Tag Archives: Exhibit

These Plants Exhibit Remarkable Mathematical Abilities

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Can plants count from 1 to 10 using their root tendrils? No. However, researchers have discovered that some plants possess the fascinating ability to detect insect intruders and monitor their own food supply, allowing them to perform basic counting and mathematics.

Take, for instance, Venus flytraps, which are renowned for snapping shut when they detect movement from an insect or other triggers. Interestingly, this is only activated if the object moves twice within a time frame of approximately 15-20 seconds.

These movements are captured by delicate “trigger” hairs on the leaves, which convert the sensory input into electrical signals that travel through the plant as waves of charged atoms (ions). The leaves then close upon receiving two triggering electrical signals.

Additionally, a group of international scientists noted in a 2016 exhibition that Venus flytraps can tally multiple counts before reacting.

They wait to receive a minimum of three electrical signals before producing the necessary enzymes to digest their prey, potentially to avoid wasting energy on false alarms.

https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2025/09/Venus-fly-trap-vid.m4v
Venus flytraps pause to sense their prey’s movement before closing and secreting digestive juices.

Even prior to this finding, scientists had proposed that the mustard plant (Arabidopsis), a common research subject, exhibits behaviors akin to division.

During daylight hours, plants harness sunlight to accumulate food stores (starches) through photosynthesis.

To sustain themselves overnight, they must establish a balanced starch consumption rate (starch divided by time) by gauging the starch stored in their leaves alongside their circadian rhythms.

Experts caution against labeling these unique counting abilities as “intelligent” or indicative of a primitive brain structure; instead, they are vital survival mechanisms that demonstrate remarkable sophistication.

This article answers a query posed by Llewi Evans from Monmouthshire.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Quantum Computers Exhibit Unexpected Randomness—And That’s Beneficial!

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Quantum object shuffling is more complex than classic shuffling

Andriy Onofriyenko/Getty Images

Quantum computers are capable of generating randomness far more efficiently than previously anticipated. This remarkable discovery reveals the ongoing complexities at the intersection of quantum physics and computation.

Randomness is essential for numerous computational tasks. For instance, weather simulations require multiple iterations with randomly chosen slightly varied initial conditions. In the realm of quantum computing, researchers have demonstrated quantum advantage by arranging qubits randomly to yield outcomes that classical machines struggle to achieve.

Creating these random configurations effectively entails shuffling qubits and connecting them repeatedly, akin to shuffling a deck of cards. Initially, it was believed that adding more qubits to the system would extend the time required for shuffling, analogous to how larger decks of cards are harder to shuffle. With increased shuffling potentially compromising the delicate quantum states of qubits, the prospect of significant applications relying on randomness was thought to be limited to smaller quantum systems.

Recently, Thomas Schuster from the California Institute of Technology and his team found that generating these random sequences requires fewer shuffles than previously believed.

To illustrate this, Schuster and his colleagues conceptualized dividing the qubit ensemble into smaller segments, thereby mathematically demonstrating that each segment could independently produce a random sequence. They further established that these smaller qubit segments could be “joined” to create a well-shuffled version of the original collection of qubits in a manner that defies expectations.

“It’s quite astonishing because it indicates that classical random number generators don’t exhibit anything comparable,” states Schuster. For instance, in the case of card shuffling within a block, the top cards tend to remain near the top. This is not applicable in quantum systems, where quantum shuffles generate a random superposition of all possible arrangements.

“This is a significantly more intricate phenomenon compared to classical shuffling. The order of the top card is not preserved, as can be observed through classical methods where measuring the top card’s position post-shuffle yields a random output each time, devoid of any insights into the shuffling process itself. It’s genuinely a new and fundamentally quantum phenomenon.”

“We anticipated that this sort of random quantum behavior would be exceptionally challenging to achieve. Yet, the authors demonstrated that it can be realized with remarkable efficiency,” remarks Peter Craze from the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Germany. “This discovery was quite unexpected.”

“Random quantum circuits hold numerous applications as elements of quantum algorithms and for showcasing what is termed quantum advantage,” notes Ashley Montanaro from the University of Bristol, UK. “The authors have already identified various applications in quantum information and hope that additional applications will emerge.” While researchers can facilitate experiments demonstrating a type of quantum advantage they have previously conducted, Montanaro cautions that this does not imply we are closer to reaping the practical benefits of such advantages.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Microbiologists find that Antarctic archaea exhibit parasitic behaviors

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According to a new study Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeum AntarcticusThe DPANN archaeon, which lives in a highly saline Antarctic lake called Deep Lake, behaves like a parasitic predator, rapidly killing its host. Harolblum Luxpro Fundy.

What we see under an electron microscope Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeum antarctica attached to the host, Harolblum Luxpro FundyImage courtesy of Joshua N. Hamm.

“Archaea are one of three lineages of life, along with bacteria and eukaryotes (organisms whose cells have a membrane-enclosed nucleus, such as plants and animals),” said Dr Yan Liao, a microbiologist at the University of Technology Sydney.

“They are widespread and play a vital role in supporting Earth's ecosystems.”

“Compared to other lineages, archaea are less studied and understood. However, they provide clues about the evolution of life on Earth and the possible existence of life on other planets.”

“Its unique biochemistry also holds promising applications in biotechnology and bioremediation.”

“They have been found breeding in highly acidic boiling hot springs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents with temperatures well over 100 degrees, highly saline waters like the Dead Sea, and even in Antarctica.”

Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeum antarcticus was collected from a cold, saline, deep lake in Antarctica by Professor Riccardo Cavicchioli of the University of New South Wales.

This species belongs to a group called DPANN archaea, which are much smaller than other archaea, have very small genomes and limited metabolic capabilities.

Studies have revealed that they depend on host microorganisms, particularly other archaea, for survival.

“This is the first time this aggressive behaviour has been observed in archaea,” said Dr Joshua Hamm, a microbiologist at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Marine Research.

“In many ways, its activity resembles some viruses, leading us to reassess its ecological role in the Antarctic environment.”

DPANN archaea have rarely been cultivated in the laboratory, and the authors developed novel techniques, including unique sample staining, intravital fluorescence microscopy, and electron microscopy, to visualize the interior of host cells and follow the interactions between DPANN archaea and their hosts.

They stained the host archaea. Harolblum Luxpro Fundyand Candidatus Nanohaloarchaeum antarcticus, which has a non-cytotoxic dye that glows in various colors when exposed to laser light.

“This makes it possible to watch organisms together over long periods of time and identify cells by color,” Dr Liao said.

“We observed how the DPANN parasite attached and migrated inside the host cell, causing the host cell to lyse and burst.”

“Predators play a vital role in ecosystems because they not only provide food for themselves by killing their hosts, but also make the remains of the host's cells available as food for other organisms,” said Dr Ian Duggin, a microbiologist at the University of Technology Sydney.

“This allows other microbes to proliferate and prevents the host organism from storing nutrients.”

“The DPANN archaea we studied appear to play a much more important role in ecosystems than has been realized.”

“The parasitic or infectious lifestyle of these archaea may be common.”

of result Published in a journal Nature Communications.

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JN Ham others2024. Parasitic life of archaeal symbionts. Nat Community 15, 6449; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49962-y

Source: www.sci.news

Do only children truly exhibit signs of being spoiled, self-centered, and lonely?

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I'm an only child. Saying this can sometimes feel like a confession, especially when people well-meaningly respond with, “Oh, you don't see it that way!” Now, as the mother of a preschooler, I watch my daughter live with the same assumption. “Does she have any brothers or sisters?” a teacher asked recently. “She plays so well with the other kids!”

Forgive me if it seems like I am bragging about my (or my daughter's) actions. I am an only child, after all.

For over a century, we have been deemed eccentric at best, antisocial, neurotic, and narcissistic at worst. “To be an only child is a disease in itself,” declared the 19th-century child psychologist Granville Stanley Hall.

Whether there are real differences in the personality and happiness of only children and those with siblings remains a controversial issue, one that has received new impetus from the growing trend towards only-child parenting.

Eva Beaujouin, a demographer at the University of Vienna in Austria, says that in high-income countries including the United States and Britain, one-child families have become more common since the 1970s, “whether by force or choice.” In Europe, almost half of all households with children have an only child.

Despite their increasing popularity, one-child families continue to face long-held beliefs that this family form is somehow harmful. Fortunately, a closer look at modern research offers some clarity, suggesting that being an only child can have surprising consequences. The findings may offer some relief to parents of only children, or those still unsure of how many children they should have…

Source: www.newscientist.com

New study finds solid wood surfaces exhibit natural antiviral characteristics

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In a recent study, researchers from the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Eastern Finland examined the antiviral properties of different types of wood, including coniferous and deciduous trees, against coronaviruses and enteroviruses.

Shroff othersScots pine and Norway spruce were found to have excellent antiviral activity, especially against enveloped viruses, with onset within 10-15 minutes. In contrast, other hardwoods showed mixed efficacy, and oak showed effectiveness against enteroviruses. Image courtesy of Schroff. others., doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c02156.

Since ancient times, wood has played a vital role in tools, utilities, and construction.

The 20th century witnessed a depletion of wood resources, prompting the emergence of alternatives like plastics and metals for interior surfaces and fixtures.

A growing concern for sustainability and the unique qualities of wood has led to a resurgence in its use across various applications.

The 21st century has brought new health challenges, including viral outbreaks like SARS and COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of surface hygiene.

Viruses can persist on surfaces as fomites, with enveloped viruses having shorter survival times compared to non-enveloped viruses.

Wood has been known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, but its antiviral capabilities were not thoroughly explored until this study.

Researchers investigated how different types of wood affect the infectivity of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses.

The study found that certain types of wood could significantly reduce viral infectivity within hours, showcasing their potential as natural antiviral materials.

Their research paper was published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

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Reference: Sailey Shroff et al. (2024). Inactivation of coronaviruses and enteroviruses on solid wood surfaces depending on wood species. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16(23), 29621-29633. doi:10.1021/acsami.4c02156

Source: www.sci.news

Male lemurs exhibit enlarged testicles in the presence of other males

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Male Verreaux’s Sifaka

Gabriel Bueno

Dominant male lemurs grow more flexible testicles when other males are present, improving their position for successful mating.

In many species, dominant males have larger testes than subordinate males. Increased Testosterone Research has also shown that males of group-living, multi-male species have larger testes than males of group-living, single-male species. Larger testes mean more sperm can be produced, which increases the male’s chances of producing offspring if a female mates with multiple males.

Gabriel Bueno and Rebecca Lewis Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin tested whether this pattern held true within a single population by looking at testicle size in 23-year-old adult men. Verreaux’s sifaka (Propithecus beleaucii) took place outside of the mating season over a 13-year period in Kirindimitea National Park in western Madagascar.

This lemur group is made up of several groups, some with only one male and some with several. As in all lemur societies, the females hold the most social power, but the males also have their own hierarchy. Dominant lemurs have greasy brown spots on their chests from constant scent marking, while subordinate lemurs have clean white bodies.

The researchers found that the testicles of stained males in multi-male groups were on average 103 percent larger than those of clean males from the same groups and 31 percent larger than those of stained males in single-male groups. The stained lemurs in multi-male groups may be producing more testosterone than other lemurs or they may be suppressing the amount of testosterone that clean males can produce, Bueno says.

Stained males living in multi-male groups not only have larger scrotums in absolute terms, but also larger relative to their body size, which Bueno says suggests indicates that dominant males spend more energy competing for sperm when there are other males around.

“The key is that they can make that switch,” Bueno says. Because the dominant male always has the largest testicles, when a dirty male with larger testicles enters the group, the dirty male’s gonads grow. This “highlights how extraordinarily flexible they are and how they adapt to their social environment,” Bueno says.

“It is surprising that males can flexibly adjust their testis size across a range of environments throughout their lives,” he said. Peter Kappeler The researchers, from the University of Göttingen in Germany, added that their findings raise important questions about the potential costs of maintaining large testes: Enlarging them requires energy that cannot be used elsewhere, and likely requires the animal to search for more food.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Tiny nematodes develop large mouths and exhibit cannibalistic behavior

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Huge mouth of a small nematode

Sarah Wiggard and Ralf Sommer / Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen

Tiny soil insects called nematodes usually feed on bacteria and algae and have small mouths to accommodate their diet. However, when baby nematodes are fed the fungus, their mouths double in size, giving them the ability to cannibalize their mates.

that’s what ralph sommer Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biology in Tübingen, Germany, made the discovery while studying the development of predatory soil nematodes. Allody Progaster Sudhouushi.when the larvae are raised Penicillium Some of them ate fungi and cheese and grew into cannibals with giant mouths. “We were shocked,” he says.

The researchers knew that the different mouth shapes seen in this species resulted from different feeding habits. Nematodes that feed on bacteria have narrow mouths, while nematodes that feed on much smaller nematode species have slightly wider mouths. But this extreme variant, which the researchers called “teratostomia,” or Te morphology, had not been previously documented.

Sommer and colleagues investigated the genetics underlying these different mouth shapes and found that all three were controlled by the same sulfatase gene. But that activity only seems to result in a giant, gaping mouth. A. Sudaushi. The species’ complete set of genetic instructions was duplicated only recently in its evolution, Sommer said, so the doubling of gene pairs may have facilitated the origin of the worm’s giant mouth. That’s what it means.

Because the fungi’s diet was low in nutrients and more Te forms were found in high-density conditions, the researchers found that Te forms and their associated cannibalistic habits may have evolved as a response to the stresses of starvation and crowding. That’s what I think.

Nicholas Levis Indiana University points out that a similar phenomenon is seen in several other species. For example, the tadpoles of spadefoot toads and some salamanders can develop into cannibalistic carnivores depending on environmental conditions, Levis says.

But even in such cases, animals often avoid eating their own kind. Te nematodes are nondiscriminatory and prey on genetically identical neighbors. Levis says this is a “surprising finding” that could indicate that the development strategy is “really hopeless.”

“This discovery…made me wonder how much more diverse there is in the natural world than what we see,” Levis says. “How many other hidden ‘monsters’ are there waiting to be discovered under the right environmental conditions?”

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Source: www.newscientist.com