Help me settle a bet. Does the air temperature affect how windy it is? For instance, if it is really cold, say like below 10 degrees F, would that make it be less windy out? Thanks! [more inside]
posted by elder18 at 7:00 PM - 18 answers

In the realm of astrophysics, are there any charts, graphs, or models (or even physical examples of star clusters, etc) that somewhat resemble the branches of a tree? [more inside]
posted by MattS at 12:46 PM - 7 answers

Evolutionary Biology Filter: Why are we symmetrical? [more inside]
posted by ecorrocio at 12:25 PM - 18 answers

What is the name of the effect, in evolutionary biology, whereby acquired behavioral characteristics that lead to reproductive fitness can result in the selection of predispositions toward acquiring these characteristics? [more inside]
posted by moorooka at 1:45 AM - 6 answers

Organic Chemistry filter: I just want to make sure I'm doing this right... [more inside]
posted by bolognius maximus at 2:33 PM - 4 answers

Volunteering opportunities with organizations that promote science education in Boston? [more inside]
posted by inoculatedcities at 10:55 AM - 10 answers

Why don't I fall through chairs? [more inside]
posted by bbuda at 6:56 PM - 16 answers

How can I determine two individuals' relatedness with the information I have? [more inside]
posted by sevenless at 1:32 PM - 1 answers

Please help me buy a high-power microscope for a hobbyist. Requirements inside. [more inside]
posted by Maximian at 8:37 AM - 7 answers

How much does my flatulence contribute to climate change? [more inside]
posted by dr. boludo at 10:46 PM - 12 answers

I am looking for resources (preferably books) on how castles were built, say, why stairs are spiralled in one direction and not the other, or what are the pros&cons of circular towers vs. octagonal ones, or the considerations for putting internal and external defence rings, the height and thickness of walls, or the differences between how the castles were built in different countries, etc. Thanks in advance!
posted by noztran at 4:11 AM - 9 answers

How many combinations are possible in this grid? [more inside]
posted by rahnefan at 4:38 PM - 12 answers

Help me understand the liberal/conservative split in the US with regard to global warming. [more inside]
posted by schrodycat at 12:57 PM - 30 answers

Can anyone tell me what kind of plant this is? [more inside]
posted by mds35 at 6:00 AM - 6 answers

Does anyone still believe in phrenology?
posted by Yakuman at 3:33 AM - 12 answers

Fourier Optics Filter: Imaging the iphone camera point spread function- possible? [more inside]
posted by Large Marge at 1:15 PM - 3 answers

[ScienceFilter]: I want to drive a nuclear powered car. If nuclear power is good enough for submarines, why can't the technology be scaled down? Looking for big picture such as limitations, environment, storage, infrastructure and adaptations required.
posted by Funmonkey1 at 4:12 AM - 25 answers

What are the most basic feelings, from which all others are composed? By this I mean that some feelings are combinations of other feelings (e.g., melancholy is a combination of sadness, thoughtfulness, listlessness, etc.), whereas others are unrelated (if you feel loving, you don't feel angry, for instance). What a smallest collection of feelings which could be combined to create all possible feelings? Has this been studied? Or is the premise false?
posted by jewzilla at 10:49 PM - 24 answers

In the very beginning of Project Grizzly, Troy James Hurtubise talks about how he "could feel a presence that was looking straight at me." Feeling that someone is looking at you seems to be a pretty common human experience, although it's usually a person, not a bear. Is there any documentation about this experience, or research into in its source? [more inside]
posted by Pants! at 6:29 PM - 9 answers

Can anyone identify these two rocks from near Hatch, Utah? Picture links included inside. One we're just wondering about. For the other, we're stumped, and the geologist we've asked had never seen a rock like it. [more inside]
posted by dragoon at 7:37 PM - 16 answers