Science Beta

I'm writing out a backstory for my Traveller: New Era character. She's a Balduri mechanic, specializing in computers, electronics, physics, and generally building things.

What mnemonics did you use to get yourself through university? Anything relating to the above will do, and the weirder, the better. Bonus points for rhyming schemes as well.

Thanks very much!

Hi everyone,

this question is about an infectious disease. The place is England, near London, the time is 1748.
I googled Leptospirosis and Morbus Weil.

So, in my story there's a robber who is wounded and tries to escape through the sewer system. However, a policeman catches up with him and, when the robber is lying on the ground, puts his foot on the wound. In the end, the robber can escape, but he's been infected with Leptospirosis through the (very likely) contaminated water.

So, researching Leptospirosis, I found that German sites say there's more than one version of Leptospirosis, some fairly harmless, and one extremely dangerous - that'd be Morbus Weil.
However, in English Leptospirosis and Morbus Weil/Weil's disease seem to be used synonymously.
Now, my problem is, I want the robber to survive and suffer no longterm effects (minor inconveniences would be okay, but nothing serious), and with the hygienic and medical conditions of the 18th century, this seems highly unlikely if he actually gets Weil's disease. Also, he can't really get proper medical attention since that would mean he would have to leave his hiding place. He does have medically untrained friends who try to help him though.

So, do you think there's a way he can get ill and recover without any medical attention?
How much longer would it take for him to recover?

I'd be extremely grateful for any help!

X-posted to science_beta and little_details

I'm not even sure if this falls in the acceptable for this comm, but the information is going in an SGA story and all the other help places have really specific points to cover. Anyway, my question:

What is the prison term in the USA for 2 counts of attempted murder? It's a civillian on Atlantis doing research, but he tried to kill someone very important (twice).

Thanks.

Hi everyone,

I'm planning on writing a story where one of the characters kills himself.
He is a lifelong victim of abuse by his father, hates himself for being gay and was just betrayed by the one person he absolutely trusted.

I've once heard that certain methods of suicide are associated with certain motives... for example Kurt Cobain using a shotgun to his face meant a high level of aggression towards himself, hanging oneself means you're ashamed and so on. Is that true or amateur-psychological BS? (I'm beginning to think it is, because I couldn't find anything on that particular topic.)

If it's true, what would an 'appropriate' method be for the abovementioned case? He doesn't have that many options cause he's in jail (thanks to the betrayal), so I guess all he really can do is slash his wrists or hang himself or maybe OD on drugs.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'd hate to ruin a scene that's sensitive enough as it is with an unrealistic description-

Hi, I'm engaging in some John-whump and have a question.

What does it feel like to a person who is bleeding excessively?  There's no otherwise traumatic injury and it isn't fast, just steady.  What progression of symptoms might be expected?

Thanks very much!

Hi, I'm looking for some visual, rather than written reference material. I want to use DNA strands as a decorative element in a peice of silversmithing, and I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of a resource to find the pictures want?

The piece I have in mind is a silver beaker with dna strands wound round it in engraving, hopefully as a gift for someone with a phd in genetic engineering who is very keen on gardening - especially palms, angels trumpets and bird of paradise plants, so i need the visual reference to be accurate, any help appreciated.

First of all, I just want to say I'm glad this comm is still around! Thanks for not deleting it.
And now, for my question referring - once again - to a bullet wound.

( Because I seem to like getting people shot...Collapse )

All right, so I'm writing this fic and I'm attempting to look through stuff on Google, but I wanted a second opinion on anything I might find.

I need to kill bugs. Not just bugs on the ground, but bugs that burrow into people's brains to lay their eggs.

( Cut, because I go on from here.Collapse )

A number of people in the previous mod post expressed their wish for the community to remain as they've found previous links and questions useful. I bow to their interest in the community and their requests and have made a few changes to the way the community works.

More information can be found on the profile page but it boils down to:

1. The community now has open membership so it's up to you if you want to watch, join or do both
2. All posts must be science-related; i.e. either asking a question or providing a link and opinion. That means if you find something cool and want to discuss it, post it!
3. Questions will continue to be tagged
4. When in doubt, put it behind an LJ-cut
5. I'll be moderating with a light hand so, unless you're trolling, anything and everything is fine

That's it. The comm is open. Go crazy!