What is it? Telipogon jucusbambae, a rediscovered species in the orchid family. Where was it found? It’s endemic to northern and central Peru in South America, where it grows in Andean cloud forests. Local people call the plant ushun. And it’s been rediscovered? Yes. A type specimen was collected in 1965 by researchers from the…
Tag: science
The naked mole-rat that just keeps living
Ageing, whether we like it or not, is a fact of life. For most animals, including humans, all we can do to enhance our longevity is to hope for the best and live as healthily as we can. But the naked mole-rat, the longest-lived rodent species on the planet, didn’t get the message. New research…
Scientists in live public discussion today about what ‘natural’ really means
We’ve all seen it. Whether it’s on labels in supermarkets or in adverts on our TVs, the word ‘natural’ is often used to sell products. Foods may be ‘naturally’ farmed or contain only ‘natural’ colours and flavours. Or you may have used a ‘natural’ remedy to help you recover from an illness. But why do…
EU’s rules on genetically improved crops a ‘threat’ to developments in agriculture, say MPs
A report out today is calling for the equivalent of Nice – the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence – for developments in crop technologies. The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee also says the government should encourage more public debate around developments in crop technologies It recommends forming a ‘citizens council’ for…
Dodgy sausages and the dangers of owning a cat: the 2014 Ig Nobel prizes
The Ig Nobel prizes, which celebrate “research that first makes people laugh, and then makes them think”, were awarded in a ceremony at Harvard University last week. 2014 marks the 24th time the prizes have been given. Past rewards have included a bra that doubles as a protective face mask and work on finding the…
The wrong plant?
Many of us at the John Innes Centre and the Sainsbury Laboratory use the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana for our research. Its small size, simple genome and rapid lifecycle make it an ideal model in many disciplines within plant science. From leaf development to interactions with pathogens, the wealth of resources available to Arabidopsis researchers…