Did you know that cosmetics is one of the largest, and constantly evolving industries worldwide? As the evergreen beauty industry grew and matured, cosmetic products were made which catered to the needs of individuals who desired things that were purely aesthetically pleasing. As new products keep getting invented and released, you may have come to […]
Homo luzonensis Discovery – What Does it Mean for Anthropology Research? The human race’s history and ancestry is an exciting but complicated affair. Various subspecies and variants share ancestral ties with current humans. In 2019, a new branch of the human ancestral tree was discovered in a cave in the Philippines. The first evidence of […]
If you think superficial colours and looks are the only things that attract insects to 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 for insects. The fine lines on the petals of a […]
If you have a sister or brother, you will fondly remember the silly fights you 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 professor of agriculture […]
Onions are probably the only vegetable that makes you take note of their 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 […]
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 […]
With large wings that open out flat and two bright blue eyespots that stand out on a white-grey body, the majestic hawkmoth looks majestic, especially with the five yellow-orange sports. Though they are harmless to humans and largely survive by drinking nectar from flowers, they can seem friendly. But their larvae have a menacingly different […]
Looks like they do! After spending years researching on the ‘sensitive plant’ – mimosa, Monica Gagliano found some interesting traits. We all know Mimosa pudica is a plant known for its defensive techniques and we have covered it many times on our blog too. When it feels something hostile, the leaves of the mimosa curl up or […]
Dogs, cobras, cows, cats, and many other animals find a mention when it comes to lending their names and posture to various yogic poses. Some of the poses or asanas also depict the birds. While it is interesting that these asanas are named after animals, it is not clear if they were named so just […]