Superpowers are real, and this woman is here to prove it. In this case, it’s supervision. A woman, referred to as cDa29 in the research paper, can do just that – she can see 99 million more colors than the rest of the population and that makes her one of the rare tetrachromats.

The average human eye perceives colors with the help of cells called cones. These cones are triggered by light and are responsible for deciphering its different wavelengths. There are three types of cones in total in most people.

Each cone can distinguish between around a hundred shades of color. By combining those shades with those perceived by the other cones, the color perception range of the average person is 100³ colors, or one million (in the least).

If one of the cones don’t function properly, the color vision range declines drastically, allowing the person to see around 10,000 colors. A person with three cones is called a trichromat, and with 2 cones – a dichromat.

However, researchers have long suspected that humans had the ability to develop a fourth cone, allowing them to see even more colors. This idea has led researchers from Newcastle University to search for people who possessed this supervision ability.

After decades of searching, Gabriele Jordan and her team have finally found such human. They found a tetrachromat woman who can distinguish almost a million colors more than the average person.

The idea of the existence of tetrachromats came when a Dutch scientist discovered that the mothers and daughters of color-blind men had an extra cone, which was inactive. This mutated cone was transferred to, or from, the color-blind man. In the case of men, it created a problem in the color range, the cone being less sensitive to either red or green.

In the case of women, the same cone did not replace one of the existing ones, but remained as a fourth cone, being in most cases inactive. This finding has led scientists to consider the existence of those women who could use that cone actively, thus allowing them to see more colors.

The following research conducted by scientists concluded that women perhaps didn’t use the fourth cone. However, Gabriele decided to try a different approach in her search of the supposed supervision.

Sitting in a dark room, the 25 women she took were to peer into a lab device which showed theme three colored circles of light. The circles contained subtle mixtures of red and green light that to a trichromat would all look the same. However, a tetrachromat would be able to distinguish between and spot the subtle differences.

One woman, under the code name cDa29, could spot the differences. She got every answer correct and this meant that Gabriele had finally found a tetrachromat. “I was jumping up and down,” she told the Discover magazine.

She can’t tell how it looks like to look through a tetrachromat’s eyes, just like a trichromat can’t explain a color-blind person what red looks like. “This private perception is what everybody is curious about,” said Jordan.

Her next challenge is to find what allows four-coned women to become functionally tetrachromatic. Jay Neitz, a vision researcher at the University of Washington, speculates that tetrachromacy could be triggered by those who possess four cones through practice.

As for us tetrachromats, we can only speculate, but never be able to even imagine the kaleidoscope of colors that tetrachromats are able to perceive. If you are a mother, or daughter, of a color-blind man, you should definitely consider the possibility that you are seeing more colors than the majority of the world population.

Source: Discover

How much have you done in your life so far? That wouldn’t be a fair question to ask if you were to be compared to Sabrina Pasterski, who at only 24 years of age has a standing offer from NASA and is cited by Stephen Hawking and Andrew Strominger.

Born in Chicago in 1993, the Cuban-American girl is “the youngest person to build an airplane, certify it as airworthy, and then conduct their first U.S. solo in that same aircraft.” She built that aircraft at the age of 14. Now 24, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in high energy physics at Harvard University.

Her advisor, Andrew Strominger, and Stephen Hawking have already cited her research on black holes, spacetime, and quantum gravity and she has been dubbed the “new Einstein” by many.

With her interest and knowledge in the field, Sabrina is thought to be the one who will help advance space travel. Designing spacecraft has been something she has always been interested in. In fact, she currently has standing job offers from NASA, Jeff Bezos, and Blue Origin, an aerospace and development company.

However, her success didn’t come as easy as you may think. At first, Pasterski was rejected from Harvard and she was waitlisted at MIT before she was eventually accepted, with the help from Harvard Nobel Laureate Professor Lene Hau. With her hard work and genius mind, she excelled at MIT with the highest of honors and got accepted to the prestigious Harvard Ph.D. program.

During the course of her research and work, she has given the world some fascinating publications, talks, and documentaries, which currently count at 29. She has received 22 honors and awards, the most notable being the Hertz Foundation’s $250,000 fellowship and a $150,000 fellowship with the National Science Foundation.

Sabrina is also a certified solo pilot, a FAA Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer, and she owns her own Sabrina Aircraft Manufacturing, based in Chicago, Illinois. She also owns an MIT Pirate’s License (that is, she is proficient in sabrе, sailing, pistol, and archery).

What she doesn’t own, though, is a social media account. Sabrina has chosen to live without Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or any other social media platform. In fact, she doesn’t even own a smartphone. She avoids drinking and smoking and has never tried either.

However, she does have her own website PhysicsGirl, which is constantly updated with her last achievements, publications, and talks. There, you can read her resume and catch up with her work.

Sabrina Pasterski is truly a fascinating person to behold and be inspired by. However, her words are humble when it comes to the admiration of many: “I am just a grad student. I have so much to learn. I do not deserve the attention.”

Simon Cowell was stunned when he heard the flawless performance of Mandy Harvey – a deaf jazz singer who performed on stage by removing her shoes and sensing the vibrations of the music to complete her performance.

Mandy Harvey, a 29 year old girl, received standing ovations from the judges and the audience at America’s Got Talent show. Simon Cowell was blown away by her performance and pressed his “Golden Buzzer” when he heard the beautiful song “Try” that Mandy herself composed. He said that it was the most incredible thing he had ever seen.

Mandy lost her hearing when she was 18 years old due to a connective tissue disorder which led her nerves to deteriorate.

This incredibly talented girl said that she started to sing when she was only four years old, but with losing her hearing she started losing her hope too, and decided to stop singing.

However, after a period of not performing, she started singing again when she learned how to use ‘visual tuners’. She also doesn’t wear shoes on stage, so she can feel the vibrations of the music through the floor.

She wrote her song “Try” as a reminder to never lose hope again and never stop trying to fulfill her dream. Her brilliant voice shocked the judges and the audience; some were even caught wiping off tears.

Moreover, Mr. Cowell joined her on stage to hug her and congratulate her once again, saying her performance was the most amazing thing he has ever seen or heard.

He was a manager at Microsoft and married to the love of his life. Some would think he had it all he needed in life; that is not always the case. It’s funny how life decides to turn our world upside-down in just a second.

Straits Times reported that Mr. Koh Ming Hao from Singapore has died on 8 June 2017 from terminal cancer, a day after his 34^th birthday.

He was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer in June 2013. After that, he lived for four years despite his doctors telling him that he had left only one year to live.

During his four year battle with cancer, he underwent more than 60 chemotherapies and endured many operations.

However, what’s impressive is his reaction to the eventual fading of his life. He didn’t become bitter or frustrated. He didn’t complain to others how the life is not fair to him, or refused to leave the room wallowing in self-pity. No, he didn’t do any of that.

Instead, he stood up and faced heroically his illness while many would have just given up if they were in his shoes.

He continued going to work and doing everything he loved doing before the cancer. He decided to travel more and make the best of each remaining day.

His wife, Daphnie Chong – the love and the light of his life was there to support him

Daphnie Chong, his long-time sweetheart, when she vowed to “love him, comfort him, and keep him in sickness and in health” took her vow seriously.

This devoted woman should be an example to everyone that when you truly love someone leaving them when the times are hard is not an option.

She lived by her wedding vows even before making them back in August 2016.

They were both 15 years old when they started dating. It never dawned on them that their whole life can be suddenly hit with a tremendous pain when they discovered about his incurable disease.

However, she never left him. She stood by him, loved him, and supported him like she always did before.

They decided to enjoy every moment to the fullest and make the most of their time together.

His condition became worse last month in spite of his regular chemo therapies. When he passed away, his wife left a heartbreaking text on her Facebook, saying: “Till we meet again, babe.”

Let’s all take a moment to celebrate this brave man and his amazing woman who encouraged many fellow cancer patients to grasp their lives and never give up.

.

Each day is only 24 hours long. When you consider that 8 of those hours are spent sleeping, it is easy to see why it is so important to buy a well-made mattress that will help you get the sleep that you need. Luckily, finding the ideal mattress is easier than you might think.

The key is to focus on quality. If you choose a poorly made mattress, you can wind up experiencing countless problems ranging from back pain to poor sleep quality. These factors can have a negative impact on your life, leaving you feeling exhausted, sore, and unmotivated.

Although there is no cut-and-dry formula that works for everyone when it comes to choosing a mattress, the tips in the following section can help make the process of choosing the right mattress easier. 

1. Do Research Ahead Of Time

One of the best ways to make sure that you are buying a high-quality mattress is by doing research ahead of time. This includes reading reviews from other people who have already purchased any of the mattresses that you are interested in.

Try to find reviews that are written by people who are dealing with similar issues to your own. For instance, if you experience back pain on a regular basis, you should try to find reviews from other back pain sufferers. This can give you a better idea of how well the mattress will suit your unique needs.

Of course, nothing compares to being able to try out a mattress in person before you buy it. Once you have an idea of which mattresses you are interested in, you can visit stores in your area to view them in person. Because you educated yourself ahead of time, you don’t have to worry about falling victim to a slick salesman.

2. Choose How Firm You Want Your Mattress to Be

There is a common misconception that firm mattresses are the best choice for back pain sufferers. In fact, however, that isn’t always true. Many people who suffer from back pain do best with a mattress that has a medium firmness. These mattresses are soft enough to be comfortable yet firm enough to provide support.

When testing mattresses in the store, don’t just get on them and get right back off again. Instead, lay on them for a minimum of 10 minutes. Although you may feel a bit self-conscious about doing this, it really is the best way to get a feel for whether or not a mattress is right for you. If you spend any less time than that, you won’t really be able to get a sense of how comfortable the mattress is.

3. Consider Getting Input from a Chiropractor

If you regularly experience back pain, a chiropractor may be able to advise you on which type of mattress is best. If you already have been seeing chiropractor for your pain, try bringing up at your next appointment.

Chances are, your doctor will be more than happy to help you find a mattress that will give you the support that you need. Some people need a specific mattress for side sleepers and others for sleeping on their back. 

4. Think about Getting an Adjustable Mattress

Today’s most innovative adjustable mattresses allow you to not only adjust the angle of the mattress but also its firmness. This can provide you with a lot more flexibility in terms of your sleeping arrangements. You can experiment with different levels of firmness or bed positions until you find the settings that provide you with the best night’s sleep. 

5. Invest Your Money Wisely

Be prepared to pay a relatively large amount of money for a high-quality mattress. Cheaper mattresses may seem like a good deal. In fact, however, they rarely provide enough support for a good night’s sleep.

Make sure that the mattress you choose has a warranty available. Most reputable manufacturers guarantee their products for a minimum of 10 years. Some companies even provide a guarantee where you can get your money back if the mattress doesn’t live up to your expectations.

At the very least, the company that you buy the mattress from should be willing to give you your money back within a 30-day window of your purchase if the mattress fails to meet your needs.

On June 12, 1817, the first bike ride took place in Germany, when a German inventor took a 14km (8.7 miles) trip around Mannheim on his running machine, which took him less than an hour.

Little is known that the first bike was invented 200 years ago, by German aristocrat Baron Karl von Drais. On this day, 200 years ago, Baron von Drais appeared in public presenting his invention:

A wooden frame with two wheels, a saddle, and an upholstered armrest. There were no wheels, and the ‘running machine’ was to be operated by sitting and gliding with your feet on the ground. The wheels accelerated the movement and made it easier for a person to ‘run’ long distances without getting tired.

Following the Year Without a Summer, caused by a volcanic eruption of Tambora in 1815, many of the horses starved to death due to the lack of crops.

This calamity inspired the baron to think of a way that would allow people to get from one place to another faster, just like with a horse. He named his invention ‘laufmaschine’ (running machine) and translated it as ‘velocipede’ in French. (Fun fact: Many languages still use the term ‘velocipede’ for bicycle).

His new bicycle, and the only of its kind recorded by then, was soon known as Draisine, hobby-horse, or dandy horse. Baron von Drais described the benefits of his “laufmaschine” as similar to those of a horse, and it gained instant popularity.

In fact, several thousand copies were made and used since it was patented in 1818 by the baron, but its popularity faded quickly when some authorities prohibited its use. The drop in popularity may have been partly because of the accidents involved around its use.

However, Baron von Drais set the foundation for the bicycle we all know and love today. In fact, it was the Draisine which inspired a French metalworker to create the first pedal-operated bicycle, by adding cranks and pedals to the front wheel hub, some 50 years later.

It may not be the best idea to run with two wheels accelerating, but the idea soon became the bicycle and it now celebrates 200 years of riding those 2 wheels that were to replace people’s need for horses.

Sources:
The Irish Times
Wikipedia

“Why don’t we light a joint together, priest? Rabbi, are you in?” said the gay atheist. In a Cut video, this is exactly what happens, and the results are fabulous and eye-opening. The video features Jim More, a rabbi; Chris Schuler, an Episcopal priest; and Carlos Diller, a “conservative homosexual atheist”.

It answers some very important questions regarding the negative bias toward Marijuana and religion, while at the same time allowing three members of different belief groups to connect and discuss some very deep topics.

Regarding religion and Marijuana, Schuler says that “there’s no Biblical precedent” that goes against smoking Marijuana – and that’s where the party starts. Watching two men of religion sitting next to a gay atheist, and all getting baked from some serious smoking, is really something.

The effects? The priest gets really stoned, and won’t talk too much; the atheist takes over and starts discussing some deep thoughts regarding God, religion, and the people; and the rabbi starts blessing everyone and praying for them.

At a point, the priest and the atheist even draw each other weed-ash crosses on their foreheads!

“This is kind of cool. I’m smoking with some priests… and a rabbi,” says Diller. “Check off my bucket list.”

.