Australian Science Illustrated — Issue 54 2017

22 | SCIENCE ILLUSTRATED

ASK US

175 kilometres

What is the worst traffic congestion ever? In terms of duration, cars were waiting in line for 12 days

in Beijing in 2010. In terms of distance, the tailback between Paris and Lyon in 1980 is the longest:

How Big is the

Geographic South Pole?

Theoretically, the geographic South Pole is a single

point, but in practice, the South Pole is quite a bit

larger due to the limited accuracy with which its

position can be determined. Now, GPS is scientists'

best tool, but even with a high-quality receiver, the

margin of uncertainty is at least 200 cm. Today, the

geographic South Pole is located 2,835 m above sea

level at the centre of the Antarctic ice sheet, near

the US Amundsen-Scott research station. The ice of

the location is moving west at a speed of about 10

m/year, so the sign and the flagstaff marking the

South Pole must be moved every January, which is

celebrated with a small ceremony.

Flags and a sign mark the

symbolic position of the

geographical South Pole.

GALEN ROWELL/GETTY IMAGES

A coloured scanning

electron micrograph of

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

bacteria or gonococci.

The bacteria are located on

and around an epithelial cell –

a group of cells which line all

exterior and interior surfaces

of the body.

Gonococci cause

gonorrhoea, which is a

sexually transmitted disease.

3-7 days after being infected,

men may experience a

yellowish discharge from the

urethra and burning urination.

Women also risk burning

urination.

Gonorrhoea is treated with

antibiotics, which are typically

given as an injection into a

large muscle. If the disease is

not treated in time, it might

cause sterility.

WHAT IS THIS?

MARA/JAMES B. WOOD/SEAPICS.COM

GONOCOCCI

EPITHELIAL CELL