Good News in History September 19
1,938 years ago today Antoninus Pious, the fourth of the Five Good Emperors of Rome, was born. Keeping in mind that ‘good’ in this case did not mean morally upright, but rather effective. But the 23 years of the Principate under Antoninus Pious were probably the most peaceful in its 400-year history, and there are […]
Researchers Bend DNA Strands with Light, Revealing a New Way to Study the Genome
nnWith the flick of a light, researchers have found a way to rearrange life’s basic tapestry, bending DNA strands back on themselves to reveal the material nature of the genome.nnScientists have long debated the physics of chromosomes—structures at the deepest interior of a cell that are made of long DNA strands tightly coiled around millions […]
Van Gogh’s Painting Starry Night Is Scientifically Accurate, Says New Study
nnIt’s probably fair to say that Starry Night is the second most famous painting ever made behind the Mona Lisa, but what its many admirers likely do not know is that its famous swelling skies are “alive with real-world physics.”nnVan Gogh’s brush strokes create an illusion of sky movement so convincing it led atmospheric scientists specializing in marine […]
Giant Millipede Lost to Science for a Century Rediscovered in Madagascar with 20 More Species in World-First Expedition
nnIt may be the very definition of a creepy crawly, but this species of giant millipede was a major discovery for a recent scientific expedition to Madagascar.nnNot seen in 126 years, it was part of a bevy of species identified by scientists among the trees and waterfalls in a remote section of the largest forest […]
Vessel Rescued in English Channel After Emergency Call to Dover, Delaware, Instead of Dover, England
nnWhen Dover Police Department responders picked up the phone on August 27th, who knows what was more surprising: that the caller’s ship was sinking, or that he had an East European accent.nnThe phone call arrived in the US State of Delaware’s capital city, but the man, an Albanian, was talking about the English Channel—over 3,500 […]
“It is easy to sit up and take notice, What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” – Honore de Balzac (for Voter Registration Day)
Quote of the Day: “It is easy to sit up and take notice, What is difficult is getting up and taking action.” – Honore de Balzac (Yesterday was Voter Registration Day in America–Check out how to register at the link…)nnPhoto by: Warren Leffler ©Library of Congress (Rosa Parks at 1968 Peoples March in Washington DC)nnnWith […]
Good News in History, September 18
73 years ago today, A Streetcar Named Desire, the film based on the play by Tennessee Williams, premiered in New York City. Starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, and Karl Malden, the film tells the story of a Mississippi southern belle, Blanche DuBois, who, after encountering a series of personal losses, seeks refuge with her […]
Long-Lost Diana of Versailles Statue Sank with the Titanic–But Was Just Found on the Ocean Floor
nnA two-foot-tall bronze statue of the Greek goddess Diana that once adorned the fireplace mantle onboard the Titanic was found during a recent expedition.nnDescribed as like finding “a needle in a haystack,” it was one of a variety of fine art pieces that have for years been the targets of maritime archaeologists working to recover […]
Birds Sing Anew After Residents of New Orleans Ninth Ward Restore 40-Acre Wetland to Historic Glory
nnThe Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans has recently witnessed an incredible eco-renaissance following decades of damage and neglect.nnLed by a local community development group, a 40-acre wetlands park has been restored to glories past with hundreds of local trees that attract over a hundred species of birds, plus joggers, picnickers, and nature lovers besides.nnThe […]
High Schoolers Surprise Janitor From Ghana with Dream Car: a Red Jeep in Time for His Birthday
nnThese high school sophomores recently raised over $20,000 to surprise their favorite school janitor with a brand-new car.nnThe fundraiser kicked off in advance of Francis Apraku’s birthday, whom the boys describe as “super kind and friendly.”nnThey asked him what he wanted as a present, and, joking, the Ghanaian immigrant replied that he’d love a new […]