Trivia Archives

Trivia answer archives

Expand each question for the answer as well as more information on the topic!

Issue #1

What common (delicious) technology stores data in your browser for reference on future website visits?

Cookies
Cookies store tiny text files of data in your browser so websites remember you on future visits.

For a more in-depth, technical explanation, Cloudflare has a good post about how cookies work.

What part of the brain creates memories based on life events? (Hint: it's name begins with a water mammal)

The hippocampus.
This is where episodic or autobiographical memories are stored.

There are actually several parts of the brain that help store memories, depending on the kind. You can learn about them here!

The Greek Titaness Mnemosyne has the same linguistic roots as what common memory strategy? (ex: Roy G. Biv for the colors of the rainbow)

Mnemonic phrase
Both come from the Greek word meaning 'memory'. Mnemosyne governs the River of Memories in the Underworld, and a mnemonic phrase helps recall knowledge from your long-term memory.

For more information on Mnemosyne you can check here or here.

For information on mnemonic devices, click here.

What material has recently been used to make advancements in data storage?

Glass! Microsoft's "Project Silica" researchers demonstrated storing terabytes of information in thin sheets of borosilicate glass using lasers.

For more information on this project, click here.

Issue #3

What technology uses genetic data to teach cells how to make protein?

mRNA

mRNA (messenger RNA) is a set of genetic instructions that tells cells how to make specific proteins. Scientists use this technology to teach cells to produce a targeted protein, which can help train the immune system to recognize threats. mRNA technology became widely known through some COVID-19 vaccines, but researchers have been studying it for decades.

There's a documentary about mRNA and how it's used (you do have to purchase it).

What type of medicine focuses on changing the course of the disease, not just treating symptoms?

Disease-modifying therapy

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) aim to slow, prevent, or change the progression of a disease rather than only managing symptoms. In multiple sclerosis, DMTs work by reducing immune activity that contributes to inflammation and damage in the nervous system, helping lower the risk of future disease activity.

Which disease was declared eradicated in 1980?

Smallpox

Smallpox was the first human disease officially declared eradicated by the World Health Organization in 1980. This historic achievement was made possible through widespread vaccination efforts and global cooperation, proving that some diseases can be eliminated rather than simply controlled.

Which scientist successfully tested the first rabies vaccine July 6, 1885, beginning a new era of preventing infectious diseases before they occur?

Louis Pasteur

On July 6, 1885, French scientist Louis Pasteur successfully tested his rabies vaccine on a young boy named Joseph Meister, who had been bitten by a rabid dog. This breakthrough helped establish the idea that diseases could be prevented before they caused illness and opened the door to modern vaccines.

A recently built factory in Brazil breeding 200 million mosquitoes a week is mitigating which disease?

Dengue fever

Scientists are using mosquitoes infected with a naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia to help reduce the spread of dengue fever. The bacteria makes it harder for mosquitoes to transmit certain viruses, creating a new strategy for controlling disease without relying only on insecticides or treating infections after they occur.

Issue #2

What coding language - also a musical key - is one of the primary languages used to create video games?

C# and C++ are two common coding languages used in creating video games.

Here's a write up by Unity (a very common development platform), on why they use C# in their game development.

And if you really want to go deeper, Microsoft has a whole section where you can learn how to implement game development in general!

Myelin helps nerve signals travel quickly. What chemical messengers carry signals between nerve cells while you're playing a game?

Neurotransmitters

Here are 6 major ones that activate: dopamine (motivation), norepinephrine (attention), endorphins (mood), serotonin (mood), oxytocin (social aspects), acetylcholine (memory). This isn't just for video games, but for any game you play!

These sources are for general knowledge:

The Cleveland Clinic, always a fantastic resource, has a really great overview on what neurotransmitters are and what they do.

For a more science-y, high-level explanation, there's a paper from PubMed that explains the function of the various neurotransmitters.

What popular console gaming series got it's name because it was the company's last ditch effort not to go bankrupt?

Final Fantasy

In 1987, Square was struggling financially, and developer Hironobu Sakaguchi believed this might be his last chance to make a game. He called it Final Fantasy because he thought it would literally be his final project. Instead, it became one of the most successful video game franchises of all time, with the last new game released in 2023, and the last installment of FFVII Rebirth in 2025.

Looking to get into this legendary series? Here's a great (and lengthy) article that gives overviews of each one. On a personal note, I would not start with Final Fantasy X - I did, and was VERY confused. It's a long story.

This is a short article that explains the naming myth is both true, but a little more nuanced than people make it out to be.

If you're in the mood to watch an interview (it's 30 minutes), Hironobu Sakaguchi was interviewed for the 35th anniversary of Final Fantasy. And he does speak on some of the myths surrounding the name.

4. Which pioneering video game company was founded on June 27, 1972?

Atari

Atari was a pioneer in arcade games and home consoles, hitting it's peak in the mid-1980s. (Author's note: It was also the first console I ever played and holds a special place in my heart.)

They explain their history on their website - in addition to offering a sick retro Atari 2600 with an HDMI port!

The Strong National Museum of Play has SO MANY Atari articles! It would also be an amazing place to visit if you happen to be near Rochester, NY.

According to a recent study, adults who played open-world video games were more likely to exhibit traits associated with what ancient Greek philosophy?

Stoicism

Open-world games often encourage players to adapt when plans go sideways rather than follow a single perfect path. Researchers suggest that this kind of flexible problem-solving may be one reason these players scored higher on measures associated with Stoic thinking.

Personally, I think it's really wonderful to have something so accessible to help cultivate a mindset that leads to better emotional regulation and feeling less lonely. We can all use that! Plus, it's great PR for gaming. 😂

This is the article I found where I first heard of the study - it was just published! If you're in the mood for some more intense reading, here's a link to the study itself.

And if you're just interested in Stoicism itself, there's an Internet Encyclopedia (not Wikipedia) entry that goes into great detail.