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11 Things We Learned This Week!

What did you learn this week? Let us know in the comments or at education@ngs.org.

This week, we learned …

… cowboys are straight outta Compton.

 

… what would happen if Earth lost oxygen for five seconds. Yikes.

 

… your hair is a better identifier than your DNA.

NGS Picture Id:1448199
The hair on this shrunken head belongs to a slain member of the Achuar indigenous group of Peru and Ecuador. Photograph by Robert Clark, National Geographic

 

… why purple Skittles taste different in the U.K.

Depending on where you are in the world, purple Skittles could be either grape- or blackcurrant-flavored. Green can be apple or lime. Photograph by Michelle Zlimen, courtesy Wikimedia. CC-BY-2.0
Depending on where you are in the world, purple Skittles could be either grape- or blackcurrant-flavored. Green can be apple or lime.
Photograph by Michelle Zlimen, courtesy Wikimedia. CC-BY-2.0
  • Do you associate certain flavors with certain colors? For instance, do you associate red with sweet cherries or spicy chilis? Do you think a green color indicates apple, lime, or mint? Is orange always orange?

 

… the Atlantic has its first ocean park.

This wee Atlantic octopus is leaping for joy at the announcement of the first marine park. Image courtesy NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, 2013 Northeast U.S. Canyons Expedition
This wee Atlantic octopus is leaping for joy at the announcement of the first marine park.
Image courtesy NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, 2013 Northeast U.S. Canyons Expedition

 

… few Americans are as affected by climate change as the Inupiat—or as dependent on the fossil-fuel economy. (Editor’s pick of the week!)

On experiencing cracking Arctic ice: “I didn’t believe in global warming—I’ll tell you that straight up. But I teared up out there. I was thinking, Every year, we don’t know if it’s the last time we’re going to see the ice.” Photograph by Emory Kristof, National Geographic
On experiencing cracking Arctic ice: “I didn’t believe in global warming—I’ll tell you that straight up. But I teared up out there. I was thinking, Every year, we don’t know if it’s the last time we’re going to see the ice.”
Photograph by Emory Kristof, National Geographic

 

… there are four species of giraffe. Or not.

No, this isn't the L.A. Zoo and that tree isn't invasive. This gorgeous giraffe is assessing the all-natural acacia buffet in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Photograph by George F. Mobley, National Geographic
This is one of my favorite pictures ever on this blog. Click to enlarge, and see every gorgeous thorn on that acacia tree, every beautiful spot on that ridiculous, reticulated neck. Photograph by George F. Mobley, National Geographic

 

… hundreds of Moroccan mosques are going green.

The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is one of hundreds of Moroccan mosques to participate in a government-led project to install energy-saving lights, and to use solar panel systems to generate power, heat water and provide air-conditioning. Photograph by danyloz2002, courtesy Pixabay. Public domain
The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is one of hundreds of Moroccan mosques to participate in a government-led project to install energy-saving lights. The project also installs solar panel systems to generate power, heat water, and provide air-conditioning.
Photograph by danyloz2002, courtesy Pixabay. Public domain

 

… a 15-year-old proposed a hijabi emoji (and it may happen).

Coming soon to a mobile device! Read Rayouf Alhumedhi’s wonderful proposal here. Images by Aphelandra Messer. Permission for use given for distribution in context of emoji proposal
Coming soon to a mobile device! Read Rayouf Alhumedhi’s wonderfully researched proposal here.
Images by Aphelandra Messer. Permission for use given for distribution in context of emoji proposal

 

… why paper cuts hurt so much.

  • Do you think other “small and shallow injuries” also cause disproportionate pain?

 

… painting eyes on cow behinds may prevent lion attacks, and the more general case against housecats.

2 thoughts on “11 Things We Learned This Week!”

  1. So now I finally know what actually black currant is.. In my country also there is a confusion I think because the flavor of blackcurrant tastes like blueberry.. I hope I’m gonna soon taste the actual blackcurrant…

    Reply

  2. It was really very interesting to read about the pain of paper cut so behind this pain there are nociceptor.. Article of emojis wearing hizzab was cute for me and now mosques are getting eco friendly.. Quite impressive!!

    Reply

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