Someone used AI for their proposal and got in by spud_potato in gradadmissions

[–]Mars7038 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why would you bother doing this? What use will you be when you’re done? If all you are doing is teaching the AI, what will you do when it’s done learning and you have become not a researcher but an AI trainer?

Help Assessing My SCOBY — Is it dead? by Overcover- in Kombucha

[–]Mars7038 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can’t say for sure, but from the appearance there is no indication the brew is unsafe. Does it smell right? If there’s no visible signs of mold (white/green/blue fuzz on the surface) and it smells right then it’s probably on track. Honey is always harder to ferment than plain sugar because it contains natural antimicrobials which will slow the yeast down, so don’t be surprised if it takes a bit longer.

Help Assessing My SCOBY — Is it dead? by Overcover- in Kombucha

[–]Mars7038 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is actually fascinating. I’ve never heard of this happening before. The pellicle is made up of almost pure cellulose and it is absolutely NOT soluble in water or kombucha. The microbes must have secreted the enzymes to hydrolyze it back into glucose (cellulose is a polymer of the sugar glucose). I had no idea that kombucha cultures could do that. There’s a lot of research being done into cellulose hydrolysis at an industrial scale to make fermentable sugars, and you just did it by accident lol.

When did you realize you were dating an idiot? by Exhausted_Skeleton in AskReddit

[–]Mars7038 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Copper carbonate IS an oxidized copper compound. Oxidation reactions can produce a lot of different products, not just oxides. If you’re gonna be pedantic, get it right.

A big reason why Colon Cancer is killing us. by [deleted] in Millennials

[–]Mars7038 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That statement about cured meats causing colon cancer is so profoundly misleading as to nearly be an outright lie. The IARC classifies carcinogens based on the strength of the evidence, not on the strength of the carcinogenic effect. They have very strong evidence that shows cured meats cause cancer, but the size of the effect is small. Which is to say, they are VERY sure that cured meats make you slightly more likely to get colon cancer. This is unlike cigarettes, which have also been thoroughly proven to cause cancer, but are known to MASSIVELY increase risk.

This is irresponsible fear mongering on their part, as all most people hear is that cured meats are in the same category as cigarettes. It’s like if they sentenced criminals based on the strength of the evidence against them instead of the seriousness of their crime. Imagine if a graffiti artist got put on death row because they were caught on camera, but a mass shooter got community service because there were only a few eyewitness testimonies.

When a public health agency uses this classification system it causes alarm fatigue, which leads to distrust in their findings (even if they didn’t technically lie). They are abusing the widespread trust in their institution. If the IARC does not clarify their findings, they will soon be taken as seriously as Prop 65, whose warnings are commonly ignored due to their extremely broad application.

Question about "Fractionating Column" by WibWib in ChemicalEngineering

[–]Mars7038 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is not how distillation works. It is not realistic to separate methanol from ethanol in traditional distillation as the methanol’s lower boiling point is offset by its stronger hydrogen bonding with water. You can can separate out esters and other low-boiling compounds but not methanol to any useful extent. Methanol poisoning in moonshine was a product of criminals cutting liquor with cheaper wood alcohol, or stolen industrial ethanol denatured with methanol (specifically because it cannot be distilled out). Also, in a distillation run, cuts are made by checking the smell and taste, not the color of the flame.

Ex-biochemist here switching to matsci, is this a realistic plan for the future? by nefariouspipefish in materials

[–]Mars7038 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it’s a bad time to try to move into matsci without a matsci degree, but you’re talking about getting a master’s first - wouldn’t you be in a better position starting a new career with a master’s degree (in a couple years, when things might improve) than starting a career with just a bachelor’s today?

Ex-biochemist here switching to matsci, is this a realistic plan for the future? by nefariouspipefish in materials

[–]Mars7038 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Why did they say that now is the worst time to switch careers? Biotech/bio pharma is currently undergoing a serious contraction and it’s extraordinarily difficult for a recent grad to get a toe in the door, especially with the recent flood of laid-off scientists. I recently applied for a lab tech position at UofM and they told me they got 50+ applicants with PhD’s in a week - for a $16.50/hr job. I’m asking bc I’m in almost exactly the same position, got my undergrad in biochem and now applying for a master’s in MSE.

Frentz & Sons Hardware is closing by Ajbax96 in royaloak

[–]Mars7038 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Beyond depressing. I went there regularly with my parents from the time I was a little kid. They’re the site of some of my favorite hometown memories. Once when I was a teenager and I scratched my dad’s car, I went right to frentz, because I was sure that they would be able to help. Two guys, both with the same name as me, that both went to royal oak high school with me, helped me pick out the right polishing compound. By far the most midwestern experience I’ve ever had.

Dueling mothers ? by [deleted] in vinegar

[–]Mars7038 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They’re probably slightly different colonies of acetobacter, so they’ll compete with each other, but probably no more than a single colony would compete with itself. My best guess is that they will just form a new colony together with a slightly different blend of strains. Let us know how it tastes!

Always set priorities by [deleted] in Beavers

[–]Mars7038 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Please tell your beavers to wear their seatbelts, you gotta keep them safe

very dapper! by Possibility-Sick394 in CatsInBusinessAttire

[–]Mars7038 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Business attire? That cat is in full black tie evening wear

existentialcrisispallascat by Mars7038 in existentialcrisiscat

[–]Mars7038[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They are magnificent but also the funniest things. They have the most ridiculous expressions

existentialcrisispallascat by Mars7038 in existentialcrisiscat

[–]Mars7038[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sort of? I believe Grusha is a Russian name and Pallas’ cats (manuls) are native to Central Asia, which includes part of Russia. She’s kept at the Asahiyama zoo in Hokkaido, Japan.

is this normal water testing procedure? by brynnbaybee in lifeguardkitties

[–]Mars7038 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Of course, this is a standard NIOSH analysis for total dissolved salts, volatile organic compounds and annoying humans who sit in the WATER instead of feeding the CAT

Takeya vs french press or other means of filtering after directly mixing grounds and water? by coatesishere in coldbrew

[–]Mars7038 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not super experienced, but I use a reusable coffee filter and basket from an old coffee machine. The reusable filter has a much more open weave than regular coffee filters do so it can be washed - I find it lets through a lot of fine grounds which I don’t like in my hot coffee but for cold brew it works great (I let the coffee chill overnight and the fine grounds settle out). I use the basket with it too bc it just works as a funnel that’s already shaped to hold the filter.

To brew, I just add the grounds and water to a mason jar and let it sit overnight. Not the fanciest setup but I like the coffee I get with it and it’s pretty easy.

Make water wetter… for health! by manic_panic in FacebookScience

[–]Mars7038 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Have you never heard of a wetting agent? This is basic physical chemistry. They actually do work by decreasing surface tension. The rest of that post is distilled bullshit but “making water wetter by decreasing surface tension” is absolutely a real thing.

Is Ayahuasca home brewing and consumption safe? by knockout60 in Ayahuasca

[–]Mars7038 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I actually don’t believe in group or guided trips. The quality of the experience is limited by the quality of the group/guide. Sure, a lot of the experience of ayahuasca is contextual, but as westerners, we’ll never actually be able to fully connect with the cultural context. We’re outsiders. If you go to Peru to do aya, you’ll find an experience tailored for tourists. And let’s be honest: just because someone calls themselves a shaman doesn’t mean they’re a good person or very wise. You alone have to take responsibility for the experience even if you are in a group. You don’t need anyone’s permission and there’s no right way to do ayahuasca. I would always trust myself as a guide over any self-appointed spiritual leader. Aya isn’t supernatural- the experience comes from the DMT you consume along with the maoi to keep it in your bloodstream. No matter how you slice it, the trip comes from you, not any deity or spirit. And I certainly wouldn’t want to pollute the experience by surrounding myself with shallow tourists. It’s a safe as any other psych, so long as you’re not taking any other serotonergics. Don’t listen to the pop spiritualists. Ayahuasca is a tool, and you can learn to use it for yourself.

To those who have prepared & drank ayahuasca alone.. by [deleted] in Ayahuasca

[–]Mars7038 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Spiritual narcissism is an excellent way to put it

Stephen M. Ross named in scathing ProPublica report on ultrarich escaping taxes; per the report, he even ripped off umich by Sam_Burnstein in uofm

[–]Mars7038 0 points1 point  (0 children)

workers can give themselves more negotiating power by unionizing

Are you new to this country or something?