Answer Of The Day

What is the origin of the term horse trading?

2008-10-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

The term horse trading, which came into usage around 1820, owes its origin to the notorious shrewdness of horse traders who bought and sold horses. As per Macmillan English Dictionary, it means difficult and sometimes dishonest discussions between people who are trying to reach an agreement. In political parlance, it implies any long drawn-out negotiation characterized by hard bargaining and compromises. It frequently takes place in democratic institutions like legislative bodies when a parliamentarian or legislator supports some Bill or trust vote in exchange for support of his initiatives for another Bill or Legislation.

What is the Large Hadron Collider project?

2008-09-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), built at CERN near Geneva, is the largest scientific instrument on the planet. It will produce roughly 15 petabytes (15 million gigabytes) of data annually, which scientists worldwide will access and analyse. The mission of LHC computing Project (LCG) is to build and maintain a data storage and analysis infrastructure.

What is the anti-greenhouse effect?

2008-09-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

The greenhouse effect occur when the atmosphere lets sunlight in and blocks infrared radiation from escaping. If it is not so, then the temperature on Earth which is 15 degrees Celsius would bi -15 degrees Celsius. Imagine a layer that stops light from getting in and lets infrared out. An anti-greenhouse effect does the same thing to heat-it lets heat out but doesn’t let it in. the conventional greenhouse effect occurs because the atmosphere is largely transparent to solar radiation, but largely opaque to infrared. In an anti-greenhouse effect, this situation is reversed and this will cause cause cooling. This effect is only known to occur on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.

What are Cladograms?

2008-09-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Cladistics is the hierarchical classification of species based on evolutionary ancestry. It’s distinct from other taxonomic classification systems because it focuses on evolution rather than similarities between species. This is because it places heavy emphasis on objective and quantitative analysis. Cladistics generates diagrams called cladograms that represent the evolutionary tree of life. The starting point of cladistics analysis is a group of species and molecular, morphological, or other data characterizing those species. The end result is a tree-like relationship diagram which is the cladogram. It graphically represents a hypothetical evolutionary process.

What’s special about EuroPass football?

2008-09-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

The EuroPass is the official football for UEFA Euro 2008. The adidas EuroPass combines tradition with modernity. It has a new surface structure which allows players to have more control over the ball and direct it perfectly in all weather conditions. The PSC-Texture, which consists of fine structure on the outer surface, guarantees optimum grip between the ball and boot. The 12 black dots on the ball contain individual graphic elements which stand for passion, friendship, action, training, fans and winning goal. The name EuroPass symbolizes the connection between Austria and Switzerland, the host countries of the tournament.

How do iridium spark plugs differ from regular ones?

2008-09-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

Iridium is a precious, silver-white metal and one of the densest materials found on earth. The natural properties of iridium makes the spark plug use less voltage to create spark, burn fuel more efficiently and spark at leaner air fuel mixtures. It delivers higher horsepower and better mileage.

What does Zumba refer to?

2008-09-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

Zumba is a cardio-fitness regime based on Latin rhythms developed by a former aerobics instructor Alberto Perez from Colombia. A Zumba class would span several Latin dance styles including Mambo, Salsa, Cumbia and Merengue. Another unique feature of a Zumba class is its party atmosphere unlike a typical aerobics class.

Which is the earliest reality show?

2008-09-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

The world's first reality show is Allen Funt's Candid Camera, which debuted in American television in 1948. It's considered a reality show for it involved unscripted situations involving unsuspecting people responding to pranks, which are caught on camera. It was based on a 1947-radio show called Candid Microphone.

What are carbon credits?

2008-06-22T02:05:00.000-07:00

Credits can be sold in the international market at the prevailing prices via certain credit exchanges. Formalized in the Kyoto Protocol, carbon credits help developing/ underdeveloped countries as they traditionally have lower per-capita carbon emissions than developed countries and will need to emit CO₂owing to increasing industrial growth. At this point though, these countries can sell their carbon credits to other countries and reap the economic benefits of not polluting the planet.

Why the number 1 is not considered a prime number though it fits the definition?

2008-06-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

The number 1, in fact, does not fit the definition of a prime number. A positive integer is called a prime number only if there are exactly two divisors of that number. Since 1 has exactly one divisor (which is 1 itself), it does not fit this definition. Another equivalent definition of a prime number is this: a prime number’s only positive divisor should be less than 1 and itself. Again, 1 does not fit this definition either – there are no positive divisors of 1 which are less than 1.

What is oenology?

2008-06-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

Oenology is the science and study of all kinds of wines in the world. It is the study of all aspects of wine from harvesting of grapes to bottling of wines. The word is derived from the Greek word oenos which means wine and logy which means study. An expert in the field of oenology is known as oenologist. A wine maker can also be known as oenologist. This is not related to the tasting of wine - it’s only the study of wine production

What is known as the Baudhayan theorem?

2008-01-20T06:42:00.001-08:00

Baudhayan Sulv Sutra (1000 BC) is today known as the Pythagoras theorem, which states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. In Baudhayan theorem, this has been expressed as follows: in a Deerghchatursh (triangle), the chetra (square) of rajju (hypotenuse) is equal to the sum of squares of the parshvamani (base) and triyangmani (perpendicular line). It is amazing to note that the Pythagoras theorem was known in our country as far back as 1000 BC.

What is referred to as the Welcome Collection?

2008-01-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

The Welcome Collection traces the development of medicine through history and spanning several cultures. Located in central London, it is a combination of exhibitions, libraries and cafes where people can learn more about the development of medicine. Part of the Welcome Trust, it was founded by Sir Henry Welcome, a pharmacist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and collector, who garnered a unique collection of articles relating to medicine and health. Recently, a British heart transplant patient, Jennifer Sutton, donated her old heart to the Welcome Collection, after receiving a new one.

What is gnotobiology?

2008-01-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

Gnotobiology is the science of study of animals or other organisms rose in environments free of germs or those which contain only specifically known germs. Scientists compare gnotobiotic animals with ordinary animals whose bodies carry many germs, like bacteria, viruses and parasites. In this way, scientists can determine more precisely hoe specific germs affect a body.

Which nation has the smallest army in the world?

2007-12-07T23:21:00.000-08:00

Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, has the smallest army. This army of 110 men is also known as the Swiss Guard. In the year 2006, the

Vatican

celebrated the 500^th anniversary of the Swiss Guard. The celebration commemorated the 150 Swiss Helvetian mercenaries who came to Rome to serve Pope Julius II, on January 22, 1506. The mercenaries covered a distance of 723 km in 27 days to enter Rome from Bellinzona,

Switzerland

. Swiss Helvetian mercenaries, famous for their courage, die-hard attitude and loyalty to their employers, were part of the regular armies of various countries at that time. As allies of the Pope, they helped to shape

Italy

’s destiny and thus they were granted the title ‘Defenders of the Church’s Freedom’ by the Pope. During the sack of the Rome on May 6, 1527, the Swiss Guard, comprising 189 personnel at that time, resisted a Spanish attack on Rome and the

Vatican

. But they had to retreat after suffering heavy casualties. Only 42 men survived the attack. However, the guard was able to ensure Pope Clement VII’s escape to safety.

Which was the first TV talk show?

2007-12-07T23:11:00.000-08:00

The talk show, popularly understood as a show compromising a host, a few panelists and a live audience, had its origins in the ‘70s in the American television. Phil Donahue’s “The Donahue Show”, which first aired in 1970, is the first talk show. Oprah Winfrey, however, took this format to new levels and is today the highest-paid TV personality.

What is guttation?

2007-12-07T23:09:00.000-08:00

Guttation is the loss of water in the form of droplets from hydathodes (small pores) on the leaf margin of a small herbaceous plant. Water has the ability to rise up to 2 feet on its own through the xylem of the plant. During the evening or early morning, when the rate of absorption by roots exceeds the rate of transpiration (evaporation) by leaves, a lot of water gets accumulated in the plant body which can damage the cells. Plants have hydathodes at the end of the veins, through which this excess water is lost in the form of droplets. It takes place mostly in small plants like banana, rose, etc.

Why the Virgin Islands are called so?

2007-12-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

Virgin Islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus. He named them after Saint Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins. This was later shortened to The Virgins.

Which is the shortest and longest war in history?

2007-12-01T00:14:00.000-08:00

The Anglo-Zanzibar was fought between the

United Kingdom

and Zanzibar on August 27, 1986. With duration of only 45 minutes, it holds the record of being the shortest war. The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years war (1651-1986) was between the

Netherlands

and the Isles of Scilly (off the south-west coast of the

United Kingdom

). It is said to have been extended by the lack of a peace treaty for 335 years. It was waged without a single shot fired, making it one of the world’s longest wars and the war with the fewest casualties. Despite the uncertain validity of the declaration of war, peace was finally declared in 1986.

Which is the world’s first zoo?

2007-11-29T02:43:00.000-08:00

Shulgi, the ruler of Ur (now South-East Iraq) made the first-known collection of animals in 2400 B.C. But it was not a public zoo. The first real zoo was established by Queen Hatshepsut in 1500 B.C. in

Egypt

by collecting animals from all over Africa. Later, Emperor Wen Wang of

China

built a zoo to show his wealth and power. Spread over 1500 acres, it had animals from all over his empire and was named the Garden of Intelligence. Today, the oldest zoo in existence was built in Vienna by Emperor Franz Josef for his wife in 1752.

Who was the first Indian to have a wax statue in Madame Tussaud’s museum?

2007-11-28T04:02:00.000-08:00

Mahatma Gandhi was the first Indian to have a wax statue in Madame Tussaud’s museum in London. Today’s wax figures at the museum include historical and royal figures, film stars, sports stars and even famous murderers. Amitabh Bachchan was the first Indian film star to have a statue at Madame Tussaud’s museum.

Is Earth the only planet to have water?

2007-11-27T02:43:00.000-08:00

For long, it was believed that intelligent life existed on Earth because it was the only planet to have water. But recently, an astronomer Traviz Barman at Lowell Observatory, Arizona stated that in the atmosphere of a Jupiter-like large, gaseous planet, water vapors was found. The planet in question has been named HD 209458b and it lies about 150 light years away from Earth in a constellation called Pegasus. Earlier, their have been reports of traces of water being found on Mars by the Global Surveyor spacecraft.

Why do most living beings sleep at night

2007-11-24T23:37:00.001-08:00

Living being’s brains contain pineal glands, which secrete the hormone melatonin. The level of these hormones rises at night and is responsible for sleep. In daylight, the level of this hormone decreases, resulting in animals waking up from sleep. This is a cycle which operates throughout life and is known as ‘circadian rhythm’. There are many such rhythms operating in biological systems.

Which country has the world’s largest Navy?

2007-11-24T23:35:00.002-08:00

The United States Navy is the world’s largest and has a capacity greater than that of the next 17 largest combined navies. Currently, it has nearly

342000 personnel on active duty and 12911634 in reserve; 276 ships and over 4,000 aircraft. Its budget is supposed to be $127.3 billion for 2007.

What is the estimated age of the Earth?

2007-11-24T23:35:00.001-08:00

It is believed that the Earth is 4-5 billion years old. Almost nothing is known of the Earth’s conditions during the first billion years before the consolidation of its crust. Through some methods like tidal force, sedimentation, rate of erosion, salinity of the ocean and radioactivity, the Earth’s age has been estimated but still debatable. The Big Bang theory, which explains the formation of the universe, was postulated in the 1950s and 1960s and its validity in 1972, proved by evidence received from the Cosmic Background Explorer is now accepted.

What is red shift in astronomy?

2007-11-24T23:31:00.000-08:00

It is the increase in wavelength of the light from a stellar object towards the red end of the visible spectrum. This is usually caused by the object rapidly going away from the observer. The light spectra of distant galaxies show marked red shifts. This is normally interpreted as implying that they are rapidly receding from us.

Why is the golden toad extinct?

2007-11-24T23:21:00.000-08:00

The golden toad was once unique for its shimmering yellow color and was found exclusively in Costa Rican jungles. Now, it has the dubious distinction of being extinct. Experts blame global warming for its disappearance from the planet. They believe that rising temperatures have led to a dangerous form of skin fungus entering their habitats. Also, two types of Harlequin frogs have become extinct, and several more reptiles and amphibians are on this ecological hit list.