Contemporary Events and Innovations Quiz

Banksy's London Art Series 2024

• Banksy created a series of animal murals across London from August 5th to 13th, 2024.
• The first piece, a mountain goat, appeared in Kew.
• Subsequent artworks included elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, and a rhino.
• Each piece was posted on Banksy's Instagram page.
• The final mural, on the shutters of the London Zoo, depicted a gorilla freeing a sea lion and birds.
• Zoo officials removed the shutter with the artwork to preserve it, replacing it with a photo and a sign.

Big Basin Redwood Fire Recovery

• A significant portion (97%) of Big Basin Redwood State Park was devastated by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in 2020.
• Despite massive damage, redwoods began exhibiting rapid regrowth.
• Researchers, led by Drew Peltier, investigated the trees' resilience.
• The trees utilize two key strategies: stored energy from photosynthesis (as old as the 1920s) and bud tissue enabling leaf regrowth from existing tissues.
• Peltier noted these adaptations contribute to the trees' fire resilience alongside their height and bark thickness.

Friday the 13th Superstition

• Millions worldwide consider Friday the 13th an unlucky day.
• The reasons behind the superstition are varied but include the numerical fear of 13 (triskaidekaphobia), following the complete number 12, and a Scandinavian myth involving Loki and Balder.
• Friday's association with religious events (Jesus' crucifixion, Eve and Adam's temptation) and a biblical story about Cain and Abel, also contribute.
• A 2008 study suggested the superstition is unfounded, with fewer accidents occurring on this day compared to other Fridays.
• Despite this, businesses may face financial losses due to reduced spending due to the fear, but discounts may help.

Climeworks Mammoth Project

• Climeworks launched Mammoth, the world's largest direct air capture (DAC) plant in Iceland on May 8, 2024.
• Mammoth mimics a household air purifier to extract and sequester atmospheric CO2.
• It uses geothermal energy, sequestering up to 39,000 tons of CO2 annually, reducing CO2 emissions.
• This is akin to removing over 7,000 cars from the road, but critics argue it is insufficient for global reduction.
• Further DAC plants are in development, one expected to capture one million tons by 2030.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn Mission

• SpaceX completed the Polaris Dawn mission, the first of three commercial missions.
• The five-day flight involved a civilian crew that set an altitude record of 870 miles above Earth.
• The spacecraft was launched from Florida and reached its highest point in late September 2024.
• The mission's objectives included studying radiation impact on the capsule and crew for future lunar and deep space missions.
• The first civilian spacewalk was also conducted.

Herculaneum Scrolls Project

• Excavators unearthed 1,800 papyrus scrolls in 1752, within the library of a Herculaneum mansion.
• Researchers face the challenge of deciphering them.
• Using X-ray technology and AI, the project aimed to provide insights into life in ancient times.
• An international student competition named the "Vesuvius Challenge" encouraged efforts to decode.
• Results include decoding the first words and partial passages, attributed to the philosopher Philodemus.

Alex Morgan's Retirement

• Alex Morgan, a renowned American soccer player, announced her retirement in September 2024 after a 15-year career.
• She led the US Women's National Team to two consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup victories (2015 and 2019).
• Notable for her achievements in 22 World Cup appearances and 16 Olympic matches, with 176 combined goals and assists.
• Her career highlights include participation in the 2012 Olympic Semifinals victory.
• Morgan also participated in efforts to secure pay equity.

Ancient Egyptian Sword Discovery

• Archeologists unearthed a bronze sword with Ramses II's insignia in Egypt.
• The sword, discovered at a 3,200-year-old military fort, dates back to the time of Ramses II.
• The discovery suggests potential weapons production and possible royal gifting to high-ranking officials.
• Supporting evidence suggests the fort's self-sufficiency and soldier's lives through storage, food supplies, and personal items like bead necklaces and kohl containers.

Hurricane Helene 2024

• Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida as a Category 4 storm in September 2024.
• This was a record-breaking storm for the region, with sustained winds exceeding 140mph.
• The hurricane passed through multiple states, causing significant damage, torrential rains, and numerous tornadoes.
• Reports of over 170 deaths and hundreds still missing were reported.
• Widespread damage to properties, roads, and infrastructure.
• Severe flooding impacted Asheville and Chimney Rock, North Carolina with record-breaking rainfall.

Earthworm Impact on Soil and Crop Yields

• Two studies show earthworms dramatically affect crop production and are effective against microplastics.
• Research from Colorado State University (CSU) measured earthworms' contributions to global grain output, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
• Their burrowing creates channels, loosens soil, and increases water drainage, allowing for better nutrient availability and protection against microplastics.
• This increases yields in areas with limited access to other soil aids like fertilizers and pesticides.

Orb-Weaver Spider and Firefly Manipulation

• Orb-weaver spiders of the Araneus ventricosus species in China, Japan, and Korea use deception tactics.
• They mimic the mating signals of male fireflies to ensnare them for food.
• The spiders wrap the fireflies in a silk layer, ensuring their light signals remain visible.
• Their venom possibly disrupts the fireflies' flash patterns by affecting the delivery of oxygen.
• The studies revealed the manipulation of firefly signals.

US Presidential Election of 2024

• The US Presidential election is scheduled for November 5, 2024.
• The candidates are Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump.
• The Electoral College selects the president, where each state gets electoral votes based on its population.
• The "winner-takes-all" system in most states allows candidates to win the presidency even without a national popular vote victory.
• The transition period, starting after the election, involves the new president selecting their team and preparing for office.

East Greenland Landslide and Tsunami

• A significant landslide and tsunami in East Greenland's Dickson Fjord in September 2023 triggered global earthquake sensors.
• The land disruption and 650-foot tsunami were linked to a large wave motion causing seismic activity for nine days.
• The narrow fjord generated a standing wave called seiche, shaking the entire Earth.
• Rising temps linked to the glacier melt at the base of the mountain are connected to the climate change effects in the region.

Octopus Leadership in Hunting Groups

• A new study shows octopuses in the Red Sea act as leaders, coordinating hunting groups with various fish species.
• The fish, mainly blue goatfish, led the octopus to potential prey in coral crevices.
• The octopus targeted prey, trapping them and the fish shared the catch.
• The study shows the benefit of teamwork for both parties.
• The octopus also disciplines other fish, like groupers, if they interfere or try to take advantage of the collective effort..

Test your knowledge on recent achievements and discoveries in various fields, including sports, archaeology, and technology. This quiz covers topics such as Alex Morgan's contributions to women's soccer, advancements in carbon capture technology, and recent artistic endeavors by Banksy. Challenge yourself with questions about crucial events from 2012 to 2024!