Science Facts
Image via uky.edu

Do you ever find yourself struggling to make small talk at a party? The typical topics – the weather, what the other person does for a living, whether or not you have children – have all become pretty clichéd. Next time you’re at a social gathering, why not break the ice with one of these fun, funny, and absolutely true facts?

Ancient Creatures

One of the oldest animals on the planet is the crocodile. Crocs have been around for over 200 million years. By way of comparison, the dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago.

If you’ve seen movies with dinosaurs chowing down on grass, someone got his or her facts wrong. There was no grass as we know it during the Jurassic era.

We all know the huge dinosaurs like the T-Rex, but did you know the smallest dinosaurs were only about the size of chickens?

Creatures on Land

Humans and gorillas share 90 to 95 percent of our DNA.

The first animal in space was a dog, not a chimp as is popularly believed.

Don’t irritate a camel or he/she may spit at you. Camels are notoriously grumpy creatures, and it doesn’t take much to set them off.

It’s good to be royalty. In ant colonies, the queen can live up to thirty years while workers survive only about 3 years on average.

It’s better to be an ant than a fly. A housefly’s lifespan is only about fourteen days.

A giraffe’s tongue is approximately 20 inches long. Among other things, it uses its tongue to clean out its ears. I think I’d rather deal with wax buildup.

Creatures in the Sea

Speaking of long tongues, the tongue of a blue whale is almost as long as an elephant’s body; its heart is the size of a small car.

Think you can outswim a shark? Think again. Once it gets going, a shark can reach speeds of up to 44 miles per hour. Even at full sprinting speed, Olympic champions like Michael Phelps can only reach speeds of about 4.5 miles per hour.

Every Day is Valentine’s Day

One of the most amorous animals is the lion. During a mating bout, a lion pair may do the deed 20 to 40 times per day for several days in a row. All that and no Viagra.

In one mating season, a female rabbit can produce up to 800 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Be the Life of the Party

Whether you work for an SEO company or you’re a Hollywood star, you’re bound to get your friends laughing as you share the intimate details of animal life. Try it at your next social gathering and see.

About the Author: Adrienne is a blogger and aspiring writer. When she’s not blogging about tech and social media, you might find her practicing her French, whipping up some recipes she found on Pinterest, or obsessing over vintage postcards and stamps.

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Science Facts
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Have you ever wondered what a waxed tiger would look like? Their stripes aren’t just in the hairs; they're embedded in their skin, so a naked tiger would look like a tattooed, leaner version of the big cat. Whether you’re into chemistry or biology, the world is a strange and fascinating place. Check out these odd science facts that are perfect fodder for your next cocktail party (or Trivial Pursuit game).

For example, your nose has a limit for how many scents can be remembered. No matter your age, the nose maxes out memory at 50,000 unique scents. Maybe that’s why you can’t quite place the aroma of that new non toxic parts washer solvent.

We’re All a Little Weird

Dr. Seuss had it right, because the human body is an incredible instrument. Did you know your eyes are the same size since birth, and the rest of the body simply catches up? This explains why a baby’s eyes seem so massive (and the process behind anime design). However, your mouth is an even more interesting place.

Every person can fill two full-sized swimming pools with saliva in their lifetime. However, human teeth are lagging behind. Humans only get two sets of teeth, while alligators can get up to 3,000 in their lifetime, which is similar to how long humans live. Think about that the next time you take a swim or brush your teeth.

Head-Scratching Truths

Left-handed people, on average, live seven years less than righties. There’s no solid reasoning for why this occurs, but you may have noticed that an inordinate amount of actors and actresses are left-handed.

Humans aren’t as strange as some other species we share the world with. For example, did you know that polar bears can run 25 miles per hour, which is much faster than a human can ever strive for?

Polar bears aren’t the only large, lumbering animals that can beat a man in a race. The hippopotamus can also outrun a human. Flamingos can only eat when their head is upside down, and hummingbirds are the only creature that can fly backward. These anomalies are nothing new, considering the massive stegosaurus had a brain the same size as a walnut.

Chemical Reactions

It’s a good thing humans produce so much saliva, because it’s impossible to taste foods (or anything else) without it, regardless of taste buds. However, if you’re looking to improve your pucker, you might want to know that a very common lipstick ingredient is fish scales. This puts a damper on beauty products for vegans.

The world is indeed a curious place. The hardest chemical in the body may be tooth enamel, but even this easily dissolves in vinegar. Keep these facts tucked away for your next networking event. You’re sure to be remembered.

Byline: Adrienne is a blogger and aspiring writer. When she’s not blogging about tech and social media, you might find her practicing her French, whipping up some recipes she found on Pinterest, or obsessing over vintage postcards and stamps.

Are you looking for your first job after college? Getting a job after completing a college degree is the goal for every graduate. However, making yourself more employable for the job market is the key. Job hunting requires some planning to secure the right job after obtaining college degree. Although there are nearly limitless techniques and opportunities available to make your student job search after college more successful. There are some simple and easy tricks that will help you make your job search process more refined and take you to the path of finding the job you want.

1. Create Your Resume and Cover Letter

First and foremost, create your resume and cover letter and highlight any relevant skills that you have. Make sure that you resume consists of all the latest information including your college activities, your major subjects and your final GPA. Creating a solid image helps you build a good impression on potential employers. Fresh graduates are advised to put forth your image and skills in a right manner so that your resume truly reflects the skills you’ve gained on your search.

2. Build a Strong Job Network

Another important tip to make your job search easier is to build a strong job network. Networking for jobs is a critical aspect in finding a job after college that could be a great way to search new opportunities that are not advertised. Regularly update your contact list as staying connected with your job contacts after college might help you in getting a job in your desired field.

3. Diversify Your Job Search

Although a fresh college graduate might not have a strong professional network, therefore it is important to use all trusted sources of a job search. For instance, you can diversify your job search by reading newspaper and journals, using employment agencies and websites. Try to research the jobs that interest you more. The website of US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics is a very useful source in determining desirable qualifications for entry-level candidates. In addition, you can also attend job fairs hosted by colleges, universities and even many websites also list job fairs in different locations of the United States. Job fairs are the smart options that keep you in touch with recruiters, thereby allowing you to find the job that you want.

4. Look for Internships

Consider internships or volunteer opportunities, as this can help college grads to gain valuable professional experience which is required for full-time jobs. Additionally, internships help you build connections with hiring managers and show prospective employers that you have the abilities to succeed in today’s tough job market. Most importantly, doing an internship will most likely help you get a full time job within the same company.

5. Keep the Spirit High

Job hunting can be extremely daunting, but being an aspiring candidate you must keep your spirit level high and have strong enthusiasm. You may not land your desired job quickly. It takes some time, willingness and hard work to be able to obtain your dream job. Stay positive and keep applying to a job every day. Keeping in touch with your contacts and staying productive are some great ways to ensure that your job search after college will surely produce beneficial results.

Considering the above cited smart tricks will definitely help you out in getting your desired job. Good Luck!

Author Byline:

Kelly Gibson is a professional webmaster. Her main area of interest is educational research. Check out her blog for affordable online learning options, useful articles on online education, accredited online schools, universities and much more

What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic acid, abbreviated DNA, is a macro molecule containing genetic information which characterizes each organism this information is used in the development and maintenance of the organism. Smaller segments of DNA are known as Genes. DNA is wrapped around proteins forming longer structures known as chromosome having an ‘X-like’ figure. DNA consists of two strands that are in opposite directions often called DNA double helix. In biological terms DNA contains what is known as a backbone made of phosphate groups and sugar groups. Attached to each phosphate-sugar complex (specifically the sugar) is a base/nucleobase forming what is known as a nucleotide. These bases are what are responsible for genetic coding.

DNA
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Shortly before cell division DNA needs to be duplicated so that the resulting daughter cells, after the cell has divided, contain equal amounts of DNA. The process whereby the DNA duplicates to produce new ones is known as DNA Replication.

Here are the major steps involved in DNA replication:

Step 1
The protein Helicase splits the double stranded DNA molecule forming two single stranded templates. (These templates are what will be the guide for the formation of the new strands; that is each strand will be copied to produce new ones. In the end there will be two DNA double helix, each made from one of the old strand and a new strand.)

Helicase unwinds DNA Double Helix

Step 2
After the DNA double strand has been split special binding proteins known as Single-Stranded DNA Binding proteins (SSB) then come along and attach to the recently separated DNA strands preventing the strands from reannealing. Without these proteins the strands could easily reform the double helix.

SSB prevents DNA Reannealing

Step 3
DNA polymerase comes along and attaches itself to one strand, as it moves along this strand it joins incoming nucleotides together continuously in the 5' to 3' direction forming a new strand. Because the newly formed strand is continuous, it is called the leading strand. However the second strand allows for nucleotides to be synthesized in a discontinuous pattern, the newly formed strand is impeded and is therefore called the lagging strand. In order for replication to begin on the second strand RNA primase comes along and synthesizes RNA primers. A different DNA polymerase then comes along and joins the incoming nucleotides also in the 5' to 3' direction (but is moving in a different direction from the continuous strand; please refer to diagram below). This DNA polymerase however synthesizes shorter discontinuous strands and stops where it meets another RNA primer; the polymerase will then go back up to another newly formed RNA primer and again start to synthesize more nucleotides.

Action of DNA Polymerase

Step 4
The enzyme RNAse H then comes and removes the recently synthesized RNA primers on the lagging strand. This leaves small gaps in what should be the newly synthesized strand. Because this isn’t a continuous strand but more like fragments we would call them Okazaki fragments. (Note: The leading strand also had to have RNA primers to begin replicating, however this didn’t pose any problems because the type of DNA polymerase used caused the strand to be continuous.)

Okazaki Fragments

Step 5
DNA Ligase then comes and fills the short gaps between the Okazaki fragments to form the new COMPLETED strand (lagging strand). The replication process is now complete and we have two new double stranded DNA.

Two newly formed DNA

References:

• DNA Replication Animation ~ wiley.com
• DNA Structure ~  chemguide.co.uk

Civil engineering is a professional field that deals with designing, supervising and constructing roads, buildings, bridges, sewage systems, dams, airports and many other public and private work projects. If you have interest in designing, constructing and mathematics then online civil engineering degree will be the perfect choice for you. It will provide you with theoretical and practical knowledge of mathematics and physical sciences.

Besides theoretical knowledge, pursuing an online civil engineering degree helps students gain knowledge of specific analysis tool usage, design and read blueprints, alongside characteristics of the area of the work. With regards to career possibilities, grads with online civil engineering degree have lucrative career paths available to pursue. Here are listed a few of them:


     1. Civil Engineering Technician
Pursuing an online associate’s degree helps prospective engineers to gain theoretical knowledge required in conducting tests, analyzing data and estimating costs for a specific project. An online associate’s degree in engineering allows students to get into entry level career positions at construction sites, in architectural firms, government agencies and design engineering companies. Additionally, earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering from accredited online schools qualifies potential candidates for better career options in the specialization chosen.

     2. Licensed Professional Engineer
To work in the public sectors, civil engineers are required to have a professional engineer license. As a licensed professional engineer (PE), you can work in the public, residential, commercial, transportation, roadways or environmental engineering. A Licensed PE can also work for public utility firms, private companies or can work at local, state or federal levels.

     3. Structural Engineer
Earning a master’s degree in civil engineering qualifies individuals to work as a structural engineer. Being a structural engineer, you are responsible to deal with designing buildings and other large structures including designing machinery, vehicles and medical equipment. Structural engineers can work in construction companies, government agencies, public and private sectors.

     4. Environmental Engineer
It is another rewarding career options for potential college grads holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil engineering. As an environmental engineer, you will assess environmental areas such as waste water management, air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal and more.

Job and Salary Outlook for Grads with Online Civil Engineering Degree
Earning an online civil engineering degree opens up various career opportunities for the prospective students. They can work in a variety of areas including private and government sectors. Civil engineers can work as an environmental engineer, structural engineer, development planner, researcher or teacher, design engineer, urban planning engineer and can supervise draftsmen and construction workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), career opportunities for civil engineers will grow by 24% through 2018. As far as earning potential is concerned, civil engineers may earn up to $119,320 annually.

At the end of the day, pursuing your civil engineering degree online, gives you an opportunity to gain valuable skills as well as practical experience required for almost all entry-level engineering jobs.

Author Byline:

Kelly Gibson is a professional webmaster. Her main area of interest is educational research. Check out her blog for online college brochures, useful articles on online education, accredited online schools, universities and much more.