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What celebrities wrote book for children?

How can a writer’s success be defined? If a writer can get a child hooked on their book from an early age, then we can assume that the writer has been successful. And then there are celebrities who took to writing children’s fiction, attempting to connect with them. We take a look at some of these famous personalities.

What does one do after winning a gold medal at Paralympic games?  Well, if you were Ellie Robinson, you would write a children’s book! It may not be the dream of many athletes to move away from the glam and glitter of the sports arena to that of the literary world. But that was just what Ellie Robinson did. And her debut novel “Gold Medal Mysteries: Thief on the Track” which was released recently has already received good reviews. The multi-medal-winning British swimmer retired from swimming after the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. Now the athlete is dabbling in writing and her studies. She blends her love for history and sport in the book. According to the athlete, the book is all about personal development and life lessons, which the characters learn as the story progresses. Let’s read up on other personalities who came up with children’s books!

Paul McCartney

Most of us know Paul McCartney as the world famous rock superstar. But did you know that the former Beatle singer also wrote a book for children? Titled “Hey Grandude”, the name Grandude being based on a nickname given to McCartney by one of his grandchildren, the book follows the adventures of a retired hippie who takes his grandkids on a wondrous journey. It is the relationship that McCartney shared with his grandkids that inspired him to create the book. While the title may make Beatle fans think of “Hey Jude”, the book follows the fictional family as they take off on adventures, all thanks to the magic compass that the Grandude has which will let them travel anywhere! Another book he wrote for kids in Grandude’s Green Submarine.

Whoopi Goldberg

Actress-comedian Whoopi Goldberg has carved herself a career in the entertainment industry. But children might know her best as the author of the “Sugar Plum Ballerinas” series. It is the first book of the Academy Award winner which revolves around a school of ballet. The setting is the “Nutcracker School of Ballet in Harlem where aspiring ballerinas learn to do the plié, and chassé turns. The protagonist is Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson, who is forced to join the school and leave her friends behind all because of her mother who wants her to be a ballerina. Soon she is chosen to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in the school recital and has a massive task at hand to tackle the challenges and perform. Apart from the books in the “Sugar Plum Ballerinas” series, “Alice” is another book written by the author for children.

Frank Lampard

How about reading a story that blends magic and football? When England footballer Frank Lampard turned to write fiction, he chose to bring in two of his favourite elements, the sport of football and history. And he chose to write for children. His first children’s book “Frankie’s Magic Football” followed the adventures of Frankie, a school boy and his friends who love football. The story delves not just into football but also offers nuggets of wisdom and life lessons. He touches upon themes such as fairplay, bravery, goals and so on in his book. The collection that follows Frankie’s journey includes a plethora of books such as “Frankie vs The Pirate Pillagers“, “Frankie vs The Rowdy Romans“, “Frankie vs The Cowboy’s Crew” and so on.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams revolutionised sports. Her style of play, talent and determination has turned her into a legend in women’s tennis. But do you know what else makes her even more intriguing? The fact that she chose to write a book for children, a book centred around a little girl who starts to trust and believe in herself with the help of her doll “Qai Qai”. William’s first book “The Adventures of Qai Qai” was released in 2022. Qai Qai is inspired by William’s daughter Olympia’s doll. Williams had earlier mentioned how reading out a story was an important part of their (Williams and daughter) bedtime routine.

Tom Fletcher

Talk about musicians-turned-writers and you have many. While some have tried their hand at fiction, some have attempted to write children’s books. Among them, musician Tom Fletcher has truly carved a niche for himself in the children’s book category. Apart from being the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the English pop rock band “McFly”. Fletcher is into penning books for children. With the book “Christmasaurus”, he made a giant splash in the literary world and slowly became one of the UK’s most popular children’s authors. His book “The Creakers” turned out to be a number-one bestseller. He is also noted for his bestselling picture books such as “There’s a Monster in Your Book”. “There’s an Elf in Your Book”, and “There’s a Dragon in Your Book”. The book he wrote with his bandmate titled “The Dinosaur That Pooped” sold over a million copies. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages.

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What are some incredible tales of women who dared to enter the man’s world disguised as men?

Here are some incredible tales of women who dared to enter the man’s world disguised as men!

Today, women are making a mark in various fields all over the world. But until as late as the 19th Century they had to struggle to get education even in the progressive western countries. However, many spirited women of the 18th and 19th Century donned men’s attire and set out to achieve what was denied to them simply because they belonged to the fairer sex. Some disguised themselves as soldiers while some, bitten by the wanderlust, set sail as sailors or cabin boys. Some concealed their feminine identity to earn a living – women were either not allowed to do certain jobs or were paid less.

Jeanne Baret

French woman Jeanne Baret was the first woman to circumnavigate the globe albeit in a man’s disguise.

Jeanne had a deep knowledge of plants, especially their medicinal properties. In 1766, she accompanied botanist Philibert Commerson on a French naval expedition by disguising herself as his young male assistant.

Over the next two years, the duo collected thousands of plant samples from across the world. Baret faced untold hardships on the ship but remained undaunted and focused on her research. She is credited with introducing the colourful bougainvillea vine to the western world. The vine was named after the commander of the ship.

Upon her return, Baret received recognition as a naturalist and the French government granted her a pension.

Deborah Sampson

Many courageous women masqueraded as men to join the army during the American Revolutionary War in the late 18th Century. The trend continued hundred years later as women were still barred from the battleground.

Deborah Sampson was the first American lady to don a soldier’s uniform. Deborah came from a very humble background and had to work hard from early childhood. At 21, she enlisted in the army by carefully transforming herself into Robert Shurtleff, her tall frame and years of hard labour helping in her disguise. After she was sent to the war front, the church excommunicated her on the strong suspicion that she was a man!

Deborah was injured several times but she would bravely tend to her own wounds to protect her identity. Eventually, the doctor treating her for fever discovered her secret and Deborah was honourably discharged from the army. Deborah had to fight a long public battle with the American establishment to get a decent pension.

Deborah Sampson was the first American lady to don a soldier’s uniform and went by the name Robert Shurtleff.

James Barry

The incredible life story of Dr James Barry was probably the best kept secret of the 19th Century. James Barry was born Margaret Ann Bulkley in 1792 in Ireland. Young Margaret was encouraged by her progressive uncles and mother to take up the overwhelming challenge of studying medicine at the Edinburgh University. So Margaret became James Barry and sailed to Edinburgh with her mother.

After graduation, James Barry joined the British Army and retired after 40 years as a top-ranking medical officer. Dr Barry was an outstanding doctor with fine surgical skills who became the first British doctor to perform a successful Caesarean section long before the advent of antiseptics and anaesthetics.

Dr Barry served in various British colonies throughout the world including India carrying out revolutionary work for the welfare of soldiers, and inmates of lunatic asylums. Barry’s work on hygiene and preventive medicine paved the way for new methods in treatment.

Dr Barry’s death left everyone stunned, for it was only then that everybody including her closest colleagues realised her true identity.

Margaret Ann Bulkley who lived as Dr Barry all her life was the first British doctor to perform a successful Caesarean section long before the advent of antiseptics and anaesthetics.

Hannah Snell

Hannah was born in 1723 in England. Though she hailed from a family of soldiers and military officers, little did anyone imagine that Hannah would become a soldier one day and fight battles! When Hannah’s husband deserted her a few months after marriage, she borrowed her brother-in-law’s suit, assumed his name James Grey and joined the Royal Marines in search of her husband.

Throughout her career as a soldier, Hannah was wounded 11 times but managed to conceal her identity. She revealed her secret only after returning to England. She was honourably discharged and even granted a pension.

Throughout her career as a soldier, Hannah Snell was wounded 11 times but managed to conceal her identity.

Billy Tipton

Billy Tipton was a well-known American jazz musician and saxophonist of the 1930s. It was only in 1989 when Billy died that the musician’s identify was revealed – Billy was actually a woman named Dorothy Tipton! Dorothy began dressing as a man in order to get an opportunity to perform in jazz bands and the disguise lasted a lifetime.

Dorothy began dressing as a man in order to get an opportunity to perform in jazz bands and the disguise lasted a lifetime.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Many women writers of the 19th century published their work under a male pseudonym as a woman’s work was not taken seriously those days. Notable examples are Mary Ann Evans alias George Eliot and the Bronte sisters – Emily. Charlotte and Ann each of whom had a male pen name.
  • English journalist Dorothy Lawrence wanted to cover the WWI as a reporter. But was unable to get a posting on the front because of her gender. So, she connived with two soldiers, forged documents, smuggled a uniform and managed to join the army as Dennis Smith But the stress of working at the warfront proved too much for her and she gave herself up within a week. Her story is now part of an exhibition on women at war in the Imperial War Museum in London.

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Unique defence mechanisms in animals

Our planet is indeed a wonderland with zillions of creatures inhabiting it, each having its own unique way of adapting to its habitat. Among these, there are some creatures that have developed some bizarre defence mechanisms. Let’s read up on some of these animal species.

IBERIAN RIBBED NEWT

Imagine ribs that you can use as poisonous spikes. The iberian ribbed newt is capable of pushing its ribs outside its skin when attacked. These form spikes which the newt uses to defend itself. The animal does this by moving its ribs away from the spine and increasing their angle by 50 degrees. The tips of the ribs then stick outside the animal’s body, like a set of spines. At the same time, the newt is capable of producing a poisonous milky substance on its body surface. This coupled with its protruding ribs acts as its stinging tool.

GOLDEN POISON FROG

The golden poison frog is one of the most toxic animals on Earth. It is known for its vibrant colours and the potent poison produced by its skin. While its bright colour is itself a warning sign to predators, the frog takes its defence one notch higher by producing toxins such as steroidal alkaloids batrachotoxin, homobatrachotoxin, and batrachotoxin A. These compounds can cause arrhythmias, fibrillation, and cardiac failure in humans.

TEXAS HORNED LIZARD

Here is a lizard that shoots blood from its eyes. When under threat, the Texas horned lizard sprays out pressurised blood from the corners of its eyes at its attacker. In biology, this is called autohaemorrhaging or reflex bleeding. The animal resorts to this when all its other defences such as camouflage fail. This is carried out by the lizard by rupturing its own sinus membranes.

MOTYXIA MILLIPEDE

While the most common defence mechanism is to display vibrant colours to ward off predators, there are some animals that use their bioluminescence as a warning. A genus of millipedes that is endemic to California called the Motyxia uses its bioluminescence to warn off predators. But the most unusual ability this creature possesses is that it can produce and ooze cyanide from the pores on its body. The cyanide is toxic for the predators of this species such as rodents, centipedes, and beetles.

MALAYSIAN ANT

Imagine a defence strategy that kills your predator but you end up getting the raw deal as well. These are the ants that will destroy themselves to defend their colony when under attack. These exploding ants are called the Malaysian ants. Whenever their nest is invaded, they will “blow” up (rupture) their abdomens. The ants have poison glands that get burst when they flex their body, releasing the poisonous substance onto their predator. This can either kill the enemy or incapacitate it.

HAIRY FROG

Meet the “Wolverine” in the wild. When threatened, this frog can crack its own finger bones and pierce them through its skin. These are then used as claws. On one end of the bone, there is a muscle that the frog can use to contract and thereby break a fragment of bone and push it outwards.

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Indonesia: the nation of 17,500 islands

The world’s largest island complex, which has been inhabited for about 1.7 million years, is now home to more than 300 different ethnic groups

Ranu Joardar

Indonesia is an archipelago comprising the Greater Sunda Islands of Sumatra (Sumatera), Java (Jawa), the southern extent of Borneo (Kalimantan), and Celebes (Sulawesi); the Lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara) of Bali and a chain of islands that runs eastward through Timor, the Moluccas (Maluku) between Celebes and the island of New Guinea; and the western extent of New Guinea (generally known as Papua).

Indonesia is the largest and most populous country in Southeast Asia. The country is one of the founding members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which aims to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development and promote peace and security in Southeast Asia.

History

Formerly known as the Dutch East Indies or the Netherlands East Indies, the name ‘Indonesia’ was used as early as 1884 by a German geographer. It is believed that the name has derived from the Greek word ‘indos’, meaning ‘India’, and ‘nesos’, meaning ‘island’.

While records of foreign trade begin only in the early centuries, it is widely believed that people from the Indonesian archipelago were sailing to other parts of Asia much earlier. According to Roman historian Pliny the Elder’s encyclopaedic scientific work Natural History, the Indonesians used to trade with the east coast of Africa in the 1st Century AD.

The Indonesian written and oral sources suggest that the origins of kingdoms along the coasts of the Java Sea were related to the success of local heroes in using foreign trading treasure to their advantage.

Geography

Indonesia comprises about 17,500 islands, of which more than 7,000 are uninhabited. The Equator crosses Sumatra at its centre.

The remains of Homo erectus (originally known as Pithecanthropus or Java man) have revealed that the Java island was already inhabited about 1.7 million years ago, the time when most of the western archipelago was linked by land bridges. These bridges submerged about 6,000 years ago due to rapid postglacial rise in sea level.

Most of the Indonesian islands are densely forested volcanic mountains in the interior that slope down to coastal plains covered with thick alluvial swamps. These swamps dissolve into shallow seas and coral reefs. Underneath this surface is the junction of three major sections of the Earth’s crust.

Flora and fauna

The vegetation in Indonesia is similar to that of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. It is home to about 40,000 species of flowering plants, including 5,000 species of orchids and Rafflesiaceae (the world’s largest flower).

There are over 3,000 tree species such as durian, sandalwood, and costly timber varieties such as teak and ironwood.

Here, mangrove forests can be seen in salty or brackish water along muddy shores. Most mangrove swamps are along the shallow seas in eastern Sumatra, southern Kalimantan, and the southeastern segment of western New Guinea.

Some of the islands of the archipelago are home to endemic species such as the Javanese peacock, Sumatran drongo, proboscis monkey in Kalimantan, and babirusa and tamarau in Celebes.

Most of the Javanese rhinoceroses can only be found on the western tip of Java. This species is one of the world’s most highly protected forms of wildlife. Another such endangered species is the orangutan. They are native to Borneo and Sumatra. To save the population from capture and slaughter, several orangutan rehabilitation centres and programmes have been established. These organisations also train orangutans who have been held captive to return to the wild.

People

Indonesia has been the middle point of two population groups – Asians in the west and Melanesians (indigenous peoples of Pacific Islands known as Melanesia) in the east.

Though the majority of the population is related to those from eastern Asia, there has been an influx of and mixing with Arabs, Indians, and Europeans in past centuries.

The eastern islands are dominated by people of Melanesian origin.

The country has more than 300 different ethnic groups, resulting in twice as many distinct languages and most of the major world religions.

Meanwhile, Bali, whose local religious practices are influenced by both Hinduism and Buddhism, has customs that are different from that of other parts of Indonesia.

About half of the country’s population lives in rural areas. Java, Madura, and Bali have a systemised rural structure that is based most on wet-rice cultivation (cultivating rice by planting on dry land then transferring the seedlings to a flooded field, and draining the field before harvesting).

Indonesia’s five largest cities are Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Bekasi, and Medan. They are considered metropolitan areas as they have the most number of government, financial, and business offices.

Government

After the Japanese invasion (1942-45) during World War II, statesman Sukarno declared Indonesia’s independence in 1945 (though the Netherlands retained a large portion of the region).

However, the struggle for independence continued till 1949 when the Dutch officially recognised Indonesian Sovereignty. Sukarno became the country’s first President in 1949.

Till 2002, both the President and the Prime Minister were elected for a period of five years by the People’s Consultative Assembly. Since 2004, both leaders are being directly elected.

On August 8, 1967, five leaders – the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand- established the ASEAN.

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Who invented the Trachtenberg system of mathematics?

A system of speed mathematics, it was developed by Jakow Trachtenberg when he spent long years at a concentration camp during WWII

The Trachtenberg system is a system of speed arithmetic. With this system, you can do multiplication, division, addition, subtraction and square root operations very quickly and without a calculator. Multiplication and division can be done without the use of multiplication tables. In order to learn this system, all that you need is the ability to count.

This system was developed by Jakow Trachtenberg (1888-1953), a Russian Jewish mathematician and engineer. Trachtenberg developed his unique system of mathematics when he spent long years at a concentration camp during World War II. He was surrounded by violence, disease and death. But he escaped into a world of his own-a world of numbers, logic and order. He visualised gigantic numbers to be added and he tried calculating mentally. He invented a fool-proof method that would make it possible for even a child to add thousands of numbers together without ever adding a number higher than eleven! He scribbled his theories on whatever bit of paper he could lay his hands on – wrapping paper, old envelopes. German worksheets, etc.

In 1944, he and his wife escaped to Switzerland. There, he perfected his mathematics system.

The first students to whom Trachtenberg taught his system were children especially those who were doing poorly in studies. The results were heartening and successful.

In 1950, he founded the Mathematical Institute in Zurich, where both children and adults were taught the system. The system has been thoroughly tested in Switzerland and is found to increase the self-confidence and general aptitude to study, as the students develop outstanding arithmetic abilities.

It is a fool-proof method that would make it possible for even a child to add thousands of numbers together without ever adding a number higher than eleven.

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Which place is known as the ‘Cradle of Humankind’?

It is a complex of dolomite caves in South Africa where fossils of early plants, animals and hominids have been found. Read on to know more about the caves where human life originated

About 50 km from Johannesburg in South Africa lies a complex of dolomite caves from where the fossilised remains of a number of early plants, animals and hominids have been found. The cluster of about three dozen caves, of which the Sterkfontein caves are the most famous, are together named the ‘Cradle of Humankind’. They boast over 850 hominid fossils, one of the world’s richest and oldest concentrations of such remains. The site was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999.

The caves offer a window to the past, throwing light on how our ancestors evolved. In 1947, paleontologist Robert Broom found an almost complete skull of a female Australopithecus Africanus, nicknamed ‘Mrs Ples’, dating back 2.8 million years, at Sterkfontein.

More recently in 1997, Ronald Clarke discovered ‘Little Foot, an almost complete hominin skeleton, estimated to be about 3.5 million years old.

Sustained excavation activities since 1966 have so far yielded an impressive 500 hominid specimens from the caves. The hominid remains corroborated the scientific view that the first humans lived in Africa. The fossil evidence has led scientists to believe that early human lineage separated from the apes in Africa about 5-6 million years ago.

The fossil remains from Broom’s excavations are housed in the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria while the finds from 1966 onwards are housed at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

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What is fossil water?

Fossil water is the ancient freshwater that got trapped underground in huge reservoirs or aquifers. This water may have been locked in for over thousands of years and remain undisturbed. It can be found across the globe, be it in arid, semi-arid, humid regions, or even regions of permafrost.

Ever heard of fossil water? You may be aware of fossils. So going by the terminology of fossils, does fossil water mean that the water is really old?

Well, fossil water or petrowater or paleowater is the water that is trapped among the rocks underneath for millennia. It is the ancient freshwater that got trapped underground in a huge reservoirs or aquifer (a geological formation comprising an underground layer of porous rocks where water can be stored) in an undisturbed space.

One aquifer in Libya, has been carbon-dated to 40,000 years ago. It has only been a few decades since we started accessing fossil aquifers. In water-deprived areas and dry climates, these have become sources of water.

Presently, billions across the world are dependent on water from fossil aquifers for drinking as well as irrigation purposes.

Location and formation

Fossil water can be found across the globe, be it in arid, semi-arid, humid regions, or even regions of permafrost. An example of fossil water would be the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System which is the biggest fossil aquifer in the world.

How and when did fossil water form? Fossil water formed during the last glacial ice age. Water got collected from melting ice and prehistoric lakes, as it seeped into the subterranean layers of rocks and sand in old aquifers.

As time went by, these got filled with sediment and thus got isolated, thereby sealing off the water from Earth’s surface. They remained there, unaffected and undisturbed for tens of thousands of years. But we don’t know how much of this water exists.

How sustainable is fossil water

Fossil water is trapped in layers of impermeable rocks and clay. As such they cannot absorb precipitation. So once depleted, they cannot be replenished easily.

Further, some pockets of fossil water are located in deserts and cannot be replenished due to the absence of enough annual precipitation. For instance, consider the Ogallala aquifer. Once it is fully mined, it is said that it would take over 6,000 years to replenish it.

Future of fossil water

The old groundwater is becoming an option in some water-strapped nations. If we continue extracting fossil water mindlessly, then the area’s water table goes down permanently.

As this water is non-renewable, there is always a risk of these aquifers going dry. Meanwhile, if it remains unaffected by human activities, then it can remain in equilibrium.

But can you drink ancient groundwater? Since this water has been around for thousands of years, like anything that has been around for millennia, this water would taste different too. Natural chemicals also get leached into it. They can be salty and contain contaminants such as iron and manganese. They need to be treated to be used for drinking purposes.

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What are the phobias of literature?

Some fears seem less rational than others. Here is a list of literary phobias that you might find intriguing.

In the realm of writing and literature, where words flow like rivers and imagination dances on the page, there exists a shadowy undercurrent of fears and phobias that grip the hearts and minds of some individuals. While books and the written word have long been celebrated as gateways to knowledge, for a select few, they serve as gateways to a world of dread and irrational anxiety. Step into this labyrinth of ink-stained fears as we explore some literary phobias.

  • Bibliophobia is a specific phobia characterised by intense fear or aversion towards books. Individuals who experience bibliophobia may feel significant anxiety, panic, or discomfort when they are near books or even when the idea of reading is brought up.

The underlying causes of bibliophobia can vary from person to person. It may stem from a negative experience related to books, such as being overwhelmed or intimidated by the content, struggling with reading difficulties, or associating books with traumatic events.

  • Logophobia is a term used to describe the fear or aversion to words. This fear can make it difficult for individuals to read books, write essays, or even have conversations.
  • Scriptophobia is an extreme fear of writing in public. It can make everyday writing situations such as taking notes during a lecture or participating in group activities that involve writing, extremely challenging and distressing. The fear of making mistakes or being embarrassed in front of others becomes so overwhelming that it may cause one to avoid these situations altogether. It can hold one back from expressing their thoughts and ideas freely in public, hindering their academic and social growth.1`
  • Metrophobia is the fear of poetry. Individuals with metrophobia experience anxiety, discomfort, or fear specifically related to poetry or poetic expressions. It may manifest as a fear of reading, reciting, or engaging with poetry in any form.
  • Papyrophobia is an irrational fear of paper. Individuals who experience this phobia may feel intense anxiety or fear even when thinking about paper. They are often extremely anxious about touching paper, writing on it, or even the possibility of getting a paper cut. It is important to note that papyrophobia is relatively uncommon, with only a small number of people in the world have it.
  • Abibliophobia is a word that represents the fear or anxiety someone can feel when they do not have a book to read or when they cannot access reading materials.

People with abibliophobia have a strong emotional connection to books and reading. Books may provide them with an escape, knowledge, or a sense of companionship. When they do not have a book, they might feel lost or disconnected, which leads to a fear of being without the comfort and stimulation that reading provides.

It is important to understand that the intensity of abibliophobia can vary from person to person. For some, it might be a mild uneasiness, while for others, it can be a stronger fear that affects their daily lives. They might constantly search for books, feel anxious when they do not have one, or avoid situations where books are not available.

  • Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, is the fear of long words. The humorous contrast between the fear and the cumbersome word used to label it adds an interesting twist to this particular phobia. It is important to note that it is primarily used for amusement.

Phobias such as “abibliophobia” and “Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia,” were created with a humorous intent or are not officially recognised. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that there are real and debilitating phobias that can significantly impact individuals who have them.

Remember, it is important not to dismiss or trivialise someone’s fear, regardless of whether it is a recognised phobia or not. Most of these phobias can be addressed through therapy and gradual exposure to the stimuli in a supportive and controlled manner. Offering understanding and support can make a significant difference in helping individuals navigate and overcome their fears, enabling them to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.

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Our connection to other mammals

What makes us humans different from our ape cousins? Well, our brain power. And, that came about through tweaks in the genes, according to an ambitious project, whose results were published recently. Come, let’s find out more about this, and also how we are similar to and different from other mammals.

The Zoonomia Project compared the genomes (the genetic material that makes up a living organism) of 240 mammal species, including humans, to trace evolutionary changes over 100 million years. It studied a wide variety of mammals-from the huge North Pacific right whale (59 feet long) to the tiny bumblebee bat, just 3 cm long. It also included our closest evolutionary relatives – chimpanzees and bonobos. Do you know what startling result the study threw up? “The researchers identified genomic elements- 4,552 in all – that were pretty much the same across all mammals and were identical in at least 235 of the 240 species, including people.” It means that certain parts of genomes have remained unchanged across all mammal species, humans included, over millions of years of evolution.

As for how humans are different from other mammals, the study points to areas “associated with developmental and neurological genes”. It suggests that when Homo sapiens evolved, it involved changes in how the nervous system genes were “regulated”. And these were just tweaks rather than any dramatic and major changes to the genes themselves. This explains why we still share a large part of our genetic makeup with our ape cousins.

And, genes are also responsible for traits unique to some mammals. For instance, hibernation and the sense of smell. While some mammals have a keen sense of smell, others have almost none. Humans are “somewhat average”. The study also saw changes in genetic sequences in some species “in relatively short periods of time”, indicating how they are adapting to their environments.

While the findings are fascinating by themselves. scientists believe they “could inform human therapeutics, critical care and long-distance space flight”, and “also can help identify genetic mutations that lead to disease”.

In a study, researchers identified genomic elements – 4,552 in all-that were pretty much the same across all mammals and were identical in at least 235 of the 240 species, including people. It means that certain parts of genomes have remained unchanged across all mammal species, humans included, over millions of years of evolution.

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