OYLA Magazine

OYLA Magazine is a science and technology publication for readers aged 12 and up. It features engaging articles, interactive content, and stunning visuals designed to inspire curiosity and a love for learning. Ideal for young minds eager to explore and understand the world around them.

OYLA Magazine

PROVING THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM C2 = A2 + B2 • Although the famous theorem is named after the ancient Greek scholar and philosopher PYTHAGORAS OF SAMOS, who lived in the 6th to 5th centuries BCE, it was actually known long before his time. To date, scientifi c literature has documented at least 400 distinct proofs of the Pythagorean theorem— and we will examine one of the most visually intuitive.

HOW FAR AWAY IS THE HORIZON? • We live on a sphere (or more precisely, an ellipsoid), which is why we cannot see what lies on another continent—even with the most powerful telescope. It's not a matter of distance; the Earth curves, and we can only see in straight lines. Where, then, is the boundary of the visible world? This can easily be calculated using the familiar Pythagorean theorem.

CAPILLARY Action • Have you ever brewed a mug of tea, only to get distracted and come back to find a small puddle on the table? The mug didn't crack nor did it tip over … so how did the liquid escape? It looks as though the tea climbed right up the string of the tea bag and slipped away! What you've witnessed is capillarity—a force so strong it can even defy gravity.

Is Silicon-Based Life Possible? • Silicon makes up about 28% of the Earth's crust and is capable of forming complex molecules. Nevertheless, it is carbon—not silicon— that serves as the foundation for the chemical processes underlying life on Earth. Why is this the case? And could silicon-based life exist elsewhere in the universe?

The Guiding Nose: The Secrets of Smell • The sense of smell helps form the first bond between mother and newborn, enhances the pleasure of eating, evokes memories, and triggers emotions. But what else do we know about this mysterious sense? How does it work— and why might it sometimes disappear?

WHERE DOES THE GOLDEN CRUST ON ROASTED FOOD COME FROM? • What do roast chicken, fried potatoes, and a sweet apple pie have in common? Their rich flavor, appetizing aroma, and pretty golden-brown crust. All of these delights are the result of chemical reactions named after the French physician and chemist LOUIS CAMILLE MAILLARD.

WHEN MONARCHES FLY SOUTH • The trademark of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is its striking orange and black wings. It is also one of the few butterfly species capable of migrating distances of more than 4000 kilometers(1).

ELIXIR FROM Thin Air • Oxygen is all around us—it is present in the air, soil, and even water. For over 250 years, physicians have harnessed this element, using it to treat numerous diseases and save lives in intensive care units. Yet at one time, it was also widely exploited by charlatans.

TALES OF CLEVER CROWS • Crows and their relatives are among the most intelligent birds on Earth. They use tools to get food, solve tricky puzzles, and even take advan- tage of living close to people. Many have learned to thrive in noisy, crowded cities filled with dan- gers. But just how smart are these birds, really?

HISTORY IN THE OPEN AIR • Museums are not limited to displays and glass cases—they can also exist entirely outdoors. In open-air museums, you don't just observe exhibits; you walk along historic streets, enter authentic traditional houses, or stand beside a full-scale steam locomotive.

Why Do We Forget? • When preparing for exams, we often complain about our “poor” memory and its annoying “habit” of discarding information that seemed vital. Yet forgetting is not a flaw at all—it is one of the brain's most important functions, helping it to work more...