Have you ever wondered what everyone searches for when they go to Google? Each year Google does something called Year in Search, where they show us what people around the world search for, and nestled amongst other popular searches was which national parks were trending on the search engine and why.
The Most-Searched Park of 2023
If you’re wondering which national park stole the spotlight in 2023, Yellowstone National Park was top of the list. And it’s not just any park, either, but rather the world’s first national park. Protected in 1864, Yellowstone officially became the first national park on March 1, 1872. It’s like the superhero that paved the way for 63 more U.S. national parks and more around the world. So why does it remain so popular today?
Yellowstone National Park is mostly located in Wyoming but pops into Idaho and Montana a bit as well. This park is famous for its awesome natural features, with more than 10,000 hot springs and geysers bubbling and erupting. Nearly half of the world’s active geysers are located in Yellowstone. The most famous is Old Faithful, which shows off its hot water tricks every 44 minutes to two hours.
Other Commonly Searched Parks
Yellowstone isn’t just about water wonders. It’s home to many animals, including some considered rare and endangered. There are grizzly bears, moose, and bison, as well as black bears and elk. Herds of bighorn sheep also roam the park’s 3,500 square miles.
Yellowstone wasn’t the only park people were searching for, though. Other top-searched parks included Yosemite National Park in California, Zion National Park in Utah, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and Glacier National Park in Montana. So next time you’re up for an adventure, consider some of these places. Supporting national parks is never a bad idea.
Man Lives Underwater for a Hundred Days in a One-of-a-Kind Study
Science takes all shapes and forms, right? That’s what Joe Dituri strongly believes. The researcher has decided to take up one unconventional experiment to find out what happens to the human body after spending three full months underwater. If he succeeds, he’ll claim a world record. Check out the whole story about Dituri, the University of South Florida professor, and his scientific experiment below.
The Aims of the Underwater Living Experiment
The experiment, which is already more than 27 days in, aims to solve crucial problems for marine life. Namely, the project hopes to find the key to reviving many marine species and habitats. But that’s not everything the unconventional experiment is set to find out.
The so-called ‘Neptune 100’ experiment also aims to test all sorts of cutting-edge medical technologies. Hopefully, many of the technologies being tested will be turned into remedies for various diseases. If successful, the underwater experiment can help people learn more about life beneath the surface, which is still all too little known.
Neptune 100 – The University of South Florida’s Project
An official statement from the University of South Florida signaled the beginning of the unconventional underwater experiment called Neptune 100. Joe Dituri, a biomechanical engineer with a Ph.D., will conduct the research.
The catch is that the professor has to spend one hundred days, or more than three months, beneath the water’s surface. More specifically, he’ll remain 30 feet below the surface. The experiment began on March 1st, 2023, when the professor swam in his home for the next three months–a 100-square-foot Undersea Lodge in Key Largo.
As one might expect, the whole thing will be monitored closely by a psychologist and a psychiatrist, both of whom will track down any changes in the professor’s psyche. Some have compared the experiment to what astronauts go through.
Underwater Experiments – Key to Expanding the Planet?
Many researchers believe these kinds of experiments hold much greater potential for humanity than initially expected. What begins as a study of ways to improve marine environments can become the key to expanding our home–the Earth. Researchers believe that testing the limits of the human body–and psyche–is crucial if we seek to reach and inhabit other planets.
While such observations might be somewhat far-fetched, the underwater experiment will definitely throw some light on how much time the human body can withstand ambient pressure that’s more than 1.5 times stronger than pressure felt on land.
In addition, that’s not the only experiment of its kind, far from it. The current world record for underwater living is held by two Tennessee professors, who remained beneath the surface for 73 days back in 2014.