Eli Wheatley and Christian Guardino are among a growing number of patients whose lives are apparently being saved or radically improved by gene therapy. Wheatley, 3, of Lebanon, Ky., and Guardino, 17, of Patchogue, N.Y., were both diagnosed with what … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Constructed under an abandoned stand of bleachers at the University of Chicago, the world’s first artificial nuclear reactor was little more than a pile of uranium and graphite bricks. It was built as part of the Manhattan Project under the supervision of renowned physicist Enrico Fermi. The first successful demonstration lasted 28 minutes and was a milestone in the history of physics. What code phrase did scientists use to convey the reactor’s success to government officials? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Yakima Valley, Washington, has taken a conventional tradition—the Christmas parade—and added an interesting twist. The Country Christmas Lighted Farm Implement Parade, which takes place in the town of Sunnyside, showcases as many as 70 farm vehicles decorated with hundreds—sometimes thousands—of lights. Entries in the ceremony include tractors, combines, grape pickers, semi-trucks with flatbeds, and even horse-drawn floats. Other activities that accompany the celebration are a breakfast with Santa and Christmas caroling. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
An internationally known Greek-American opera star, Callas was celebrated less for her voice than for her electrifying stage presence and mastery of difficult roles. Her career blossomed in the 1940s. Offstage, her fiery temperament, dramatic love life, and demanding personality earned her the reputation of a consummate diva. During her media-fueled rivalry with soprano Renata Tebaldi in the 1950s, Callas was quoted as saying that comparing her to Tebaldi was like comparing what two things? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
The Seabees are a US Navy unit whose name derives from the two-letter abbreviation of their official title: Construction Battalions. The unit was founded at the start of WWII, and before it was over, more than 325,000 Seabees had fought and built airstrips, bridges, roads, warehouses, hospitals, and housing on six continents and hundreds of islands. Seabees have served in every major conflict since and participate in peacetime goodwill missions. How many Seabees currently serve in the Navy? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (noun) The senior member of a group, profession, or society.
Synonyms: dean.
Usage: Raffles regarded me with that tantalizing smile of his…and in a flash I was convinced that our most jealous enemy and dangerous rival, the doyen of an older school, had paid him yet another visit.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
People who have never married or whose spouse has died are at increased risk of developing dementia compared to married people, according to a new review in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. But being single may not be as big a … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Following 18 months of successful international cooperation and research on the icy, southern continent, 12 countries signed a treaty officially designating Antarctica a non-militarized international region to be used solely for scientific purposes. Today, scientists perform research there year-round, with citizens of multiple nations working side by side. In 2006, an unusual legal situation arose when New Zealand police were unable to fully investigate what suspicious incident in Antarctica? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
On December 1, 1958, the region now known as Central African Republic became a republic within the French Community. The republic achieved independence from France on August 13, 1960. Both days are celebrated as national holidays. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Markova was a well-known English ballerina. She made her debut with Sergey Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in 1924 and later became the first prima ballerina of what is now the Royal Ballet. Noted for her ethereal grace and lightness, she excelled in classic roles and was celebrated as the lead in Giselle. She formed several ballet companies with Anton Dolin and served as director of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet for six years. How old was she when she retired from dancing? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary