Homo luzonensis Discovery – What Does it Mean for Anthropology Research?

Homo luzonensis Discovery – What Does it Mean for Anthropology Research? The human race’s history and ancestry is an exciting but complicated affair, with various subspecies and variants that current humans share ancestral ties with. In 2019, a new branch of the human ancestral tree was discovered in a far-off cave in the Philippines. The…

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The plan to pollinator attraction

If you think superficial colours, looks are the only things that attract the insects to the flowers, you are mistaken. There is a lot more going on there. We have learnt in the previous post how the colour of the flower can be a major attraction point to insects. The fine lines on the petals…

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Sibling Rivalry in Plants

If you have a sister or brother, you would fondly remember the silly fights you would have had as a child. In the case of plants, do you think sibling rivalry exists? K.N. Ganeshaiah is a polymath who has contributed a vast number of papers and articles in botany and agriculture. Ganeshaiah is a retired…

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Can the African Jacana Walk on Water?

Blessed with long slender legs and interestingly long toes that make their walking look classy, the African Jacana is quite incredible to look. While they have not yet mastered the art of walking on water, these ‘Lilly-trotters’ walk on floating plankton, grass and water lilies. As the weight of the bird is supported pushes the…

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Sir Andre Geim and the Magnetic Frog

Andre Geim is the only person to date who has been the Nobel Prize recipient and the Ig Nobel Prize. The Ig Nobel prize is a satirical prize that has been annually awarded since 1991 by a comic magazine known as the Annals of Improbable Research (AIR). It is awarded annually to 10 discoveries that…

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Why does the onion smell so strong?

Onions are probably the only vegetable that makes you take note of its strong, pungent smell and can make you shed tears (other than their skyrocketing prices). While onions have over 85% water, tiny amounts of protein, fat and fibre, another significant contribution comes from carbohydrates that account for around 8-10%. Onions are also rich…

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Sulphur’s Application In Our Lives

Perhaps none of us cared when we heard that 3% of the Earth comprises of Sulphur. Old legends used to claim that, and based on the most recent estimates, it was found to be true. It was the first time scientists had come up with some conclusive geochemical evidence. Did you know all life on…

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Know your Grass

In continuation of our series on various grasses in sports, let us examine the grasses used in golf. Bentgrass It is also used on golf courses and grows thick. It is thick and can withstand heavy traffic. But the grass can not tolerate consistent heat and requires a small quantity of water to stay green….

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Keep Off The Grass

Many people love playing sports and watching events that happen across the world. Whether it is hockey, soccer, cricket, etc., most sports are played on different grass fields. Have you ever wanted to know about the type of grass? If not, take a look at the other sports grass. Zoysia Grass They are low-maintenance and…

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What Do Ancient Insects Preserved in Amber Tell Us?

For scientists, plant resin is exciting. Plant resin is one of the most versatile and used products in the world. The resin contains a bunch of organic compounds known as terpenes, which are phenolic and volatile. When the resin fossilizes over a very, very long time, the heat and pressure drive out the terpenes from…

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