Science in telegram

⚕️ Origin of the Most Popular Pharmaceutical Symbol – The Snake and the Bowl The iconic symbol of a snake entwined around a bowl originates from the attributes of the ancient Greek goddess of health, Hygieia (yes, the word “hygiene” comes from her name). Hygieia was often depicted with a snake, which she fed from a bowl. This bowl, entwined with a snake, later became known as the “Bowl of Hygieia.” But why did she feed a snake? The snake, with its ability to shed its skin, was seen in many ancient cultures as an immortal creature, possessing the secret to eternal youth. The Bowl of Hygieia has been a symbol of medicine since ancient times. However, pharmacists adopted it only in the late 18th century. In 1796, the image of the bowl was engraved on a commemorative coin for the Paris Society of Pharmacy. ⚕️ @science #history

🦋 Intricate Cocoon Construction by Cyana Moth Caterpillar This intricate cage, reminiscent of a hammock, was constructed by a Cyana moth pupa while it was still a caterpillar, using its own hairs bound with silk. When the time comes for its final molt, the caterpillar selects a spot on the northern side of a tree trunk, usually one to two meters above the ground. This placement helps prevent overheating during the hottest midday hours. The cocoon is strong and rigid; if touched, it quickly returns to its original shape. It has two exits: one at the front and one at the rear. The rear exit is used by the caterpillar to push out its old skin when it becomes a pupa, while the front exit is used by the adult moth to emerge. Explore the fascinating world of insect behavior and adaptation with us. 🦋 @science

🏗️ Hoover Dam Construction, 1935 The Hoover Dam, a 221-meter-high concrete arch-gravity dam, was constructed in 1935 along the lower Colorado River. This monumental engineering feat also includes a hydroelectric power plant, which continues to be a crucial source of renewable energy. 📌@science

Singapore Approves 16 Insect Species for Consumption Singapore has approved 16 insect species for food consumption. The list includes house crickets (Acheta domesticus), African migratory locusts (Locusta migratoria migratorioides), silkworms (Bombyx mori), and honey bees (Apis mellifera). These insects, and products made from them, can be used as food, raw materials for the food industry, or as livestock feed. Additionally, some species can be imported live and bred locally. It’s worth noting that Singapore is not the first country to allow insect consumption. The European Union, for example, has approved food from four insect species in recent years. Such measures aim to provide a sustainable protein source for the growing global population and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. ⚛ @science

And here’s a photograph of genuine noctilucent clouds taken by one of our channel authors this Monday. These clouds float at an altitude of approximately 76-85 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Known as mesospheric or night-shining clouds, they appear in the mesosphere, which lies above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. This phenomenon is most commonly observed during summer. Observers on Earth might mistake them for cirrus clouds, which hover at altitudes of 6-18 kilometers. However, cirrus clouds are only visible during the day, while noctilucent clouds can be seen after sunset or before sunrise. These clouds are extremely sparse and are the highest clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere. They are visible only when the Sun is 6-16 degrees below the horizon, illuminating them from below. There have been speculations that noctilucent clouds consist of volcanic or meteoric dust. However, data from the American satellite UARS (Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite) has shown that they are primarily made of water ice. ⚛ @science

These are not ordinary noctilucent clouds. The clouds in this photo are linked to a recent SpaceX rocket launch. The bright spot to the right of the Moon is Jupiter, and the streak below is a contrail from an airplane, captured due to the long exposure of the photograph. Photo credit: Pascal Fouquet @science

🌊 Airy Wave Theory Animation In deep water, wave motion does not extend to the seabed. Each particle in the water moves in a circular orbit, with the radius of these orbits decreasing exponentially with depth. This theory is frequently used in marine and coastal engineering to model sea states and predict wave behavior. ⚛ @science

Not What You Think: The Curious Shapes of Lava Don’t be alarmed! What you see isn’t what you might initially think. These fascinating formations are simply lava that has solidified into peculiar shapes that resemble human bodies. The remarkable photo was taken in Hawaii by volcanologist Laszlo Kestay in 1996. Such formations occur when lava cools and solidifies in unusual ways, often influenced by the surrounding environment and the flow dynamics. This particular image serves as a captivating reminder of the diverse and sometimes eerie beauty of volcanic activity. #history 🌋 @science