Rats as pollinators
“Invasive rats,” says BBC News, “are compensating for the loss of native pollinators in New Zealand, scientists report. The rats, which are responsible for devastating the native pollinator populations, are attracted to the flowers for their nectar. The results could mean that the decline of pollinating animals worldwide does not spell the end for all native plants. The results are published in a Royal Society journal. Almost 90 per cent of the world’s flowering plants are pollinated by animals.”
Cure for the common coldness?
“Most of us have met people who we instantly liked and felt we could trust, and others we immediately dislike,” Psych Central says. “Are these first impressions accurate? Emerging research from University of California, Berkeley suggests first impressions are effective for determining whether a stranger is genetically inclined to being trustworthy, kind or compassionate. Experts believe the findings reinforce that healthy humans are wired to recognize strangers who may help them out in a tough situation. The relationship with genetics suggests genetic therapies may be developed for people who are not innately sympathetic, researchers said.”
Mayor turns freelancer
“Disguising himself with an alias, the mayor of Utah’s second-largest city has been writing upbeat freelance articles about his town for area news outlets because he claimed the media spent too much time on crime coverage,” Associated Press reports. “He unapologetically revealed himself [last] week, insisting the balance was needed. ‘I thought about all the people just reading about crime in our city and nothing better,’ West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder said [last] Friday. ‘I’m trying to stand up for us because we do get the short end of the stick – negative stories.’ … He said getting stories published by the Deseret News, KSL-TV’s website and a community weekly was as easy as setting up a Gmail account and Facebook page. He communicated with editors by e-mail and phone, never showing his face.”
Bacteria clean frescoes
“The frescoes in the Church of Santos Juanes in Valencia, Spain, have been damaged by fire (the Spanish Civil War), glue (botched restoration attempts in the ’60s), and salt blooms (a side effect of pigeon nests),” says Wired magazine. “But the 17th-century masterpieces aren’t lost yet. The Polytechnic University of Valencia’s Institute of Heritage Restoration and Centre for Advanced Food Microbiology have joined forces to rejuvenate the priceless works. Tool of choice: bacteria. The idea is to use the harmless Pseudomonas stutzeri microorganism to clean the works in lieu of toxic chemicals or the jittery hands of restorers. … Effectively trained to eat salt and glue, the bacteria are brushed onto the frescoes and covered with a gel that, when heated with lights, creates humid conditions (perfect for nibbling) and aids cleanup. Just 90 minutes later, the surface is rinsed with water and dried, killing the bacteria. For the Pseudomonas, every masterpiece is the Last Supper.”
The pilot’s in the loo
On Wednesday night, The Huffington Post says, “after a Chatauqua Airlines pilot was accidentally locked in his plane’s lavatory, a terror scare ensued when a passenger with an accent tried to help him by banging on the cockpit door, reports the New York Post. The Chatauqua flight … was headed to New York’s LaGuardia airport … when the pilot headed to use the loo. While he was in there, a door latch broke leaving him stuck. His pounding and pleas were heard by a front-row passenger, whom the pilot instructed to alert the crew in the cockpit. However, according to the Post, the co-pilot thought the man’s accent sounded Middle Eastern, and he wasn’t trusting his intentions. … Air traffic control seemed to agree … and advised the pilot to ‘declare emergency and just get on the ground.’ ” When the plane landed, it was met by authorities including the FBI. By then, the captain had freed himself.
Thought du jour
“You define a good flight by negatives: You didn’t get hijacked, you didn’t crash, you didn’t throw up, you weren’t late, you weren’t nauseated by the food. So you are grateful.”
- Paul Theroux (1941-), American travel writer
