Takayama is located at the base of the Northern Japan Alps and was initially built up by the Kanamori clan, which ruled over the region beginning in 1586. Central Takayama today retains much of the elegant architecture and flavors of the past, causing many to call it a “Little Kyoto.” In addition to the outstanding historical district here, visitors will find an ample amount of temples and shrines, shops, restaurants, cultural experiences, and year-round outdoor activities making it an excellent stop to any travel itinerary!
Italy Views: ‘Tower Of Pisa’ Undergoes Renovation
The #TowerOfPisa in #Tuscany, is one of the most visited tourist sites in #Italy. A historic monument, designated a Unesco world heritage site, that has confounded scientists and engineers since its creation. Even at the beginning of construction in August 1173, it started to lean, due to the soft ground that it was built on. Which is why it needs constant attention. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic the conservation team are taking advantage of the lack of tourists to make progress with the maintenance of this iconic building. Our correspondent in Italy, Natalia Mendoza went to observe recent operations.
World News: Science After Covid, Rwanda & VW Chases Tesla (Podcast)
A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week: science after the pandemic, Rwanda: paragon or prison? (9:10) And Herbie goes electric (33:55)
360° Virtual Tour: Empire State Building, New York
The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States. It was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon and built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from “Empire State”, the nickname of the state of New York.
Hikes: ‘Mount Hollywood & Griffith Observatory’
Mount Hollywood is a fantastic, short hike in the Griffith Park area of Los Angeles. The hike leaves from Griffith Observatory and it has some of the best views in the city as you make your way up. Along the way, be sure to stop and take in the views of the Hollywood Sign, Captains Roost and Griffith Observatory. Let me know what you think about this hike in the comments.
4K Walks: ‘Yellow Crane Tower – Wuhan, China’
The history of the Yellow Crane Tower, or Huanghe Lou in Chinese, dates back to the Three Kingdoms period (220-280) in Chinese history. Initially built in 223 AD, the tower served military purposes as a watchtower at the beginning. In the following centuries, it repeatedly saw both destruction and reconstruction. Especially during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, it was destroyed seven times. Yet, each time, it was brought back to life again. Unfortunately, a fire in 1884 completely ruined the building. It was not until 1981 that the tower was once again rebuilt, which took four years. The tower we see today is based on the one designed during the Qing Dynasty. Standing 51.4 meters, the five-story Yellow Crane Tower is perched on the banks of the Yangtze River at the top of the Snake Mountain. It features a mix of octagonal and square structures with a roof covered by 100,000 yellow glazed tiles. Each upturned eave resembles a fluttering crane that is closely linked to the tower’s name.
Nature: ‘Murmurations Of Starlings’ In Greenbrae, Northern California
“Sunday Morning” goes sky-gazing at Greenbrae, California, where flocks of starlings are performing aerial acrobatics known as murmurations. Videographer: Lee McEachern.
Views: ‘Kiteskating’ – A New Winter Sport In Latvia
A group of friends in Latvia have adapted their hobby to the harsh weather conditions to create a new sport they have dubbed ‘kiteskating.’
Studies: ‘Coffee’ – Machine Learning Review Shows Benefits Of Drinking It
“It may be good for you,” says Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. “I think we can say with good certainty it’s not bad for you.” (Additives are another story.)
After the link appeared between coffee intake and a reduced risk of heart failure in the Framingham data, Kao confirmed the result by using the algorithm to correctly predict the relationship between coffee intake and heart failure in two other respected data sets. Kosorok describes the approach as “thoughtful” and says that it “seems like pretty good evidence.”
Should you drink coffee? If so, how much? These seem like questions that a society able to create vaccines for a new respiratory virus within a year should have no trouble answering. And yet the scientific literature on coffee illustrates a frustration that readers, not to mention plenty of researchers, have with nutrition studies: The conclusions are always changing, and they frequently contradict one another.
Aerial Views: ‘Meteora Monasteries – Greece’ (4K)
The Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area.
Boomers Daily 