Observer science quiz of the year – part 3

From giant fish to micropigs and lifesize personal robots – how much do you know about the scientific breakthroughs of 2015? Answers at the end

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  • 1. What is so special about this fish, known as an opah or moonfish?

    What is so special about this fish, known as an opah or moonfish?

  • 2. A new species of glass frog discovered in Costa Rica is said to resemble which famous puppet amphibian?

    A new species of glass frog discovered in Costa Rica is said to resemble which famous puppet amphibian?

  • 3. Which English crystallographer, famous for her work in uncovering the structure of DNA, was portrayed by Nicole Kidman this year in the play Photograph 51?

    Which English crystallographer, famous for her work in uncovering the structure of DNA, was portrayed by Nicole Kidman this year in the play Photograph 51

  • 4. A Chinese lab began selling “micro-pigs” this year. How much does a genetically modified pig cost?

    A Chinese lab began selling “micro-pigs” this year. How much does a genetically modified pig cost?

  • 5. Which dwarf planet was photographed this year, after a Nasa probe took nine years to reach it?

    Which dwarf planet was photographed this year, after a Nasa probe took nine years to reach it?

  • 6. As part of his trip to Ethiopia, President Obama was permitted to touch the bones of which famous 3.2m-year-old member of Australopithecus afarensis, also known as the grandmother of all humanity?

    As part of his trip to Ethiopia, President Obama was permitted to touch the bones of which famous 3.2m-year-old member of Australopithecus afarensis, also known as the grandmother of all humanity?

  • 7. The genome of which creature was published in November? It can survive without food or water for 10 years and is also known as the moss piglet.

    The genome of which creature was published in November? It can survive without food or water for 10 years and is also known as the moss piglet.

  • 8. Nasa announced it had evidence that what flows on Mars?

    Nasa announced it had evidence that what flows on Mars?

  • 9. The first vaccine against malaria has been given the green light by the European Medicines Agency. How long has it taken the pharmaceuticals company GSK, with aid of the Gates foundation, to develop the vaccine?

    The first vaccine against malaria has been given the green light by the European Medicines Agency. How long has it taken the pharmaceuticals company GSK, with aid of the Gates foundation, to develop the vaccine?

  • 10. This black and blue dress became the subject of intense social media controversy in February. Which two colours did some people claim it was?

    This black and blue dress became the subject of intense social media controversy in February. Which two colours did some people claim it was?

  • 11. In The Martian, the Ares III shuttle lands on Mars. What is the name of the actual craft Nasa plans to send to Mars by 2040?

    In The Martian, the Ares III shuttle lands on Mars. What is the name of the actual craft Nasa plans to send to Mars by 2040?

  • 12. In Jurassic World, Chris Pratt is a trainer of which species of dinosaur, which were never present in the geological Jurassic era?

    In Jurassic World, Chris Pratt is a trainer of which species of dinosaur, which were never present in the geological Jurassic era?

  • 13. Pixar’s Inside Out uses joy, sadness, fear, disgust and anger to represent all human emotion. Which emotion does the film’s psychology adviser and Berkeley professor Dacher Keltner believe was missed out?

    Pixar’s Inside Out uses joy, sadness, fear, disgust and anger to represent all human emotion. Which emotion does the film’s psychology adviser and Berkeley professor Dacher Keltner believe was missed out?

  • 14. The film Victor Frankenstein is based on the Mary Shelley novel that was supposedly inspired by the experiments of which scientist, famous for having reanimated frog legs during the late 18th century and lending his name to the unit of electrical potential?

    The film Victor Frankenstein is based on the Mary Shelley novel that was supposedly inspired by the experiments of which scientist, famous for having reanimated frog legs during the late 18th century and lending his name to the unit of electrical potential?

  • 15. The film Ex Machina features an AI robot named Ava. What is the name of the lifesize personal robot that went on sale last summer in Japan, selling out in under a minute?

    The film Ex Machina features an AI robot named Ava. What is the name of the lifesize personal robot that went on sale last summer in Japan, selling out in under a minute?

  • 16. The film Jupiter Ascending came to Britain’s cinemas last February. In 2007, which space probe on its way to Pluto went past Jupiter?

    The film Jupiter Ascending came to Britain’s cinemas last February. Twenty-two days after the film’s release, which space probe on its way to Pluto went past Jupiter?

  • 17. In the film Tomorrowland, tachyons are used to see into the future. How do these hypothetical particles break the laws of physics?

    In the film Tomorrowland, tachyons are used to see into the future. How do these hypothetical particles break the laws of physics?

  • 18. Luke Skywalker’s home planet, Tatooine, is remarkable for its two suns. What is the scientific name for a two-star system?

    Luke Skywalker’s home planet, Tatooine, is remarkable for its two suns. What is the scientific name for a two-star system?

  • 19. The film Ant-Man pushes which law to its limits, providing super strength to small creatures in nature owing to the relationship between volume and surface area?

    The film Ant-Man pushes which law to its limits, providing super strength to small creatures in nature owing to the relationship between volume and surface area?

  • 20. The Good Dinosaur is set in an alternative timeline where humans and dinosaurs coexisted. In reality, an asteroid is thought to have triggered the dinosaurs’ extinction. Where did it land?

    The Good Dinosaur is set in an alternative timeline where humans and dinosaurs coexisted. In reality, an asteroid triggered the dinosaurs’ extinction. Where did it land?

  • ANSWERS1. It’s warm blooded 2. Kermit the frog 3. Rosalind Franklin 4. £1,000 5. Pluto 6. Lucy 7. Tardigrade 8. Water 9. 30 years 10. Gold and white11. Orion 12. Velociraptor 13. Love 14. Alessandro Volta 15. Pepper 16. New Horizons17. They move faster than the speed of light 18. A binary star 19. The square-cube law 20. Chicxulub, Mexico
    Still from Inside Out
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