Science & Nature

Science & Nature In the 70s, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, tried creating its own artificial coral reef by dumping some 2 million used tires into the ocean. It became an environmental disaster, naturally, but also a military training exercise when divers had to retrieve the tires (almost one by one). April 25, 2021

Science & Nature Each year, 22,000 tons of dust from the Sahara Desert is carried by air currents to the Amazon Rainforest where it is an important source of phosphorus for tropical plants April 23, 2021

Science & Nature Scientists "hacked" the genetic code of brewer's yeast to produce cannabis compounds. They inserted genes from cannabis plants into the yeast's genetic code which allowed it to produce CBD and THC. Their end goal is to allow large scale cannabinoid production without cultivation. April 22, 2021

Science & Nature In 1949, Gallup polled Americans on what scientific advances they thought would happen by the year 1999. 88% believed cancer would be cured, and 63% believed planes would be nuclear powered. Only 15% thought a man would walk on the moon. April 19, 2021

Science & Nature The 2011 earthquake off the coast of Japan was so powerful - measuring almost 9.0 on the Richter scale - it moved Japan 8 feet closer to North America and shifted the planet on its axis, causing the length of a day to shorten by almost 1.8 microseconds April 9, 2021

Science & Nature In 1965 the Soviet Union detonated a nuclear device near the Chagan river to create an artificial lake with a volume of about 10 million cubic metres under it's Nuclear Explosions for the National Economy program. To date the lake is slightly radioactive and is nicknamed "the atomic lake". March 24, 2021

Science & Nature Diamonds slowly turn into graphite (the stuff you find in pencils) over time. Thus, diamonds are not really forever. March 19, 2021

Science & Nature Aroundf 2.1 billion years ago, there existeed several multicellular organisms, that were likely one of the first forays into multicellularity, they coincided with a brief moment of increased oxygen levels and went extinct after the levels dropped, they do not have any modern-day descendants. March 19, 2021

Science & Nature That while the kilogram is defined in terms of three fundamental physical constants, the imperial equivalent, the pound is legally defined as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms March 17, 2021

Science & Nature The Scottish Highlands and the Appalachians are the same mountain range, once connected as the Central Pangean Mountains. March 15, 2021

Science & Nature Biologist Tyrone Hayes published an experiment that showed pesticide Atrazine was turning frogs from male to female. In response, manufacturer Syngenta spent years spying on him and conducting an extensive campaign to create a scandal that would end his career. March 10, 2021

Science & Nature Cork flooring and wine corks are created using the bark of the Cork Oak tree. The tree isn't cut down. The bark is harvested & begins to regenerate quickly to be harvested every 7 years. The Cork Oak isn't harmed & is therefore a sustainable resource. March 9, 2021

Science & Nature In 1991 it was discovered that the heart has its "little brain" or "intrinsic cardiac nervous system." This "heart brain" is composed of approximately 40,000 neurons that are alike neurons in the brain, meaning that the heart has its own nervous system. March 8, 2021

Science & Nature The loudest sound in recorded history was the eruption of Krakatoa. It was so loud the sound wave traveled the world 7 times, was heard in 50 different locations around the world, and caused permanent hearing loss of those close to it. It also darkened the sky worldwide for years afterwards. March 8, 2021

Science & Nature After landing on the moon during Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin accidentally damaged the circuit breaker that would arm the ascent engine that would get them off the moon. The astronauts activated the engine by triggering the circuit with a felt-tipped pen. January 25, 2021

Science & Nature At least 9 med schools in Japan manipulated exam results by females so fewer women could enter. January 24, 2021

Science & Nature We basically drink the same wine as ancient Romans. Researchers found grape growers managed to keep modern grape DNA extremely consistent and similar to ancient varieties. While this kept flavors consistent, researchers worry grapes are genetically at-risk to environmental changes. January 17, 2021

Science & Nature Scientists developed an experimental "universal treatment" for allergies. While still being tested, it works by wrapping allergens in a nanoparticle which sneaks it past the immune system. This helps the body understand it to be harmless. They so far successfully cured mice with egg allergies. December 27, 2020

Science & Nature 90% of all scientists who have ever lived are alive today. December 20, 2020

Science & Nature If funding remained at 1969 Apollo mission levels, NASA planned to develop such elements as a lunar orbit station in 1978, a lunar surface base in 1980, and a manned mission to Mars in 1981 or 1983 December 17, 2020