Category: Uncategorized
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The secret brains of bees: Study finds that bees can add and subtract
The common honeybee (Apis melifera) is a fascinating creature. Bees are not only among the most common pollinators of plants all over the world, they also make honey, which has been harvested by humans for its naturally high sugar content as far back as 8000 years ago, possibly even further. Of insects that form colonies,…
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Fancy a shark for a friend, or must this friendliness end?
On being asked about the dangers of his deep sea adventures, Michael Mueller, the famous shark photographer from Los Angeles, also fondly known as ‘shark paparazzo’ in journalistic circles, said “People don’t need to be scared. I tickle sharks, I do, when they swim by.” Mueller’s words may have said these words in good humour,…
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The amazing adaptability of the placenta
“Don’t drink, avoid sugary snacks and, of course, don’t forget to take your folic acid.” If only it were that simple. The popular narrative tells us that pregnancy is a magical phase in a person’s life, but it is not all roses and unicorns. Pregnancy can undoubtedly be one of the most physically and emotionally…
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TEDxWomen: Showing Up – Review
On Saturday December 1st, TEDxUniversity of Edinburgh hosted their first event of the semester, a series of talks entitled “TEDxWomen: Showing Up,” in a nod to the annual TED Women’s conference, which was held two weeks ago in Palm Springs, California. The talks were divided into three themes: education and music, science, and activism, with…