October 12, 2007
Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that is believed to make up more than 90% of the mass of the universe but is not readily visible because it neither emits nor absorbs light. Its existence could explain gravitational anomalies observed in the motion and distribution of galaxies. In 1993, astronomers identified part of the dark matter in the form of stray planets and brown dwarfs, and, possibly, stars that have failed to ignite. What acronym is used to refer to this hot, dark matter?
October 11, 2007
Bogart, posthumously named the Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute, was an Academy Award winning actor whose accomplishments in the film industry are recognized worldwide. Though Bogart began acting in theater, he is best known for his work in films like
The Maltese Falcon and
Casablanca. He became an international cult figure through his roles as a tough, romantic loner, appearing in 75 feature motion pictures. How many times was Bogart married?
October 10, 2007
In 1770, Wolfgang von Kempelen unveiled his Mechanical Turk, a chess-playing automaton. Dressed in a cloak and turban and seated behind a chessboard, the mannequin played chess and executed complex mathematical puzzles. The Turk performed before numerous world leaders before it was revealed to be a hoax; the cabinet beneath the chessboard, which housed the internal mechanism, actually hid a chess master who secretly operated the machine. Which French Emperor was defeated by von Kempelen's Turk?
October 9, 2007
Hypertrichosis, commonly known as “Werewolf syndrome,” is an extremely rare condition that results in the excess growth of body hair. The syndrome can be generalized across the body or localized to a specific area and ranges from mild to severe. Hypertrichosis is believed to result from genetic factors and is rarely found in its severe form. Those who are strongly affected often display excessive, animal-like hair on the face and body. How many people are currently living with the condition?
October 8, 2007
Arthur Wynne is generally credited with the 1913 invention of the modern crossword puzzle, which gained widespread popularity following the publication of Simon and Schuster's crossword book in 1924. Players solve these puzzles by inserting words corresponding to numbered clues into a grid of horizontal and vertical squares. When all of the intersecting answers have been filled in, the puzzle is complete. How do the designs of North American, British, and Japanese puzzles traditionally differ?
October 7, 2007
Queen Tamar ruled the Kingdom of Georgia from 1184 to 1213, ascending to the throne after her father's death. Her outstanding success as a ruler during Georgia's “golden age” earned her the nickname “King of Kings and Queen of Queens.” Tamar led the Georgian army in a number of military victories, and in the early 13th c, Georgia annexed the Armenian capitals of Ani and Dvin. Tamar also suppressed a number of rebellions during her reign. Who organized two of the unsuccessful revolts against her?
October 6, 2007
Prosopagnosia is a disorder of face perception where the ability to recognize faces is impaired, while the ability to recognize objects may be relatively intact. Because prosopagnosia is a variegated disorder, with patients exhibiting different types and levels of impairment, face perception is now theorized as utilizing a specialized brain system and involving multiple stages that can be interrupted in many ways. What techniques do prosopagnosia sufferers use to recognize people?
October 5, 2007
Hypatia was an Alexandrian Neoplatonic philosopher and mathematician renowned for her learning, eloquence, and beauty. She became head of Alexandria's Platonist school in about 400 CE, lecturing there on mathematics and philosophy. Several works are attributed to her by later sources, including commentaries on Ptolemy's works, but none have survived. Her murder, the subject of many conspiracy theories, was a brutal event. How did religion factor into Hypatia's lynching?
October 4, 2007
Paul Bunyan is a mythical lumberjack and American folk hero known for his incredible strength and massive size. His oversized companion, Babe the Blue Ox, reportedly measured 42 ax handles and a plug of tobacco between his horns. The first newspaper article about Bunyan was published in 1906, and later pamphlets by William Laughead popularized the Paul Bunyan story and added to the myth. How do these legends account for the creation of the Grand Canyon, Mount Hood, and Minnesota's 10,000 lakes?
October 3, 2007
Goodman, a Harvard graduate, broadcast journalist, and author, is currently the host of Pacifica Radio's
Democracy Now! program. She has covered numerous antiwar and anti-globalization movements, and is known for her left wing stance and criticism of the corporate media. In 1991, she and a companion were severely beaten after witnessing the Dili Massacre, in which hundreds of East Timorese protestors were murdered. Why did Goodman refuse to accept the Overseas Press Club Award in 2001?
