Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2014 September 8

= September 8 =

Cladogram, evolutionary tree
Hi. What kind of evolutionary diagram can be made based on the classifications of an animal? I'm a little confused by the different type of diagrams. I assume that sharing a classification means having a common ancestor. So two "Panthera" species are more closely related than two "Felidae" species. And two species in the same family are more closely related to each other than to something in a different family. etc. What would a diagram based on that be called? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Howunusual (talk • contribs) 02:25, 8 September 2014 (UTC)
 * Phylogenetic tree — You might also be interested in finding a species' Taxonomic Hierarchy on ITIS — http://www.itis.gov/  — 71.20.250.51 (talk) 04:46, 8 September 2014 (UTC)

Take after meal...
Why is it that some medications have to be taken "with food", or "after food"? Is there just one single reason - or does it vary?

SteveBaker (talk) 05:19, 8 September 2014 (UTC)
 * I was under the impression that the body doesn't know how to properly synthesize certain drugs/vitamins unless it's taken with real food. ScienceApe (talk) 05:24, 8 September 2014 (UTC)


 * The UK National Health Service lists six reasons. —71.20.250.51 (talk) 05:27, 8 September 2014 (UTC)


 * And note that other meds should be taken on an empty stomach, presumably to prevent them from binding with foods. StuRat (talk) 13:52, 8 September 2014 (UTC)
 * "[And], some foods – such as grapefruit – can increase the level of medication in your blood to potentially dangerous levels."    71.20.250.51 (talk) 17:30, 8 September 2014 (UTC)

What do you call voluntary shaking of the eyes?
I know the involuntary shaking is called nystagmus, but what do you call it when you shake your eyes really fast, horizontally, on purpose? Does it even have a name?

--XndrK (talk &#124; contribs) 14:52, 8 September 2014 (UTC)


 * Most likely "voluntary nystagmus". See this previous question and answers with refs: Also search the archives (using the box at the top of the page) for "nystagmus" to see some other relevant discussion. SemanticMantis (talk) 15:29, 8 September 2014 (UTC)


 * I think I call it "impossible". Seriously, can you actually do this? --Trovatore (talk) 02:36, 9 September 2014 (UTC)
 * (However, see saccade. That I can do.  Just not lots of times in quick succession.) --Trovatore (talk) 02:38, 9 September 2014 (UTC)


 * Here is a Youtube video demonstrating the phenomenon, and here is a paper investigating it. I guess you are not one of the 8 percent that can do this. --Mark viking (talk) 02:59, 9 September 2014 (UTC)


 * 8%?! I guess I'll henceforth have to check my privilege. —Tamfang (talk) 08:27, 9 September 2014 (UTC)


 * I think I call it "too much time on your hands"; or, to quote Mom:  "Stop doing that!"   —71.20.250.51 (talk) 17:09, 9 September 2014 (UTC)