The Paris japonica has a genetic code 50 times longer than that of a human being.
An ordinary-looking white flower from Japan may carry something quite extraordinary within its pale petals – the longest genome ever discovered.
Continue reading… “World’s Longest Genome Discovered in an Ordinary Looking White Flower”
Bees prefer certain kinds of nectar.
Also nicotine! A study conducted at the University of Haifa revealed that bees prefer nectar containing those psychoactive substances.
Flower nectar is primarily comprised of sugars, which provide energy for the potential pollinators. But the floral nectar of some plant species also includes small quantities of substances known to be toxic, such as caffeine and nicotine… Caffeine is found at concentration levels of 11-17.5 milligrams per liter, mostly in citrus flowers. In the nectar of grapefruit flowers, however, caffeine is present in much higher concentrations, reaching 94.2 milligrams per liter…
The results showed that bees clearly prefer nectar containing nicotine and caffeine over the “clean” nectar. The preferred nicotine concentration was 1 milligram per liter, similar to that found in nature. Given a choice of higher levels of nicotine versus “clean” nectar, the bees preferred the latter.
The presumption is that natural selection has favored those plants that satisfy the desires of their pollinators. Further studies are underway to ascertain whether the bees are addicted to caffeine and nicotine.
Link.
Patent# US 6842218, which refers to the Scent Delivery System, allows the user to pick his or her own smells, a rather dubious thrill to begin with. It works by injecting scent into an airflow created by the fan or canister, and creates scented air, which is carried to the nose by the flow of air via a nose mask or facemask. If you are wondering why anyone would want such a thing, join the club whose membership is fast disappearing from a lack of interest.
Continue reading… “Scent Delivery System”
Most people would agree that saving electricity in the home is a good thing. Even if you aren’t a treehugger, cutting back on wasted power can save plenty of money on the electric bill. Still, most of us could use a little reminder at times, that’s a bit easier than running around with one of those Kill-A-Watt things.
Continue reading… “Wilting Flower Helps You Save Electricity”
The Head Kenzan is is inspired by a traditional Japanese tool called “kenzan” that is used in Japanese flower arranging to hold plants in place.
Continue reading… “Head Kenzan To Massage The Scalp”
Here’s a design concept that shows some unusual thinking on the part of its creator, Chris Natt: What if you fitted a smart lamp with petals that open and close like a flower? The result is Stimuli 3.0, a shape-shifting device that measures ambient light and adjusts its illumination accordingly, using a three-axis gearbox.
Continue reading… “A Lamp That Adjusts To the Environment”
The cultivation of flower bulb began more than 400 years ago and today Holland produces more than nine billion bulbs every year, of which two thirds are exported overseas.
Continue reading… “Amazing Fields Of Flowers”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LHoyB81LnE[/youtube]
This is amazing. The elephant is named Hong, and is currently residing in Thailand. Each art piece cost about $500. Additional video after the jump.
Continue reading… “An Elephant Painting a Self Portrait”
Spring’s bloom may not smell so sweet anymore, as pollutants from power plants and automobiles destroy flowers’ aromas, a new study suggests. The finding could help explain why some pollinators, particularly bees, are declining in certain parts of the world.
Continue reading… “Flowers’ Smell Not Traveling As Far”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.