Happy Atheist Forum

Getting To Know You => Laid Back Lounge => Topic started by: Tank on July 03, 2010, 08:25:33 AM

Title: Did you know? Trivial Facts Thread
Post by: Tank on July 03, 2010, 08:25:33 AM
Did you know that Tanks originally came in genders Male and Female? (http://www.army-guide.com/eng/article/article_500.html)
    
QuoteDuring the First World War, the British Mark 1 tank was armed either with guns or machine guns. If it was fitted with two 6-pounder guns, it was called 'Male tank'; if it was fitted with machine guns only, it was called 'Female Tank'. So, the term 'Male Tank' has no significance other than to distinguish this tank from a Female Tank.

More detail here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_I_tank)
Title: Re: Did you know? Trivial Facts Thread
Post by: SSY on July 03, 2010, 08:58:41 AM
Henrietta Lacks, was a lady treated for cervical cancer, some of her cells were removed, they were found to be an "immortal" line, and thus found a use as cell cultures.


QuoteMore than 50 million tonnes of Henrietta's cells have been grown since she died, while their use is acknowledged in more than 60,000 scientific papers, with 10 new studies added to the list every day.

Impressive legacy, it could be argued she has contributed more to medical science than any other.
Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Lacks)
Title: Re: Did you know? Trivial Facts Thread
Post by: Tank on July 03, 2010, 04:56:31 PM
Quote from: "SSY"Henrietta Lacks, was a lady treated for cervical cancer, some of her cells were removed, they were found to be an "immortal" line, and thus found a use as cell cultures.


QuoteMore than 50 million tonnes of Henrietta's cells have been grown since she died, while their use is acknowledged in more than 60,000 scientific papers, with 10 new studies added to the list every day.

Impressive legacy, it could be argued she has contributed more to medical science than any other.
Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henrietta_Lacks)
Good lord! How fascinating!

I wonder if in years to come they could fix the gene issues and then clone a cell? I'm sure the technology will come at some point but would the clone just be a curiosity? Who remembers who Louise Brown (http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/25/newsid_2499000/2499411.stm) is nowadays?
Title: Re: Did you know? Trivial Facts Thread
Post by: Thumpalumpacus on July 03, 2010, 07:31:12 PM
I do, without Googling.  I remember the thinking that her birth prompted in me.