Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli
Bio
Free thinker, traveler and humanist <3
Stories (110/0)
A Culinary Tapestry of History and Delight
As archaeologists meticulously explored ancient tombs in Turfan, western China, they stumbled upon an astonishing discovery—remarkably well-preserved, crescent-shaped dumplings that had endured for over a millennium. The origins of dumplings, however, remain shrouded in mystery. Scholars speculate that nomadic Turkic peoples living in western China and Central Asia may have been the first to introduce dumplings to various parts of the ancient world. The word "manti," meaning "dumpling" or "steamed bun" in Turkic languages, appears to be the etymological root for the term "dumpling" in several other languages.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Feast
The Astonishing World of Parrot Speech
In 2010, an incredible story unfolded when a parrot, speaking with the same British accent as its owner, went missing. Four years later, they were reunited, but the parrot's voice had undergone a noticeable transformation—it now chattered away in Spanish. Parrots, along with a few other bird species, possess the ability to produce human speech, and some parrots excel at it uncannily well. But how is this possible?
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Earth
Surviving the Summit
If someone were to teleport from sea level to the top of Mt. Everest, the situation would quickly turn dire. At an altitude of 8,848 meters, the barometric pressure is approximately 33% of what it is at sea level. This drastic change means there is significantly less oxygen in the air, and the individual would likely suffocate within minutes. However, for those who gradually ascend over the course of a month, it becomes possible to survive at the peak for hours. So, what happens to our bodies within this month that enables us to endure the incredible altitude?
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Humans
Beyond GDP
What defines the best country to live in? Is it the one with exquisite cuisine, the longest life expectancy, or the most pleasant climate? For the past seven decades, governments worldwide have heavily relied on a single number to answer this question—a number that influences elections, the stock market, and government policies. However, this number was never originally intended for such purposes, and some argue that the world has become addicted to perpetually growing it.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Humans
Unraveling Hangovers
In a pioneering study from 1973, 20 volunteers willingly embarked on a weekly journey of intoxication for eight consecutive weeks. Each session featured a different alcoholic beverage, all administered with precise dosages—this was the realm of scientific inquiry. The purpose of this experiment was to unravel the mystery of hangovers and determine which alcoholic drinks caused the worst aftermath. However, the complexities of the topic couldn't be fully addressed through a single study. Over time, science has made significant strides in understanding hangovers, though certain enigmas persist.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Humans
Plastics Unveiled
In the unseen realm around us, a relentless feast is taking place. Microbes, imperceptible to the naked eye, swarm every surface, comprising bacteria, archaea, and fungi. These organisms have evolved with a remarkable ability to produce powerful enzymes that break down various organic materials into valuable nutrients. However, there exists a widespread material that poses a significant challenge for most microbes: plastics.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Earth
The Incredible World of Hagfish
In a moment of chaos, a truck screeched to a halt, causing one of its containers to slide off and collide with an approaching Prius. To everyone's surprise, the container held thousands of kilograms of live hagfish, famously known as slime eels. The aftermath of the 2017 car accident was a messy sight—the highway was strewn with wriggling fish, and a thick layer of slime covered the entire area, taking the fire department seven painstaking hours to clean.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Earth
Unmasking the Exploitation
Gold, a highly prized resource, holds immense value on Earth, with a kilogram often exceeding $55,000 in worth. In 2020, Mali, a country abundant in gold, produced an estimated 71.2 tons of this precious metal. However, Mali's share of revenue from gold in 2020 amounted to only $850 million, a mere fraction of its actual worth in billions. Moreover, it is likely that the reported gold production of 71.2 tons understates the true output. Unfortunately, Mali is not alone in this predicament, as several other gold-rich nations in Africa, including Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Niger, also suffer from inadequate income despite the high price of gold.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Trader
Humanity's Existential Crossroads
In January of 1995, Russia faced a terrifying moment when it detected an incoming nuclear missile. The president grappled with the decision to retaliate, but fortunately, another system contradicted the initial warning. The supposed missile turned out to be a harmless research rocket studying the captivating Northern Lights. Although occurring after the Cold War, this incident stands as one of humanity's closest brushes with igniting a global nuclear war. With the invention of the atomic bomb, we acquired the unprecedented power to self-destruct.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Earth
A Fascinating Phenomenon
In the heart of Florida's Apalachicola National Forest, a scene of peculiar enchantment unfolds. A master summoner, sliding a metal strip over a wooden stake, produces deep croaking noises that reverberate through the area. Astonishingly, hundreds of earthworms begin emerging from the soil as if under a spell. This practice, known as worm grunting, worm charming, or fiddling, has been a tradition for over a century. While its existence has long been known, the true mechanics behind it have remained a mystery until recently.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in Earth
A Journey Through Time
In the third century, the Romans conquered the Iberian Peninsula, giving rise to various regional languages in present-day Spain. These included Castilian, Catalan, and Galician. However, it would take another 1,500 years for one of these languages to become Spanish, the global modern language we know today. This article explores the origin story of Spanish, tracing its development and discussing its remarkable unity despite its vast number of speakers.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in History
The Islamic Empire
In the 7th century CE, the world order underwent a profound transformation initiated by one man. The prophet Muhammad united the diverse people of the Arabian Peninsula under the banner of Islam. This encompassed nomadic Bedouin tribes and the inhabitants of prosperous oasis cities like Mecca and Medina. Until Muhammad's time, this region had not been considered a significant contender against the formidable Persian and Byzantine empires. However, Muhammad's alliance was both political and religious, forming an empire centered around Medina that commanded attention.
By Henrik Leandro Laukholm Solli10 months ago in History