Spelling has gone through interesting changes in the English language. For example, in Old English, people wrote “riht.” A “g” is added in Middle English, spelling it “right” that we still use nowadays. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Noah Webster and other scholars wrote dictionaries to make English more consistent. However, different standards remain. In the UK and the US, in particular, “u” is added to some words like “colour” (UK) and “color” (US).

Changes in vocabulary, on the other hand, happen more quickly. English has grown by adopting words from other languages, such as French, Spanish, and Arabic, to name a few. These changes are mostly applicable to foods. For instance, “tofu” and “sushi,” even “edamame” are listed in English dictionaries. Slang, terms that enter and leave the vocabulary every year, are becoming well-known, too.

English is spoken by many people worldwide. Although American and British versions are always changing, so are other types like in Canada, Singapore, and elsewhere. In a way, learning English is a never-ending process for everyone, even native speakers.

Dr. Miura Koryo’s folding process is not only seen and used in science. In fact, Miura-Ori can be found in things we normally use.

For example, a map is folded at the right angles into a small size. Once unfolded, it is uneasy to fold it back. We may end up tearing the map after it is repeatedly folded and unfolded. The solution lies in Miura-Ori: we can open and close a map with a single pull at two diagonal corners. One-pull maps are also available at stores. Another example is drink cans. The diamond-shaped patterns in drink cans save material while maintaining the same structural strength. Miura-Ori can be found in nature as well. After a bud breaks, leaves spread out to get as much sunlight as possible. Additionally, flying insects take out and unfold their wings from their outer shells to fly. If Dr. Miura Koryo had not invented Miura-Ori, these wonders of nature would be unnoticed.

People can learn the folding technique through a website, though much practice is needed. On the other hand, people will be impressed by the state-of-the-art origami engineering once we master it.

Language changes over time. In English, spelling, vocabulary, and pronunciation have gone through major changes over the centuries. In fact, modern speakers consider the English of 1,000 years ago as a foreign language.

The history of English began around 1,500 years ago. European groups invaded England, bringing their languages with them. These languages gradually developed into Old English. In 1066, the country was again invaded by the Normans from France, causing the language to go through a shift, leading to what we now call Middle English. Over the next 500 years, the English language underwent more shifts, eventually evolving into Modern English.

Pronunciation is one of the most distinct areas of change in the language. For example, people used to say “hus” and “mus” in Old English, but these words are now pronounced “house” and “mouse.” Additionally, there are variations of English pronunciation in the US, the UK, Australia, and elsewhere. When people who speak the same language live in different places, it undergoes a rapid change in each location.

“Truth” is possibly the greatest barrier to good communication. When in an argument, you have this powerful conviction that you are correct and do not try to see the other person’s point of view: instead, you are forcing him or her to agree with you. The more you try to persuade people to agree with you, the more they become argumentative. They believe that you are not listening to their viewpoints, so they argue longer to get you to listen. In the end, both parties end up upset and frustrated.

You may be completely unaware that you are doing this. A woman’s husband once said, “Sarah, you always do exactly what you want without considering my needs.” Sarah denied and explained that she had to prioritize her studies to prepare for big exams. Sarah may think she is being honest and reasonable, but she made the mistake of arguing that she is correct and her husband is wrong by denying his statement. She was not trying to understand his point of view and focused only on her needs. This was what exactly her husband was complaining about.

Paper ships, planes, or cranes come to mind when we hear the word “origami.” Few people, however, associate it with space science, yet origami has been gaining international attention in that field.

It was made possible by Dr. Miura Koryo’s invention in the 1970s. While studying the structural strength of rockets, he tried to find a way to make the objects strong but light. Finally, he came up with a special folding pattern that makes folding and unfolding stable. This pattern became known as “Miura-Ori.”

Dr. Miura applied the folding pattern to the solar panels for the Space Flyer Unit (SFU) that are used for unmanned experiments in space. The solar panels needed as much surface area as possible to maximize the energy they got from the sun. At the same time, they must be packed down to the smallest size possible to fit in the SFU. Additionally, the panels could be reused. All were made possible by Miura-Ori.

In 1995, the SFU was launched on the H-II rocket. The experiment was a success, and the solar panels were folded back into the SFU. The Space Shuttle Endeavor retrieved and brought the SFU back to the Earth. It is on display at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno, Tokyo.

People do not only get water by drinking eight glasses of it each day. We also drink fruit juices, sodas, or milk, even coffee, and tea. All contain water, but some contain caffeine, which causes our bodies to get rid of water.

The Institute of Medicine, however, assures that this does not mean we lose too much water. Physically active people drink more water. This is the same case for those who live in hot climates. Depending on heat and activity, people may drink twice as much as others.

Still, this does not answer why people believe we are required to drink eight glasses of water daily. It may have started with a misunderstanding. In 1945, the American National Academy of Science published in its Food and Nutrition Board that it was ideal for adults to drink 2.5 liters of water a day. This study was based on an average of one millimeter for each kilocalorie of food eaten. Additionally, it was also stated that most of the amount of water we consume is contained in prepared foods.

The leading theory of why we need sleep is that the brain demands it. The reason is derived from common sense: our heads feel clearer after a good sleep. However, the benefits of sleeping for our brains must be confirmed with data, and the answer may depend on what type of sleep it is.

Harvard researchers led by Robert Stickgold tested undergraduates through aptitude tests. The researchers allowed the students to take naps before testing them again. Results showed that those who engaged in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep performed better in pattern recognition tests, whereas those who slept deeply excelled at memorization. Other researchers discovered that a sleeping brain tried to commit long-term memory of what happened while the person was asleep. With this discovery, memory consolidation may be one function of sleep.

In sleep researcher Giulio Tononi’s study, it showed that our sleeping brains seem to eliminate redundant or unnecessary connections. So the purpose of sleep is to perhaps remember and retain important information or memories by removing those that are not.

Japanese people win Igs almost yearly. In 2004, Inoue Daisuke won the Peace Prize for his invention of karaoke. He was awarded “for providing quite a new way for people to learn to put up with each other.” Inoue could not speak English much, so he sang “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” in a loud voice instead. He got a standing ovation.

In 2013, two groups of Japanese researchers won Ig Nobels as well. Niimi Masanori’s group was awarded the Medicine Prize. In their study, mice with heart transplants lived twenty days longer than the average of seven days after listening to Verdi’s “La Traviata.” The other group won the Chemistry Prize for discovering the special enzyme that makes us cry when cutting onions.

The Igs received criticisms as well because some people think it is making fun of real science. In 1995, Sir Robert May requested the organizers to stop giving Igs to British scientists. However, British scientists still accept the prizes. In fact, many scientists loved the idea of the Ig Nobel Prizes since the ceremony shows that science can be fun.

The Igs continue to make us laugh and think about the vast possibilities of the world. It is successful in carrying out its mission.

How much water are we supposed to consume in a day? It is a belief that we need eight glasses or about two liters of water a day. However, a recent report offers some different advice. Experts say that people should obey their bodies; drink as much water as they feel like drinking in a day.

According to the report from the Institute of Medicine, most healthy people let their thirst be their guide. The report also contains general suggestions. Women should drink about 2.7 liters a day, whereas men should consume around 3.7 liters. The study does not indicate the number of glasses needed a day. In fact, experts believe that it may be impossible to know the exact number of glasses of water needed to meet the study’s guidelines. This is because the daily water requirement may also include the water content in the food we eat.