10 Things Scientists Didn't Know This Time Last Year (but know now)

[cmjeff]

<strong>1.</strong> The world's oceans are growing more acidic at an increasing rate, a phenomenon that may lead to major disruptions for corals, lobster, oysters, crabs, mussels and snails, which have difficulty building their calcium crusts in such conditions. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>2.</strong> An expedition 6,500-feet below the Atlantic Ocean caused one explorer to describe the region as "a new continent." Hundreds of rare and unknown species were discovered in the 1,500-mile-long Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Europe and America. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>3.</strong> Great white sharks travel long distances every winter to meet in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. During this gathering, they make dives to depths of 300 meters. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>4.</strong> Scientists found an assortment of 100-million-year-old, perfectly intact marine microorganisms trapped in tree resin in the Charente region of southwestern France. The discovery pushes back by at least 20 million years the period when a type of single-cell algae called diatoms are known to have appeared on earth. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>5.</strong> Killer whales off the coast of Vancouver Island know the precise sound of their favorite prey, Chinook salmon, and can identify the fish from more than 100 yards away. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>6.</strong> The Canadian Basin of the Arctic Ocean is a hotbed for tiny gelatinous zooplankton, including at least one new species of jelly fish. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>7.</strong> Rocks found in south China and quartz rock of south Australia show that an eight-armed creature lived in many of the world's oceans during the Ediacaran Period 635 to 541 million years ago &mdash; 300 million years before the first dinosaurs emerged. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>8.</strong> Searching online is better than reading books for increasing the brainpower of middle-aged and older adults. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>9.</strong> The use of forums and social networking sites such as Facebook on company computers leads to increased productivity. Read About It * * * * *
<strong>10.</strong> Drinking just three cups of coffee a day can make women's breasts shrink. Read About It * * * * *

[anchorman]

I'm not sure about #10, but I guess it's possible. You can have one glass of water a day over the course of sixty years and a woman's breast will get longer and the nipple will begin to point at the floor. I guess blaming water is just as good as any reason.

[Capt_Anonymous]

[seadog!]

HOW DID YOU GET THAT PICTURE OF MY WIFE?
That was supposed to be for my personal use. Damn computer hackers!

[Capt_Anonymous]

It's on her Facebook page, dude!

[anchorman]

seadog!,
If that's your wife, why is that Capt_A's handwriting?

[seadog!]

I've been at sea most of my life. I'm still wondering about the handwriting on her ass.

[Shellback7]

I think I'm luckier than you guys..I just see the handwriting on the wall...when I get home..

[Capt_Anonymous]

Reminds me of the time a small passenger boat I was runnning on Maui was being inspected by the Coast Guard. This was back in the day when they would stamp all the PFDs "USCG Approved". I asked the Coastie if I could help by stamping the PFDs for him. He was glad to pass the job off to me, and as I was stamping I got an evil idea. One of my deckhands was a cute little thing whose husband was a good friend and fellow Captain. Next time the little cutie walked by I asked her if she wanted to play along (no this is not going to be a Penthouse Forum letter) and she said "Sure!". We found a secluded area, she pulled down her bikini bottom (no this is not a Penthouse Forum letter) just enough, and I stamped her ass "USCG Approved" and sent her home to her husband. He finds it funnier now than he did then.

[Shellback7]

I was sure that was going to be a Penthouse Forum letter..............What a let down...............I feel so empty !

[seadog!]

My wife has a social security number tatooed on, well lets just say...just below the hairline. Trouble is, it ain't my number.
Like I said I've been gone most of our 30-plus years together.

[Shellback7]

Are you sure it isn't your number? Try turning her upside down and see if that helps....

[AspiringMariner]

Aww, you guys are the best advertisement for staying single, ever. I wonder if scientists know that. :P

[anchorman]

You should see the other picture that Capt_A is embarrased to post.

[Capt_Anonymous]

[albertpachino]

Shellback, here's why the writing's on the wall

[Shellback7]

HAH!...Heck, it's the only time I have a 50 / 50 chance of being right...

[BigGuy]

<strong>9.</strong> The use of forums and social networking sites such as Facebook on company computers leads to increased productivity. <a target="_new" href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/face-it-that-books-productive-20081115-67pr.html]Read About It[/URL] * * * * *
Productivity - yes. Productivity beneficial to the companies bottom line - no way.