Research at the Samburu National Reserve in Kenya has shown that elephants can recognize 469 different sounds among themselves. , Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStock
1. Earlier this year, a vehicle named ‘Odysseus’ from the company Intuitive Machines became the first commercial vehicle to land here. It included a library, art, Internet archives, and parts of Project Gutenberg. Where did it come from to provide information for millions of years?
2. This year a new species of animal was found in the Caribbean Islands. nominated E.AkayamaIts DNA proved to be completely different from that of other species we are familiar with. Easily one of the largest animals in the world, what is this animal that proves there is still so much to discover on our planet?
3. In February, astronomers at the Carnegie Institution added three new items to the list of 290 already known. Whose list is this, with Saturn having the most and Earth having the least?
4. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared them the ‘world’s deadliest animal’. They have killed 52 billion people, almost half of all humans living on Earth. To combat this, billions of genetically engineered versions of the same animals were released in Brazil in March, which would limit the impact of its deadly nature. what animal is this?
5. In April this year, the University of Maine showcased its ‘Factory of the Future 1.0’. It has the capability to make 96 feet long and 32 feet wide objects made of thermoplastic polymer. This is the world’s largest example of which device?
6. A study conducted over 20 years at the University of Nevada has now proven that ‘retrowalking’ is highly beneficial and strengthens the spine. Commonly practiced by football referees to have a good view of the game, it is also a sport in itself. What do researchers say about 20 minutes to do every day?
7. A study that has been going on since 1986 among elephants in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve has come to its conclusion. They identified 469 different calls and how certain family members reacted to each call. What interesting (and almost humanizing) conclusions did they draw?
8. Since 2003, when the Concorde aircraft were retired, commercial supersonic flight has not been active. The ability to halve travel times does exist, but one of the main issues was a physical phenomenon that troubled those on the ground. This year, the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Transport (QueSST) is set to fly. What iconic factor would be missing in this aircraft’s supersonic flight?
9. In 2023 a devastating fungal disease wiped out an entire species of a certain animal and researchers were looking at ways to deal with its spread. This year he finally got a low-tech immunity boost that helps him fight the fungus. Hot baths or saunas prevent chytrid disease. What are these animals, who ironically also feature in the story of not realizing the slowly approaching danger?
10. Artemis 2 will be the first mission to take humans to the Moon since 1972 and rocket stacking operations began this year for operations scheduled to begin in April 2026. In Greek mythology, Artemis is the goddess of hunting and nature. Twin sister of which god?
answer
1. On the Moon (Lunar Library)
2. Anaconda
3. New Moons of the Solar System (2 for Neptune, 1 for Uranus)
4. Mosquito
5. 3D printer
6. Walking backwards
7. Elephants call each other by specific names
8. Sonic Boom
9. The Frog (The Story of the Frog in Hot Water)
10. Apollo (after whom the first lunar mission was named)
A molecular biologist from Madurai, our quizmaster enjoys general knowledge and music and is working on a rock song called ‘Coffee is a drink, Kaapi is a feeling’. @bertyashley
published – December 26, 2024 09:03 am IST
