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Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of Unknowns Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of the Unknown
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- Dreamingplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigDreaming
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"The content and purpose of dreams are not yet understood, though they have been a topic of speculation and interest throughout recorded history.
Source : Wikipedia"
Not only is the function of dreaming unknown (if there is one), but there isn't as yet an agreed definition of what it is. - Rock salt depositsplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigRock salt deposits
Rock salt (a.k.a. Halite) deposits on Earth are extremely common, with many very extensive deposits thousands of metres deep, and probably totaling trillions of tonnes * See note below.
In geological 'textbook' terms, rock salt deposits are normally classed as an - Deliriumplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigDelirium
"Over 2.6 million adults over the age of 65 develop delirium each year in the United States (US). Delirium is associated with a significant increase in mortality and the US health care costs associated with delirium are estimated at over $164 billion annually. - Brain sandplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigBrain sand
Brain Sand (a.k.a. corpora arenacea, acervuli, psammoma bodies and pineal concretions ) refers to small (2–3 μm) sand-like calcified grains which are found in the brains of mammals and some birds.
Because the grains are dense bio-mineralization formations, they show up very well on X-ray scans - especially as they tend to clump together, and can form nodules around 1mm across. - Automaticity a.k.a. 'Autopilot'plugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigAutomaticity a.k.a. 'Autopilot'
Most people who routinely drive to and from their workplace will have experienced 'Highway hypnosis' (ref.) at some stage. In other words, arriving at their destination with little or no recollection of the drive.
Leading to the idea that either : - Unconscious thought theoryplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigUnconscious thought theory
Unconscious Thought Theory (UTT) refers to the idea that that people may be able to 'work through' complex problems without necessarily paying conscious attention.
Many will have had the experience of waking in the morning with a solution to a problem that had previously proved difficult or impossible to resolve using conscious thought. A similar phenomenon is when someone has a 'Eureka' moment when - Insomnia (idiopathic)plugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigInsomnia (idiopathic)
"Up to one-third of the world’s population reports dissatisfaction with their sleep. Amongst the elderly and women, this percentage would be on the higher end. As high as 50% of older adults report sleep disturbances and insomnia. Using the DSM-5 criteria, up to 10% to 15% of adults would be classified as having short-term insomnia. Women are two times as likely to have insomnia than age-matched men." - Postmenopausal confusionplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigPostmenopausal confusion
Postmenopausal confusion refers to a perceived reduction in cognitive capacity associated with the Menopause.
It's thought to affect as many as 60% of the postmenopausal population worldwide (i.e. more than a billion people). The symptoms are poorly defined, but include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty learning, and so-called 'brain fog'. - Hot flashesplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigHot flashes
Hot flashes (a.k.a. hot flushes) are an extremely common uncomfortable condition associated with Menopause.
They are typically experienced as a rapid-onset feeling of intense heat, often with sweating, anxiety, and a rapid heartbeat, usually lasting from two to thirty minutes. They can occur several times a day, and their frequent occurrence often persists for several years. - Specific replant diseaseplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigSpecific replant disease
Specific replant disease i(a.k.a. replant disorder) is a syndrome encountered by gardeners and horticulturalists whereby some plants don't properly thrive if planted in a spot previously occupied by a related species. The malady particularly affects roses, and a variety of fruit trees such as such as apples, cherries, citrus, peaches, pears, and plums, - Catamenial pneumothoraxplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigCatamenial pneumothorax
Catamenial pneumothorax is an abnormal build-up of air/gas in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall - specifically within 72 hours before or after the onset of a menstrual cycle. It was first described in 1958. - Religiosityplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigReligiosity
Religiosity is very loosely defined, but is generally taken to mean "the tendency towards religious beliefs".
"Over 80% of the global population consider themselves religious, with even more identifying as spiritual, __but the neural substrates of spirituality and religiosity remain unresolved." - Fibromuscular dysplasiaplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigFibromuscular dysplasia
"Fibromuscular dysplasia (also known as FMD) is a medical condition characterized by abnormal cell growth in the walls of arteries of the body."
Source : Circulation, Volume 125, Number 18"
It can affect any medium-sized artery in the body, and was first described in 1938. The arteries tend to form 'beads' rather than having the normal smooth walls. The beading can eventually lead to arterial blockages and leaks. - Gaze shifting and mental effortplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigGaze shifting and mental effort
When someone is asked a perplexing question, there's a good chance they will spontaneously shift their gaze - either upwards, or to the side.
This seemingly ubiquitous cross-cultural behaviour is currently unexplained. - Skipping (human gait)plugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigSkipping (human gait)
Skipping also know as 'Human Galloping' is an innate type of human gait. It's very commonly seen in 4 - 5 year old children.
Despite its ubiquity, it's very poorly researched, and the reasons for its prevalence and evolution are currently unknown.
Recently edited articles :
- Multiple Myelomaplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigMultiple Myeloma
"Multiple myeloma, also known as plasma cell myeloma, is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for producing antibodies. Often, no symptoms are noticed initially. When advanced, bone pain, bleeding, frequent infections, and anemia may occur. Complications may include amyloidosis. - Elephant Floppy Trunk Syndromeplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigElephant Floppy Trunk Syndrome
"Floppy trunk syndrome (abbreviated FTS, also known as flaccid trunk paralysis) is a condition that causes trunk paralysis in African bush elephants. Initially observed in 1989, the syndrome primarily affected bull elephants in several select regions in Zimbabwe." - REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleepplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigREM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep
"Rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep or REMS) is a unique phase of sleep in mammals and birds, distinguishable by random/rapid movement of the eyes, accompanied with low muscle tone throughout the body, and the propensity of the sleeper to dream vividly." - Deliriumplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigDelirium
"Over 2.6 million adults over the age of 65 develop delirium each year in the United States (US). Delirium is associated with a significant increase in mortality and the US health care costs associated with delirium are estimated at over $164 billion annually. - Rock salt depositsplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigRock salt deposits
Rock salt (a.k.a. Halite) deposits on Earth are extremely common, with many very extensive deposits thousands of metres deep, and probably totaling trillions of tonnes * See note below.
In geological 'textbook' terms, rock salt deposits are normally classed as an - Postoperative cognitive dysfunction - POCDplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigPostoperative cognitive dysfunction - POCD
"Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a decline in cognitive function (especially in memory and executive functions) that may last from 1–12 months after surgery, or longer. In some cases, this disorder may persist for several years after major surgery. POCD is distinct from emergence delirium. Its causes are under investigation and occurs commonly in older patients and those with pre-existing cognitive impairment. - Blushingplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigBlushing
"... the most peculiar and most human of all expressions." - according to Charles Darwin."
Blushing is the temporary reddening of a person's face due to (apparently specialised) blood vessel dilation mechanisms. It is normally involuntary and triggered by emotional factors, such as those associated with embarrassment, anger, or romantic stimulation etc.. - Brain sandplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigBrain sand
Brain Sand (a.k.a. corpora arenacea, acervuli, psammoma bodies and pineal concretions ) refers to small (2–3 μm) sand-like calcified grains which are found in the brains of mammals and some birds.
Because the grains are dense bio-mineralization formations, they show up very well on X-ray scans - especially as they tend to clump together, and can form nodules around 1mm across. - Unconscious thought theoryplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigUnconscious thought theory
Unconscious Thought Theory (UTT) refers to the idea that that people may be able to 'work through' complex problems without necessarily paying conscious attention.
Many will have had the experience of waking in the morning with a solution to a problem that had previously proved difficult or impossible to resolve using conscious thought. A similar phenomenon is when someone has a 'Eureka' moment when - Automaticity a.k.a. 'Autopilot'plugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigAutomaticity a.k.a. 'Autopilot'
Most people who routinely drive to and from their workplace will have experienced 'Highway hypnosis' (ref.) at some stage. In other words, arriving at their destination with little or no recollection of the drive.
Leading to the idea that either : - Insomnia (idiopathic)plugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigInsomnia (idiopathic)
"Up to one-third of the world’s population reports dissatisfaction with their sleep. Amongst the elderly and women, this percentage would be on the higher end. As high as 50% of older adults report sleep disturbances and insomnia. Using the DSM-5 criteria, up to 10% to 15% of adults would be classified as having short-term insomnia. Women are two times as likely to have insomnia than age-matched men." - Sleepplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigSleep
"The purposes and mechanisms of sleep are only partially clear and are the subject of intense research"
Source Wikipedia"
Although extensive research in humans and animals has shown unequivocally that sleep is essential, the reasons why it's required are as yet unknown. Long term sleep deprivation not only severely impairs cognitive and motor skills, it's now been shown that it can cause physical damage to brain structure - and, in extreme cases, irreversible damage. - Postmenopausal confusionplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigPostmenopausal confusion
Postmenopausal confusion refers to a perceived reduction in cognitive capacity associated with the Menopause.
It's thought to affect as many as 60% of the postmenopausal population worldwide (i.e. more than a billion people). The symptoms are poorly defined, but include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty learning, and so-called 'brain fog'. - Hot flashesplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigHot flashes
Hot flashes (a.k.a. hot flushes) are an extremely common uncomfortable condition associated with Menopause.
They are typically experienced as a rapid-onset feeling of intense heat, often with sweating, anxiety, and a rapid heartbeat, usually lasting from two to thirty minutes. They can occur several times a day, and their frequent occurrence often persists for several years. - Specific replant diseaseplugin-autotooltip__plain plugin-autotooltip_bigSpecific replant disease
Specific replant disease i(a.k.a. replant disorder) is a syndrome encountered by gardeners and horticulturalists whereby some plants don't properly thrive if planted in a spot previously occupied by a related species. The malady particularly affects roses, and a variety of fruit trees such as such as apples, cherries, citrus, peaches, pears, and plums,
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