Yahoo News Scientists share totally unexpected alternative uses for everyday objects
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Leave it to scientists to find new uses for old products.
Per the Washington Post, Twitter user Robyn Womack discovered a delightful Amazon review for a tea infuser in which a buyer explains its alternative, scientific use.
"To be honest these were not being used to strain tea but in a zoology experiment involving ants," he wrote.
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Thank you for the honest review, John 🐜 😂 pic.twitter.com/sUaIYNdmNQ
— Robyn Womack 🐦⏰ (@RobynJWomack) January 28, 2018
Though a zoology PhD student herself, Womack was just looking for a tea infuser.
Her wildly popular tweet inspired other scientists to share reviews of other Amazon products with unlikely uses. Some even shared shots of these products in action.
Did you know that nail polish top coat works to seal coverslips on freshly sliced tissue? I sure didn't.
Great for sealing coverslips onto freshly stained slices of brain (and other cells/tissues). If clear is unavailable, other colors work too but will likely get odd looks from your PI. #reviewforscience pic.twitter.com/3SVbmdX6r3
— Monica J, PhD 🧠💊 (@brainsondrugs) January 30, 2018
Short on vegetation for your prehistoric fish research lab? Add some green pom poms.
Show your #TeamGar spirit with these green pom poms! Excellent artificial spawning substrate for our Spotted Gars; simulate vegetation, and make adhesive egg collection easier!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #reviewforscience pic.twitter.com/J8gGjd3p88— Dr. Solomon David (@SolomonRDavid) January 30, 2018
If you're more of an avian-sorta scientist, check out these Rubbermaid storage containers, which can apparently double as portable baths for gulls.
Rubbermaid Roughneck Totes: great faux rock pools and perfect for bathing gulls. hold up well to the elements and return fire from the gulls. 6/5 would muddy boots again#reviewforscience #larus #appledore #rockpools @ShoalsMarineLab @amazon pic.twitter.com/mUeaMgD0TC
— DAPPER Stats (@DapperStats) January 30, 2018
And those lambskin condoms you definitely have in your bedside drawer? One Twitter user says they double as a way to feed certain insects.
Useful membrane through which to feed hematophagous insects. ⭐️⭐️as attracts comment of purchased on lab credit card #reviewforscience pic.twitter.com/GCqCPvYgmB
— Jules Bristow (@afewbugs) January 30, 2018
Yoga mats aren't just for your sister who says she's really in touch with her chi. They also make great fish surgery table covers.
thin yoga mats make great fish surgery table covers. easy to clean/sterilize, water-proof, and pretty durable: 4/5 stars #reviewforscience pic.twitter.com/nGtd2QHe0c
— Henry Hershey (@spoonbill_hank) January 30, 2018
Lizards out of your reach? Never fear! Dental floss apparently works as a great way to collect small lizards.
Loving #reviewforscience!
My review: Works great as noose to collect small lizards. Pretty durable but can snag on undergrowth. No comment from lizards on mint flavour. pic.twitter.com/qAvtN6yBzt— Sarah Pierce (@sarahcpierce) January 30, 2018
Need some mood lighting for mosquitos?
We couldn't get triseriatus mosquitoes to mate in the lab.
Then, we hung these mood lights. No more forced mating! #reviewforscience pic.twitter.com/mS3ySr01hZ— Erin Ross (@ErinEARoss) January 30, 2018
And last but not least—this, uh, "portable full body massager" can be used to lure spiders out of their dens.
The other function is a BODY MASSAGER... The primary function I was taught... is, of course, to lure spiders out of their dens 🕷🕸
Multiple speed settings are fantastic for the diversity of web builders and to simulate different prey species #reviewforscience pic.twitter.com/krKrE0lOCv— Alastair Gibbons (@atr_gibbons) January 30, 2018
Check out the hashtag for the full #reviewforscience experience.
Remember, however, that unless you're a scientist, you probably shouldn't try these at home.
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