% of soils worldwide.

Inceptisol – young soils. They have subsurface horizon formation but show little eluviation and illuviation. They constitute 15% of soils worldwide.

Mollisol – soft, deep, dark soil formed in grasslands and some hardwood forests with very thick A horizons. They are 7% of soils worldwide.

Oxisol – are heavily weathered, are rich in iron and aluminum oxides (sesquioxides) or kaolin but low in silica. They have only trace nutrients due to heavy tropical rainfall and high temperatures and low CEC of the remaining clays. They are 8% of soils worldwide.

Spodosol – acid soils with organic colloid layer complexed with iron and aluminium leached from a layer above. They are typical soils of coniferous and deciduous forests in cooler climates. They constitute 4% of soils worldwide.

Ultisol – acid soils in the humid tropics and subtropics, which are depleted in calcium, magnesium and potassium (important plant nutrients). They are highly weathered, but not as weathered as Oxisols. They make up 8% of the soil worldwide.

Vertisol – inverted soils. They are clay-rich and tend to swell when wet and shrink upon drying, often forming deep cracks into which surface layers can fall. They are difficult to farm or to construct roads and buildings due to their high expansion rate. They constitute 2% of soils worldwide.

god id love a farming game where you had to know all the soils and stuff

[drnishargpatel]

Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Ulcerative Colitis

A chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the colon (large intestine) and the rectum is called ulcerative colitis (UC). Many individuals get treatment to deal with their side effects, this medical condition can have lasting effects that affects many pieces of a person's life. The long term effects of the condition will be discussed in this article, with possible risk and the management techniques.

Effects of Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation over time in the colon causes long-term damage, which is one of the main concerns related to ulcerative colitis.

Risk of Colorectal Cancer: People who experienced UC for longer than 8 to 10 years are more likely to develop colorectal cancer due to ongoing inflammation of the colon.

Tissue Scarring: Prolonged inflammation can result in colon tissue scarring, which can lead to problems like strictures (colon constriction) and restrictive symptoms.

Severe Flare-ups: As UC progresses, a person's colon may enlarge rapidly and more frequently. This can result in challenges including toxic megacolon, a potentially fatal illness.

Effects on the Digestive Systems

Ulcerative colitis can cause major, long lasting changes to the digestive system.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Iron, calcium, and a lack of vitamin D can result from impaired nutrient caused by steady irritation and recurrent diarrhea.

Dehydration: UC patients frequently struggle with dehydration, especially during flare-ups, which can be set on by tireless diarrhea.

Changes in Bowel Function: Many UC patients could require a medical surgery to remove all or a part of their colon, which will modify their capacity to pass stool. The body's ability to control the digestion of water and supplements might be affected by this.

Systemic Health Improvement

Ulcerative colitis doesn't just affect the colon; it can also affect different regions of the body.

Joint pain (Joint Irritation): A great deal of people with UC experience joint inflammation, which brings side effects like joint inflammation.

Skin Conditions: UC can lead to skin issues like difficult red bumps known as erythema nodosum and ulcerative skin lesions called pyoderma gangrenosum.

Inflammation of the eye, like in uveitis and episcleritis, is more common in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Impact on the Brain and Heart

A constant sickness, for example, UC can negatively affect one's mental health.

Stress and Tension: Dealing with a condition with painful and unpleasant side effects that is unstable brings higher pressure and nervousness.

Depression: There is a higher possibility of creating depression because of the chronic nature of ulcerative colitis (UC) as well as expected limitations on everyday activity and interaction with others.

Body Image Issues: Certain people may have issues with their body image because of weight loss, actual look of their condition, or medical surgery, (for example, a colectomy or the requirement for a stoma).

Perspectives Affecting Quality of Life

An individual's personal satisfaction can be affected by UC in various areas of day to day existence.

Physical Restrictions: Exhaustion, continuous bowel movements, and pain during eruptions can cause limitations on actual work and create some issues for social or professional commitments.

Dietary Limitations: To control their side effects, many people with UC should stick to diets that reject explicit things that could cause eruptions.

Surgical Results: A colonoscopy, or the expulsion of the colon, might be important for specific UC patients at some point. This procedure can change a patient's bowel designs and require long lasting modifications.

Extended-Term Care and Therapy

Ulcerative colitis cannot be cured, long-term care can greatly enhance results.

Medication: Immunosuppressants, biologics, and anti-inflammatory meds are habitually used to reduce inflammation and treat side effects for an extended timeframe.

Continuous Monitoring: To follow the course of the condition and identify any possible issues, like colorectal disease, from the beginning, patients should have routine colonoscopies and other diagnostic testing.

Way of life Changes: Reducing pressure, eating a balanced diet, practising habitually, and stopping smoking are great ways of working on the side effects of ulcerative colitis (UC) and reducing its eruptions.

Don't forget to read our next article on''Ulcerative Colitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Key Factors."

There is something else to ulcerative colitis besides eruptions and side effect the board; it is a persistent sickness. Dr Nisarg patel best gastroenterologist in sids hospital surat, will give you the best advice and cure for your IBD issue. Patients and medical care experts can make better designs for decreasing complexities, upgrading personal satisfaction, and deflecting risks by having a better understanding of the disease's drawn out effects. Living with ulcerative colitis can be figured out how to consider a satisfying existence with the right care, checking, and lifestyle changes.

[redid-csc]

Veganism: A Lifestyle Choice for Health, Ethics, and the Planet

Veganism is a lifestyle choice that seeks to avoid the use of animal products in all aspects of life, including diet, clothing, and personal care. While often associated primarily with dietary choices, Veganism encompasses a broader ethical stance against the exploitation and harm of animals. The movement has gained significant momentum in recent years, driven by growing awareness of health, environmental, and ethical issues related to animal agriculture and the food industry.

Understanding Veganism

At its core, veganism involves abstaining from consuming meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived ingredients. Instead, a vegan diet is based on plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Many people choose veganism for a variety of reasons:

Health Benefits Research indicates that a well-planned vegan diet can offer numerous health benefits. Vegan diets tend to be rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants while being lower in saturated fats. Studies suggest that vegans have a reduced risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The emphasis on whole, plant-based foods can lead to improved weight management and enhanced overall health. However, it’s essential for vegans to ensure they receive adequate nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids, often found in animal products.

Ethical Considerations Many individuals adopt veganism for ethical reasons, motivated by a desire to prevent animal suffering and exploitation. The industrial farming system often prioritizes profit over animal welfare, leading to inhumane conditions for animals raised for food. Vegans advocate for more compassionate treatment of animals and support a lifestyle that minimizes harm. This ethical stance extends beyond diet to include cruelty-free products and sustainable practices, promoting a more humane society.

Environmental Impact The environmental implications of animal agriculture are significant. The livestock industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. Raising animals for food requires vast amounts of land, water, and resources, resulting in habitat destruction and biodiversity loss. Studies indicate that plant-based diets have a lower carbon footprint compared to diets high in animal products. By choosing veganism, individuals can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to sustainability efforts aimed at mitigating climate change.

The Challenges of Veganism

While veganism offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges. Many people find it difficult to transition to a vegan diet, often due to social pressures, lack of access to vegan options, or misinformation about plant-based nutrition. Eating out or attending social gatherings can be particularly challenging for vegans, as not all restaurants offer plant-based choices.

Additionally, there can be misconceptions about vegan diets being expensive or lacking variety. However, with the growing popularity of plant-based eating, more affordable and accessible options are becoming available. Many grocery stores now offer a wide range of vegan products, including plant-based meats, dairy alternatives, and ready-made meals.

Embracing Veganism

For those considering veganism, starting gradually can be an effective approach. Many people opt for “meatless Mondays” or gradually replace animal products with plant-based alternatives. Exploring new recipes and cooking techniques can also make the transition easier and more enjoyable. Engaging with vegan communities, both online and in-person, can provide support, resources, and inspiration.

Conclusion

Veganism is more than just a dietary choice; it’s a lifestyle that reflects a commitment to health, ethical treatment of animals, and environmental sustainability. As awareness of the benefits of plant-based living continues to grow, so does the accessibility and variety of vegan options. By embracing veganism, individuals can contribute to a healthier planet and promote a more compassionate world for all living beings. Whether motivated by health, ethics, or environmental concerns, the shift towards Veganism represents a positive change that can have lasting impacts on personal well-being and the world at large.

[devoted1989]

3 vital nutrient supplements vegans need

1. LONG CHAIN OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

There are 2 types of omega 3 fatty acids:-

* ALA is an ESSENTIAL omega 3 fatty acid that can only be obtained through the diet alone.

* DHA and EPA are non-essential, meaning the body can produce its own through our ALA omega fats. However, they are still essential in the sense that we need them in our body. Non-essential in the sense that we don’t need to consume them from outside sources. Animal products are naturally high in these two, and so are a direct source with no need for conversion.

Lots of plant foods contain ALA such as chia, flax, hemp seeds, walnuts, and soy products. You would think that we could make plenty of our own DHA and EPA from these, but this is not actually the case. Unfortunately, the conversion rate for plant based ALA into EPA is only around 5% and the conversion to DHA is practically zero.

This is the reason why studies show that vegans are consistently lacking in these vital nutrients.

Possible symptoms of low omega 3

* Dry or flaky skin, hair and nails

* Depression

* Confusion

* Night blindness

* Cardiovascular problems in the long term

Luckily, you can easily buy an omega 3 specially designed for vegan and plant based diets, therefore this should be an easy problem to fix.

2. VITAMIN D

Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D and the ones that do are mostly fish, seafood or egg based, and therefore not eaten on the plant based diet. Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem among meat eaters and plant based eaters alike, but worse so for the latter.

If you’re lucky enough to live in the sunshine, then you may not need to supplement vitamin D (though do be mindful of the fact that as a plant based eater you won’t be getting ANY through food). But, if you are not getting a good 15 minutes of midday sun on at least a quarter of your body every day then you may need to supplement, even if it’s just low dose.

Don’t forget to be mindful of the fact that it may not be good for you to have such exposure to the mid day sun anyway.

For the rest of us who live in less sunny climates, then a supplement of 1000 iu daily is a must. Vitamin D3 is the most highly absorbable form.

Possible symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency

* Low immunity

* Low energy

* Aches and pains in the bones due to lack of absorption of calcium (vitamin D is needed in the body to absorb calcium).

* Depression and low mood

* Slow healing times

* Bone loss

* Hair loss

* Muscles aches and pains

3. VITAMIN B12

Vegans and plant based eaters who do not use a B12 supplement are among the highest group to be deficient in this nutrient. Although it can still be found in spirulina, chlorella, unwashed organic vegetables (though, who’s going to eat an unwashed carrot?), certain mushrooms, fortified nutritional yeast, and other fortified, processed vegan foods.

But, you may find that you probably still aren’t getting enough due to how much, and how rarely you eat these foods.

Possible symptoms of low B12 levels include:-

* Low energy and fatigue

* Weakness

* Pale skin

* Unexplained pins and needles

* Changes in the way you move around and walk

* Mouth ulcers

* Disturbed vision

* Dizziness

* Breathlessness

* High temperature

* Depression

* Anxiety

A good B vitamin works well and covers all bases. It’s best to use one that is predominantly B12 with smaller doses of the other B’s. Sometimes taking this supplement every other day is enough, especially if it’s good quality and pretty high dose to begin with.

Other nutrients you may need

* IODINE – Found in seaweeds and iodised salt.

* IRON – Found in beans, green peas, nuts, seeds, cruciferous vegetables, fortified cereals and nut milks.

* CALCIUM – Found in Green leafy veg, watercress, broccoli, butternut squash, oranges, tahini, sesame seeds, figs, chickpeas, fortified tofu and nut milks. Remember you need adequate Vitamin D to absorb calcium properly.

* ZINC – Found in wholegrains, nuts, seeds (especially pumpkin seeds, wheatgerm, legumes).

By Zest Forever.