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Category Archives: Strange Science
Strange Science: Babylonian Trigonometry
For years, mathematicians and scientists have believed that the Greeks developed trigonometry. However, an new analysis of a 3,700-year-old Babylonian artifact has changed their tune. Plimpton 332, a Babylonian tablet that was excavated in the early 1900s, contains the world’s … Continue reading
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Tagged Mathematics, Strange Science
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Strange Science: Ecological Impacts of Mass Mortality
When many animals die at one time, what happens to the landscape where their carcasses remain? Scientists at Mississippi State University came up with a way to study this question, while also dealing with an enormous problem of feral pigs … Continue reading
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Tagged Ecology, Strange Science
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Strange Science: Studying Monsters
Did you know that there’s an entire organization devoted to the study of medieval monsters? They’re called MEARCSTAPA, which stands for Monsters: the Experimental Association for the Research of Cryptozoology through Scholarly Theory And Practical Application. The name of the … Continue reading
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Tagged Cryptozoology, Psychology, Strange Science
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Strange Science: The Frilled Shark
A frilled shark sounds like an animal that would be at home at a tea party, with frills and ruffles, right? Wrong. The frilled shark, Chlamydoselachus anguineus, is actually a terrifying, serpentine shark with 300 needle-sharp teeth lining its mouth in … Continue reading
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Tagged Marine Biology, Oceanography, Strange Science
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Strange Science: The Supernova That Won’t Die
A supernova is defined as the explosion that occurs when a star dies. Generally speaking, a dead star stops shining, but astronomers have located a star that has exploded multiple times during the past fifty years. The star in question, … Continue reading
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Tagged Astronomy, Strange Science
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Strange Science: Squirrels and Leprosy in Medieval England
Scientists studying a leprosy outbreak in medieval England believe they may have found the culprit: squirrels. More specifically, they suggest that the squirrel pelt trade could have brought this disease to England from Scandinavia. In examining the skull of a … Continue reading
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Tagged Biology, Epidemiology, Strange Science
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Strange Science: Where Do Pumpkins Come From?
We here at Mad Scientist Journal love pumpkin pie this time of year, but never thought much about the history of that noble orange orb. It turns out that pumpkins are a result of a genetic mash-up. While they’ve been … Continue reading
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Tagged Botany, Strange Science
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Strange Science: Corpses That Don’t Rot
High in the Andes Mountains of Colombia, there’s a small town called San Bernardo (about 3 hours south of Bogata) where some corpses refuse to rot. And it’s not just the corpses, it’s their clothing, too! Were it only the … Continue reading
Strange Science: Holey Ice in Antarctica
Holes that open up in the ice pack in Antarctica are nothing new. They’re called polynyas, and they can be caused near coastlines by warmer water or wind. Scientists have recently identified a polynya in Antarctica that is hundreds of … Continue reading
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Tagged Atmospheric Science, Geology, Strange Science
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Strange Science: Ice in Space?
Could ice in space be the key to life (itself)? Scientists in Japan think so! A team of scientists recently simulated ice that could exist in space, and then exposed it to simulated starlight. At first, the increased temperature made … Continue reading
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Tagged Biology, Strange Science, Thermodynamics
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