how about these (please e-mail your answers in 25,000 words or less to me---note your entry becomes the sole property of me) I will count off for spelling and grammatical errors:
::::>What Is the Universe Made Of?
The question does not apply. The concept of "Universe" is a dimensional construct, not a substantive one.
::::>When and how did the first stars and galaxies form?
Within roughly 600 million years after the Big Bang, by variations in the material distribution in space caused by quantum fluctuations.
Where do ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays come from?
If such rays exist, they must come from local particle interactions to avoid violation of special relativity.
::::>Will mathematicians unleash the power of the Navier-Stokes equations?
Yes. The Reynolds-averaged forms are used in virtually all fluid calculations, and use of the non-reduced form will become common once computers become sufficiently powerful.
::::>Do Lynn's feet really stink?
Yes. I read it on the Internet, so it must be true.
::::>What powers quasars?
The quasar's own large mass.
::::>Is there a unified theory explaining all correlated electron systems?
Yes. It is called quantum electrodynamics (QED).
What is the most powerful laser researchers can build?
Roughly 10^29 watts. Beyond that point QED becomes non-linear and lasers will no longer function.
::::>What Is the Biological Basis of Consciousness?
There is no purely biological basis for consciouness.
::::>Can researchers make a perfect optical lens?
No. All lenses are subject to chromatic abberation.
::::>What is the nature of black holes?
Black holes are completely described by the postulates of general relativity.
::::>Is it possible to create magnetic semiconductors that work at room temperature?
Room temperature semiconductors which have electromagnetic properties are ubiquitous and form the basis for the integrated circuit. Semiconductors which are also permant magnets are not possible by definition.
::::>How many National Championships has Bama won?
Four. 1988, 1991, 1996, and 2002; all in womens gymnastics.
::::>Why is there more matter than antimatter?
Because the reaction which produced matter in the early universe was asymmetric with respect to time.
::::>What is the pairing mechanism behind high-temperature superconductivity?
The pairing mechanism is a standard electromagnetic interaction as described by QED between electrons.
::::>Why doesn't everyone agree with Pooh, especially when he agrees with Hobbes?
Because not everyone is aware of Pooh's arguments, and are thus incapible of either agreement or disagreement.
Does the proton decay?
No. Such a decay would violate the conservation of baryon number.
::::>What is the nature of gravity?
It is an attractive force between two masses which is described by general relativity.
::::>Are neutrinos their own antiparticles?
No, though neutrinos and antineutrinos may be indistinguishable.
::::>Why is time different from other dimensions?
In this universe it is distinct because it is unidirectional.
Are there smaller building blocks than quarks?
No.
::::>Why Do Humans Have So Few Genes?
Because our current number of genes did not act as a competitive disadvantage compared with mutations with a greater number of genes.
::::>To What Extent Are Genetic Variation and Personal Health Linked?
Genetic variation is responsible for all aspects of personal health except those aspects which are determined by prionic or environmental factors.
::::>Can the Laws of Physics Be Unified?
Yes. The fact the universe exists is evidence for a physical (though possibly not a mathematical) unification of physical laws.
::::>How Much Can Human Life Span Be Extended?
Indefinately, provided one does not mind a form of stasis.
::::>What Controls Organ Regeneration?
Pattern formation genes HoxA and HoxD.
::::>How Can a Skin Cell Become a Nerve Cell?
Through de-differentiation of the existing cell into a stem cell, which can then form as a nerve cell.
::::>How Does a Single Somatic Cell Become a Whole Plant?
Through standard processes of cell division and differentiation.
::::>How Does Earth's Interior Work?
Gravitational forces cause more dense material to sink, while radioactive decay heats up the interior to the point that certain materials are kept molten. The system's dynamics can then be described by the traditional thermodynamic, fluid, and classical models.
::::>Are We Alone in the Universe?
You and me? No.
::::>How and Where Did Life on Earth Arise?
Life arose through the combination of self-replicating proteins, at or near the surface of the earth.
::::>What Determines Species Diversity?
Environment and mutation rate.
::::>How Are Memories Stored and Retrieved?
Sensory information is transmitted to the brain, and synaptic stimulation with electrical impulses cause long-term potentiation which creates the new nerve conncections which store memories. Memories are recalled by activating these series of now-connected neurons.
::::>How Did Cooperative Behavior Evolve?
It evolved in animals since those which practiced cooperative behavior were more likely to preserve their genetic line.
::::>How Will Big Pictures Emerge From a Sea of Biological Data?
Usually the diver just brings the camera back to the surface.
::::>How Far Can We Push Chemical Self-Assembly?
Chemical self-assembly can be pushed indefinately far by utilizing biological replication techniques.
::::>What Are the Limits of Conventional Computing?
Conventional computing cannot occur where the temperature of the integrated circuit is above 1000° C (for a theoretical diamond semiconductor), where the band gap in the semiconductor is at or smaller than the frequent tunneling distance of an electron, or in regions of high radiation.
::::>Can We Selectively Shut Off Immune Responses?
Yes. However, in practice we oftentimes find the side effects to be to great for the treatment to be practical.
::::>Do Deeper Principles Underlie Quantum Uncertainty and Nonlocality?
No. The fundamental probabilistic nature of the quantum world is not in question.
::::>Is an Effective HIV Vaccine Feasible?
Yes, though it may not be practical in our lifetimes.
::::>How Hot Will the Greenhouse World Be?
According to the Weather Channel, 96 tomorrow afternoon in Des Moines.
::::>What Can Replace Cheap Oil--and When?
Cheap oil will eventually be completely replaced by more expensive oil, which is already available.
::::>Will Malthus Continue to Be Wrong?
According to his wife, yes.
::::>Is ours the only universe?
No. Evidence for other distinct universes will remain outside the purview of science for the forseeable future, though.
::::>What drove cosmic inflation?
An increase in the cosmic money supply.
::::>Can we develop a general theory of the dynamics of turbulent flows and the motion of granular materials?
Not in a classical sense. Turbulent flows and flows with discrete particle size are nonlinear and thus have no general solutions. It is possible to generate particular solutions, however.
::::>Why do you listen to Finebaum if you hate him so much?
I do not listen to Finebaum.
::::>If you never listen to him, then why do you hate him?
Peer pressure.
::::>Are there stable high-atomic-number elements?
There are transuranic elements which are more stable than some elements currently known, but there are no undiscovered transuranic elements that are stable enough to be considered stable for practical use.
::::>Have you ever sold (or bought) a ticket on the WAB ticket exchange?
No.
::::>Is superfluidity possible in a solid? If so, how?
No. By definition, the lack of electrostatic attraction in a superfluid makes it impossible for the particles to form a solid and still remain superfluid.
::::>What is the structure of water?
H-O-H, where the angle between the two hydrogens is roughly 104.45°.
::::>What is the nature of the glassy state?
The glassy state is one in which there are relatively strong intermolecular forces within the material, but the bonds do not form in a way to create a crystaline structure.
::::>If an evil deaf child cut down a tree in a forest, how many angels would it smash if it landed on the head of a pin?
Typically, none.
::::>Are there limits to rational chemical synthesis?
See above.
::::>Are there limits to rational chemical synthesis?
See above.
::::>Are there rational posters on TiderInsider?
Yes, but most are afraid to post lest they be banned.
::::>What is the ultimate efficiency of photovoltaic cells?
Ultimately, all photovoltaic cells will finish their useful life, and will end up with an efficiency of zero.
::::>Will fusion always be the energy source of the future?
No. Eventually, the universe will grow cold and there will be no future fusion.
::::>Does anyone really, I mean really, like Jazz fusion?
Yes, but she already has a boyfriend.
::::>What drives the solar magnetic cycle?
Currents in the heliosphere.
::::>What did you have for lunch?
Crap! I forgot lunch.
::::>How do planets form?
Matter in the protoplanetary disk coalesces into a planet through gravitational attraction.
::::>What causes ice ages?
Changes in atmospheric chemistry so to increase albedo and decreases in solar energy output.
::::>What causes reversals in Earth's magnetic field?
Changes in the flows of molten material in the earth's interior.
::::>Are there earthquake precursors that can lead to useful predictions?
Yes.
::::>Have you ever persuaded anyone on the Lounge to change their mind on any issue? Have you changed yours on any issue as a result of a visit to the Lounge?
No, and No.
::::>Is there--or was there--life elsewhere in the solar system?
Yes.
::::>What is the origin of homochirality in nature?
Natural selection in amino acid and protein synthesis selects for only the useful enantiomer.
::::>Can we predict how proteins will fold?
Yes, though it may take more computing power than is practical.
::::>What? Me Worry?
Don't worry, be happy.
::::>How many proteins are there in humans?
Between 300,000 and 1,000,000.
::::>How do proteins find their partners?
Same way teenagers do--bump around blindly until someone sticks.
::::>How many forms of cell death are there?
One, though the number of ways of inducing that form are myriad.
::::>What keeps intracellular traffic running smoothly?
Enzymes and catalysts.
::::>What is the wing speed velocity of a sparrow?
African or European?
::::>What enables cellular components to copy themselves independent of DNA?
Prions.
::::>What roles do different forms of RNA play in genome function?
mRNA encodes proteins, tRNA and rRNA assist with translation, and dsRNA is used to carry genetic information in RNA viruses.
::::>What role do telomeres and centromeres play in genome function?
Telomeres help to ensure that all relevant data in the genome is successfully transmitted when needed, while the centromere allows for the assembly of the kinetochore.
::::>Why do we sleep?
To allow for a time of promoted healing and growth, and for central nervous system development.
::::>How do general anesthetics work?
They disrupt ion channels in neurons in the central nervous system.
::::>Is there a simple test for determining whether an elliptic curve has an infinite number of rational solutions?
Yes. All ellipsoids in n-diminsional space have a finite number of rational solutions.
::::>Can a Hodge cycle be written as a sum of algebraic cycles?
If the Hodge conjecture is valid, then a Hodge cycle must be expressable as a sum of algebraic cycles.
::::>
Does Poincaré's test identify spheres in four-dimensional space?
Yes. With Perelman's proof of Thurston's geometrization conjecture, Poincare's conjecture must also be valid. While the Poincare conjecture deals only with 3R, it can be expanded to the above problem because a sphere in 4R is spherical, hyperbolic, and contains a subgroup than belongs to the fundamental toroidal group, and thus the Thurston model geometries apply.
::::>Do mathematically interesting zero-value solutions of the Riemann zeta function all have the form a 
bi?
Of course. It wouldn't be able to approximate a holomorphic function at the origin if the zero-value solution wasn't complex, and the Riemann zeta function has been shown to be universal.
::::>Does the Standard Model of particle physics rest on solid mathematical foundations?
No, it requires a lot of mathematical handwaving, but is a darn tootin' good approximation.
::::>Why do some countries grow and others stagnate?
::::>
A combination of resource allocation, culture, domestic tensions, and international relations all contribute to the growth rate of countries.
