How do solar panels work?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteTHE sun is the ultimate source of all life on earth. It is also an infinitely renewable and 100% pollution free energy source. Therefore, it is not surprising that we should look to solar energy as a great potential energy source. How do we harness energy from the sun? One way is through the use of solar panels. […]
Why do animals remember differently?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWE often say that someone with a strong memory has a memory “like and elephant”, while someone who is forgetful might have a memory “like a goldfish”. But can we really compare our memories to that of animals? A recent study showed that animals don’t have much recollection of specific events at all, but instead, they store away information about what […]
The most influential species of all evolution
Reading Time: 2 minutesEVER wonder what is the most influential (defined as the species that has most changed life on Earth) species in the history of the planet? Homo sapiens? You got it wrong. Though we’d like to think we are the masters of the universe, we don’t even make it in the top five. It is … the earthworm. Yeah, you read that […]
What makes leaves change colour in autumn?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteEvery autumn we revel in the beauty of the fall colours. The mixture of red, purple, orange and yellow is the result of chemical processes that take place in the tree as the seasons change from summer to winter. During the spring and summer the leaves have served as factories where most of the food […]
Why do we get bored?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteSome people never tire of doing the same thing, while others get bored very easily. According to Dr Irving Biederman, a neuroscientist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, this problem involves opioids, a chemical in the brain that gives us pleasure. A new experience will stimulate the release of opioids—a wow. The […]
New research shows Zika can damage the eyes
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA novel finding from research conducted by Wayne State University School of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology at the Kresge Eye Institute has shown that Zika Virus (ZIKV) caused impaired vision or even blindness. This happens when the virus replicates itself in the retinal cells of the eyes – layer of cells at the back of […]
What causes cats’ eyes to glow?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteYour pet cat may appear tame during the day, but its eyes tend to cast an eerie or ghoulish glow by dusk. Ever wondered what causes it? [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] Cats’ eyes are proportionately larger than humans’ eyes and they possess a reflective layer of tissues known as tapetum lucidum. These features enable […]
Why do crocodiles often lie with their mouths open?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteCrocodiles are cold blooded reptiles prevalent in tropical regions of Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia. They are members of the order Crocodilia that includes alligators, gharials and caimans. Ever seen crocodiles resting or sitting with their mouth open? This is a common practice among crocodiles that is known [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] as […]
How camels survive in the desert?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteCAMEL live in hot and dry desert. But how do they survive in the desert? Camels have a thick coat of hair that protects them from the sun. They have wide, soft feet, so they can [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]walk a long time in the hot sand. Their large feet spread their weight on […]
How does coffee keep us awake?
Reading Time: < 1 minuteCoffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Caffeine, an active ingredient in coffee is a type of stimulant that promotes wakefulness and enhances alertness. The onset of sleepiness is caused by the gradual decline of nerve cell activity. This is caused by[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3,5″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] the binding of a neurotransmitter […]