NUMBER THEME
AND THERE WAS LIFE...

And a spark was lightning

Approximately 4.5 billion years ago, Earth was a young planet devoid of life. Violent volcanic eruptions released hydrogen sulfide into the atmosphere, oxygen levels were minimal, and the planet faced frequent asteroid bombardments. However, just two hundred million years later, conditions improved significantly, allowing life to emerge.
Fossil records indicate that as far back as 3.7 billion years ago, Earth was already home to abundant single-celled organisms. Scientists generally agree that life requires organic compounds containing carbon, water, and an energy source. A spark is necessary to initiate the chemical reactions that lead to the formation of more complex molecules, such as amino acids, which are essential for proteins, and RNA, a nucleic acid found in all living cells that resembles DNA in structure.
Despite this understanding, scientists have differing opinions on how life originated on Earth. In recent decades, several theories have gained traction, each supported by ongoing research to find new evidence. These include the panspermia theory, the chemical evolution theory, the primordial soup theory, the "RNA world" theory, and the hydrothermal vent theory. All of these theories continue to engage the attention of scientists working in laboratories around the globe.

THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS

Digital Detox

Social networks are dynamic and constantly evolving, reflecting changes in technology, culture, and communication methods. Trends in social networks shift rapidly, adapting to new technologies, user habits, and global events. As these platforms develop, trends influence how users interact with and utilize social networks, while content creators, brands, and advertisers discover innovative ways to attract and engage users.
The concept of connecting the real and digital worlds is not new, but recent advancements in technology have made widespread application possible. This has given rise to extended reality (XR), a term that encompasses virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), which combines elements of both VR and AR.

MATHEMATICS

Numerical Relationships of Harmony

In November 2018, at the initiative of Vesna Todorčević, the scientific adviser of the Mathematics Institute of the Serbian Academy of Sciences, and Filip Jeftić, the "Mathematics and Music" Seminar was launched. Over the past six years, more than ninety lectures have been held as part of this Seminar. The lecturers have included mathematicians, physicists, astrophysicists, music theorists, composers, philosophers, philologists, visual artists, art historians, theologians, historians, and others from Serbia and around the world.
A year ago, to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Seminar, a decision was made to publish a collection titled "A Hidden Harmony: Mathematics and Music through the Ages," which includes ten works written in English. This publication is available in both printed and electronic forms.
In his work "Sectio Canonis," Euclid explored the numerical relationships of consonance. The influence of mathematics on music is undeniable, and some complex concepts in mathematics can also be elucidated through music theory. Euclid illustrated this in his discussion of irrational numbers.

ORNITHOLOGY

Range Expansion, Biological Clock and Altered Habitats

Serbia is a wintering ground for birds that typically nest in Northern Europe, as well as a habitat for some species that raise their young here. During migration, these birds will join their counterparts from Northern Europe that winter in Africa. Although Serbia occupies only 1% of the European landmass, it is situated in one of the six centers of biological diversity in Europe. The diverse landscape of Serbia is home to numerous plant and animal species, and as a result, the permanent, periodic, and occasional presence of 352 bird species has been reliably documented.
However, climate change, anthropogenic factors, habitat degradation, and accidents have led to 123 bird species facing the risk of extinction. While Serbia does not have indigenous bird species, it is home to several resident species that live there year-round. These include warblers, water habitat birds, and predators such as owls, with the jackdaw being the only migratory species among them.
Kikinda, in particular, is known as the "world capital" of small owls and celebrates an event called "Sovembar" in November. Starting in October, owls form colonies and gather in populated areas, where they stay until the end of February before dispersing again to nest. The number of owls in Kikinda varies from year to year, but a notable count recorded 734 individuals in 2009, which remains a world record.

ANCIENT SPECIES

Mythical "Unicorns"

Studies of fossil remains reveal that among rhinoceroses, there were forms that seemed very strange and do not resemble modern species at all. We typically think of rhinoceroses as large animals adorned with horns, roaming the savannahs. However, most extinct species show no evidence of having horns. While modern rhinoceroses may appear prehistoric, they are actually quite different from their ancestors. Reconstructions and restorations of skeletons are based on parts of animals of various sizes and ages, meaning their appearances are still only partially understood.
One of the giant hornless rhinoceroses from the Hiracodontidae family is Paraceratherium, which holds the title of the largest mammal to ever walk the Earth. During the late Oligocene epoch, these giants thrived, inhabiting Asia and southeastern Europe for more than 14 million years, approximately from 37 to 23 million years ago. In 1986, a specimen of Paraceratherium, referred to as Indricotherium and identified only to the genus level, was reported from a coal mine dating to the Oligocene period in Berane, Montenegro.

100 YEARS SINCE A
TURNING POINT IN COSMOLOGY

Edwin Hubble - The Universe is Constantly Expanding

Regarded as one of the greatest astronomers after Copernicus and Galileo, Edwin Hubble is an American astronomer whose work fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. Hubble's groundbreaking research has broadened our perspective of the Milky Way and our place in the cosmos, revealing a vast and dynamic universe filled with countless galaxies.
We inhabit a vast universe in which the Milky Way — our galactic home and the residence of our entire Solar System — is just one among billions of galaxies. This fact, however, was not known until the early 20th century. Most astronomers at the time believed that the Milky Way encompassed the entire cosmos, and those who speculated about the existence of other galaxies had no evidence to support their claims. All of that changed at the end of 1924, when the 35-year-old American astronomer Edwin Hubble announced that he had evidence proving that the Milky Way is not the only galaxy in the universe. He revealed that the universe is, in fact, constantly expanding.

MEDICA and COMPAMED 2024.

Where is Healthcare Heading

In mid-November, Düsseldorf hosted the world's largest medical fair, MEDICA, featuring 5,800 exhibitors from 72 countries, including prominent technology leaders and 60 startups. These companies showcased their high-tech products to approximately 80,000 participants from 165 countries. Notably, exhibitors from Serbia participated at eight distinct thematic stands at the fair.
For over half a century, MEDICA has consistently surprised attendees with advancements and innovations in medicine and healthcare. The event not only keeps up with current trends but also facilitates valuable knowledge exchange and professional networking. This year's theme, "Where is Healthcare Going?" was explored by thousands of industry experts from various sectors of the medical field, who presented innovations in outpatient and inpatient care, along with new developments from medical equipment suppliers.