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Science & Nature

A collection of 302 issues

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.

Technology & Innovation History Science & Nature

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.

Science & Nature History Religion & Philosophy

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.

Religion & Philosophy Science & Nature Geography & Places

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.

Science & Nature Animals in Culture

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.

Science & Nature History

The Prolific Pen: How One Doctor's Writings Became an Eighth of All Surviving Ancient Greek Literature

Galen, a Roman-era Greek physician, was so prolific that his surviving medical and philosophical writings account for a staggering one-eighth of all classical Greek literature that exists today. His work's preservation was due to its immense influence, which shaped medicine for over 1,500 years.

History Medicine, Psychology & Health Science & Nature

Drone Submarine Reveals Monumental, Hidden World Under Antarctica's Ice

In early 2023, the unmanned submarine 'Ran' mapped the seafloor beneath West Antarctica's Dotson Ice Shelf for the first time. The survey revealed colossal, 1,300-foot-long ridges and intricate ice formations, offering crucial new data on ice melt and future sea-level rise.

Science & Nature Technology & Innovation Adventure & Exploration

Forbidden Feast: President Taft's Old-School Soup Is Now Illegal

President Taft's favorite dish was green sea turtle soup, a Gilded Age delicacy. Today, this specific soup is illegal in the U.S. because the turtle is protected under the Endangered Species Act, turning a presidential feast into a powerful lesson in conservation.

Food & Lifestyle History Science & Nature

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