Just in case you watched those videos of giant rockets landing in tandem or of Elon Musk’s car gliding through orbit and fell under the delusion that modern space flight is glamorous, please listen to NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson’s story about how she … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat was the first US Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting records in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes that still stand today. In fact, in the 40 years since, only one Derby winner has even come close to matching Secretariat’s time of 1:59.40. Secretariat advanced from last to first to win the Preakness and won the Belmont Stakes by an unprecedented 31 lengths. What controversy arose regarding the time calculations of the 1973 Preakness? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Anderson was the first licensed female physician, as well as the first female mayor, in England. Denied admission by many medical schools, she studied privately with physicians before finally earning a license from the Scottish Society of Apothecaries. Largely as a result of her efforts, British examining boards later opened their examinations to women. Anderson championed the idea of medical care by female doctors for female patients. What was her New Hospital for Women later renamed? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Though it is not classified as a distinct mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, video game addiction is considered by many mental health professionals to be a legitimate form of addiction, and several countries have even opened treatment centers for this problem. Addicted players often become socially isolated as they focus increasingly on in-game achievements. What type of legislation has been proposed or implemented to combat this issue? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (verb) Come back to the originator of an action with an undesired effect.
Synonyms: backlash, recoil.
Usage: Your comments may backfire and cause you a lot of trouble.
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Source: The Free Dictionary
Scientists in the United Kingdom have successfully 3D printed human corneas for the first time. The cornea, the outermost layer of the human eye, is important in focusing vision, but almost 5 million people suffer total blindness due to corneal … Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
During the Reign of Terror, leading French revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre devised the Cult of the Supreme Being as the official state religion in an attempt to counter the atheistic Cult of Reason. The deist religion, which avowed patriotism and the immortality of the soul, was celebrated with a huge festival in Paris in 1794. However, other revolutionaries soon sought to end Robespierre’s growing power, and he was guillotined less than two months later. What became of the religion? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Suharto was a relatively unknown army chief in 1965, when he crushed an alleged coup with a ruthless purge of communists and leftists throughout Indonesia that left as many as 1,000,000 dead. In 1967, he replaced the deposed Sukarno as president. He oversaw a return to economic stability and led the violent 1975 invasion of East Timor, which Indonesia soon annexed. Greatly unpopular after the economic unrest of the 1990s, Suharto resigned in 1998. Why was he placed under house arrest in 2000? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Known in Germany for his unconventional, holistic, and alternative treatments, Morell was Adolf Hitler’s personal physician. The Führer was suffering from skin and intestinal ailments when the two first met at a party. Morell started him on a course of treatment and was soon drawn into Hitler’s inner circle. Though many high-ranking Nazi officials considered Morell a quack, Hitler remained convinced of his expertise. What substances that are now considered toxic did Morell administer to Hitler? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
Definition: (adjective) Incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances.
Synonyms: rigid, inflexible.
Usage: Indeed there may be generally observed in him an unbending, unyielding, brass-bound air, as if he were himself the bassoon of the human orchestra.
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Source: The Free Dictionary