As historic stone objects go, you wouldn’t think that a 335-pound block of dull sandstone would attract much attention. When it comes to heavyweight relics, the Rosetta Stone or one of Cleopatra’s Needles is far bigger and arguably better known around the world.Nevertheless, Scotland’s Stone of Destiny has justly secured its own place in history, for this hefty chunk of rock is more than an artifact from ancient times: It is a sacred icon, a trophy of bloody war and conquest, and a politic ...read more
In the first book of his epic poem Paradise Lost, John Milton mentions a “Tuscan Artist” who views the moon’s orb through optic glass. He is referring, somewhat perplexingly, to Galileo Galilei, the Italian scientist famed for his telescopic observations and study of fundamental physical laws. Today, it might seem odd that Milton’s description of the so-called “father of modern science” was first and foremost an artist. In their context, however, it makes perfect sense — both men l ...read more
The Milk Way is the galaxy our solar system calls home. For thousands of years, the Milky Way's beauty and wonder have inspired legendary stories and curious astronomers gazing at the night sky. We've only recently learned some of the fascinating details of the Milk Way. While there is still more left to be uncovered, here are 10 facts we know about the Milk Way.(Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)1. How Big Is the Milky Way?According to NASA, the Milky Way galaxy is about 100,000 light-years across. Wi ...read more
When people think about infectious diseases — as many have, these last three years — they think mainly about the immune system. The severity of an individual’s illness, it’s assumed, is down to how well the immune system detects, attacks and eliminates the pathogenic invader.The immune system is said to resist disease. Resistance reduces the amount of pathogen residing inside a host, thereby curtailing disease progression, driving recovery or preventing infections altogether. People who ...read more
For centuries, Alzheimer’s and related dementias — debilitating diseases that cause memory loss over time, particularly in the elderly — have caused grief and pain in millions of families around the world. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6.7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to nearly 13 million. While most of these cases exist in those aged 65 or older, about 200,000 Americans under 65 years old currently live w ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine
