Johannes Kepler, a crucial figure in the realm of astronomy, existed during an era when personal portraits were uncommon for those of lesser means. Born in 1571 to a daughter of an innkeeper and a mercenary father who deserted the family when Kepler was five, visual representations of him are limited. In contrast to the […]
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Yesterday, we examined several portraits of Isaac Newton, the famous mathematician who held the prestigious Lucasian Professorship at Cambridge. Today, our attention turns to Charles Babbage (1791–1871), a 19th-century successor to this prominent role. Despite his wealthy background, there are no known pictures from Babbage’s early years. The first identifiable portraits emerge from 1833, when […]
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In investigating the scientific achievements of Christiaan Huygens, it is essential to examine his profound influence on hydrostatics and mechanics. While he is widely recognized for his innovations in optics and horology, Huygens also made vital contributions to hydrostatics through his unpublished manuscript “De iis quae liquido supernatant,” where he investigated equilibrium states of buoyant […]
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Humans possess an inherent dependence on visual perception, a characteristic that predominates our sensory experiences and is apparent in everyday interactions. Language embodies this visual inclination; phrases such as “Look!” and “I see” denote attention and comprehension, emphasizing the dominance of sight. This focus on vision has historical origins, shaping the evolution of scientific reasoning, […]
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The famous scientific publication Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP), issued by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), has recently gone through a brief suspension, causing alarm within the research community. This occurred after an announcement made in April indicating that the journal would cease accepting new submissions due to financial constraints at the NIH and […]
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A recent evaluation of co-authorship in scientific publications indicates that the United States might be losing its preeminent status in the worldwide research framework. The document mentions that the US ‘seems to be in a downward trend as a research ally’, while scientists in other regions are establishing collaborations more swiftly with peers from different […]
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Researchers in the UK have formulated new anti-icing fluids by utilizing affordable gelling agents, improving the ice-free period for stationary aircraft. These groundbreaking fluids, developed by the team from the University of York in partnership with Kilfrost, utilize derivatives of 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS) to create supramolecular polymers. When blended with a 50:50 mixture of water […]
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Crystals derived from mucic acid represent the most rigid organic crystals documented thus far. Their strength is attributed to a tightly woven network of hydrogen bonds among their molecules, which impart mechanical attributes akin to those of metals. Crystals are frequently perceived as fragile, yet this isn’t universally accurate. Organic crystals, composed of small molecules […]
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Today at 15:03 UT, the Sun in its visible trajectory will momentarily pause above the Tropic of Capricorn, signifying a pivotal moment as it commences its ascent towards the Tropic of Cancer. This instant, referred to as the Solstice, comes from the Latin “Solstitium,” signifying a position at which the sun appears to halt. This […]
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In the past few weeks, the Renaissance Mathematicus, recognized for its thought-provoking posts on the history of science, has encountered a brief pause. In a prior update, the author revealed that their recovery from a health issue, which began innocently with a mere cough, has been gradual. Even though they have been confined to home […]
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