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29 Bits of STEM Trivia That Mad Scientists Have Forcibly Extracted From the Universe

Like a Bond villain with a giant laser and a dream, we’re going to get every last one of the universe’s secrets

29 Bits of STEM Trivia That Mad Scientists Have Forcibly Extracted From the Universe

July 15, 2024

Without the financial backing and the might of the scientific community, the universe may never have given up its greatest secret of all: Cows do a little jump when they’re excited about solving a problem.

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29

A biotech corporation is developing an invisibility cloak called Quantum Stealth. Quantum Stealth oper- ates similar to fiber optic cable technology in that it bends light waves around it, so the wearer is hidden from view. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

28

The youngest person to undergo open-heart surgery was still in the womb. Doctors pulled the chest and arm of unborn child Tucker Roussin through an insertion made in his mother's uterus to re- move a tumor growing on the lining of his heart. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

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Princeton Scientists have come up with a camera no bigger than a grain of salt. 16 22 3.5 / So в 111622 ST. Bill 12 a Leitz Elmar f 5cm 1:35 many Their microscopic de- vice was created using metasurface technology. It consists of a thin sili- con nitride film covered in 1.6 million small cylin- ders. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

26

Scientists in Singapore have created a device that allows them to communicate with plants. The device picks up elec- trical signals released by the plant and replies with its pulses. The researchers hope that this technology could be used to detect early signs of health is- sues. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

25

Cows will jump in excitement when they solve a problem. One 2004 study showed young cows' heart rates increased when they solved problems. Some of these COWS even jumped and kicked after encountering solutions. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

24

40,000 tons of unwanted clothes end up in a Chilean desert every year. Representing the absolute end of the clothing supply chain, tons of clothes from rich countries end up here. About 40% of these used clothes are sold again in poor Latin American coun- tries. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

23

A new form of crypto cyberattack can melt a smartphone's battery. Experts tested malware that takes control of a phone and forces it to per- form various malicious tasks on a trial device and found that it caused the battery to buckle in just 48 hours. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

22

The discovery of the oldest human village rewrote our history. The discovery of the an- cient village of Karahan Тере has demonstrated that hunter-gatherers were building permanent settle- ments long before agricul- ture became popular around 10,000 years ago. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

21

Scientists discovered a planet still orbiting its star after it went supernova. In September 2020, a gi- ant Jupiter-sized planet, called WD 1856 b, was found orbiting a white dwarf star. The planet now orbits a star 7 times smaller than itself. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

20

Glass dumping in the waters off the Great Gulf have made a beach of colorful seaglass. For years this site was a dumping spot for the neighboring glass industry and locals throwing empty alcohol bottles. With slow and steady erosion, the glass formed into colorful pebbles. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

19

Scientists were able to mind control a shark by manipulating its sense of smell. Because sharks use scent to find both food and mates, activating the part of the brain responsible for detecting scent can pilot the shark, causing it to seek the source of the smell. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

18

An ancient crocodile was fossilized with a baby dino in its stomach. After they performed ad- vanced imaging on the fos- sils, a group of scientists found the remains of a ju- venile, chicken sized dino- saur within the 8 foot croc- odile's stomach contents. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

17

An 11-year-old died after being bitten by a hamster in 2013. After her pet hamster bit her pinky, the girl devel- oped anaphylaxis and was rushed to the hospital, un- conscious. By this point it was too late, and the rapid allergic reaction led to her death. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

16

The ZIP file format predates the modern internet. Created in 1989, ZIP was one of many compression tools to come out at the time. But its ease of use, and its later ubiquity across nearly all computing platforms, made it the standard for file com- pression. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

15

Archaeologists discovered a lost city in South Africa with lasers. The remains of the coun- try's earliest metropolis, the city of Kweneng, was believed to be lost to histo- ry. The settlement likely reached its peak some- where between the 15th and 19th centuries. CRACKED NOW YOU KNOW — Source

14

SPEND MONEY ON OTHERS CHARITY In one study, people were significantly happier when they spent a work bonus on gifts for others or charitable donations instead of one themselves. CRACKED.COM — Source

13

LAUGH AT YOURSELF People who use self-defeating humor were shown to have higher levels of psychological well-being, in one study. Maybe not taking yourself seriously will have some serious benefits. CRACKED.COM — Source

12

MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS The most consistent predictors of happiness are social relationships. Focusing on social goals over individual goals leads to more life satisfaction. CRACKED.COM — Source

11

VISIT A PARK If you live in a city, researchers have found that just 20 minutes in an urban park (whether or not you exercise) can increase your happiness. CRACKED.COM — Source

10

LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE Having new and diverse experiences increases happiness. This has something to do with increased activity in your brain. So, do something nice for your brain and mix up your routine. CRACKED.COM — Source

9

SPEND MORE TIME WITH FRIENDS Researchers discovered that people have higher levels of happiness after spending time with their friends....even more than with their spouse or children. CRACKED.COM — Source

8

USE SOCIAL MEDIA INTENTIONALLY Passive scrolling and social comparisions have negative effects on your well-being. The most beneficial use of social media is to directly connect with others (and ideally make in-person plans.) CRACKED.COM

7

MAINTAIN HOPE FOR THE FUTURE Believing your situation in life is worse than others and not having hope for change can result in risky behaviors, like drinking and gambling. CRACKED.COM — Source

6

DECORATE YOUR SPACE LIKE YOU People whose homes match their personalities report higher levels of well-being. This is especially important among older people. CRACKED.COM — Source

5

PLAN A TRIP In one study, people who frequently traveled far from home were found to be 7% happier than those who traveled little to none. CRACKED.COM — Source

4

BE RICH Having more money gives you more control over your life, leading to happiness. However, it depends where you live. People where money plays less of a role report higher happiness, regardless of income. CRACKED.COM — Source

3

VALUE YOUR LEISURE TIME Research shows that those who think leisure is wasteful may be unhappier and have higher levels of stress and depression. CRACKED.COM — Source

2

PERFORM RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS Intentional acts of kindness reduce anxiety and depression. Varying those actions can have a longer term positive affect on your mental health. CRACKED.COM — Source

1

BE EVEN A LITTLE GENEROUS Will Researchers consistently find that people who are focused on others are happier than those who only focus on themselves. But you don't know need to be a martyr to experience the benefits of generosity, even a little bit makes a difference. CRACKED.COM — Source

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