Earth Day 2024: Planet vs. Plastics

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Questions and Answers

What key factor contributes to the recurrence of nova outbursts in the binary star system T Coronae Borealis?

The distance between Earth and the binary system

The presence of a third star in the system

The red giant shedding material on the white dwarf (correct)

The alternating brightness of the stars

Which event is expected to occur at T Coronae Borealis before September 2024?

The discovery of a new star

A solar eclipse

A nova explosion (correct)

A gravitational wave event

How does Taiwan's earthquake preparedness compare to other regions worldwide?

Taiwan has the lowest earthquake preparedness levels

Taiwan relies solely on building codes for safety

Taiwan’s preparedness is among the most advanced globally (correct)

Taiwan does not conduct annual earthquake drills

What was a significant result of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan on April 3, 2024?

It caused landslides but spared most residential buildings Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the world's earthquakes occur along the 'Ring of Fire'?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of Earth Day Network as stated for Earth Day 2024?

To reduce plastic production by 60 percent by 2040 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the origin of Earth Day?

It originated from a campaign led by a US lawmaker in 1970. Signup and view all the answers

What health risks are associated with plastic pollution according to the Earth Day Network's initiatives?

Linkages to cancer in humans and threats to wildlife Signup and view all the answers

What is one suggested action for companies to take to reduce plastic pollution?

Invest in sustainable materials for their products Signup and view all the answers

What does the theme 'Planet vs. Plastics' aim to address for Earth Day 2024?

The high volume of plastic production and its impacts Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason periodical cicadas emerge every 13 or 17 years?

To evade predators with shorter lifespans. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following states are expected to see an overlap of both cicada broods?

Illinois and Iowa Signup and view all the answers

What type of damage can female cicadas inflict on young trees?

Severing branches, which can lead to wilting. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the emergence of Brood XIX and Brood XIII considered a rare event?

They both appear in the same year. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of the sound produced by male cicadas?

It serves primarily as a mating call to attract females. Signup and view all the answers

What unique characteristic distinguishes the judging criteria for the breaking competition in the Paris 2024 Olympics?

Dancers must incorporate mandatory moves into their routines. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of separating speed climbing from bouldering and lead climbing at the Paris 2024 Olympics?

To ensure each discipline has equitable scoring and evaluation. Signup and view all the answers

What significant behavior did the Sumatran orangutan Rakus exhibit that is notable in the context of wild animal behavior?

He selectively utilized a medicinal plant to treat his wound. Signup and view all the answers

In what year did the surfing competition first make its Olympic appearance?

2020 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the format for scoring in street skateboarding at the Paris 2024 Olympics?

Competitors have two 45-second runs to perform a set number of tricks. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary method researchers used to develop personalized vaccines in Dr. Wu's study?

Individualized vaccines using specific cancer proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which type of cancer was the focus of Dr. Wu's pioneering study for custom vaccines?

Melanoma Signup and view all the answers

What outcome did four of the six patients experience by 2017 after receiving personalized vaccines?

No signs of cancer recurrence Signup and view all the answers

What key recognition did Dr. Wu receive in February 2024 for her contributions to cancer research?

Sjöberg Prize Signup and view all the answers

How many doses were included in the seven-shot course of personalized vaccines administered to the patients?

7 doses Signup and view all the answers

What innovative feature allows the audience to feel sound vibrations at Sphere?

Integrated technology in seating Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary challenge Claudia Sheinbaum faces as the first female president of Mexico?

Rising violence in Mexico Signup and view all the answers

What unexpected success did the Cheese Rolling competition experience in 2009?

International participation Signup and view all the answers

Which unique aspect of the Sphere Experience distinguishes it from traditional theater presentations?

Interactive program hosted by robots Signup and view all the answers

What major achievement did China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe accomplish on June 25, 2024?

Return of soil samples from the far side of the Moon Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for replacing the original black sand at the restored beach in Herculaneum?

To ensure wheelchair accessibility Signup and view all the answers

What method do Florida carpenter ants use to treat a femur injury in their nestmates?

They bite off the injured leg. Signup and view all the answers

Which notable discovery helped researchers understand the fate of Herculaneum's inhabitants?

Over 300 skeletons sheltering in boat houses Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Florida carpenter ants with treated femur injuries survived after receiving attention from their nestmates?

90 percent Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures was notably well-preserved in Herculaneum and is part of its attractions?

The luxurious homes of the upper-class Signup and view all the answers

What major misconception was dispelled regarding the residents of Herculaneum after further excavations?

Residents had no time to escape the eruption Signup and view all the answers

What is believed to influence the treatment decisions made by Florida carpenter ants when addressing injuries?

The flow of hemolymph Signup and view all the answers

What action do Florida carpenter ants take when treating a tibia injury?

They lick the wound to remove bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What year was the beach in Herculaneum opened to the public after restoration?

2024 Signup and view all the answers

What serves as a distinguishing factor between femur and tibia injuries in terms of treatment by Florida carpenter ants?

Femur injuries have more muscle tissue aiding in treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the gemstone discovered by Lucara Diamond on August 22, 2024?

It is the second largest diamond ever discovered. Signup and view all the answers

Which technology was employed to find the 2,492-carat diamond in the Karowe mine?

X-ray technology Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome for the 2,492-carat diamond that was discovered?

It will likely be cut into smaller gems. Signup and view all the answers

What process leads to the formation of natural diamonds?

Squeezing carbon atoms under high pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which notable feature did the Cullinan diamond have after its discovery?

It became part of the British Crown jewels. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason NASA decided against returning Wilmore and Williams aboard the Starliner?

Helium leaks and thruster failures Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following changes was made to the Crew-9 mission due to the situation with the Starliner?

Reduction of crew members from four to two Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of the Big Basin Redwood trees helped them recover after the CZU Lightning Complex Fire?

Storing excess energy from photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What was the unique feature of Banksy's final artwork in his series revealed in London?

It showed animals escaping from a zoo Signup and view all the answers

How did the Big Basin Redwoods manage to cope with reduced leaf presence due to burning?

By utilizing stored energy from photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Earth Day 2024

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd, focusing on environmental protection.
Originated in 1970 with Gaylord Nelson, mobilizing over 20 million people.
Earth Day Network (EDN) has over 50,000 partners in 190+ countries.
EDN has influenced landmark environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act (1972), Endangered Species Act (1973), and the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Earth Day 2024's theme is "Planet vs. Plastics," emphasizing the global plastic production issue.
Over 380 million tons of plastic are produced annually, with 50% for single-use.
EDN demands a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040.

Plastic Pollution Solutions

EDN proposes four strategies to curb plastic production:
- Raising public awareness about plastic's health risks (cancer, marine life).
- Persuading countries to phase out single-use plastics by 2030.
- Encouraging governments to limit fast fashion (a contributor to plastic pollution).
- Urging corporations to develop sustainable plastic substitutes.
Individuals can also contribute by using reusable items (cutlery, water bottles, bags).
Companies can implement changes like using natural/recycled fabrics or compostable containers.

Upcoming Celestial Event

NASA predicts a visible nova outburst sometime before September 2024.
Novae occur in binary systems, involving a red giant and white dwarf star.
Material from the red giant accumulates on the white dwarf, causing a dramatic explosion (nova).
T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), a binary system, is notable for its periodic nova outbursts (approximately every 80 years).
The last T CrB outburst was in 1946.
This particular outburst will be visible to the naked eye for several days.

Taiwan Earthquake

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan's east coast on April 3, 2024.
This was the most powerful earthquake to hit the island nation in 25 years.
Impact included deaths, injuries, and damage to buildings, in part due to mountainous landslides.
Fatalities were significantly lower than the 1999 earthquake, due to improved earthquake preparedness.
This includes earthquake sensors, public education/drills, and strict building codes.

Global Solo Sailing

Cole Brauer, a 29-year-old American, completed the 30,000 mile Global Solo Challenge in 130 days, becoming the first American woman to achieve this without stopping.
Brauer's journey involved navigating challenging waters like Cape Horn.
Her race encountered setbacks like severe weather.

Chimpanzee Military Tactics

Chimpanzees demonstrate coordinated patrolling behaviors at the edges of their territories.
They use higher ground to assess risks and communicate with rival groups, showing complex cognitive abilities and tactical warfare strategies resembling human military methods.

Revolutionary War Sketch

Judith Hernstadt's sketch, depicting women and soldiers in a horse-drawn carriage, was rediscovered after 40 years.
The sketch accurately depicted a North Carolina troop's march through Philadelphia in 1777—a significant eyewitness account.
It's the first-known wartime drawing of the North Carolina troops, and one of two known artworks featuring the women supporting the Continental Army.
The artist, identified as Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, was a well-known Swiss Revolutionary War artist.

Crab Spider Cooperation

Scientists observed male and female crab spiders cooperating for camouflage in a Chinese rainforest.
The male acted like the flower's stamens and pistils while the female disguised herself as the petals.
This cooperation enhances survivability and predation efficiency; it was the first example of cooperation mimicry in any species.

New Ichthyosaur Species

A father-daughter team discovered a new species of massive ichthyosaur fossil in Somerset, England.
Experts confirmed that the fossil was from the Triassic period.
The new species was estimated to be 80 feet long, one of the largest marine animals ever.
The newly named species, Ichthyotitan severnensis was published in PLOS One.

Periodical Cicadas

Sixteen US states are bracing for trillions of noisy cicadas, with two broods (Brood XIX and XIII) emerging simultaneously, a rare event last seen in 1803.
Periodical cicadas spend most of their lives underground, feeding off sap from tree roots.
The black, shrimp-sized bugs with red, beady eyes emerge every 13 or 17 years to reproduce and die soon after.
Researchers hypothesize that cicadas' 13/17-year cycles are a defense mechanism against predators with 2, 4, or 8-year life cycles, exploiting prime numbers.
Cicadas' emergence peaks for two to three weeks starting in mid-May.
Overlapping is expected in Illinois and Iowa, but not in other states.
Cicadas are harmless but can be a nuisance due to swarms and loud calls.
Female cicadas damage young trees by laying eggs, potentially stunting growth or killing young trees.
Adult cicadas die after laying eggs, providing a food source for other animals and nitrogen for trees.

Summer Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will include four new sports: breaking (breakdancing), surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing.
Breaking, a 1970s New York City urban dance style, is characterized by intricate footwork, rapid movements, and spins.
Surfing returns to the Olympics after debuting at Tokyo 2020, with events held in Tahiti.
Skateboarding features park and street disciplines, with athletes judged on height, speed, and maneuver variety.
Sport climbing will feature bouldering, speed climbing, and lead climbing events; at Paris, only bouldering and lead climbing scores will be combined. Speed climbing is a stand-alone event.

Sumatran Orangutan

A Sumatran orangutan named Rakus successfully treated a cheek wound by applying medicinal plant juice, a behavior documented by scientists.
Sumatran orangutans, critically endangered with around 14,600 remaining, face habitat loss and hunting.
The orangutans typically give birth once every 8-9 years.

Tornadoes

Tornado activity in the US this April was significantly above average at over 300 reported tornadoes across the country.
The month of April typically sees an average of 182 tornadoes.
Powerful tornadoes, including an EF-4 twister in Marietta, Oklahoma, caused considerable damage and fatalities.
Minden, Iowa, experienced significant damage from another powerful tornado.
Tornadoes are most active between March and July, and "Tornado Alley" (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, etc.) is particularly prone to them.

Wildfires

Canada experienced its worst wildfire season on record in 2023, with over 6,500 blazes and more than 48 million acres burned.
"Zombie" fires, hidden fires smoldering under the snow, reignited in British Columbia and Alberta as snow melted.
These fires are often difficult to detect due to their underground nature and remote locations, and spread undetected.
Low snowfall and warmer winter temperatures in the past three years have contributed to the increase in zombie fires.

X-59 Aircraft

NASA's X-59 aircraft, designed for quiet supersonic flight, aims to change travel by breaking the sound barrier without the sonic boom.
The unique design features a long pointed nose, a top-mounted engine and removal of the forward-facing cockpit window.
Tests are planned in California in late 2024, with the goal of testing over some US cities.

Rising Sea Levels and Floating Cities

Rising sea levels, driven by global warming, threaten coastal communities worldwide.
Dogen City, a proposed floating city in Japan, aims to address this by housing up to 10,000 residents and having a two-level design to combat tsunami risk and has a sea-cooled data center for city management, healthcare, and drug discovery.
Aims for completion in 2030. Other floating cities projects are also under development.

Cancer Treatment

Scientists are developing personalized cancer vaccines to fight unique cancers by harnessing the body's immune system.
A study of 6 melanoma patients found that personalized vaccines could effectively treat the cancer in 2015-2021.
Four patients had no recurrence, and the two with recurrence were eventually cured with additional doses.
This research has earned Dr. Catherine Wu the Sjöberg Prize (February 2024), including a $1 million award to fund cancer research.

Sphere Entertainment Venue

Sphere, a new entertainment venue in Las Vegas, resembles an orb with a massive LED screen.
The venue's interior features a high-resolution wrap-around LED screen, an advanced audio system, and 17,500 seats with sound vibration technology.
Sphere opened in September 2023, hosting U2's 40-nights residency, and interactive experiences like "The Sphere Experience."
Postcard from Earth, a 50-minute sci-fi film, is part of the experience.

Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling

An annual cheese rolling competition in Gloucestershire, England, involves participants running (or tumbling) down a hill after a wheel of cheese.
It started in the 1800s to settle land ownership disputes.
In 2009, the competition was cancelled due to risk of injury but continues every year.
This year's competition (May 27, 2024) featured men's and women's downhill races and kids'/adult uphill races.
Abby Lampe, a competitor from the USA won the women's downhill race.

Claudia Sheinbaum – Mexican President

Claudia Sheinbaum became Mexico's first female and Jewish president, taking office October 1, 2024.
She previously served as head of government of Mexico City and is a climate scientist, advocating for clean energy transitions.
Biggest challenge is the increasing violence in Mexico, to be countered by increased policing and camera surveillance.

China's Chang'e 6 Lunar Mission

China's Chang'e 6 lunar probe brought back soil samples from the Moon's far side (June 25, 2024).
The mission is named after the Chinese Moon goddess.
The probe landed at the South Pole-Aitken basin, which is one of the largest and oldest impact craters in our Solar System.
The samples will be studied globally to understand more about the Moon's far side and the solar system's early evolution.

2024 Paris Olympics - Gymnastics

The US gymnastics team won 10 medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, including three gold, one silver, and six bronze.
The men's team won bronze after a 16-year drought, overcoming a setback from initial qualifying events.
Brody Malone, captain of the men's team, delivered a flawless routine despite a previous knee injury.

Mount Vernon Excavation

Archaeologists discovered 35 glass bottles containing perfectly preserved cherries and berries from the 18th century at George Washington's Mount Vernon home.
The bottles, which were probably buried before Washington left for the Revolutionary War, provide insight into daily life and culinary practices during that era.

Elephant Communication

A new study indicates elephants may assign individual "names" to each other, using calls that are not imitative, unlike dolphins or parrots.
The study analyzed hundreds of elephant calls, using machine learning to identify their recipient.
A playback of these calls proved their ability to recognize specific calls and respond to them despite the low frequencies which are hard for humans to decipher.

Herculaneum Excavation

The ancient city of Herculaneum, buried by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, had its beach excavated and restored in 2024.
Herculaneum was a popular Roman resort town, hidden under volcanic ash for almost 2,000 years.
The restoration allows visitors to see the site as ancient Romans did by going down a tunnel to the beach.
The original black sand beach was replaced with a dark-colored material to make it wheelchair accessible.
Excavations have revealed well-preserved baths, an underground theatre, luxurious homes, and over 300 skeletons, including those of women, children, babies, and men.
Remains were found in shelters, suggesting people fled there to be rescued by boats, including a Roman soldier found near a boat with his belt and weaponry.
Scientists believe that the residents tried to escape the volcano. A "Ring Lady" was found with rings.
Continued excavation has uncovered a shrine with blue walls and a banquet room with ancient paintings.

Florida Carpenter Ant Surgery

Florida carpenter ants exhibit remarkable social behavior by performing life-saving "surgeries" on injured nestmates, unlike most other ants.
They use precise bite-off amputations to remove infected limbs or clean minor wounds, depending on the injury type, for their nestmates.
The survival rate for ants with femur injuries treated in the colony was 90% compared to 40% for isolated ants, and bacteria-contaminated tibia injuries experienced a 75% survival rate compared to 10% isolated.
This procedure showcases a form of unique medical care in the animal kingdom.

Large Diamond Discovery in Botswana

Lucara Diamond discovered a 2,492-carat diamond in Botswana's Karowe mine.
It is the second-largest diamond ever found.
The largest diamond found to date is the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905.
The Karowe mine is known for producing exceptionally large diamonds, including the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond, previously the world's second-largest, sold to Louis Vuitton in 2019.
The diamond is expected to fetch tens of millions of dollars.

Starliner Spacecraft Return

NASA's Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth uncrewed in early September 2024 due to safety concerns.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain at the International Space Station (ISS) until February 2025.
The return will happen with Crew 9, initially planned for August 18th and changed to February 2025
Their return will occur on a SpaceX Dragon.

Banksy's London Murals

Banksy revealed a series of animal murals in London from August 5th to 13th, 2024.
These included a mountain goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, and a gorilla.
The London Zoo displayed the final mural, featuring a gorilla releasing animals from the zoo's confines

Big Basin Redwood Fire Recovery

The CZU Lightning Complex Fire in 2020, having burned 97 percent of the Big Basin Redwood State Park, displayed stunning resilience in redwood trees.
Redwood trees store energy from leaf photosynthesis and have bud tissue for leaf regrowth, aiding in regrowth after fire.
The stored energy in the giant redwoods was between 50 and 100 years old, enabling rapid regrowth.

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th is considered unlucky by many, based on superstition.
Some attribute the fear to the number 13 following the perceived "completeness" of 12.
A Scandinavian legend links 13 to a fatal banquet among gods.

Mammoth Direct Air Capture Facility

Climeworks' Mammoth DAC plant, the largest in the world, is located in Iceland.
It can capture up to 39,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually using geothermal energy and will turn into stone deep underground
It's part of a larger effort by Climeworks and other companies.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn Mission

SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, the first commercial space mission under the Polaris program, successfully completed a five-day civilian flight and a groundbreaking spacewalk on September 15, 2024.
The flight reached a record altitude of 870 miles above Earth, surpassing the Gemini 11 mission.
The spacewalk is the first-ever civilian spacewalk conducted by spacecrafts with no life support systems.

U.S. Presidential Election 2024

Millions of Americans will vote for President on November 5, 2024, choosing between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
The election involves the Electoral College, allocating electoral votes among states based on population.
For presidency, a candidate needs a majority of electoral votes (270).
The new president's term begins on January 20th.

East Greenland Landslide and Tsunami

A landslide and tsunami in East Greenland's Dickson Fjord in September 2023 triggered a prolonged seismic wave that shook the earth for nine days.
The confined fjord space resulted in a seiche, reinforcing and prolonging the seismic activity.
The event is linked to climate change-induced glacier melt impacting the underlying mountain's structural integrity.

Octopus Hunting Strategies

Octopuses exhibit leadership abilities, controlling hunting packs and disciplining those who try to exploit the group, like blacktip groupers.
Octopuses hunt with blue goatfish, using their unique abilities to reach prey in crevices and trap them together.
Octopus leadership involves stopping the fish from moving, allowing the octopus to choose the best hunting spot.

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Description

Explore the importance of Earth Day, celebrated on April 22nd, and learn about its origins and the critical theme for 2024, 'Planet vs. Plastics'. This quiz covers significant environmental laws and strategies proposed to tackle plastic pollution, highlighting the urgent need for action against plastic waste.