Milano ScienceRallye – Challenge-Test

Science Tidbit:

Among its various attractions, Sforzesco Castle is home to the Museo Egizio – the Egyptian Museum. The ancient Egyptians were notably advanced in numerous scientific fields.

For example, they practiced sophisticated medical techniques for their era, including surgeries, bone setting, and wound treatment using honey, which has antibacterial properties. Their methods are documented in texts like the Edwin Smith Papyrus.
Moreover, the Egyptians engaged in early forms of chemistry, often referred to as “alchemy”. They produced cosmetics, dyes, and glass, and developed techniques for working with metals such as gold, copper, and bronze.

Science Tidbit:

Francesco Vangelli, a distinguished botanist and scientist, is celebrated for his pioneering work with medicinal plants and his crucial role in establishing this esteemed garden. The medical plants found here not only showcase the breadth of medicinal research conducted at the garden but also highlight its historical importance in advancing our knowledge of herbal remedies and their applications. Among the diverse collection of medicinal plants, you’ll find Ginseng, which is known for its ability to boost energy and reduce stress, as well as Echinacea, which enhances immune function and helps alleviate colds.

Science Tidbit:

Leonardo da Vinci’s insatiable curiosity fuelled his work across many fields, including anatomy, zoology, botany, geology, optics, aerodynamics, and hydrodynamics. He regarded sight as the most important sense, transforming every observation into a pursuit of knowledge. His work bridged medieval methods and modern science, particularly in anatomy and fluid dynamics, beginning around 1505 in Milan.

His biographer, Paolo Giovi, wrote in 1520 that Leonardo dissected cadavers under grim conditions because he wanted to examine and draw the different deflections and reflections of limbs and their dependence on the nerves and joints. He would pay meticulous attention to the forms of even the smallest organs, capillaries, and hidden parts of the skeleton. Leonardo criticized the convoluted styles of previous anatomical writings and championed clear, concise illustrations to convey his discoveries. This approach marked the beginning of the systematic, descriptive method in natural sciences, influencing scientific inquiry into the 19th century. His detailed notes cover a vast range of topics, from the nature of celestial bodies to the formation of fossils and the mysteries of flight, showcasing his lasting impact on today’s science.

Science Tidbit:

In the pendentives of the two lateral entrance arches, on the bases of the pilaster strips, four distinguished painters – Casnedi, Pagliano, Giuliano, and Pietrasanta – created paintings representing four allegorical figures: Science, Industry, Arts, and Agriculture. “The Science” by Bartolomeo Giuliano is one of these significant frescoes, exemplifying the intellectual and artistic spirit of the late 19th century.

Science Tidbit:

Find the Scior Carera, an intriguing historical monument. It’s a large, medieval stone column that was used as a public execution site. This column, which dates back to the 13th century and was used for displaying the heads of criminals and traitors as a warning to others, making it a notable piece of the piazza’s dark history. While executioners weren’t trained as doctors, their work intersected with medical practices in intriguing ways. They needed to know where to strike or cut for a swift and effective execution, which meant understanding vital points and body structure. This practical knowledge, crucial for tasks like beheadings, reflects their deep insight into human anatomy. Additionally, execution methods involving dissection or complex procedures might have influenced advancements in surgical knowledge. Anatomists and surgeons sometimes used bodies from executions for dissections, contributing to the evolution of anatomical understanding.

Science Tidbit:

The Duomo features a remarkable 18th-century sundial on its floor, blending artistic grandeur with scientific curiosity. Known as the Meridian Line, this piece tracks solstices and equinoxes, showcasing the cathedral’s unique mix of historical richness and scientific wonder. Installed in 1768 by mathematician Giuseppe Piermarini and astronomer Giovanni Angelo Cesaris, the sundial determined the city’s precise time. Positioned along the floor and aligned with the northsouth axis, a ceiling hole allows sunlight to project onto the meridian line, indicating solar noon. This highly accurate sundial corrected the less precise mechanical clocks of the era and was essential for timekeeping, synchronizing city activities. It was also used to study the sun’s movement and important astronomical events. Serving as a calibration tool for scientific instruments, it enhanced timekeeping accuracy in Milan and beyond and educated astronomers and mathematicians on solar time and the earth’s rotation.

Science Tidbit:

The beautiful city of Milan has been pivotal in nurturing brilliant scientific minds over the centuries, with Nobel Prize winners such as Camillo Golgi and Rita Levi-Montalcini among its distinguished scholars.

Camillo Golgi (1843–1926) was a trailblazing scientist and Nobel Prize winner renowned for his work on the Golgi apparatus and neuroanatomy. Based in Milan, he conducted much of his groundbreaking research at Ospedale Maggiore, where he developed the Golgi stain, revolutionizing our understanding of cell structure. His contributions to science earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906. Today, Ospedale Maggiore stands as a historic site honoring Golgi’s significant legacy in medical science.

Rita Levi-Montalcini (1909–2012) was a pioneering neuroscientist and Nobel Prize winner celebrated for her discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF). Although she was born in Turin, her groundbreaking research was significantly linked to Milan, where she worked at the University of Milan and the Institute of Neurobiology. Her work has profoundly influenced our understanding of nerve cell development and function. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1986, Levi-Montalcini’s legacy continues to shine brightly, with her contributions still shaping the field of neuroscience today