Archive for September 10th, 2009

Worker Bees Cheat On Queen Behind Her Back

Despite her title and supposed control over the hive, some worker bees cheat on their queen by reproducing for themselves to prolong their own lives, scientists have declared.

A study of a Brazilian species – Melipona scutellaris – found that some male bees are the sons of workers, rather than the queen bee.

Results showed that 23 per cent of the males were sons of the workers, rather than the Queen. Worker bees are usually unable to mate, but are capable of laying unfertilised eggs which can develop into male offspring.

To ensure dominance, the Queen usually eats any eggs laid by her workers. The only benefit of workers producing their own offspring is that it allows them to live three times longer, giving them a life expectancy that almost matches the queens.

This is because workers who reproduce do less work and don’t carry out risky tasks such as foraging.

Link

San Francisco Bay Bridge Time-Lapse

Take a look at this time-lapse video showing the San Francisco Bay Bridge construction closure last week. It was made with a script that took images from the Bay Bridge construction project and put it together into a movie.

Men With Long Ring Fingers Drive Faster

Long Ring Finger. Image: grannygeek

New research suggests that men with long ring fingers are more likely to drive fast, overtake on dangerous roads and park illegally.

The study suggests bad driving may be programmed from birth because finger length is directly associated with exposure to the hormone testosterone in the womb.
Numerous studies have shown that a long wedding ring finger compared to the index finger in men can have a powerful effect on health and behaviour.
Research suggests it is linked with increased male aggression and risk-taking.
But it also means men are better at sports such as athletics and football, more likely to succeed in the cut-throat world of high finance and may even be more fertile than those with shorter ring fingers.
Scientists believe exposure to greater levels of testosterone in the womb affects the way the brain works later in life.

So what’s your ring finger situation? Mine is far longer than my index. That may explain a lot…

Did You See It?

Previously, I told you that Derren Brown would aim to predict the lottery numbers on 09/09/09, and guess what, he did it! Derren correctly predicted the winning lottery balls 2, 11, 23, 28, 35 and 39.

He will reveal how he did it tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 (UK). In the meantime though, does anyone have any theories? I’m totally dumbfounded at the moment.

Google Street View Animation by Google Japan

An adorable animated video explaining Google Street View by Google Japan.

Cheetah Sets 100m World Record

An 8-year-old Cincinnati Zoo cheetah has set a world speed record for land mammals by running the 100 meters in 6.13 seconds.

Sarah, the cheetah, set the record on her second attempt at the zoo’s Regional Cheetah Breeding Facility in Clermont County. In her first try she ran 100 meters in 6.16 seconds, which still beat the previous record of 6.19 seconds.

Sarah the cheetah makes Usain Bolt’s 9.58 second world track record look like a walk in the park.