Scientists have discovered the world’s first ‘self-watering’ plant in Israel’s Negev desert – one of the driest regions on earth.

The Desert Rhubarb can hold 16 times more water than its rivals and has developed a unique ability to effectively water itself in its barren habitat.
Researchers were confounded by the foot-wide plant’s giant leaves, compared to its desert counterparts, whose tiny leaves stop dangerous moisture loss.

But they found the plant’s large leaves are the key to its success, because they are covered in microscopic streams through which water can be channelled.
Scientists claim ridges in the leaves act like mountain valleys, funnelling the water slowly and directly into the plant while stopping it evaporating.

A team from the Department of Science Education-Biology at the University of Haifa-Oranim, in Israel, said the leaves act like a mini irrigation system.

Telegraph News

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Research shows that a certain cat parasite affects our behavior and mood.

The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, has been transmitted indirectly from cats to roughly half the people on the planet, and it has been shown to affect human personalities in different ways.

Other researchers have linked the parasite to schizophrenia.

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From the smallest sea horse to a naturally decaffeinated coffee tree, the International Institute for Species Exploration’s annual top 10 list proves that Earth is still full of bizarre and fascinating plants and animals awaiting human discovery.

Full story with Slide Show

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This was filmed by David Rogers at Vanderbilt in the 1950s. It is a neutrophil chasing Staph aureus. Notice how it relentlessly chases the first one. This process is called chemotaxis.

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Partnering with Radiance Technologies of Oxford, MS, TornadoVideos.net will soon be flying this RC plane and dropping parachute probes around tornadoes.

With a 12 foot wingspan, this “Super-Hauler” will be capable of carrying 8-10 weather data and HD video probes, that will be dropped in the tornado inflow region and pulled into the circulation by a parachute system.

The TornadoVideos.net plane will be deployed in Tornado Alley beginning late season 2009.

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