30 August 2010

Particle Physics in Cosmology

The Standard Model of particle physics identifies the elementary particles of matter and provides an explanation for three of the four fundamental forces of nature - electromagnetism and the strong and weak forces, using force mediating gauge bosons and a mass mediating Higgs boson particle.

This series of articles explains it all in (relatively) easy-to-understand plain language.

18 August 2010

How is a Gamete Different From Other Cells in the Body?

From a strictly genetics perspective, there are two types of cells in a multicellular body: somatic cells and germinal cells. Germinal cells make sex cells, or gametes. All other cells in the body are somatic cells. How is a gamete different than other cells in the body? Learn the two biggest differences here.

15 August 2010

History of Medieval Astronomy

The prevailing cosmology throughout the Middle Ages was geocentrism, with Earth as the center of the Universe. Ptolemy published his epicycles model in Almagest in 150 CE. The medieval period of Europe is widely accepted among historians as beginning in 200 CE, after the fall of the Roman Empire, and ending in 1500. Copernicus reintroduced and expanded upon the concept of heliocentrism in Revolutionibus Orbium Celestium, published in 1543. The history of medieval astronomy, then, can be summarized as "not much happened."

HOWEVER... the parts before and after were very exciting. :) More here

02 August 2010

Farm Games on Facebook: A Brief History

In the beginning, there were farm games like Barn Buddy and Happy Farm on Facebook. Then, Farm Town appeared. Then, Zynga stole their concept and made Farmville - and a bunch of relentless marketing later, everyone now thinks Farmville was there first. Now there are lots of farm games, like Tiki Farm, Farm Country, and Country Life, and the basic gameplay mechanic Farm Town introduced is everywhere.

More

01 August 2010

How to get Saltpeter in Frontierville

In Frontierville, saltpeter is used to make fireworks, which is an important part of the 4th of July quest on Frontierville. How to get saltpeter then? This article explains where it comes from (manure) and how to make fireworks with it.