The War for Catch-22 The tragicomic 1961 novel that sprang from Joseph Heller’s experience as a W.W. II bombardier mystified and offended many of the publishing professionals who saw it first. But thanks to a fledgling agent, Candida Donadio, and a young editor, Robert Gottlieb, it would eventually be recognized as one of the greatest anti-war…
For the first time scientists have directly observed Living bacteria in polar ice and snow — an environment once considered sterile. The new evidence has the potential to alter perceptions about which planets in the universe could sustain life and may mean that humans are having an even greater impact on levels of CO2 in Earth’s…
The first oranges weren’t orange: What came first, the orange or…orange? Did someone just make the un-creative decision to name the citrus fruit after its color? Or did the color get its name because of the fruit? In terms of perplexing origin stories, this one is right up there with the chicken vs. the egg….
The “Windy City” name has nothing to do with Chicago weather: Chicago city’s nickname was coined by 19th-century journalists who were referring to the fact that its residents were “windbags” and “full of hot air.” Well, when the nickname came to be, the “Windy City” wasn’t describing the weather but the people. Nineteenth-century journalists first…
Dolphin’s sleep in a very different way to the way we humans do as they must still continue to surface to breathe. Humans have prolonged periods of unconscious sleep and we are not aware of our surroundings for periods of time while sleeping. Humans have a breathing reflex and when we sleep or become unconscious,…
Mysterious wonder, a wealth of diversity, and a rich history: The Republic of India is a vast country in south Asia, full of breathtaking landscapes, mysterious wonder, a wealth of diversity, and a rich history. Known as the world’s largest democracy, India is a truly fascinating country with a very proud people. It’s so awesome…
Of the many curious facts about this highly-studied creature, its ability to live without a head… for a while anyway… has got to be one of the creepiest. But before outright telling you how long a cockroach can survive without a head, let’s look at the science behind why it’s possible at all. Because there’s…
Superstar Freddie Mercury is of Indian origin: Freddie Mercury, original name Farrokh Bulsara, (born September 5, 1946, Stone Town, Zanzibar [now in Tanzania]—died November 24, 1991, Kensington, London, England), British rock singer. And songwriter whose flamboyant showmanship and powerfully agile vocals, most famously for the band Queen, made him one of rock’s most dynamic front men. Bulsara was born…
At over 5000 years old, Varanasi is one of the oldest inhabited places on earth: It is also one of India’s holiest cities. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva founded the city 5000 years ago. Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Its early history is that of the first Aryan settlement…
Rain is precious at the best of times, but this is something else entirely. Scientists believe that on Jupiter and Saturn, it rains diamonds. New atmospheric data for the gas giants indicates that carbon is abundant in its dazzling crystal form, the BBC reports. Lightning storms turn methane into soot which hardens into chunks of graphite…
