The “Rat-Squirrel”

When scientists discovered the Laotian rock rat, a large, rat-like creature with a thick, hairy tail, they believed that the animal was so different from known rodents that it warranted classification in a new, distinct family called Laonastidae. Shortly thereafter, another group of experts published their assertion that the animal was actually a member of the ancient fossil family Diatomyidae. Under what urban circumstances did researchers find the first Laotian rock rat specimens? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The White Rose Society

During the early 1940s, a group of German university students and their philosophy professor founded the White Rose resistance movement, secretly drafting, printing, and distributing leaflets urging Germans, particularly the intelligentsia, to rise up against the Nazi regime. In February 1943, 2 prominent White Rose members, Sophie and Hans Scholl, were arrested. The rest of the group’s founding members were soon captured, and all 7 were sentenced to death. What were Sophie Scholl’s last words? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Pandora

According to Greek mythology, Zeus ordered that the first woman, Pandora, be created as a punishment to humankind for Prometheus’s theft of fire. The gods endowed her with every charm, but also with curiosity and deceit. Zeus sent her to marry Prometheus’s brother, Epimetheus, and gave her a box that he forbade her to open. Despite Prometheus’s warnings, Epimetheus allowed Pandora to open the box, letting out all the evils that have since afflicted man. What alone remained inside the box? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Amenhotep III

Amenhotep III, 9th pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, ruled Egypt during the 14th c BCE. He enjoys the distinction of having the largest number of surviving statues depicting his likeness of any Egyptian pharaoh; these include the Colossi of Memnon, 2 massive stone statues built at the gateway of his mortuary temple. His lengthy reign saw a period of unprecedented prosperity and artistic splendor. As pharaoh, Amenhotep elevated 2 of his daughters to the role of Great Royal Wife, a title meaning what? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Leaplings

Since, technically, a year consists of 365 days and approximately 6 hours, every four years these hours amount to a full day. In order to synchronize the Gregorian calendar with the astronomical year, a leap day, February 29, is added to the 28-day month once every four years. As such, leap years are always evenly divisible by four. Persons born on a leap day are called “leaplings,” and, contrary to popular myth, they do age during non-leap years. What opera centers on a leapling and his aging? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Orgone

In the late 1930s, psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich publicized his theory of universal life energy, a force he called orgone energy. He claimed that orgone fills all space, has a blue hue, and can be accumulated and used to restore psychological well-being. Most experts believe his hypotheses to be pseudoscience, and his books on the subject were burned following a court decision intended to prevent health-fraud. What renowned scientist agreed to participate in Reich’s experiments? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Anesthesia Awareness

In a rare subset of patients undergoing general anesthesia, the anesthetic is inadequate to keep the patient unconscious during an operation. This is a condition known as anesthesia awareness. The patient may feel the pain of surgery and hear the conversations of surgical staff but is often unable to communicate because a muscle relaxant or paralytic has also been administered. Having which hair color may indicate that someone will require a higher dose of anesthesia? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

The Space Pen

Marketers of the Space Pen claim that the writing implement can be used in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, over wet paper, at any angle, and in extreme temperatures. The pen, which was invented by American industrialist Paul C. Fisher, uses pressurized ink cartridges to force thixotropic ink through its tungsten carbide ballpoint. Though standard ballpoint pens can be used in space, both the American and Russian space programs use Fisher’s pen. Why is it dangerous to use pencils in space? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia is a loss of personal memory caused by a severe psychological trauma. Because the amnesia does not result from physiological trauma, such as a brain injury or disease, it is often treated with psychological therapy. While dissociative amnesia is often associated with particular events or periods of time, in its most radical form there is a total abandonment of personal identity and memory. How was “truth serum” used to treat dissociative amnesia during World War II? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary

Aron Ralston

The 2004 book Between a Rock and a Hard Place chronicles the experiences of Aron Ralston, an American mountain climber who survived a nearly fatal hike in the Utah desert. While Ralston was canyoneering alone in May 2003, his right forearm became trapped by a falling boulder. Unable to lift the rock, Ralston was forced to amputate his own arm in order to free himself. How many days did Ralston wait before beginning the terrible operation? Discuss

Source: The Free Dictionary