Tag: science communication
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Intriguing uses of wood: future…
This post feature futuristic uses of wood uses – a wooden satellite from Japan and the development of super-black wood by UBC researchers. The satellite, LignoSat, which is encased in magnolia wood, is due to be launched to the ISS in September 2024. The super-black wood, named Nxylon, offers various…
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Intriguing uses of wood: present…
Unusual Present-day uses of wood include innovative materials such as engineered transparent wood (ETW) and wooden circuit boards. ETW, with 80% light transmittance, is a sustainable alternative to glass and can be used in solar cells, windows, and decorative materials. Researchers are also exploring wood-based materials for sustainable electronics in…
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Intriguing uses of wood: past…
Archaeological findings in Germany validate Julius Caesar’s description of sharpened wooden stakes in his military campaign. Additionally, discoveries such as a “seahenge” and insights into mammoth-hunting highlight uses of wood by humans in days long gone.
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Wood gets 50% more interesting
The traditional classification of tree wood as hardwood or softwood has been challenged by a recent study by Jan Lyczakowski & Raymond Wightman, which identified a new category called “midwood.” This newly discovered wood type, as observed in Liriodendron tulipifera and L. chinense, may play a role in efficiently storing…
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Putting Indigenous plant knowledge where it belongs
The ethnobotanical by Sarah Edwards celebrates global indigenous plant knowledge, focusing on historical and contemporary interactions between people and plants. The book presents a bittersweet narrative, highlighting the loss of ancient botanical wisdom, challenging colonial exploitation, and emphasising the urgency of preserving ethnobotanical knowledge.
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Radishes helping themselves…
SISRH is a self-irrigating and slow-release fertilizer hydrogel developed for sustainable agriculture. It absorbs water vapour at night and releases it during the day, reducing water consumption and enhancing nutrient delivery. Initial experiments with radish show promising results, but further research is needed to determine its impact on larger-scale and…
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That’s no leopard, that’s a phytoforaging feline
This post concerns the diet of the snow leopard, a carnivore. Surprisingly, researchers found plant material in snow leopard scat, indicating potential intentional ingestion. This discovery raises questions about the reasons for this behavior, such as medicinal or nutritional purposes. The study sheds light on the snow leopard’s feeding behavior,…
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Plant-predating ‘piranha’…
This post discusses the discovery of a vegetarian fish, Myloplus sauron, in a tributary of the Amazon. Contrary to expectations, this piranha-like fish primarily feeds on plants, potentially aiding in the dispersal of plant fragments and seeds. This challenges previous assumptions about the dietary habits of similar fish species.
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Fern DNA goes to great lengths…
Tmesipteris truncata, a hanging fork fern from New Caledonia, has the largest known eukaryotic genome at 160.45 Gbp. This exceeds the DNA content of humans by over 50 times. A larger genome, however, does not necessarily lead to superior traits, as it can result in slower growth and reduced adaptability…
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Read all about it: Paper gets better!
This post looks at traditional Japanese paper called washi and its recent modification using polybutylene succinate (PBS) to enhance strength and biodegradability. Despite potential environmental concerns about PBS, “techno-washi” could offer sustainable alternatives in various industries.
Plant Cuttings 