Einstein’s special theory of relativity governs our understanding of both the flow of time and the speed at which objects can move. In special relativity, the speed of light is the ultimate speed limit to the universe. Nothing can travel faster than it. Every single moving object in the universe is constrained by that fundamental limit. Speed and Mass This isn’t something like the speed of sound. Early scientists wondered if we could ever go faster than that speed, not because of some fundam ...read more
From jewelry to tattoos, the picture of a snake that bites its tail is engrained in many of our minds. But experts argue this is just symbolism we've inherited from ancient mythology and not actually a concern of herpetologists and snake scientists alike — with a couple of exceptions. Rooted in Myth: Ouroboros and Hoop Snakes The visualization of a snake biting its own tail is deeply rooted in myth. In ancient mythology, a tail-eating snake is called an ouroboros, from the Greek word that ...read more
Drinking alcohol grew into a socially acceptable activity in multiple societies, starting in the Neolithic period. From the earliest traces of brewing, which happened about 10,000 years ago, to former trade negotiations and family celebrations – the use of alcohol intertwined with people’s everyday life. In the U.S., data from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) shows that over 85 percent of adults aged 18 and older admitted to drinking alcohol at some point in their lif ...read more
“Snakes,” swashbuckling archeologist Indiana Jones famously groans in Raiders of the Lost Ark. “Why’d it have to be snakes?” If, like Indy, the mere thought of a serpent makes you shiver, you’re not alone — a fear of snakes is among the most common phobias, even for people who have never seen one in person. In fact, humans may have evolved to be born with an innate fear of snakes and spiders, according to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2017. But even if yo ...read more
When a male humpback whale sings, it hangs its 40-foot-long, 40-ton body upside down in the water and emits some of the most distinctive sounds in the world. According to a 2018 study that analyzed the songs of Australian humpbacks, the whales share an ever-evolving language, like a local dialect, composed of “phrases” joined together to form “themes” that are then arranged to make songs. The squeaks and moans grow more complex as humpbacks add their own embellishments, akin to a folk si ...read more
Author Vishay SinghPosted on Categories Discover Magazine