Johannes Vermeer's Hidden Cupid Revealed

Johannes Vermeer's famous Dutch oil painting of Cupid has had a critical feature restored. The image of Cupid (the god of love) is now clearly visible! Vermeer's masterpiece is now transformed by removing a layer that was obscuring the image. This restoration reveals the true meaning of the painting.

FAQ

What is the most mysterious place on earth?

Antarctica is considered the most mysterious area on Earth.

This is why we find it so captivating. Because it's unlike any other place in the world.

It is remote, isolated, and extremely difficult to visit. There is much more to this place than meets the eyes.

Some of the most bizarre wildlife species can also be found in this natural wonder.

Let's now see how this amazing destination came to be so well-known for its mystery.

Antarctica: The South Pole

No one knows exactly why Antarctica was named Antarctica. Others believe it means "land with ice". Others believe it derives from Greek mythology.

In ancient Greece, Antarktis was the name given to the island where Zeus' twin brothers were born. According to some legends, one of these twins was born in winter. Hence, the word antarctic.

Others believe the name was derived from the Greek words tropos, which means turn, and anti, meaning against. This would signify land turned away the sun.

Whatever the reason Antarctica has always been a fascination for people.

It is the coldest, windiest, driest and highest continent. It is too cold for trees, plants and animals.

Yet, life is abundant in this frozen wilderness.

It houses approximately 90% of all Earth's living organisms. Here are approximately 50% of all the animal and plant species in the world.

What is the secret to Antarctica's unique environment? Here, water freezes in ice rather that vaporizing into the atmosphere.

This creates large masses of ice that float above the ground.

These floating glaciers cover over 80%. They're getting bigger every year.

Since 1960, the Antarctic ice sheets has grown 60ft.

If the melting continues, the sea level will rise by up to 200 feet. This could lead to massive flooding across the globe.

But not everyone thinks this is bad news. Some scientists believe that global warming can be beneficial. They suggest that rising temperatures could cause ice sheet melt faster, leading to floods that flush out toxic chemicals from soil and bodies.

But others warn that this theory sounds like a plot from a science fiction movie.

How does the brain regulate the functions of the body?

The brain relays messages to other parts of the body to ensure their functionality. The brain controls everything that happens in your body. It tells your stomach how to digest food and your lungs how to inhale oxygen; it also tells your arms, legs and feet to move.

Your brain consists of billions of nerve cells connected in groups called neurons. Action potentials are electrical signals that neurons send to one another. Each neuron is covered by a cell membrane. Channels within the membrane allow ions such potassium and sodium to enter and leave the cells. The neuron fires when there is ion movement.

Neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that release neurotransmitters when a neuron fires up, can be found in the space between the neurons and the next one. Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the second neuron, opening ion channels so ions can pass in and out of the channel. As a result, second neuron fires as well.

Neurotransmitter production occurs when a neuron in the presynaptic receives an impulsive signal from another. An impulse travels along a synapse that connects the two neurons. The transmitter binds directly to the receptors in the postsynaptic nervous neuron, and triggers the firing.

For communication within the nervous systems, neurotransmitters are essential. They also help coordinate activity between different parts of the brain.

Is there any Hollywood blacklist for actors?

There is a Hollywood blacklist.

But the list isn't made public. We don't know the names. Here's why this matters.

The secret reason is that directors and actors who are on the blacklist would not be able to find employment. The studios would be out of business as they lose money. It would mean they would reduce their expenditure on movies. The blacklisted filmmakers would have fewer chances. This could lead to them going bankrupt.

Which could ultimately result in more victims.

In short, when someone tries to make an oscar winning movie, they might be asked to sign a contract saying they won't speak publicly against their employers. Producers and directors who want to be nominated are subject to the same restrictions.

Producers often pressure directors to cut scenes from their films. Or how directors threaten to walk away from projects that don't fit their vision.

This is why Hollywood has a blacklist. If you make negative comments about your employer, it's likely that you will be unemployed. And that's not good for anyone.

Problem is, many people have been falsely charged. These people have had to fight to clear their names.

We need to stop this kind of thing before it starts happening again. We must ensure that everyone has the right to express themselves freely.

We need to get rid of Hollywood's blacklist.

Why do actors get blacklisted?

When you're an actor, there's more rejection than when you're a writer. If you're an actor, you'll probably get rejected a lot. You will find someone who loves and accepts you eventually.

Actors have a lot of talent, so they can make a decent living almost anywhere. Actors aren't always interested in making a living. Actors love acting and storytelling. If you are an actor, you will most likely put yourself out there.

Sometimes, auditions are cancelled because you are either too young or too old for the job. Or, you could lose out on a role in a movie. That happens a lot.

However, once you have been cast, it is possible to face criticism. People may tell you that your makeup looks terrible and you shouldn't use it. If you're lucky, you won't even hear negative comments.

Sometimes it's because you play a character that's not realistic or authentic. You could be a gay actor and everyone assumes you are straight. Perhaps you play a woman that is supposed to be strong but who cries a lot.

You might be asked to change the sound of your voice. Sometimes they ask you to sound like either a boy or a girl. They usually want you sound better.

Negative criticisms are best ignored. Actors often feel like they've failed if they're told they did something wrong. The truth is they haven’t done anything wrong.

They didn't have the talent to make them famous. Sometimes, no matter what they do, they just don't fit the bill.

There are many reasons an actor might be blacklisted. Some people don't like actors. Others think actors can be lazy. Some actors may be cheaters.

Whatever the reason, it's important to realize that you will not get blacklisted if you keep trying. There are plenty of roles out there, and you'll find them.

Keep trying and you will eventually succeed.

Statistics

• In fact, nearly 24% of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health. (romper.com)
• In one 2014 study published in the Archives of Medical Science that sought to study the prevalence of these mites, research showed that 41% of the people had them hanging out in their eyelashes. (romper.com)
• "It is estimated that 75% of people have at least mild gum disease, with the most common symptoms being bleeding when brushing, bad breath, and dark and swollen gums," Dr. Ron Baise, a London-based dentist, tells Romper. (romper.com)
• It might not sound like something that's truly plausible — and it is quite rare — but according to a 2015 study published in the Asian Cardiovascular & Thoracic Annals, it's possible to hurt yourself and even break a rib just by sneezing. (romper.com)
• You spend about 10% of your time awake blinking (romper.com)

External Links

en.wikipedia.org

• Locked-in syndrome - Wikipedia
• UVB76 – Wikipedia

quora.com

• How many pounds of skin cells does a person shed over a lifetime?
• Why was 50 Cent shot nine times? How did he come back from his injuries?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• Demodex species spp. Prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelash foollicles in different population - PMC
• Biometric authentication using tongue prints: A pilot study – PMC

theguardian.com

• The dark makes us glow.
• Japanese firms encourage workers who are snoring to sleep on their jobs

How To

Secrets of the United States that were declassified

America is a country of opportunity, where anyone can be successful. But there are also a lot of secrets that have been kept hidden for years that could change how we live our lives.

These secrets include:

1. The US government holds more than 5 million secrets documents that have not been made public. These documents contain information concerning UFO sightings or alien life forms, human and animal cloning, and even assassinations of world leaders.
2. In 1947, President Harry Truman ordered the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This agency was created to assist the president in wartime decisions and protect America from foreign threats.
3. The CIA used mind control experiments to manipulate American citizens without their consent. One of the most famous examples of this was Project MKUltra.
4. During World War II the U.S. military carried out tests on thousands civilians. Some of these tests involved exposing soldiers to mustard gas and biological weapons.
5. In 1992 the Pentagon admitted that it had carried out germ warfare testing at Guantanamo.
6. The CIA secretly constructed prisons around the world where terror suspects are held and sent to countries like Thailand, Poland and Romania.
7. The death squads, which are used to execute political dissidents all over Latin America, have also been funded by CIA.
8. The US Air Force continues to carry out chemical warfare test that violates multiple international treaties.
9. The Department of Defense often violates its own rules concerning human experimentation using animals.
10. While arresting protesters on the coast, the Coast Guard has repeatedly violated federal law.
11. The Transportation Security Administration, (TSA), performs illegal searches on ordinary passengers at airports all over the country.
12. The CIA operates targeted killing programs beyond recognized battlefields using armed drones or "assassination team" methods.
13. The Office of Public Affairs is responsible for the operation of the CIA. However, OPA employees continue to write alternative media articles. These articles are then distributed among intelligence agencies or defense contractors. OPA writers claim the national security forces are trying to conceal information about aliens, UFOs or climate change.
14. The US Air Force maintains files about nearly 7 million Americans it considers subversive.
15. US Army uses undercover agents provocateurs to organise violent protests.
16. The NSA stores credit card numbers and phone records, and shares them with corporations to help them sell advertising.
17. Most people won’t know that the FBI has been stockpiling firearms and ammunition since the 1980s. The FBI has more than 10 million ammo, and over 1.5 billion rounds of ammunition!
18. Homeland Security department built concentration camps that allow inmates to be detained, tortured and even killed. Members of Congress are prohibited from visiting these detention centers.
19. The NSA conducts domestic spying campaigns against journalists and activists whose only crime it criticizing government officials or speaking against abuses.
20. Massive computer surveillance is carried out by the NSA against innocent citizens. Many of these are not related to terrorism.
21. The NSA oversees the mass surveillance of cell phones, email accounts, celebrities, members, judges, and the president of the United States.
22. The NSA intercepts financial transactions. It also tracks private individuals' movements.
23. The NSA spy on stock exchanges around the world and monitors energy production facilities.
24. The NSA hacks into computer networks and installs keystroke loggers on computers without obtaining search warrants.
25. The NSA uses cyber war techniques to disable communication systems of its enemies.
26. The NSA monitors the social networking sites Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
27. To impersonate hackers, the NSA creates fake online identities and spreads propaganda.
28. For personal data, the NSA penetrates message boards and chat rooms.
29. To manipulate online forums and discussion groups, the NSA uses false identities to create fake people.
30. The NSA uses homeless people as a means to install spyware on mobile devices.