Thread by @NKcomics

Time for a #NorthKorean #sciencefiction #comicbook:
Science fiction comic book
The Maestros of High Tech 1
Text Han Kwang-nam
Pictures Choe Sung-hyok
Kumsong Youth Publishing Juche 96(2007)

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Science fiction comic book
The Maestros of High Tech
Vol. 1
The Monster’s True Identity
Text Han Kwang-nam
Advisors: Prof. Rim Tae-gun, PhD
Ass. Prof. Kang Ki-chan, PhD
Kim Chol-ho, BA
Editing Han Kwang-nam, Song Chol-su
Pictures & cover Choe Sung-hyok, Han Myong-sin

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Layout Chong Hyang-ae, Choe Chong-sun
Proofreading Kim Un-hui
Publisher Kumsong Youth Publishing
Printer Pyongyang Central Printing
Printed March 10, Juche 96(2007)
Released March 15, Juche 96(2007)
Product code ㄱ-6610184

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Foreword
The Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il taught that science fiction novels evoke endless curiosity & imagination in students by using fantasy techniques to show the lives of people exploring a new world of science & technology in order to conquer nature.
Without the

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development of science and technology today, we cannot expect new developments in all areas of social life, including the military, economy, & culture, nor can we be optimistic about a bright future.
In response to the demands of this real-life development, we editors have

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created & now publish this multi-part sci-fi comic book, "The Maestros of High Tech" to develop a passion for orientation, inquiry, & high level science fiction skills for the new generation of teenagers who must shoulder the burden of construction a strong & prosperous nation

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through sci & tech.
In the sci-fi comic "The Maestros of High Tech," 25 young graduates with special specialised higher education are despatched to research institutes in various sci & tech fields such as info tech, life sciences, nano tech, life architecture tech, space tech,

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and laser tech to achieve top research results.
In the comic book, the passionate struggle & sci-fi contents of the main characters finding their feet in cutting-edge sci & tech strongholds to be realised in the future are shown in an appealing way by combining cartoon

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techniques and sci-fi methods.
Through sci-fi comic books, students & teenagers will learn about the global level of cutting edge sci & tech development & what sci & tech issues mankind hopes for & dreams about today.
Editorial Board

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Volume 1
The Monster’s True Identity
[clockwise from top right]
Kim Kang-song
Kim No-ul
Han Chin-myong
Ri Chol-pyok
Kim Pu-hung
Han Tae-kuk

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Number 1 Middle School Graduation
[whisper whisper]
Hearty congratulations to the 1st cohort of graduates!

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I'll read out the graduate appointments!
[whisper whisper]
[Shhh!]
[pit-a-pat]
Kim Pu-hung! Researcher at the Space Science Department’s Life in Space Research Center.
-Wow!
[clap]
Kim No-ul. Researcher at the Nano Science Department’s Intelligence Research Center.
-Great.

5
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Ri Chol-pyok! Researcher at the Architecture Department’s Architecture Research Center. Han Chin-myong! Researcher at the Life Sciences Department’s Evolutionary Biology Research Center.
[clap clap]
-Congrats, Chin-myong!
-Kim Kang-song & Han Tae-kuk! You’re assigned

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to be reporters at the Information Science Department’s Center for Propagating Scientific Knowledge.
[reel]
Argh! So much for our dreams of becoming the world’s number 1 in the energy sector…
-That is all. Thus concludes graduate placements for the 1st cohort.

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Comrade graduates! Thus far you have received specialised education in a great school well equipped with modern educational facilities & have built tall knowledge towers. From now on you must become maestros of high tech who push forward the nation’s sci & tech

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by pondering & pondering some more, & by creating great scientific inventions.
-Goodbye, Principal!
-What happened to our assignment?
-When I came here 3 years ago, everyone was naughty.
-Comrade No-ul was like a little puppy...
-hahaha
-hehe
-Come on.
-Wow, that's great.

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We must find out why we didn’t get assigned the way we wanted.
-Yeah, let's go see the principal.
[step step]
-Principal! Can we see you?
-Principal! What happened to our graduation deployments?
-Hoho
-We’d hoped to become energy researchers. But…

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This will give you answers…
[scratch scratch]
-I don't know. What's on this CD-ROM?
[tap]
Criteria for reporters at the Center for Propagating Scientific Knowledge: Top talent fully familiar with 103 fields of sci & tech, who have very high data analysis skills!

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Proposal) Kim Kang-song & Han Tae-kuk, top of the class in all subjects. Agreed to by: 6 people incl. Prof. Dr Cho Ki-pom, 10 people incl. Prof. Dr. Chang Won-chun…
-Hmm, I see.
-We won’t let you down.

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Next day, everyone leaves for their work assignment.
-Bye.
-See you. Pu-hung.
-Comrades! Let's meet again with the joy of success in our hearts.
[whoosh]

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See you, Kang-song & Tae-kuk!
-See you when we succeed.
-Bye No-ul! Chol-pyok! Chin-myong!
[boom]
[whiz]
“No matter how big this land is,
it can’t be wider than the world of science.
Let's make the world of science bigger.
and make my country, my Fatherland
shine bright.”

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Commonsense
The modern classroom of the future
In the future, traditional blackboards you write on with chalk and magic markers will disappear from classrooms, replaced by large plasma displays linked to computers.

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In the large plasma displays, teachers’ explanations will be shown through various figures, illustrations, & tables. Relevant videos will also be shown to help students learn.
Students' desks will have electronic devices for learning, including laptops, laser pointers,

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& electronic notebooks.
Laptops are connected to the network of major domestic libraries & can also be connected to the Internet, so you can find all materials needed for learning from your chair.

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Students can talk to the teacher while pointing their laser pointer at the plasma display.
With electronic notebooks, you can briefly jot down formulas, notes, & important contents learned in class for later review.

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Commonsense
Large Plasma display screens
Large natural colour plasma displays can be hung on the wall & viewed by connecting to a computer & TV.
The display screen consists of 2 sheets of glass with many display cells arranged between them.

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Each display cell corresponds to the smallest pixel on the screen & resembles a tiny red or green fluorescent light. In the display cell, UV rays caused by the electrical discharge between electrodes emit phosphor.

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By logically adjusting the brightness of the 3 primary colours emitted by each display cell, you get a natural colour screen. The display cells are divided by structure into alternating & director current types.

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The recently produced 42in natural colour plasma display plate is an alternating type. Its display cells are small, just nanometers across on each side. There are 3 primary colour display cells in one pixel, of which there are 408,000. The screen is 65mm thick & weighs 18kg.

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With the launch of large natural colour plasma displays, wall-mounted TV viewing can be realised.
Experts believe that natural colour plasma TVs will become the “fountainhead” of natural colour TVs in the 21st century.

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Plasma TVs represent the beauty of nature more than other TVs, they protect the eyes, & responding to speed changes very quickly.
A normal TV is distorted when viewed from a 160° angle but plasma TVs do not do this because the screen is flat & thin.

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[3 years pass (Center for Propagating Scientific Knowledge)]
whine
slide
Han Tae-kuk
Kim Kang-song
34,567 world-class inventions in 24 hours, that’s more than 1 every 3 seconds. 254mn bits of data gathered & exchanged on the 17th. The pace of scientific development is amazing.

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[ring ring]
Ack
[beep!]
[Clomp clomp]
I’ve only a little data left to copy, so what is this?
Huh?
-It's time to exercise. Let's go exercise.

15 1/2
Ah~
Is it that late already?
[tick tock]
That robot never skips workout time...
-Exercise is good for health. Let's go.

15 2/2
-Taeguk, it's been 3 years since we saw our classmates.
-Right! I want to see Chol-pyok, Pu-hung, & No-ul
-Today's exercise will be held at the new 3D-screen electronic game room. It’s an arcade that relieves mental fatigue & builds health by training muscles regularly.

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This is the electronic game room
[shoof]
Wow!
-That’s cool…

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Use the computer to select a game type.
-This’ll be a good one...
[game type]
Seize Black Rock Mountain Fortress
Game time: 30 minutes]

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[How to play
1 First, put on game suit & helmet
2 Put on game shoes
*The game suit has a built-in micro-computer that tells you how to play the game & what to do next
*The shoes have special springiness, so for every step you will go 10m & you can jump up to 5m high.]

19

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[Start] [beep]
Hey! The lights went off.
-Oh my.

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[wham~ rumble]
What is that?!
-Wow, it's a giant city.

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Weird, there’s no one here…
[smash]

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An enemy soldier ambush. Let's get outa here.
[whoof]
[wham]
[wham]

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Attack!
-Hey! Take this!
[pew]

25

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[thunk]
[thunk]
[thunk]

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This is not that simple…
[suddenly]

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Machine men...
[wham]
[whoosh]

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Take cover!
[leap]
[laser bullets]

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[snap]
82m
Take that!
[whoosh]

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[wham]
Ack
Chopper!
Let’s grab the chopper.
-Quick, to the roof!

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Huh?
We mustn’t let down our guard!

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[thud thud thud]
[thwack thwack thwack]
[bang bang bang]

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[wham]
Ack
[bang bang bang]
Quick, Kang-song, get to the chopper!

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I'll get rid of that sentry, so you hurry up & start the motor!
[thock]
You punk!
-Ack!

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Unh. You’ve had it now.
-Ah!

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[shoooof]

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Kang-song, armoured vehicles. Take off quick.
[wop wop wop wop wop]
[vroom vroom]

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AUTO target lock
[whoosh]

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[whoosh]
[wham]

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Kang-song and Tae-kuk finally reach Black Rock Mountain Fortress.

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The fortress’ entrance is blocked. Let’s break the door down!
[wham]
[smash]

[zip]
!!!
It’s a steel giant!
[beep]

[bang bang bang bang bang bang]
[whoosh whoosh]
[thud thud]
Whaa~

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Ugh.
[beep]
He’s no pushover.
Hey!
[thud]

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[thud]
[Fire missile]
[whoosh]

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[thud]
[phew]
Mission complete.

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Electronic arcade of the future
The electronic games we currently play are based on computer games. However, in the future, in spaces the size of indoor gyms, we’ll be able to play war games, race cars, fly aeroplanes, & fish in the sea just like in real life,

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using 3D images of terrain, people, & various objects.
When the lights are turned off in the arcade, terrain & natural features will appear as 3D images, & people & various objects too.
Players will wear game suits to play games such as piloting virtual aeroplanes & cars,

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shooting, & performing various actions according to the rules of the game.
In the future, when there’s less physical labour & more mental work, these types of games will be very good for maintaining health by relieving mental fatigue & training muscles.

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Meanwhile: Evolutionary Biology Research Center
[Chin-myong]
[Kyong-hui]
[beep boop beep boop]
[shine]

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This is exactly the wave we need.
I found it!
-Yay!

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Let's test this mind control device on those wild animals.
Yay! Success.
[Evolutionary Biology]
We did it. We did it! Now we can control those beasts.

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Time to show the world our first fruits, Comr. Kyong-hui.
-Yes! Let's get this tech adopted quickly by other fields so that greater research results can come of it.
[Meanwhile, Kang-song & Tae-kuk, are at the pool after their game]
Wow! I feel refreshed just looking at it.

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[splash]
Yeah!

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[Ultrasound massage room]
[Swimming pool]
I feel great.
-Hey, over there, the robot?

56 1/2
There’s a telegram.
-Tae-kuk, look at this telegram. It’s from Chin-myong, who went to do research in the tropics.
[Prepare to make a news report & come to coordinates 003, 16-547 by 10am on the 19th. From your classmate Chin-myong]

56 2/2
Chin-myong must have done something big, right? She said to get ready to make a news report...
-Right.
-Then let's go now. Why wait until the 19th?

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[We're friendly friends
Today once more we will ford and cross deep rivers,
looking for a hot science story.
Though the road be long & hard, broadening the world of science makes it worthwhile]
-Great scenery!

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Let's fly into the valley. Spread wings.
[vroom]
[Swish]

59 1/
Commonsense
A new kind of car
In the future, cars will be built to drive on water or fly with small wings that come out when a bridge is broken or when you have to go down into a valley.

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Cars will have built-in computers,showing the route to your destination, and telling you about road hazards, rest stops, & restaurants in each area.
Also, driving functions such as shifting gear, braking, & turning can be done on a keyboard or by remote control.

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How much fuel is left in the tank, engine oil status, the temperature & air conditions in the car will be shown on a video display.
What’s more, you’ill be able to connect to & use the Internet while driving by connecting your computer and phone.

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We're entering a tropical forest.
-Yeah, we're almost there.

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Wow! This is cool.
[jerk]
[smack] Ouch
Wha, what?
Tae-kuk, is that a monster?
Hey, is that a monster or an animal?
I've never heard of a monster or beast on earth like that...

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[roar]
Snap out of it!
[tremble]
Kang-song! Hit reverse quick!

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[screech]
[vroom]

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Ack
[thump]
Maximum speed!
[pew]

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[vrrrr]
[screech]
Ack.. Now what the heck is that?
[shudder shudder]

66 1/2
Isn't that a snake?
-What?! Do such big snakes exist?
-Tae-guk, are we dreaming right now? Or are we still in the game world at the electronic game room? Real or not... it's scary. What should we do?

2/2
-Well, if it's a dream, we can wake up. And if it's an electronic game room, we can just come outside, but this is reality! Hurry up, head for the forest!!!

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Tae-guk, that monster is still following us.
[stomp stomp]
[whiz]

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Ack! What’s that the heck is that now flying at us from the air!

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Kang-song! Quick, send a distress signal through the satellite phone!
[shake shake]
Huh?! Distress signal!
[SOS]

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[Meanwhile]
[Evolutionary Biology Research Center]
Marvellous.
-Hm
-Excellent
-We’re separating their cells of dinosaurs, snakes, & other Mesozoic era animals that we've bred, putting them in a bioreactor, & culturing them to be able to clone more of them in new ways.

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If we clone animals from the Mesozoic era with these methods, not only can we make a big leap in the study of evolutionary biology, but we can clone animals that are extinct.
-What a great achievement...
Then we can see animals that lived millions of years ago!
-That’s true.

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Huh, a distress signal!
[beep beep beep]
The distress signal seems to coming be from sector 58 in the forest that we use for experiments?
-There’s only our wild beasts there... Has someone gone in?
???
[beep beep]
Hurry, to the forest!

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Meanwhile, in the forest…
[wham]
Ack
[roll]

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Ack
[whoosh]

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[scree]

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Save me!
[scream]
[screech]
Ack

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Save me!
[thunk]
Argh!
[thud]
[smack smack]
With this mind control device I’ll...

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[thump]
Hey, isn't this Kang-song & Tae-kuk?
What are they doing here?
-Quick, to the hospital!

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[hospital]
So the monsters we ran into yesterday were dinosaurs that lived 65mn years ago?
-Didn't they die out long ago? So what’s going on...
-Yes. They went extinct 65mn years ago. But the monsters that you saw yesterday are animals that I cloned with Comrade Chin-myong.

80 1/2
Three years ago we did a geological survey on sector 58 & unexpectedly found several precious chunks of amber (resin) buried underground tens of millions of years ago.
[Evolutionary biology expedition]
-Whoa.

2/2
Inside the amber we found several types of mosquitos & other bloodsucking insects that were trapped & died in this amber tens of millions of years ago.

81 1/2
Then we thought that i f mosquitoes & other bloodsuckers that lived 10s of millions of years ago ate the blood of animals, sat on a tree & got stuck in sap, becoming trapped encased & fossilised in a drop of resin, their prey's blood would still be in their stomaches.

2/2
Then surely we could extract de-nucleic acid (DNA) from that blood.

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With confidence that DNA amplification & cell culture technologies can be used to regenerate all the cells of an animal, we experimented & researched again & again.

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And so we cloned reptiles such as dinosaurs, pterosaurs, & snakes. But we couldn't control the wild natures of these animals. So now we have succeeded in making a mind control machine that can make these beasts do what we want.

84
Wow! You've done some amazing work.
So it’s like we’ve gone back in time 65mn years, right?
-Hahaha hohoho
Chin-myong, congratulations on your research.

85 1/2
No, our research results are underpinned by your wisdom and efforts too. We couldn’t have done it without the materials on DNA amplification & cell culture technologies that you sent from the Centre for Propagating Scientific Knowledge.

85 2/2
-So the congratulations go to you who sent us the valuable data.
-No, not us, but you people...
-Ok, let’s quickly put these research results achieved through our collective wisdom & efforts and show it to the world.

86 1/
Commonsense
Have you ever found a piece of amber that was buried underground tens of millions of years ago?
Amber means a natural resin created when pieces of tree sap from e.g. pine trees fall to the ground & are buried long ago.

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In one country, a piece of tree resin from long ago was found, and there were many air bubbles in it. The bubbles contain air from the time the piece of resin was formed. The researchers put the amber in a vacuum and analysed the air inside with precise instruments,

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and found that the air back then contained 30% oxygen. Now, the atmosphere contains only 23% oxygen. The study found that the oxygen content of the air now is different from then. It is said that the amber was formed about 80 million years ago.

4/4
This research result is an important evidence for studying the process of atmospheric change. There are also various insects trapped in amber. Scientists are trying to use them to study evolutionary biology.

87 1/
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
This is a substance that holds the genetic information of living things. It is simply called de-nucleic acid or DNA for short. DNA was first isolated from human pus by Miescher in 1868.

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In 1930, the Deoxyribose pentose that makes DNA was discovered by Levene.
Cells are the smallest units of life and have nuclei in them. Surrounded by a nuclear membrane, the nucleus contains DNA that controls the genetic transmission of life.

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De-nucleic acid is a substance that causes heredity & variation. Scientists are already trying to bring long-dead animals back to live by obtaining DNA fragments & using DNA amplification & cell culture techniques. This is significant to the study of the process of evolution.

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Yay!
"The wide, wide world of science is our arena
Our knowledge saves time & builds with passion
Science has the power to take over the world
When our achievements shine, our country will be rich & strong."

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That was fun, Grandpa! But all this stuff in the comic book is fictional, right?
-No, it is a fantasy about what can become true in the future thanks to the development of science.

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