What are referals in the profiles?

When you tell a friend about sciforums, if they mention you when they sign up, your referals goes up by one. The number of newbies you have brought to the forums.
I have two .*smirk*

I've brought two people here, but dem idiots didn't mention me :mad:

hey i brought one too but i didnt know about the referals. damn unjust world