White-Nose Syndrome: Killing Bats in Their Sleep

White-Nose Syndrome: Killing Bats in Their Sleep

What is the white-nose syndrome? Where did it originate and how did it spread? How does it cause death in hibernating bats? White-nose syndrome is a disease caused by a cold-climate fungus that affects hibernating bats. Researchers are not sure how exactly the white-nose syndrome kills bats, but they came up with two hypotheses. Read about the white-nose syndrome, its origin, effects, and how it is implicated in the deaths of bats.

Racial Caste System: It’s More Than Skin Color

Racial Caste System: It’s More Than Skin Color

What is a racial caste system? How did an arbitrary trait such as the color of skin come to shape the destinies of millions? Racial caste system is a hierarchical social order where skin color is used as a tool to designate people’s rank in society. However, race is an arbitrary characteristic because it was invented as a means to stratify society and justify different standards of living. Keep reading to learn about how the racial caste system was created.

Scientific Paradigms: Why Do We Need Them?

Scientific Paradigms: Why Do We Need Them?

What are scientific paradigms? What functions do they serve and how do they get established? Scientific paradigms are the overarching frameworks within a scientific discipline that determine what constitutes legitimate contributions to the field. In that sense, paradigms dictate the problems to be solved and provide the tools with which to solve those problems. Read on to learn about scientific paradigms, how they get established, and what role they play in the development of science.

The Great Auk: Gone for Good, Never to Return

The Great Auk: Gone for Good, Never to Return

What happened to the great auk? What role did humans play in the disappearance of the giant seabird of the North Atlantic? The extinction of the great auk is attributed to several causes. There was a volcano eruption on one of the breeding islands. However, the major factor is considered to be the mass killings of auks for egg collection in the 1800s. Read more to learn about the factors behind the great auk’s extinction.

Louisiana Politics: Republican and Unregulated

Louisiana Politics: Republican and Unregulated

What is the core of Louisiana politics? Why is Louisiana one of the most consistently Republican states despite low quality of life? Louisiana politics are, and have been, consistently Republican for many years. There are clear consequences for everyday Louisianans to having pro-business policies that allow rampant corporate abuse. So why are Louisiana politics so staunchly Republican? Read to find out.

The Bhagavad Gita Characters: Four People to Know

The Bhagavad Gita Characters: Four People to Know

Who are The Bhagavad Gita characters? Why are they important in the story? The Bhagavad Gita is told as a story within a story. The story begins with Sanjaya recounting a vision to a king, Dhritarashtra. The story he tells is about a prince, Arjuna, and the god Krishna. Each of The Bhagavad Gita characters has an important role. Read more about The Bhagavad Gita characters and what they do.