Italy was the top travel destination in the 1970s but ranked fifth in 2013 due to a lack of marketing and public transportation. France was the most popular destination in 2013 followed by the US, China, and Spain. The Las Vegas Strip was the most popular attraction with 39.6 million visitors, followed by Central Park […]
80% of North Americans live in areas with light pollution, but a 1,400-square-mile patch of central Idaho has been named the US’s first International Dark Sky Reserve due to its pristine night sky. The area is the third largest of 12 such reserves worldwide. Experts say 80% of North American residents live in areas where […]
The 1964 daisy commercial produced by Lyndon Johnson’s campaign for the presidential election is considered the most effective and memorable negative ad in American politics. It exploited America’s fear of nuclear warfare and implied that Senator Barry Goldwater could destroy everything if elected. The ad was only aired once but was broadcast on news networks, […]
A spot welder uses an electric current to melt two pieces of metal together. It can be made with a power source, transformer, and electrodes, but commercial ones are more complex. It can join thin pieces of metal and thicker ones with protrusions. The correct width and duration are necessary for a strong bond. A […]
Changes in behavior patterns, disinterest in physical activities, falling asleep during the day, listlessness, repetitive yawning, and irritability are signs of fatigue in children. Vitamin deficiencies, diarrhea, depression, and extreme effort to perform tasks are also indicators. Parents should not ignore severe fatigue and should schedule a physical exam if necessary. Recognizing the signs of […]
Spot welding is a process that uses a welding machine with clamps and electrodes to join two metal objects together. It was invented by Elihu Thomson in 1877 and is often used by large robotic devices to create car body parts. Safety equipment is required due to the extreme heat and high illumination generated during […]
The SPOT program observes travelers for signs of stress to prevent terrorism, but has been used for regular criminal activity. It uses behavior detection officers trained to look for psychological signs of stress, which can be indicators of fear. Some argue that it violates citizens’ rights and the Constitution. While helpful, programs like SPOT need […]
The QE2 cruise ship had the world’s largest consumption of caviar, with guests eating about a ton a year. It made its maiden voyage in 1969 and crossed the Atlantic Ocean at least 800 times. After being sold to a Dubai investment firm in 2007, plans to turn it into a floating hotel failed. The […]
Spot reduction, the idea that exercising one area of the body will reduce fat in that area, is a popular concept in exercise, but most medical professionals and exercise specialists don’t believe it’s possible. While strength training specific muscles can help with weight loss and improve appearance, the best way to get rid of fat […]
Extrapyramidal symptoms are movement disorders associated with antipsychotic drugs and other disorders involving dopamine. Symptoms include muscle twitching, difficulty sitting still, and involuntary muscle movements, and can become life-threatening. Changing medication or dosage and prescribing medication to manage symptoms are treatment options. Extrapyramidal symptoms are movement disorders associated with malfunctions in a part of the […]
The driest place on Earth is Antarctica’s polar plateau, with the McMurdo Dry Valleys being the driest known place. The Atacama Desert in Chile is also extremely dry, with some areas receiving no rainfall for centuries and the high coastal ridge being the driest place of all. Both areas have been compared to Mars. The […]
Recognizing pus from a UTI is difficult without a microscope, and it could be a sign of other infections. A urine sample is needed to confirm a UTI, and cloudy urine may indicate blood. Pus in urine could be an STI symptom, so see a doctor. Antibiotics are usually needed to clear a UTI, and […]
The ice point is the temperature at which solid and liquid water can coexist in thermal equilibrium. It is used for calibration in many temperature scales, but the triple point is preferred for precise measurements. Factors such as salinity can affect the freezing point of water, and the ice point is important for scientific research […]
Papa a la Huancaina is a spicy Peruvian potato salad dish originating from Huancayo. Traditionally made with yellow potatoes and a rocoto cheese sauce, it is now commonly made with aji almarillo and fresh cheese. It is best served cold and often accompanied by hard-boiled eggs, black olives, corn, and parsley. Papa a la Huancaina […]
Lightning can strike the same place multiple times, with the Empire State Building being hit over 20 times a year. The odds of being struck by lightning are higher than most people think, and it is one of the deadliest climate-related killers in the US. Lightning can strike in more than one place and can […]
The Sun’s corona is 300 times hotter than its surface due to nanoflares, which generate temperatures up to 18 million degrees Fahrenheit. The Sun is a near-perfect sphere of hot plasma and is expected to remain stable for another five billion years. You might think there’s nothing hotter than the surface of the Sun, but […]
Microsoft’s B87 anechoic chamber in Redmond, Washington is the world’s quietest place, according to Guinness World Records. The room is used to test audio and computer equipment and is surrounded by layers of steel and concrete to prevent echoes. Visitors are not allowed, but the Orfield Labs in Minneapolis, the previous record holder, absorbs 99.99% […]
Hunger is a diagnosable condition resulting from a prolonged lack of essential nutrients. Symptoms include physical changes, mental and behavioral consequences, reduced immune response, and muscle and physical wasting. Treatment involves introducing small, frequent, well-balanced meals gradually and monitoring improvement. Recognizing the symptoms of hunger is usually a matter of learning to identify the many […]
The sweet spot is the most productive area of an object, often found in sports equipment like bats and rackets. It provides maximum speed, energy, and power, and can also be found in architecture and electronics. It can also refer to a person’s field of maximum performance or a pleasurable point on the body. A […]
Spot prices are the immediate prices at which commodities, currencies, and securities change hands. They differ from futures prices and can indicate future performance. The difference between spot and forward prices can be informative, with a higher forward price indicating an expected rise in the spot price. The spot price is the price at which […]
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