Life Spans of Animals

 

(The New Book of Knowledge)

A lesser bird of paradise

 

(National Geographic, December 2012)

“Existence is of two kinds: one is the existence of God… The second kind of existence is the human existence.”

Existence is of two kinds: one is the existence of God which is beyond the comprehension of man. He, the invisible, the lofty and the incomprehensible, is preceded by no cause but rather is the Originator of the cause of causes. He, the Ancient, hath had no beginning and is the all-independent. The second kind of existence is the human existence. It is a common existence, comprehensible to the human mind, is not ancient, is dependent and hath a cause to it. The mortal substance does not become eternal and vice versa; the human kind does not become a Creator and vice versa. The transformation of the innate substance is impossible.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)

The Color of Thought

The brain’s many regions are connected by some 100,000 miles of fibers called white matter – enough to circle the Earth four times. Images like this, taken at the Martinos Center, reveal for the first time the specific pathways underlying cognitive functions. The pink and orange bundles, for example, transmit signals critical for language. 
(National Geographic, February 2014)

Iceland's mountains of the Landmannalaugar highlands - popular hiking destination

(National Geographic, February 2014)

A viperfish in deep waters of Atlantic Ocean

The fearsome predator displays its meal-clinching assets; bioluminescent spots thoughts to lure prey in dark waters and a set of ferocious fangs. The teeth are strictly for seizing, as food is swallowed whole. 
(National Geographic, June 2011)

Snowflakes change shape with temperature

(National Geographic, Jan. 2007)

Worldwide journey of the three humans: Neanderthals, Denisovans, and Modern Humans

Neanderthals and Denisovans were closely related. DNA comparisons suggest that our ancestors diverged from theirs some 500,000 years ago. No skulls or tools have been found to reveal what the Denisovans looked or acted like. No one knows what happened when modern humans who had migrated from Africa first set eyes on them. What’s certain, from generic evidence, is that such encounters produced offspring. 
(National Geographic, July 2013)

Worlds of God

As to thy question concerning the worlds of God. Know thou of a truth that the worlds of God are countless in their number, and infinite in their range. None can reckon or comprehend them except God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise… Verily I say, the creation of God embraceth worlds besides this world, and creatures apart from these creatures. In each of these worlds He hath ordained things which none can search except Himself, the All-Searching, the All-Wise. 

- Baha’u’llah  (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)