Earth Day 2024 and Nova Outburst

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Questions and Answers

Earth Day is celebrated every April ______.

22

The global movement for Earth Day began in ______.

1970

The theme for Earth Day 2024 is ______ vs. Plastics.

Planet

EDN demands a ______ percent reduction in plastic production by 2040.

<p>60</p> Signup and view all the answers

One way to achieve the reduction goal is to raise public awareness of the health risks of ______ pollution.

<p>plastic</p> Signup and view all the answers

EDN aims to persuade countries to phase out all ______ plastics by 2030.

<p>single-use</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fast fashion is a major contributor to plastic ______.

<p>pollution</p> Signup and view all the answers

Individuals can make a big difference by avoiding ______-use plastic cutlery.

<p>single</p> Signup and view all the answers

Brauer was the smallest and lightest competitor at 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing just ______ pounds.

<p>100</p> Signup and view all the answers

A nova only occurs in a star binary system with a red giant and a ______.

<p>white dwarf</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Global Solo Challenge route includes navigating around the three 'great ______'.

<p>capes</p> Signup and view all the answers

Brauer's journey aboard her vessel, First Light, began from ______, Spain.

<p>A Coruña</p> Signup and view all the answers

The upcoming nova eruption will be visible to the ______ eye.

<p>unaided</p> Signup and view all the answers

Throughout the race, Brauer's team guided her via ______.

<p>satellite</p> Signup and view all the answers

T Coronae Borealis lies 3,000 ______ from Earth.

<p>light-years</p> Signup and view all the answers

The last nova outburst of T Coronae Borealis occurred in ______.

<p>1946</p> Signup and view all the answers

Brauer hopes her success will encourage other girls to become professional ______.

<p>sailors</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sailing around Cape Horn has often been likened to climbing ______ due to its difficulty.

<p>Mount Everest</p> Signup and view all the answers

The nova explosion is expected to occur sometime before ______ 2024.

<p>September</p> Signup and view all the answers

The earthquake that struck Taiwan on April 3, 2024, registered a magnitude of ______.

<p>7.4</p> Signup and view all the answers

The scientists studied two western chimpanzee groups at Tai National Park in ______.

<p>West Africa</p> Signup and view all the answers

Chimpanzees use high ground to assess the risks of a ______ with another group.

<p>conflict</p> Signup and view all the answers

The 1999 earthquake in Taiwan killed over ______ people.

<p>2400</p> Signup and view all the answers

The majority of fatalities during the 2024 quake were due to ______.

<p>landslides</p> Signup and view all the answers

Tactical warfare is considered a driver of human ______.

<p>evolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

Taiwan's earthquake preparedness includes strict building ______.

<p>codes</p> Signup and view all the answers

Judith Hernstadt bought a set of sketches, one of which depicted a scene from the ______ War.

<p>Revolutionary</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cole Brauer made history as the first American woman to sail alone around the world without ______.

<p>stopping</p> Signup and view all the answers

The expert noticed one soldier in the sketch was wearing a shirt typical of the ______ Army.

<p>Continental</p> Signup and view all the answers

Alarm bells were going off in Skic's head when he realized the sketch could be an eyewitness ______.

<p>sketch</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Global Solo Challenge that Brauer completed covered 30,000 ______.

<p>miles</p> Signup and view all the answers

Brauer faced difficulties such as 30-foot waves and dehydration due to ______.

<p>nausea</p> Signup and view all the answers

Over 90 percent of the world's earthquakes occur along the 'Ring of ______.'

<p>Fire</p> Signup and view all the answers

The chimpanzees' behavior suggests a level of ______ cognitive ability towards territory management.

<p>complex</p> Signup and view all the answers

Earthquakes are relatively common in Taiwan due to its location along the Pacific ______.

<p>plate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Taiwan has implemented a world-class seismological ______.

<p>network</p> Signup and view all the answers

After the April 3 quake, life in Hualien returned to almost ______ within days.

<p>normal</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sketch represents a waggon belonging to the North Carolina Brigade of continental troops which passed through ______ in August.

<p>Philadelphia</p> Signup and view all the answers

The artist of the unsigned masterpiece was identified as ______ Eugene du Simitiere.

<p>Pierre</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sketch is one of only two known artworks to feature female ______ of the Continental Army.

<p>followers</p> Signup and view all the answers

The important sketch helps us visualize the everyday lives of these ______.

<p>troops</p> Signup and view all the answers

Wu and Gao were in a rainforest in China's Yuan Province when they noticed ______ buzzing around some flowers.

<p>mosquitos</p> Signup and view all the answers

The male spider was disguised as the flower's ______ and stamens.

<p>pistils</p> Signup and view all the answers

Some female crab spiders change colors to match the flower on which they are ______.

<p>sitting</p> Signup and view all the answers

This is the first evidence of cooperation ______ in any species.

<p>mimicry</p> Signup and view all the answers

The marine reptiles dominated the seas during the Triassic and ______ periods.

<p>Jurassic</p> Signup and view all the answers

Ruby found another piece of fossilized bone that was ______ as big.

<p>twice</p> Signup and view all the answers

Scientists estimated the new specimen's length to be a staggering ______ feet.

<p>80</p> Signup and view all the answers

The new species was named Ichthyotitan ______, meaning 'giant fish lizard of the Severn.'

<p>severnensis</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Lomax confirmed that most of the time, fossil discoveries turn out to be ______-shaped rocks.

<p>odd</p> Signup and view all the answers

The quest to gather additional fossil pieces ended in ______.

<p>October 2022</p> Signup and view all the answers

Periodical cicadas spend most of their lives underground, feeding off sap from tree ______.

<p>roots</p> Signup and view all the answers

Two cicada broods, Brood XIX and Brood XIII, emerge every ______ and ______ years respectively.

<p>13, 17</p> Signup and view all the answers

The loud drone of male cicadas can reach up to ______ decibels.

<p>90</p> Signup and view all the answers

The two cicada broods will only overlap in ______ and Iowa.

<p>Illinois</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cicadas lay their eggs by making incisions in slender ______.

<p>twigs</p> Signup and view all the answers

Breaking, also known as ______, will debut in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

<p>breakdancing</p> Signup and view all the answers

The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in ______, France.

<p>Paris</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the park skateboarding competition, skaters are judged on their speed, height, and ______.

<p>agility</p> Signup and view all the answers

The male cicadas' high-pitched sound is primarily used to attract ______.

<p>females</p> Signup and view all the answers

The sport climbing competition will feature bouldering, speed climbing, and lead ______.

<p>climbing</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cicadas are harmless to humans, but their swarms can be a ______ and nuisance.

<p>daunting</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cicada eggs hatch in ______ to six weeks.

<p>4</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the street skateboarding competition, athletes must perform five ______ in two runs.

<p>tricks</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cicadas have a unique emergence pattern to avoid becoming predictable prey for their ______.

<p>predators</p> Signup and view all the answers

Surfing will return for its second Olympic appearance, hosted by the South Pacific island of ______.

<p>Tahiti</p> Signup and view all the answers

At the Tokyo Games, the scores of all three events were combined to determine the overall ______.

<p>winner</p> Signup and view all the answers

Only the bouldering and lead climbing scores will be combined, while speed climbing will be an independent event with its own ______.

<p>medal</p> Signup and view all the answers

A Sumatran orangutan named Rakus used a medicinal ______ to treat a cheek wound.

<p>plant</p> Signup and view all the answers

Rakus lives in Gunung Leuser National Park in northern ______.

<p>Sumatra</p> Signup and view all the answers

The researchers first noticed Rakus's wound on June 22, ______.

<p>2022</p> Signup and view all the answers

Rakus was seen chewing on the stems and leaves of a tropical vine called ______.

<p>liana</p> Signup and view all the answers

Within five days, Rakus's wound had ______.

<p>closed</p> Signup and view all the answers

Rakus's behavior represents the first known case of active wound treatment in a wild animal with a medical ______.

<p>plant</p> Signup and view all the answers

With only about 14,600 Sumatran orangutans left in the wild, they are considered a critically ______ species.

<p>endangered</p> Signup and view all the answers

Tornadoes can strike the United States year-round, but they are most active from ______ to July.

<p>March</p> Signup and view all the answers

The region known as 'Tornado Alley' includes parts of ______, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.

<p>Texas</p> Signup and view all the answers

In April, an average of about ______ tornadoes occur in the United States.

<p>182</p> Signup and view all the answers

On April 27, 2024, Marietta, Oklahoma was struck by an EF-4 tornado with winds between ______ mph and 200 mph.

<p>166</p> Signup and view all the answers

As of May 12, 2024, at least 133 tornadoes have been reported across the ______.

<p>country</p> Signup and view all the answers

Participants in the cheese-rolling contest try to catch an 8-pound rolling wheel of ______.

<p>cheese</p> Signup and view all the answers

The lively cheese-rolling event is believed to have started in the ______ as a way to settle land ownership disputes.

<p>1800s</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 2009, 15,000 people flocked to ______'s Hill to watch the cheese race.

<p>Cooper</p> Signup and view all the answers

This year's cheese-rolling competition took place on May 27, ______.

<p>2024</p> Signup and view all the answers

Each men's downhill race was limited to ______ competitors.

<p>25</p> Signup and view all the answers

Abby Lampe claimed her second ______ in the women's downhill race.

<p>victory</p> Signup and view all the answers

Claudia Sheinbaum made history as the first female ______ of Mexico.

<p>president</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sheinbaum previously served as head of government of ______ City.

<p>Mexico</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sheinbaum plans to reduce Mexico's reliance on fossil fuels by ______ percent in six years.

<p>50</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Chang'e 6 lunar probe returned soil samples from the Moon's ______ side.

<p>far</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Chang'e 6 spacecraft launched from the Hainan province in ______ China.

<p>South</p> Signup and view all the answers

The approximately 1,600 miles wide SPA basin is located on the Moon's ______ side.

<p>far</p> Signup and view all the answers

The capsule carrying lunar materials landed safely in the grasslands of Inner ______.

<p>Mongolia</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sheinbaum encourages gender _____ on the global stage through her election.

<p>equality</p> Signup and view all the answers

The materials collected by the Chang'e 6 mission will be analyzed by researchers in ______ and around the world.

<p>China</p> Signup and view all the answers

Each amputation took at least 40 minutes and involved multiple ______.

<p>surgeons</p> Signup and view all the answers

This extreme measure helped stop infections, resulting in a 90 percent ______ rate among the treated ants.

<p>survival</p> Signup and view all the answers

Tibia wounds were treated with a mere ______ to remove the bacteria.

<p>lick</p> Signup and view all the answers

The scientists believe the treatment decision is linked to the flow of ______, a fluid similar to blood in invertebrates.

<p>hemolymph</p> Signup and view all the answers

A high-resolution image of the ant's leg revealed that the femur has more ______ tissue than the tibia.

<p>muscle</p> Signup and view all the answers

An ant's tibia has less muscle tissue to stop the ______ flow.

<p>blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

NASA officials announced that Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth in early ______.

<p>September</p> Signup and view all the answers

NASA determined that returning them to Earth on the Starliner would be too ______.

<p>risky</p> Signup and view all the answers

The flight was mainly without ______.

<p>incident</p> Signup and view all the answers

Wilmore and Williams launched aboard the Starliner on ______ 5, 2024.

<p>June</p> Signup and view all the answers

NASA plans to bring the astronauts back home aboard the ______ Dragon.

<p>SpaceX</p> Signup and view all the answers

NASA's decision is based on lingering concerns about the spacecraft's ______.

<p>safety</p> Signup and view all the answers

Experts will take several months to determine the ______ of the latest diamond discovery.

<p>value</p> Signup and view all the answers

The researchers recorded elephant vocalizations in ______ for their study.

<p>Kenya</p> Signup and view all the answers

Diamonds are formed when carbon atoms are squeezed together under high-pressure deep ______.

<p>underground</p> Signup and view all the answers

Elephant calls, also known as '________,' were directed toward specific elephants.

<p>rumbles</p> Signup and view all the answers

The researchers used ______ learning tools to analyze the audio of elephant calls.

<p>machine</p> Signup and view all the answers

The study about elephants was published in the journal ______ Ecology and Evolution.

<p>Nature</p> Signup and view all the answers

The restored beach in Herculaneum features a dark-colored ______ that closely matches the original hue.

<p>material</p> Signup and view all the answers

Herculaneum was once a popular holiday destination named after the Greek god ______.

<p>Hercules</p> Signup and view all the answers

The upcoming uncrewed missions, Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8, will focus on searching the Moon's ______.

<p>south pole</p> Signup and view all the answers

The city of Herculaneum was buried under more than ______ feet of ash during the eruption.

<p>150</p> Signup and view all the answers

The USA men's gymnastics team ended a ______-year medal drought at the Olympics.

<p>16</p> Signup and view all the answers

Researchers found over ______ skeletons in Herculaneum during subsequent digs.

<p>300</p> Signup and view all the answers

Florida carpenter ants have been observed performing life-saving ______ on their nestmates.

<p>surgeries</p> Signup and view all the answers

Brody Malone led his team with a flawless routine on the ______ and high bar.

<p>still rings</p> Signup and view all the answers

Stephen Nedoroscik earned a near-perfect score on the ______ horse.

<p>pommel</p> Signup and view all the answers

When injured, carpenter ants clean the wound with their tiny ______.

<p>mouths</p> Signup and view all the answers

The researchers injured around ______ ants to study their response to injuries.

<p>100</p> Signup and view all the answers

Archaeologists found 35 glass bottles dating back to the ______ century in George Washington's Mount Vernon home.

<p>18th</p> Signup and view all the answers

Excavations in Herculaneum revealed remarkably well-preserved ______, an underground theater, and luxurious homes.

<p>baths</p> Signup and view all the answers

The preserved fruits found in the bottles were sent to scientists at the US Department of ______ for analysis.

<p>Agriculture</p> Signup and view all the answers

The skeleton referred to as the '________ Lady' was adorned with jewelry.

<p>Ring</p> Signup and view all the answers

The exciting discovery of the bottles was made during the excavation of six storage pits in the ______.

<p>cellar</p> Signup and view all the answers

The study suggested that elephants may be the first non-human species to exhibit the ability to assign individual ______ to each other.

<p>names</p> Signup and view all the answers

The research on Florida carpenter ants was conducted by Dr. ______ Frank.

<p>Erik</p> Signup and view all the answers

Volcanoes can dramatically change landscapes and bury ancient cities in ______ ash.

<p>volcanic</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Joyce Poole observed elephants calling out to each other, leading her to wonder if they were using ______ names.

<p>specific</p> Signup and view all the answers

The bottles likely contained preserved cherries and ______, probably gooseberries or currants.

<p>berries</p> Signup and view all the answers

Jason Boroughs stated that finding fresh fruit from 250 years later is pretty ______.

<p>spectacular</p> Signup and view all the answers

The upcoming missions to the Moon aim to search for ______ and other vital resources.

<p>water</p> Signup and view all the answers

The preserved cherries were suspected to be a tart ______ variety.

<p>type</p> Signup and view all the answers

The upcoming crewed missions to the Moon are planned for the year ______.

<p>2030</p> Signup and view all the answers

The 'pommel horse guy' earned another bronze in the individual ______ competition.

<p>event</p> Signup and view all the answers

The combination of dry air from the Rocky Mountains and humid air from the Gulf of Mexico provides perfect conditions to spawn powerful ______.

<p>storms</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 2023, more than 48 million acres of forest across Canada were scorched by ______.

<p>wildfires</p> Signup and view all the answers

The 'zombie' fires are also known as ______ or overwintering fires.

<p>holdover</p> Signup and view all the answers

Zombie fires can be sustained by organic matter such as ______.

<p>peat</p> Signup and view all the answers

The three-year drought in Canada has led to a significant ______ in zombie fires.

<p>surge</p> Signup and view all the answers

Firefighters often face challenges in detecting zombie fires due to their location in ______ areas.

<p>remote</p> Signup and view all the answers

Zombie fires can remain active underground for weeks, months, or even ______.

<p>years</p> Signup and view all the answers

Many zombie fires occur in cool coniferous forests in regions such as British Columbia, Alberta, and ______.

<p>Alaska</p> Signup and view all the answers

The X-59 aircraft is part of NASA's Quiet ______ Technology mission.

<p>SuperSonic</p> Signup and view all the answers

The X-59 is designed to break the sound barrier without producing a ______.

<p>sonic boom</p> Signup and view all the answers

NASA plans to begin testing the X-59 in ______ in late 2024.

<p>California</p> Signup and view all the answers

If successful, the X-59 could lead to new commercial cargo and ______ supersonic aircraft by 2030.

<p>passenger</p> Signup and view all the answers

Global warming is causing rising sea levels, putting coastal communities at ______.

<p>risk</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dogen City, an innovative floating city, will have a unique two-layer ______.

<p>design</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dogen City will have two levels, with the second layer featuring a sea-cooled ______ center.

<p>data</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dogen City is designed to accommodate up to ______ residents.

<p>10,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

Residents will be able to produce up to ______ tons of food annually using new farming technology.

<p>7,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

The innovative Schoonship neighborhood in the Netherlands consists of ______ homes across 30 water plots.

<p>46</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Catherine Wu's research focuses on developing custom ______ to fight each person's unique cancer.

<p>vaccines</p> Signup and view all the answers

In Dr. Wu's first study, six people suffering from advanced ______ were selected for personalized vaccine treatment.

<p>melanoma</p> Signup and view all the answers

By 2017, four out of six patients showed no signs of cancer ______ after receiving personalized vaccines.

<p>recurrence</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sphere, an entertainment venue in Las Vegas, features a massive ______ that serves as its exterior.

<p>LED screen</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Sphere theater boasts the world's largest auditorium with ______ seats.

<p>17,500</p> Signup and view all the answers

Irish rock band U2 performed as the first artists in Sphere starting on ______ 29, 2023.

<p>September</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Sphere Experience is hosted by ______ humanoid robots.

<p>five</p> Signup and view all the answers

Every year on the last Monday of May, a Cheese Rolling competition takes place at ______ Hill in England.

<p>Cooper's</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dogen City’s ambitious target is to be completed by the year ______.

<p>2030</p> Signup and view all the answers

In 2022, South Korea unveiled its plans for a sustainable maritime ______.

<p>metropolis</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dr. Wu's pioneering research has earned her the prestigious ______ Prize for her contributions to cancer treatment.

<p>Sjöberg</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Earth Day

An annual event held on April 22nd to raise awareness and promote environmental protection.

Planet vs. Plastics

Earth Day 2024 theme, highlighting the need to reduce plastic production.

Single-use plastics

Plastics designed for one-time use and discarded after use.

Plastic pollution

The accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, harming ecosystems and human health.

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Fast Fashion

The production of clothing at a rapid pace & low cost, leading to large amounts of waste.

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Environmental laws

Rules made to protect the environment from harmful practices.

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Earth Day Network (EDN)

An organization dedicated to environmental action, promoting change, and protection.

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Reduce plastic production

Goal of lessening the amount of plastic produced globally, striving for sustainability.

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Nova Outburst

A sudden, dramatic increase in brightness of a star, originating from a binary star system with a red giant and a white dwarf.

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Nova System

A binary star system containing a red giant and a white dwarf, where material from the red giant accumulates and causes an explosion, producing a nova.

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T Coronae Borealis

A binary star system known for its periodic nova outbursts, approximately every 80 years, located 3,000 light-years away from Earth.

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Red Giant

A large, aging star that has expanded and cooled, shedding its outer layers, and eventually can transfer mass to a white dwarf.

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White Dwarf

A small, dense star that is the leftover core of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel. It can accumulate mass from a neighboring star.

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Earthquake

A sudden shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the movement of tectonic plates.

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Ring of Fire

A horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean where most earthquakes and volcanoes occur due to tectonic plate movement.

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Taiwan Earthquake (2024)

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan's east coast in April 2024, resulting in casualties and damage.

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Global Solo Challenge

A sailing competition where sailors navigate around the world alone without stopping.

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Cole Brauer

The first American woman to sail alone around the world without stopping.

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Seismic Monitoring

The use of sensors to track and detect seismic movements of the Earth in an attempt to better predict earthquakes.

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Earthquake Preparedness

Strategies and measures taken to mitigate the effect of earthquakes, such as strict building codes, seismic networks and public education campaigns.

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Building Codes

A set of regulations for how buildings should be designed and constructed to resist various types of disasters, such as earthquakes.

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Tectonic Plates

Large sections of Earth's lithosphere that move and interact, causing earthquakes and volcanic activity.

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Cape Horn

The southernmost point of South America, known for its challenging sailing conditions due to strong winds and rough seas.

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What are 'great capes'?

Three perilous points on the route of the Global Solo Challenge, known for their demanding conditions, including Cape Horn.

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Who is Laura Brauer?

She is a professional sailor who successfully completed the Global Solo Challenge, becoming one of the youngest and smallest people to achieve this.

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Strategic warfare

The use of planning and tactics to achieve a military advantage.

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West Africa's Tai National Park

The location where researchers observed chimpanzee behavior, revealing their strategic military-like territorial tactics.

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Chimpanzee patrol

The regular coordinated movement of chimpanzees along the edges of their territories to monitor rivals and defend their space.

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How do chimpanzees assess risk?

They strategically use elevation by climbing to higher ground to listen for rivals and evaluate the risk of conflict.

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Territorial expansion

The process of expanding a group's territory, often through military tactics or strategic maneuvering.

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Continental Army

The military force that represented the Thirteen Colonies and later the United States during the American Revolutionary War.

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Eyewitness sketch

A drawing or illustration created from direct observation of an event.

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Revolutionary War drawing

A pen-and-ink sketch depicting a scene from the American Revolutionary War, discovered in a private collection.

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Who is Judith Hernstadt?

An avid collector of 18th-century artifacts who discovered a significant Revolutionary War sketch in her collection.

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Matthew Skic

A curator at the Museum of the American Revolution who identified the historical significance of the Revolutionary War drawing.

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Revolutionary War Sketch

A drawing depicting the North Carolina Brigade of continental troops marching through Philadelphia in August 1777. It is the first known wartime drawing of these troops and features the female followers who supported the soldiers.

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Pierre Eugene du Simitiere

A Swiss artist who arrived in Philadelphia in 1774 and was known for his Revolutionary War sketches. He is believed to be the artist of the previously mentioned sketch.

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Cooperation Mimicry

A form of camouflage where two individuals work together to create a convincing disguise. For instance, a male and a female crab spider mimicking a single flower to avoid predators and catch prey.

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Female Crab Spider Camouflage

Female crab spiders often camouflage themselves to blend in with their floral environment. Some change colors to perfectly match the flower they are on.

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Male Crab Spider Deception

Male crab spiders, smaller and darker than females, also participate in cooperation mimicry by disguising themselves as part of the flower alongside the female.

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Ichthyosaur

A marine reptile that ruled the seas during the Triassic and Jurassic periods (251 to 145 million years ago). These creatures resembled dolphins and whales but were actually reptiles.

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Ichthyotitan severnensis

A newly discovered species of giant ichthyosaur identified from fossil fragments found by a father-daughter duo in England. It is estimated to be one of the largest marine animals ever discovered.

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Fossil Hunting

The hobby of searching for and collecting fossilized remains of ancient organisms. These enthusiasts play a vital role in scientific discoveries.

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Amateur Paleontologists

People who study fossils without formal training or professional qualifications. These individuals often make significant discoveries like Justin and Ruby Reynolds.

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Triassic Period

A geological period that spanned from 251 to 201 million years ago. This era is known for the emergence of dinosaurs and ichthyosaurs.

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Lower Jaw

The bottom part of the mouth, containing teeth. In the case of Ichthyotitan severnensis, the reconstructed jaw was over six feet long.

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Marine Reptile Expert

A scientist specializing in the study of ancient sea reptiles, such as ichthyosaurs. Dr. Dean Lomax is an example of such a scientist.

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Size Comparison

Estimating the size of a creature by comparing its fossils to other known specimens. Useful in determining the size of extinct animals like Ichthyotitan severnensis.

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PLOS One

A peer-reviewed scientific journal where research findings are published. The discovery of Ichthyotitan severnensis was published in this journal.

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Co-authors

Individuals who contribute to a research project and jointly write a published study. Justin and Ruby Reynolds were co-authors on the Ichthyotitan severnensis study.

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Periodical Cicadas

Cicadas that emerge from underground every 13 or 17 years to reproduce and die shortly after.

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Prime Number Cycle

The 13 or 17-year emergence cycle of periodical cicadas is based on prime numbers, making them less predictable for predators.

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Cicada Brood

A group of cicadas that emerges at the same time, sharing a similar life cycle.

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Cicada Noise

The loud, high-pitched sound made by male cicadas to attract females, reaching up to 90 decibels.

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Cicada Damage

Female cicadas lay their eggs in twigs, causing damage to young trees by severing their food supply.

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Breaking (Breakdancing)

An urban dance style characterized by intricate footwork, rapid movements, and impressive spins and flips.

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Breaking in the Olympics

Breakdancing will debut as an Olympic sport at the 2024 Paris Games.

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Surfing in the Olympics

Surfing will be held in Tahiti during the Paris 2024 Olympics.

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Skateboarding in the Olympics

Skateboarding returns to the Olympics with two disciplines: park and street.

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Sport Climbing in the Olympics

Sport climbing will include three events: bouldering, speed climbing, and lead climbing.

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Bouldering

A sport climbing discipline where athletes climb short, challenging walls without ropes.

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Speed Climbing

A sport climbing discipline where athletes race against time to climb a wall quickly.

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Lead Climbing

A sport climbing discipline where athletes climb tall walls with ropes, aiming to reach the highest point.

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Olympic Games Expansion

Since 2020, host cities can add up to six new sports to the Olympic program.

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Paris 2024 Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will feature four new sports: breaking, surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing.

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Sumatran Orangutan

A critically endangered primate species found only in the northern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia. They are facing threats from rainforest destruction and illegal hunting.

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Gunung Leuser National Park

A protected rainforest in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, home to over 750 animal species, including 150 orangutans. Rakus the orangutan lived here.

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Liana

A tropical vine known for its medicinal properties. Rakus the orangutan used it to treat his wound.

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Wound Treatment

The act of treating a wound to promote healing. Rakus the orangutan showed a remarkable ability to self-medicate.

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Self-Medication

The act of using natural remedies or substances to treat ailments. Rakus the orangutan exhibited this behavior.

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Tornado

A powerful rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm cloud to the ground.

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Tornado Alley

A region in the central United States prone to frequent tornadoes. It includes parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and other states.

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Supercell

A very severe rotating thunderstorm that can produce tornadoes. It forms when cold and warm air masses collide.

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EF-4 Tornado

A very powerful tornado with wind speeds ranging from 166 to 200 mph, capable of causing significant damage.

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Tornado Outbreak

A period of time when multiple tornadoes occur in a short period, often causing widespread damage.

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Combined Scoring

A scoring system where the scores from multiple events are combined to determine the overall winner.

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Independent Event

A competition that stands alone and is not part of a larger event.

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Zombie Fires

Wildfires that smolder underground, often fueled by peat, and can reemerge months or even years later.

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Holdover Fires

Another term for zombie fires, highlighting their ability to persist through winter.

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Peat

A type of organic matter, highly flammable, that fuels zombie fires.

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Why do zombie fires surge?

Drought conditions create dry vegetation, allowing fires to smolder underground and persist longer.

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What makes zombie fires hard to detect?

They often occur in remote areas, burn underground, and are hidden by snow, making detection challenging.

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X-59 Aircraft

A supersonic aircraft designed to fly at speeds faster than sound without producing a sonic boom.

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Sonic Boom

A loud noise created when an object travels faster than the speed of sound.

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How does X-59 reduce noise?

Its unique design, including a long nose and a top-mounted engine, helps to break up and redirect shock waves.

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Dogen City

A proposed floating city in Japan designed to combat rising sea levels.

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What is Dogen City's distinctive feature?

Its circular shape helps protect inhabitants against tsunamis.

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Two-layer design

Dogen City will have a top layer for the city and a bottom layer for infrastructure and resources.

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Self-sufficient maritime city

Dogen City aims to be independent, providing its own energy, water, and resources.

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Climate change impact on coastal communities

Rising sea levels due to global warming pose a significant threat to coastal areas.

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What is the predicted impact of rising sea levels?

By 2050, it's estimated that almost 300 million people in coastal areas will face annual flooding.

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Cooper's Hill Cheese Roll

An unusual annual event in Gloucestershire, England where participants race down a steep hill chasing a rolling wheel of cheese.

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Cheese Roll History

The Cooper's Hill Cheese Roll is believed to have started in the 1800s as a way to settle land ownership disputes.

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Cheese Roll Rules

The Coopers Hill Cheese Roll involves downhill races for men and women, with 25 competitors per race, and uphill races for adults and children.

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Cheese Roll Speed

The rolling cheese can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (112 km/h) during the Coopers Hill Cheese Roll.

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Claudia Sheinbaum

The first female president of Mexico, elected in 2024, making history in this predominantly Catholic nation.

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Sheinbaum's Background

Claudia Sheinbaum is not a career politician but a climate scientist with a PhD in energy engineering, advocating for green energy sources.

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Sheinbaum's Goals

Sheinbaum aims to address Mexico's rising violence by increasing police and security, and reduce fossil fuel reliance by investing in green energy.

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Chang'e 6 Mission

China's historic lunar probe that brought back soil samples from the Moon's far side for the first time, landing in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin.

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SPA Basin

A large impact crater located on the Moon's far side, one of the oldest and largest in our Solar System.

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Chang'e 6 Sample Collection

The Chang'e 6 probe used a drill and robotic arm to collect rocks and soil samples from the Moon's far side, also capturing photos of the surface.

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Chang'e 6 Return to Earth

After collecting samples, the Chang'e 6 return capsule landed in Inner Mongolia with approximately four pounds of lunar material.

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Lunar Sample Analysis

Scientists from China and worldwide will examine the lunar samples collected by the Chang'e 6 mission to gain insights into the Moon.

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Sea-cooled Data Center

A data center cooled using seawater, providing an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient way to manage critical infrastructure for a city.

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Floating Communities

Self-sustaining neighborhoods built on water, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional land-based communities.

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Schoonship

A real-life example of a floating community in the Netherlands, consisting of 46 homes and around 100 residents.

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Custom Cancer Vaccines

Vaccines tailored to an individual's unique cancer characteristics, designed to train the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.

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Dr. Catherine Wu

A pioneering researcher who developed custom cancer vaccines, aiming to find a personalized way to fight cancer.

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Immune System Boost

The process of strengthening the body's natural defenses to fight disease. Custom cancer vaccines work by boosting the immune system's ability to recognize and attack cancer cells.

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Sphere

A revolutionary entertainment venue in Las Vegas featuring a massive spherical structure with a high-resolution LED screen, an advanced audio system, and 17,500 seats.

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The Sphere Experience

An interactive program at the Sphere venue featuring humanoid robots that showcase the theater's advanced features and include a sci-fi movie.

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Cheese Rolling

An annual competition held on Cooper's Hill in England where participants chase a large cheese down a steep hill.

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Cooper's Hill

The location of the Cheese Rolling competition, a steep grassy hill in Gloucestershire, England, making for a thrilling race.

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Breakdancing

A vibrant dance style characterized by complex footwork, spins, and flips, now set to be an Olympic sport.

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Ant Surgeons

Ants perform amputations on injured comrades to prevent infections, showcasing remarkable medical skills and complex social interactions.

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Hemolymph

The fluid similar to blood in invertebrates like ants, crucial for carrying nutrients and fighting infections.

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Femur vs Tibia

The femur, the upper leg bone, has more muscle tissue than the tibia, the lower leg bone, affecting how quickly bacteria spreads in ants.

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Ant Amputation

Ants decide to amputate an injured leg based on the location and risk of infection.

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Cleaning vs. Amputation

Ants utilize cleaning for tibia wounds but perform amputations for femur wounds, tailoring treatment based on the severity of the injury.

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2,492-Carat Diamond

A recently discovered diamond weighing 2,492 carats, making it the second-largest diamond ever found.

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Cullinan Diamond

The largest diamond ever discovered, weighing 3,106 carats and found in South Africa in 1905.

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Diamond Formation

Diamonds form deep underground under immense pressure and high temperatures, taking billions of years.

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Starliner Spacecraft

A reusable spacecraft designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

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Starliner Mission Issues

The Starliner spacecraft encountered technical issues during its test flight, including helium leaks and thruster failures.

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Uncrewed Return

NASA decided to return the Starliner spacecraft to Earth without its crew members due to lingering safety concerns.

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SpaceX Dragon

The spacecraft that will bring the astronauts back to Earth from the ISS.

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Elephant 'Names'

Elephants seem to use specific calls to address individual elephants, much like humans use names.

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Machine Learning for Elephant Calls

Researchers used computer algorithms to analyze elephant calls and identify the intended recipient.

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Elephant Call Verification

Playing back recorded calls to elephants confirmed that they only responded to calls directed at them.

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Herculaneum Beach Restoration

The ancient Roman beach of Herculaneum was excavated and restored, allowing visitors to see the site as it once was.

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Accessibility at Herculaneum

The restored beach uses a special material to ensure wheelchair accessibility.

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Florida Carpenter Ant Surgeons

These ants perform 'surgeries' on injured nestmates, removing injured legs to prevent infection.

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Ants' Wound Treatment Strategies

Ants clean wounds and then remove injured legs, depending on the severity of the injury.

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Herculaneum Human Remains

Excavations revealed over 300 skeletons, providing insight into the lives and deaths of Herculaneum inhabitants.

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The 'Ring Lady' of Herculaneum

A skeleton found wearing rings, offering a glimpse into the wealth of the past.

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Ants' Lack of Antimicrobial Substances

Florida carpenter ants don't have special glands to treat infected nestmates.

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Mount Vesuvius Eruption

In AD 79, the eruption buried Pompeii and Herculaneum in volcanic ash.

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Hidden City of Herculaneum

Herculaneum was buried under ash for centuries before its accidental discovery in 1709.

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Herculaneum's Luxurious Past

Herculaneum was a popular resort destination for Roman elites, known for its mild weather and beautiful surroundings.

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Zombie Fires: Smoldering Danger

Wildfires that smolder underground, re-igniting months or years later.

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Dogen City: A Floating Metropolis

A proposed circular floating city designed to address rising sea levels.

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Study Notes

Earth Day 2024

  • Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd, to raise awareness about environmental protection.
  • The global movement began in 1970 with Gaylord Nelson mobilizing over 20 million people.
  • Earth Day Network (EDN) now has over 50,000 partners in 190+ countries, leading to landmark environmental laws like the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and the 2015 Paris Agreement.
  • EDN's 2024 theme is "Planet vs. Plastics," focusing on the reduction of plastic production by 60% by 2040.
  • Their strategy includes raising awareness on health risks, persuading countries to phase out single-use plastics by 2030, urging governments to end fast fashion, and encouraging corporate investment in sustainable materials.

Nova Outburst

  • A nova occurs in binary star systems, involving a red giant and a white dwarf.
  • The red giant sheds material that accumulates on the white dwarf, causing a sudden, dramatic brightness increase.
  • The upcoming T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) nova outburst will be visible to the naked eye, unlike most nova events.
  • T CrB, located 3,000 light-years away, undergoes periodic nova outbursts roughly every 80 years, with the last one in 1946.
  • NASA predicts the outburst to happen sometime before September 2024, potentially within the next couple of months.

Earthquake in Taiwan

  • A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan's east coast on April 3, 2024.
  • It was centered 11 miles south of Hualien, and was one of the most powerful quakes to hit the island in 25 years.
  • The earthquake killed at least 13 people and injured over a thousand.
  • The low death toll compared to a previous major 1999 earthquake is attributed to preemptive measures (such as earthquake sensors and drills), and stricter building codes.
  • Most of the fatalities resulted from landslides.

Global Solo Yacht Race

  • Cole Brauer, a 29-year-old American woman from Long Island, completed the 30,000-mile Global Solo Challenge in 130 days, becoming the first American woman to achieve this feat unassisted.
  • Brauer's journey, beginning in October 2023, involved sailing through challenging waters around Cape Horn, Cape Leeuwin, and the Cape of Good Hope.
  • She navigated 30-foot waves and faced dehydration while using technology to stay connected.

Chimpanzee Military Tactics

  • Chimpanzees employ human-like tactics, like patrolling territory boundaries using high ground for better visibility and assessing risk before engaging rivals.
  • Researchers observed groups of chimpanzees, tracked by GPS, in West Africa’s Tai National Park.
  • The findings suggest that chimpanzees have high cognitive abilities needed to defend or expand territories.

Revolutionary War Sketch

  • A Revolutionary War sketch, depicting two women and a baby in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by soldiers, was discovered in an 18th-century artifact collection.
  • The sketch shows one of the soldiers wearing Continental Army attire, hinting at its historical significance.
  • Analysis matched the sketch to a recorded event of North Carolina troops marching through Philadelphia in 1777.
  • The sketch is believed to be an eyewitness account by artist Pierre Eugene du Simitiere and is considered an important wartime drawing of North Carolina troops.

Crab Spider Cooperation

  • Scientists observed a male and female crab spider cooperating in a rare form of mimicry, resembling a flower to deceive predators.
  • This is the first documented example of cooperative mimicry in any species, involving both participants in creating a convincing camouflage.

New Ichthyosaur Species

  • Amateur paleontologists Justin Reynolds and his 11-year-old daughter Ruby discovered fossil fragments of a massive ichthyosaur on Blue Anchor Beach in Somerset, England.
  • The fossil remains (specifically the lower jaw) suggest a species of approximately 80 feet long, representing one of the largest marine animals to ever exist.
  • The new ichthyosaur species was named Ichthyotitan severnensis.

Periodical Cicadas

  • A massive swarm of noisy cicadas expected to emerge across 16 US states across the mid-May 2024 period, including a rare overlapping emergence of two species in Iowa and Illinois. These prime number brood cycles (13 and 17-year) were not predictable to predators, unlike even-numbered lifespans.
  • Cicada lifecycles are based on prime numbers.

Summer Olympics 2024

  • The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will feature more sports, including breaking, surfing, skateboarding, and climbing.
  • Breaking will debut as an Olympic dance event, while surfing, skateboarding, and climbing are returning after their 2020 debuts.

Sumatran Orangutan Wound Treatment

  • A Sumatran orangutan named Rakus startled researchers by treating a wound with a local medicinal plant.
  • Rakus, observed in Indonesia's Gunung Leuser National Park, demonstrated self-healing and clever wound-treatment behaviour, using a tropical vine, suggesting intelligence and knowledge of medicinal plants.

Tornado Outbreak 2024

  • An intense tornado outbreak occurred across the US from April 25 to 28, 2024, exceeding the average.
  • An EF-4 tornado in Marietta, Oklahoma, significantly damaged structures, including a hospital and a nursing home.
  • Further tornado activity occurred into May 2024 around Oklahoma, Michigan, and Tennessee, with further instances in Southern Florida

"Zombie" Wildfires in Canada

  • Canada experienced record-breaking wildfires in 2023.
  • A resurgence of zombie fires, which can remain dormant under snow for weeks, months, or even years, caused new evacuations.
  • Lower snow precipitation and warmer winter temperatures contributed to the resurgence, as the fires persisted without full extinction under snow cover.

NASA's X-59 Aircraft

  • NASA's X-59 aircraft, designed to achieve supersonic flight without sonic booms, aims to revolutionize air travel.
  • The plane's unique design breaks up shock waves, minimizes noise impact.
  • NASA plans to test the X-59 over selected US cities, gathering data about sounds levels to determine the feasibility of supersonic passenger flights.

Floating City Project (Dogen City)

  • Japan's N-Ark project aims to construct Dogen City, a self-sufficient floating metropolis in response to rising sea levels, to hold 10,000 residents.
  • The 1-mile (1.58 km) diameter city will use new agricultural and health care technologies, including its two unique layers.

Personalized Cancer Vaccines

  • Researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston are developing custom cancer vaccines tailored to individual genetic traits.
  • The vaccines, using a six-patient study, boost the body's immune system to fight a specific cancer type and kill cancer cells more effectively, sparing healthy ones.
  • This innovative approach has led to positive results in previously incurable cases.

Sphere Entertainment Venue

  • Sphere, a new entertainment venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a groundbreaking structure with a high-resolution LED screen and advanced audio technology.
  • The 366-foot tall and 561-foot wide orb-like structure houses 17,500 seats with an innovative sound system.
  • Its advanced technology connects an interactive display, offering virtual experiences for audience engagement, and provides live sporting events, advertisements and shows.

Cheese Rolling Competition

  • Thousands of people gather at Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire, England, annually for the Cheese Rolling competition.
  • Held on the last Monday of May, racers pursue a rolling wheel of cheese down a steep hill.

First Female President of Mexico

  • Claudia Sheinbaum became Mexico's first female president on June 2, 2024. 
  • She is also the first Jewish president of a primarily Catholic nation.
  • She is a climate scientist and is committed to transitioning to clean energy. 

Chang'e 6 Lunar Mission

  • China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe successfully collected soil samples from the Moon's far side, a historic first. 
  • The probe launched in May 2024 and landed at the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin. 

US Gymnastics 2024 Olympic Medals

  • The US men's gymnastics team won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, ending a 16-year drought.
  • The combined US men’s and women’s teams won a total of ten medals, including three gold, one silver, and six bronze.

Mount Vernon Bottle Discovery

  • Archaeologists found 35 glass bottles in George Washington's Mount Vernon home, containing remarkably well-preserved cherries and berries. 
  • These artifacts provide insights into the daily life, culinary practices of the era and the work of the enslaved community at the time.

Elephant Naming Capabilities

  • A new study suggests elephants might assign individual "names" to other elephants. 
  • This behaviour was discovered via recording elephant vocalizations and using machine learning to discern which calls were directed at specific elephants.

Herculaneum Beach Excavation

  • Herculaneum's beach, buried for nearly 2,000 years, has been excavated and opened to the public in 2024. 
  • The restoration reveals aspects of daily life in ancient Rome and local residents' attempts to escape the eruption using boats.

Florida Carpenter Ant "Surgeries"

  • Researchers have observed Florida carpenter ants performing complex, life-saving procedures on injured nestmates.
  • Wounded ants receive individualized care (cutting off a leg for major injuries OR simply cleaning a wound). This may stem from hemolymph fluid flow considerations .
  • The study has unearthed sophisticated social behavior and surgical ability in these insects.

Large Diamond Discovery in Botswana

  • Lucara Diamond announced a significant 2,492-carat diamond discovery in Botswana's Karowe mine, making it the second-largest diamond unearthed.

Starliner Spacecraft Return

  • NASA decided to return Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to Earth without its crew members due to lingering safety concerns.
  • Instead, the astronauts will return on the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in February 2025.

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