The story of the black peppered moth, which changed colors from Oreo milkshake to dark chocolate during the Industrial Revolution in Britain, is the iconic tale of adaptive evolution taught in science classes. And today its plot thickens: In a study published … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
After a flowering of literature and philosophy in the early 19th century, plans for a liberal, centralized constitution led Danish King Frederick VII to become involved in a war with Prussia over the status of the duchy of Schleswig-Holstein. Denmark was defeated and a new constitution was adopted, ending the absolute monarchy, securing civil rights for citizens, and establishing a bicameral parliament and wide suffrage. How many times has the constitution been rewritten since 1849? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The United Nations General Assembly designated June 5 as World Environment Day in 1972. The date was chosen because it marked the opening day of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which led to the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme. The General Assembly urges countries and organizations to mark this day with activities that educate people about threats to the environment and encourage them to strike a balance between development and concern for Earth’s future. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Villa was a legendary Mexican guerrilla leader. He fought for land reform and joined with revolutionaries against dictator Porfirio Díaz as well as his successor but was forced to flee after breaking ties with Venustiano Carranza, who had assumed power in 1914. Angered by US support for Carranza, Villa raided a New Mexico town in 1916. A US force was sent to apprehend him, but he managed to evade capture. Three years after he was finally pardoned, he was assassinated. What was his real name? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Observed throughout the animal kingdom, courtship is the practice of wooing a member of the opposite sex with the ultimate goal of mating. Animal courtship may involve complicated dances or touching; vocalizations; or displays of beauty or fighting prowess. Humans, meanwhile, have evolved elaborate courtship rituals involving flowers, gifts, songs, poetry, restaurants, and various displays of affection. How has online dating changed traditional courtship roles? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) A physical alteration thought to occur in living neural tissue in response to stimuli, posited as an explanation for memory.
Synonyms: memory trace.
Usage: The neuroscientist likened engrams in neural tissue to data on the hard drive of a computer.
Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Some kids will do anything to get out of school. Others risk their lives to get there. In the mountains of southwest China’s Sichuan province, children descend an 800-meter (half-mile) cliff on unsteady vine ladders to … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
In a disastrous effort to increase ticket sales, the Cleveland Indians decided to hold a “Ten-Cent Beer Night,” allowing attendees to purchase unlimited cups of beer for just 10 cents each, during a home game against the Texas Rangers. The promotion did boost attendance, however, it also created a stadium full of drunken spectators who disrupted early innings of the game with streaking and flashing. Eventually, a violent mob flooded the field and clashed with players. How did the game end? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
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Malaysia practices a system of government based on a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The head of state is the king, also known as Seri Paduka Baginda (SPB) Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Although the term “king” is used, this is not a hereditary position—the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected to a five-year term. Every year, the first Saturday in June is set aside as a national holiday in Malaysia to celebrate the birthday of the current and past SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agongs. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Mannerheim was a Finnish-born soldier and statesman. A career officer in the Russian imperial army from 1889 to 1917, he went on to command the anti-Bolshevik forces in the Finnish Civil War and expelled the Soviet forces, serving as regent of Finland until the new republic was declared. He served as commander-in-chief of Finnish forces in the Russo-Finnish War and was named president of Finland in 1944, after which he negotiated a peace agreement with the Soviets. Why did he resign in 1946? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary