Volcanoes, those forces of nature feared and revered since time immemorial. Volcanoes are also the geological entities to which skeptics and even outright deniers of mankind’s role in current climate change tirelessly appeal. Climate change deniers argue that the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activities are merely a faint glimpse compared to the CO2 … Read more
In one of the most well-known scenes from The Simpsons (specifically, the beginning of episode 276 of season 13 titled “Brawl in the Family”), the inhabitants of Springfield flee in panic trying to avoid a caustic rain that corrodes their clothes and burns their skin. One of the characters who fares the worst is groundskeeper … Read more
We have all witnessed at some point the pronounced hostility between water and oil, which strive not to mix when placed together in a container. No matter how much we stir the mixture, they always end up forming two separate phases, with the oil floating on the water due to its lower density. They must … Read more
In the bowels of the Arctic, where the polar bear reigns, a remote archipelago contains the ultimate insurance policy that can save us from the apocalypse we are building for ourselves. A beacon of hope and resilience emerges timidly and inconspicuously from the frozen dunes. Its content is more valuable than any jewel and precious … Read more
The idyllic beaches of the Caribbean are a dream destination for people from all over the world. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a peaceful and rejuvenating vacation, lying on white sands, listening to the murmur of crystal-clear waters breaking against the shore while savoring a piña colada? It certainly sounds like a dream getaway. However, … Read more
The Vikings, those warriors with a barbaric and unkempt appearance, with bushy beards and long hair, with a fierce and merciless gaze, as much as the climate of their homeland; masters of the axe and the sword, experienced navigators of seas and rivers aboard their sturdy longships, and merciless raiders and plunderers of Christian villages. … Read more
Australia has become an Internet meme because of the unique creatures that live there, including some of the world’s most venomous and lethal species. This danger has arisen in response to evolutionary pressures and the particular biotic and abiotic conditions of Terra Australis. Even the most adorable animal could pose a serious threat to our … Read more
The belief that sleeping with plants is dangerous because they deprive us of oxygen or gas us with the carbon dioxide resulting from their respiration is widespread. Many people do not want to have plants in their bedroom to avoid competing against a living being considered a relentless monopolizer of the breathable air of the … Read more
You may not be aware of it, but while strolling along the beach you might inadvertently come across one of the most valuable substances in the ocean: ambergris, also known as “floating gold”. It is an amorphous mass of variable size and waxy texture reminiscent of vegetable amber, with colors that can range from black … Read more
The Nizaris have managed to perpetuate themselves to this day along with the myths and the black legend that corrupt their true history. All these fables arose in the Middle Ages, first from rival Muslim groups and then from Crusaders and European chroniclers. Fueled by fascination, fear, ignorance or, merely, the desire to discredit, these … Read more
Sheltered in impregnable mountain fortresses, the Nizaris, a mysterious Muslim group spread throughout Iran and Syria, aroused the fear and respect of their enemies in the Middle Ages. It is said that the most loyal devotees complied unquestioningly with the commands of their leader, the enigmatic “Old Man of the Mountain,” who dispatched them on … Read more
“Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch”. No, it’s not that the cat took a walk on my keyboard. It is the name of a small village on Anglesey island, Wales, and is the longest place name in Britain and the longest (accepted) village name in the world. Few dare to pronounce it. Most people usually prefer to use one of … Read more
Interrupting the course of the Bidasoa River and located practically at its mouth is this modest and small oval-shaped islet, whose jurisdiction is divided between the city of Irun (Basque Country, Spain) and the French commune of Hendaye. So it belongs to two countries simultaneously? Yes, it does. In fact, it is the smallest condominium … Read more
It looks like this frog (Trichobatrachus robustus) has its body wrapped in tufts of hair. These hair-like filaments are very fine, highly vascularized extensions of the skin actually. Their function is to increase the surface area of the skin to increase gas exchange (O2-CO2). Only males possess these extensions and they appear on the hind … Read more
These tiny mammals are endemic to the island of Hispaniola (Solenodon paradoxus), where they are known as solenodonts, and to Cuba (Atopogale cubana), where they are called almiquí. They are considered living fossils. They resemble shrews. In fact, they are one of their closest relatives along with moles. They measure about 30 cm (plus about … Read more
It is one of the most peculiar plants in the world. For example, it has the largest known unbranched inflorescence in the plant kingdom. Discovered in 1878 by the Italian naturalist Odoardo Beccari, it is popularly known as titan arum or “bunga bangkai”. The latter term, meaning “corpse flower”, is Indonesian, which gives us some … Read more
It is popularly known as death cap. Despite its harmless appearance, Amanita phalloides is considered the most poisonous mushroom in the world (or at least one of the most dangerous), and this is no exaggeration. In fact, more than 90% of fatal mushroom poisonings are attributed to it. A small portion of this mushroom can … Read more
DIET AND LIFESTYLE The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), a truly imposing animal, is the largest saurian in existence today. Adult males can exceed 3.5 meters and their weight can exceed 90 kg. At birth they measure 45 cm and are exclusively arboreal. They feed mainly on carrion, but also hunt and ambush their prey, mainly … Read more
The cover image at the top of this article is a gift for the eyes of any Batman fan. At the top left is an imposing sculpture of the Gotham’s heroe beautifully adorned with Mayan motifs. It almost looks like the image of some god that would have been worshipped by pre-Columbian cultures. In fact, … Read more
When we come across horses or cows, we often see them trying to get rid of the annoying insects that flutter around their eyes. What are they doing there? Are they looking for something? The next time you witness this phenomenon, remember this term: “lachryphagy”, because you are probably witnessing these insects trying to feed … Read more