The aromatic dish known as plov is deeply rooted in Uzbek culture and centuries-old food traditions along the Silk Road. In Uzbekistan, plov (also called “osh”) is widely recognised as the national dish—so much so that it was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. At its core, plov combines rice, large cuts of…
The human gastrointestinal system is often seen as a simple food processor—but recent science reveals it has its own complex nervous system, earning it the nickname the “second brain.” Research shows that your gut contains around 100 million neurons embedded in the walls of the digestive tract, capable of functioning independently of the central nervous…
When Post‑It Notes reached desks around the world, few knew the surprising story behind their creation. The journey began in the late 1960s when chemist Spencer Silver—while working at 3M—developed a unique adhesive that was strong enough to cling, yet weak enough to be removable without residue. Because it held only lightly, it seemed useless…
In the vast theater of the universe, the most dramatic moments in a star’s life often end not with an explosion, but with silence. After billions of years burning brightly, a star like our Sun exhausts its nuclear fuel and sheds its outer layers, leaving behind a dense, glowing core known as a white dwarf….
The traditional game known as Pearl Ball originated with the Manchu people of northeastern China and remains a fascinating example of how cultural heritage can shape sports. Whereas many team sports evolve from modern athletic leagues or globalised disciplines, Pearl Ball descends from pearl-diving traditions and incorporates unique rules that distinguish it from basketball or…
Books often feel familiar—pages you’ve read, characters you know, worlds you’ve visited. But behind the covers lie stories about books themselves: odd statistics, courageous creators, and curious accidents. For example, did you know linguistically daring novels exist without the letter “e”, or that the most expensive manuscript ever sold set a new benchmark for literary…
Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained serious popularity as a go-to health strategy—but with that rise comes confusion. One persistent myth claims that fasting for 16–20 hours daily automatically leads to massive fat loss and superior metabolism. However, research from reviewed sources indicates the reality is more nuanced. For instance, medical experts emphasise that IF’s effectiveness…
When Swiss engineer George de Mestral returned from a nature walk in 1941, he was puzzled by how burrs clung to his dog’s fur and his own trousers. What many saw as an annoyance, de Mestral viewed as a clue—and he spent months under a microscope studying the burr’s hook-like structure. His curiosity ultimately led…
Two centuries-old games highlight how cultures embed unique values and history into their pastimes: Pearl Ball, from China’s Manchu people, and Gateball, developed in post-war Japan. Their rules aren’t just about competition—they reflect identity, strategy, and community cohesion. Understanding how they operate gives insight into the cultural logic that shaped them, illustrating that “sport” is…
Did you know that the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji, was penned over a thousand years ago? Authored by the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, this literary masterpiece offers a profound glimpse into the intricacies of court life during Japan’s Heian period. Its rich narrative and complex characters have…
