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

WHEN DID MATHEMATICAL SYMBOLS APPEAR?

ON THE WAY TO IMPOSSIBLE" THERMODYNAMICS • What do a steam locomotive, a power plant, a refrigerator, and a racing car have in common? They are all heat engines that convert fuel energy into other types of energy and obey the unbreakable laws of thermodynamics. But what if we could break these laws?

COCKTAIL FOR THE CAR • The internal combustion engine has been blamed for many things: disease, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, and so on. These accusations, while exaggerated, have a certain ring of truth: unfortunately, burning any kind of hydrocarbon fuel cannot be considered absolutely clean.

THE FOUNDATION OF CIVILIZATION • Concrete has come a long way, from its early use in ancient Rome to today’s smart buildings with temperature sensors. We now see high-strength, soundproof buildings all around us. This month, we’ll dive into the history of concrete—full of trial and error, as well as some truly brilliant solutions.

CHAT LIKE SPIES: THE ROT CIPHER • It’s never a good feeling when someone snoops on your private correspondence or personal diary! But don’t worry—you’re not alone. Julius Caesar, medieval spies, and 20th-century military forces had to deal with the same issue. Let’s take your note-taking to the next level, sharpen your cryptography skills, and, while we’re at it, learn some fascinating historical tidbits.

LEARNING FROM THE CHAMPIONS • While an ordinary laboratory mouse lives for about two years, the Greenland shark is said to live for up to four hundred years! Why do some species live for just a few years while others live for centuries? Will we be able to use the experience of long-living vertebrates that are sometimes completely different from us?

A Not-So-Sweet Life • In the 19th century, doctors spoke of diabetes as one of the most terrifying diseases—a condition that condemned patients to a short, painful life. Back then, diabetes was considered a death sentence. Today, thanks to advances in chemistry, it can be managed and treated much more effectively.

WHY DO SOME COUNTRIES LIKE THEIR FOOD SPICY? • Tom kha kai, salsa roja, jerk chicken— some traditional dishes are very spicy, which can be tough for people not used to those flavors. So why are some cuisines packed with heat while others are exactly the opposite?

HUMAN-MADE LAND • Did you know that millions of people live, study, and work on land that was once underwater? Why did people feel the need to create land where there was once water, and how were they able to do it?

HIGH-FIVE FROM THE PAST

On the Other Hand • Imagine having to stretch in an awkward direction just to open a door or swipe your card. While writing, half of what you write ends up on your hand, staining both paper and clothes. You’re constantly told off for doing things in a way that feels natural to you. Left- handers don’t even have to imagine this—it’s how their life is in a world designed for right-handers.

INTERSTELLAR GUESTS • On August 30, 2019, the Crimean astronomer Gennadiy Borisov used a 65 cm telescope of his own design to discover a comet that was later named after him—2I/Borisov. What’s so special about this event? Astronomers have already located more than 4500 comets, and every year, dozens of new ones are discovered. Actually, 2I/Borisov is the first comet in the history of humankind to arrive at the solar system from another star!

WHERE MUSIC RESIDES • Perfect acoustics, majestic architecture, and a unique history— these are all...