Knowledge and Facts with Photos
Dragon Blood Trees
Socotra is a four islands archipelago in Indian Ocean. The unusual island belongs to Yemen. It is of continental origin and is the most isolated place in the world of that kind.
It is famous for its biodiversity. Due to isolation and hot climate, plenty of endemic flora is found in Socotra. 307 out of the 825 plant species are indicated to be endemic (found only here).
Socotra’s landscape could be defined by Dragon Blood Trees – the unique plants, that look like an umbrella. The red sap, which was used as a medicine, gave the name for the tree. The island is also a home for a few endemic bird and mammal species.
Subsection: General Knowledge
Section: Student Zone
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Comments 15
The mask of Tutankhamun is a gold mask of the 18th-dynasty ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun (reigned 1334–1325 BC). It was discovered by Howard Carter in 1925 in tomb KV62 in the Valley of the Kings, and is now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
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ded within a clear piece of amber, a small praying mantis sits at attention, frozen forever in time. The piece, which measures just slightly over one inch tall, was sold via Heritage Auctions for $6,000 in 2016. The pristine piece of amber, which comes from the Dominican Republic, gives a rare view of this incredible mantis.
The amber itself derives from the extinct Hymenaea protera, a prehistoric leguminous tree. Most amber found in Central and South America comes from its resin. Amber from the Dominican Republic is known as Dominican resin, which is noted for its clarity and a high number of inclusions.
Yesterday on 16:23
The amber itself derives from the extinct Hymenaea protera, a prehistoric leguminous tree. Most amber found in Central and South America comes from its resin. Amber from the Dominican Republic is known as Dominican resin, which is noted for its clarity and a high number of inclusions.
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The Sailing Stones, also known as Sliding Rocks or Moving Rocks, are a natural phenomenon found in California's Death Valley National Park. Large stones, weighing up to 700 pounds, mysteriously move across the dry lake bed, leaving behind long trails.
Despite numerous studies and research, scientists have never directly observed the movement. However, it's believed that strong winds, ice formation, and water combine to propel the stones across the desert floor.
Yesterday on 02:08
Despite numerous studies and research, scientists have never directly observed the movement. However, it's believed that strong winds, ice formation, and water combine to propel the stones across the desert floor.
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The first webcam was created in 1991 by researchers at the University of Cambridge. Quentin Stafford-Fraser, Paul Jardetzky, and Martyn Johnson set up a camera to monitor the coffee pot in the "Trojan Room" of their computer lab.
They wrote software to stream the image over the network so that colleagues could check if there was coffee without making an unnecessary trip. This simple but practical innovation laid the foundation for modern webcams.
#coffeelovers #innovation #computerscience #cambridge #technology
10 Mar 2025, 14:58
They wrote software to stream the image over the network so that colleagues could check if there was coffee without making an unnecessary trip. This simple but practical innovation laid the foundation for modern webcams.
#coffeelovers #innovation #computerscience #cambridge #technology
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Why Did the Statue of Liberty Turn Green?
The Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, has not always been the vibrant green color we see today. When it was unveiled in 1886, the statue had a distinct reddish-brown hue, resembling a newly minted penny.
Over time, it underwent a dramatic transformation, turning into the recognizable green patina we see today. But why did this happen?
The Original Material: Copper Construction
The Statue of Liberty was gifted by France to the United States and designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with structural support engineered by Gustave Eiffel. The outer of the statue is made of copper sheets, about 3/32 of an inch thick (2.5 mm), which is less than the thickness of two pennies.
When it was first assembled, the statue displayed the characteristic shiny reddish-brown color of raw copper, much like a brand-new penny. However, exposure to the elements started a natural chemical reaction that changed its appearance forever.
The Science of Oxidation: Why Did It Turn Green?
Over the years, the copper surface of the statue reacted with oxygen, water, and air pollutants to form a protective patina . This is a natural oxidation process, similar to how iron rusts but with a key difference—copper oxidation creates a protective rather than corroding the metal.
The color change occurred in several stages, first darkening to brown, then eventually developing into the blue-green patina we see today. The main chemical reactions responsible for this transformation include:
Copper + Oxygen → Copper Oxide (Brownish color)
Copper Oxide + Carbon Dioxide + Water → Copper Carbonate (Greenish )
Copper + Sulfur Compounds → Copper Sulfate (Further contributes to the patina formation)
This patina serves as a protective coating that prevents the underlying copper from further corrosion, ensuring that the statue remains intact for centuries.
Did People Try to Clean the Green Patina?
When the color change first became noticeable, some people suggested cleaning the statue to restore its original copper appearance. However, scientists and conservationists quickly realized that the patina actually protects the copper underneath. Removing it would have left the metal vulnerable to further deterioration and damage. As a result, the green patina was preserved, and today, it is recognized as an integral part of the statue’s identity.
A Symbol of Strength and Endurance
The Statue of Liberty's green color is a testament to the durability of copper and the natural beauty of chemistry in action. More than just a landmark, the statue has stood as a symbol of freedom, democracy, and hope for millions of immigrants arriving in the United States.
Final Thoughts
What started as a copper monument has naturally evolved into a green icon, thanks to over a century of environmental exposure. The Statue of Liberty’s transformation is a remarkable example of how science, history, and nature interact to shape the world around us.
#StatueOfLiberty #ScienceInAction #ChemicalReactions
6 Mar 2025, 00:31
The Statue of Liberty, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, has not always been the vibrant green color we see today. When it was unveiled in 1886, the statue had a distinct reddish-brown hue, resembling a newly minted penny.
Over time, it underwent a dramatic transformation, turning into the recognizable green patina we see today. But why did this happen?
The Original Material: Copper Construction
The Statue of Liberty was gifted by France to the United States and designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with structural support engineered by Gustave Eiffel. The outer of the statue is made of copper sheets, about 3/32 of an inch thick (2.5 mm), which is less than the thickness of two pennies.
When it was first assembled, the statue displayed the characteristic shiny reddish-brown color of raw copper, much like a brand-new penny. However, exposure to the elements started a natural chemical reaction that changed its appearance forever.
The Science of Oxidation: Why Did It Turn Green?
Over the years, the copper surface of the statue reacted with oxygen, water, and air pollutants to form a protective patina . This is a natural oxidation process, similar to how iron rusts but with a key difference—copper oxidation creates a protective rather than corroding the metal.
The color change occurred in several stages, first darkening to brown, then eventually developing into the blue-green patina we see today. The main chemical reactions responsible for this transformation include:
Copper + Oxygen → Copper Oxide (Brownish color)
Copper Oxide + Carbon Dioxide + Water → Copper Carbonate (Greenish )
Copper + Sulfur Compounds → Copper Sulfate (Further contributes to the patina formation)
This patina serves as a protective coating that prevents the underlying copper from further corrosion, ensuring that the statue remains intact for centuries.
Did People Try to Clean the Green Patina?
When the color change first became noticeable, some people suggested cleaning the statue to restore its original copper appearance. However, scientists and conservationists quickly realized that the patina actually protects the copper underneath. Removing it would have left the metal vulnerable to further deterioration and damage. As a result, the green patina was preserved, and today, it is recognized as an integral part of the statue’s identity.
A Symbol of Strength and Endurance
The Statue of Liberty's green color is a testament to the durability of copper and the natural beauty of chemistry in action. More than just a landmark, the statue has stood as a symbol of freedom, democracy, and hope for millions of immigrants arriving in the United States.
Final Thoughts
What started as a copper monument has naturally evolved into a green icon, thanks to over a century of environmental exposure. The Statue of Liberty’s transformation is a remarkable example of how science, history, and nature interact to shape the world around us.
#StatueOfLiberty #ScienceInAction #ChemicalReactions
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The human brain is often compared to a highly advanced supercomputer due to its extraordinary neural processing power and immense data storage capacity. It is estimated that the brain can store up to 2.5 million gigabytes (GB) of data, far surpassing the memory capacity of even the most sophisticated digital storage systems and artificial intelligence networks. This vast cognitive reservoir enables humans to process complex information, retain lifelong memories, and adapt through continuous learning. The brain's unparalleled ability to store and retrieve vast amounts of data is fundamental to critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Research in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and artificial intelligence continues to explore the brain's limitless potential, driving innovations in machine learning, data science, and neural network development. The human brain remains one of the most intricate and powerful biological structures, shaping advancements in technology, healthcare, and artificial intelligence-driven automation. Understanding its storage capability has profound implications for fields such as neurotechnology, computational neuroscience, and cognitive computing, revolutionizing industries like cybersecurity, big data analytics, and cloud computing.
#HumanBrain #BrainPower #MemoryCapacity #Neuroscience #Learning
3 Mar 2025, 13:57
#HumanBrain #BrainPower #MemoryCapacity #Neuroscience #Learning
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New James Webb data suggests our understanding of the universe may not hold up — there's more out there.
The Hubble tension stands as one of the biggest incongruities in physics, and it challenges all of modern cosmology.
The core of the problem is that the Hubble constant — a measure of the universe's expansion rate — gives two conflicting results depending on the calculation method.
Now, recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope have verified that this discrepancy is genuine, not the result of measurement errors or faulty instruments.
The results align with earlier findings by the Hubble Space Telescope, showing a Hubble constant of around 73 kilometers per second per megaparsec (km/s/Mpc), not the predicted 68 km/s/Mpc derived from observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation.
The confirmation from JWST rules out errors in measurement techniques or equipment, pointing instead to unknown physics at work in the cosmos Nobel laureate Adam Riess, who led the study, emphasized that this isn’t just an academic puzzle — it’s a clue that could lead to entirely new discoveries about the forces and laws governing our universe.
For now, scientists will keep digging, knowing that solving the Hubble tension could revolutionize our understanding of space, time, and reality itself.
Learn more:
2 Mar 2025, 20:53
The Hubble tension stands as one of the biggest incongruities in physics, and it challenges all of modern cosmology.
The core of the problem is that the Hubble constant — a measure of the universe's expansion rate — gives two conflicting results depending on the calculation method.
Now, recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope have verified that this discrepancy is genuine, not the result of measurement errors or faulty instruments.
The results align with earlier findings by the Hubble Space Telescope, showing a Hubble constant of around 73 kilometers per second per megaparsec (km/s/Mpc), not the predicted 68 km/s/Mpc derived from observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation.
The confirmation from JWST rules out errors in measurement techniques or equipment, pointing instead to unknown physics at work in the cosmos Nobel laureate Adam Riess, who led the study, emphasized that this isn’t just an academic puzzle — it’s a clue that could lead to entirely new discoveries about the forces and laws governing our universe.
For now, scientists will keep digging, knowing that solving the Hubble tension could revolutionize our understanding of space, time, and reality itself.
Learn more:
External Link
https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/12/09/webb-telescope-hubble-tension-universe-expansion/
https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/12/09/webb-telescope-hubble-tension-universe-expansion/
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In 4 minutes, a quantum computer solved a problem that would take the fastest classical supercomputer billions of years.
This breakthrough was achieved by researchers in China using their 76-qubit photon-based quantum computer prototype named Jiuzhang.
The machine, made of lasers, mirrors, prisms and photon detectors, uses a technique called Gaussian boson sampling, which involves counting detected photons. With the ability to count 76 photons, Jiuzhang broke the 5 photon record of classical supercomputers.
This is not just a theoretical proof, as Gaussian boson sampling could have practical applications in solving problems in quantum chemistry and math, and contribute to the development of large-scale quantum internet.
Both quantum and classical computers try to solve problems, but the way they process data to get answers is completely different. The principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, are crucial for their operation, and allow for faster computations than classical computers
Learn more:
2 Mar 2025, 20:48
This breakthrough was achieved by researchers in China using their 76-qubit photon-based quantum computer prototype named Jiuzhang.
The machine, made of lasers, mirrors, prisms and photon detectors, uses a technique called Gaussian boson sampling, which involves counting detected photons. With the ability to count 76 photons, Jiuzhang broke the 5 photon record of classical supercomputers.
This is not just a theoretical proof, as Gaussian boson sampling could have practical applications in solving problems in quantum chemistry and math, and contribute to the development of large-scale quantum internet.
Both quantum and classical computers try to solve problems, but the way they process data to get answers is completely different. The principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, are crucial for their operation, and allow for faster computations than classical computers
Learn more:
External Link
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe8770
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe8770
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A Diamond Planet Might Exist: Astronomers have identified 55 Cancri e, a fascinating super-Earth exoplanet located about 41 light-years away, which they believe could be largely composed of diamond. This assumption is based on its carbon-rich composition and the immense pressure it experiences due to its proximity to its host star. The planet's extreme conditions, including scorching surface temperatures and high gravitational forces, make it an intriguing subject of study. If confirmed, 55 Cancri e would be one of the most extraordinary celestial bodies ever discovered, offering new insights into planetary formation and the unique possibilities of alien worlds.
#Sustainibility #planets #spaceexploration #science #scientist
2 Mar 2025, 20:46
#Sustainibility #planets #spaceexploration #science #scientist
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The queen's favorite domestic gazelle was prepared for eternity with the same pomp and care as members of the royal family. She followed her mistress to her grave around 945 BC, wrapped in expensive fabric with blue trim, in a custom-made wooden sarcophagus. Animal Mummies Project. Author: Richard Barnes. #Animals_ancient_Egypt #Afterlife_zoo_ancient_Egypt #Mummy_ancient_Egypt
14 Mar 2023, 01:51
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10 most popular programming languages in 2019
1. Python
Python is the most popular programming language for data analysis, and also remains very popular for creating server-side web applications (using frameworks such as Django).
8 Oct 2021, 12:37
1. Python
Python is the most popular programming language for data analysis, and also remains very popular for creating server-side web applications (using frameworks such as Django).
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This couple planted 2million trees in order to regrow a forest in 20years!
8 Oct 2021, 12:36
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