Welcome to 365 Random Questions!
Today I had a brilliant idea on how to better myself and possibly increase my intelligence along the way. This afternoon, I received an article on how to think like a genius. I realized that I will never be a genius, but took some pointers from the article and decided that I would put it into practice. One of my goals for 2010 was to write more and I thought that I would keep a diary - but this seems juvenile to me. So, my brilliant idea is to review the activities of my day and come up with a related random question. Then, I will research the answer and post it here; combining one of the genius techniques with research and writing.
Now, it's the fourth day of January and I have four questions to catch up on...
January 1, 2010
The New Year began with an e-mail from a guy that I was seeing. The relationship only began a few weeks prior, although we knew each other for a couple of months. His courting efforts had me swooning and our interactions were so hot I'm surprised that neither of us spontaneously combusted! But that all came to an end on New Years day, when he sent me an e-mail explaining that he didn't think that we would work out as a couple. I was shocked and saddened. Today's question is: Can someone die of a broken heart?
A: Dying of a broken heart is a phrase often used to describe a person who dies after experiencing some form of grief - the loss of a loved one, a divorce, a break up, or rejection. Grief tends to be a psychological pain, yet can have many physical manifestations including the loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, feelings of hopelessness, or depression. If not properly dealt with, these reactions to grief can cause many health ailments, which may in turn lead to death - particularly in the elderly.
However, there is a medical term called stress cardiomyopathy which is brought on through intense emotional and physical stress and can cause rapid heart muscle weakness. The symptoms of stress cardiomyopathy are similar to a heart attack and can include chest pain, shortness of breath and heart failure. It is believed that the body releases a high level of adrenaline to cope with stress and the heart becomes overwhelmed with the sudden release of this hormone. The effects of adrenaline on the heart are usually temporary and reversible.
Although rare, it is possible for an individual to actually die of a broken heart.
Sources:
Answers.com - What does it mean to die of a broken heart?
John Hopkins Medicine - Frequently Asked Questions about Broken Heart Syndrome
Wikipedia - Broken Heart
January 2, 2010
Despite the previous day's events, I dusted myself off and went to celebrate my uncle's 50th birthday. The party was complete with Chinese food, Pictionary and excessive amounts of alcohol. Today's question is: In what year was the average lifespan for a male 50 years old in Canada?
A: Between 1900 and 1910.
Source:
Government of Canada Depository Services Program: Healthy Aging: Historical Trends in Life Expectancy
January 3, 2010
Recovering from too many gin and tonics was easy! It involved crepes, three cups of coffee and good company! To get to these hangover cures, I took the subway all over Toronto. However, on the way home, I experienced severe delays due to a fire at track level on the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission). Today's question is: What is the history of the subway in Toronto and have there been any notable fires over the years?
A:
The Yonge-University and the Bloor-Danforth Lines
The Toronto Subway opened in March of 1954 and ran from Union Station along Yonge Street to Eglinton Station for a total of 7.4 kilometers (just over 4.5 miles). Newspapers revered the underground train with reports that one could get from Eglinton to Front street in just 12 minutes. The TTC turned it's sights on building a line along Queen Street to alieviate traffic, however noted that the Bloor streetcars were carrying more passengers than the Queen Street transit. A bid to city hall was made for an East-West line to be built under Bloor Street, which would run from St. George, East along Bloor and Danforth Avenue, to Greenwood. However, before constuction could be started, there needed to be a connection point to the Yonge line. In 1963, a new extension was added running under University Avenue from Union to St. George. Three years later, in February 1966, the Bloor-Danforth line was opened, taking commuters from Keele Street to Woodbine Avenue. These make up the main lines of the Toronto Subway, extensions were added to ease commuter traffic and reach the outskirts of Toronto.
Expansions
In 1968, the Bloor-Danforth line was extend, both East and West to connect Keele to Islington, and Woodbine to Warden. More track was added to the Yonge line in 1973 and 1974 to reach further North and connect Eglinton to Finch. Nearly 10 kilometers of track was added to the Yonge-University line in 1978 to connect St. George station Northward to Wilson Station. In November 1980 (coincidentally, 12 days after I was born) the Bloor-Danforth Line was extended by one station in both directions. Islington went one stop further West to Kipling and Warden went one stop further East to Kennedy, adding room for commuter parking and bus terminals. In 1996, the same concept applied to the Yonge-University line and Wilson Station was extended North to Allen Road and Sheppard Avenue West, becoming Downsview Station. The newest line was added in November 2002 extending Sheppard Station Eastward to Victoria Park.
Fires
Throughout the history of the Toronto Subway, there have only been three notable fires in which no one has been seriously injured or killed.
March 27, 1963: A six-car subway train was completely destroyed by fire. All passengers were evacuated.
October 15, 1976: Arson at Christie station caused significant damage, yet no one was injured.
December 8, 2000: A garbage train caught fire while en route through Old Mill station.
Sources:
Transit Toronto: The Built Subways
TTC Milestones
Wikipedia: Toronto subway and RT
Wikipedia: Toronto Transit Commission
January 4, 2010
Over the years I have struggled with chronic back pain due to scoliosis. I visited the chiropractor and have resolved to go regularly. Today's question is: What are the causes of scoliosis?
A: Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. When viewed from the front, the spine curves to the side and each vertebra twists onto the next like a corkscrew. Between 80 - 85% of cases are considered idiopathic, meaning with no known cause.
Studies are emerging to suggest that scoliosis may be genetic, however there are three confirmed causes.
Congenital Scoliosis
Congenital scoliosis is the malformation of the spine in utero. The spine grows crooked as a result of one side of a vertebra not fully forming or when the vertebrae do not section off normally.
Neuromuscular Scoliosis
This type of scoliosis affects children who suffer from neurological system disorders, such as spina bifida or muscular dystrophy. The spine curves due to weakened musculature in the trunk and a lack of support for the upper body.
Degenerative Scoliosis
Degenerative scoliosis happens in adulthood and occurs if the curvature went untreated in childhood. Disc degeneration, osteoporosis, herniated discs or spinal compression fractures can all contribute to this type of scoliosis.
Sources:
Personal experience
Spine Universe: Causes of Scoliosis
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