Topic

Science & Nature

A collection of 186 issues

The Perfect Hell: When the Philippines' Largest Volcano Erupted Inside a Typhoon

On June 15, 1991, the Philippines faced an unparalleled catastrophe as Mt. Pinatubo's massive eruption coincided with Typhoon Yunya. The storm turned volcanic ash into a deadly, concrete-like slurry, causing immense destruction, 847 deaths, and altering global temperatures.

Glozel's Ghosts: The Prehistoric Find That Tore French Archaeology Apart

In 1924, a French farmer uncovered artifacts with an unknown script in a field called Glozel. The discovery sparked a bitter, decades-long 'archaeological war' over whether it was a priceless prehistoric find or a sophisticated modern hoax that fractured the scientific community.

Waking Up to Reality: How Early School Bells Are Failing Teen Mental Health

The National Sleep Foundation's 2024 poll reveals a teen sleep crisis. Fewer than 2 in 10 get enough sleep, and those starting school before 8:30 am show higher depressive symptoms, highlighting a critical link between school schedules and adolescent mental well-being.

How Faking Insanity Led a 10th-Century Scientist to Revolutionize Vision

Faced with execution by a volatile Caliph, scientist Ibn al-Haytham feigned madness. His decade-long house arrest became a period of genius, where he wrote the groundbreaking Book of Optics, forever changing our understanding of light, vision, and the scientific method itself.

The Pitch That Launched a Million Machines: How 'Artificial Intelligence' Got Its Name

In 1955, 'artificial intelligence' wasn't a buzzword but a clever phrase in a funding proposal. Computer scientist John McCarthy coined the term to secure a grant for a summer workshop, inadvertently naming and launching the entire field of AI research we know today.

Georgium Sidus: The Planet We Almost Called 'George'

In 1781, discoverer William Herschel tried to name the seventh planet 'Georgium Sidus' (George's Star) after King George III. The name proved unpopular outside of Britain, and German astronomer Johann Bode's mythological suggestion, 'Uranus,' ultimately prevailed after decades of debate.

The Vertical Time Zone: Breaking the Ramadan Fast in the Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa's immense height means residents on upper floors see the sun for longer. Due to the Earth's curvature, those above the 80th floor must wait 2 extra minutes, and those above the 150th floor wait 3 minutes, to break their daily Ramadan fast after sunset on the ground.

The Shark's Secret 'Off-Switch': How Tonic Immobility Is Changing Our View of the Ocean's Apex Predator

Sharks possess a surprising 'off-switch.' Gently flipping them upside down induces a natural, trance-like state of paralysis called tonic immobility. This reflex allows scientists to study and help these apex predators safely, without causing them harm or stress.

Beyond Grammar: The Surprising Secret of the Word 'Are'

The word 'are' is not just a common verb. It's a metric unit of area, equal to 100 square meters or 1/100th of a hectare. While obscure to most English speakers, it's still used in real estate and land measurement in various countries across Europe and Asia.