Whatsapp status Askmenow

**What are the different parts of a plant? ** 🌱🍀🌿 Broadly, [plants](https://t.me/askmenow/3546) have 2️⃣ organ systems: **🟤 The Root System** that covers the underground parts of a plant and includes the __roots__, __tubers__, and __rhizomes__. **🟢 The Shoot System** that consists of parts found above the ground, such as __leaves__, __stems__, __flowers__, and __fruits__. A typical diagram of a plant body consists of 3️⃣ parts: **🟫 Roots**, that lie below the surface of the soil. The top part of a root (__root apex__) is covered by a covering known as __root cap__. 🟩 **Stems**, found above the ground and are structurally divided into __nodes__, the regions where leaves are found, and __internodes__, the areas in-between the nodes. 🍃 **Leaves**, each having specialized functions and mostly found above the ground and attached to the stem. A flowering plant also contains: **🌷🌼🌺 Flowers**, the most colorful and attractive parts of a plant, and **🍓🫑🍅 Fruits**, the ripened ovary found in flower after [fertilization](https://t.me/askmenow/3691). Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What are the functions of each part of a plant? ** Here are the key functions of each part of a plant. 🟤 **Roots** ☑️ Absorbing water and minerals from the soil ☑️ Storing food for future use ☑️ Producing plant growth hormones ☑️ Anchoring the plant firmly to the soil and providing support ☑️ Developing new plants from the roots of the old plant (vegetative reproduction) 🟢 **Stems** ✔️ Providing strength and support to buds, flowers, leaves, and fruits ✔️ Storing food mainly in the form of starch ✔️ Transporting food, water, and minerals to all parts of the plant body ✔️ Developing new plants from the stem of the old plant (vegetative reproduction) 🍃 **Leaves** ✅ Making food for the plant with the help of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water through [photosynthesis](https://t.me/askmenow/3545) ✅ Helping in reproduction such as in Bryophyllum, a group of sprout leaf plants ✅ Helping in evaporation from the aerial parts of the plant by transpiration __Apart from these main functions, leaves of some plants are modified to form tendrils, that help in climbing (e.g., pea plant) or spines, helping in protection (e.g., cactus). Some leaves may turn fleshy to store food (e.g., onion plant).__ 🌺 **Flowers** 🔺 Helping in the sexual reproduction of plants 🔺 Stimulating [pollination](https://t.me/askmenow/3692) in plants and fertilization of the ovule __ℹ️🌸 A flower contains 4️⃣ main parts: a) **Sepals**: Green parts of a flower found below the petals that protect flower buds from injury. b) **Petals**: Colorful parts of a flower found above the sepals that help in pollination. c) **Stamens**: Consists of an anther and a filament. They are the male reproductive part of a plant producing male sex cells or spermatia. d) **Carpel**: Consists of stigma, style, and ovary. They are the female reproductive part of a plant producing female sex cells or ovules.__ 🥔🍓🥦 **Fruits** 🔸 Protecting the growing seeds 🔸 Helping in the dispersal of seeds and thus in plant reproduction ❗️ Thus although each part of a plant has its specific functions, they all work in combination to provide distinct advantages in plant growth and survival. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Why do plants have different leaves? ** 🍃 Everything about a leaf — from the size, the thickness, the smoothness to its vein structure and segmentation — is part of its function. Each of these characteristics is an adaptation or optimization that helps [leaves](https://t.me/askmenow/3715) fulfill its main purpose, which is [photosynthesis,](https://t.me/askmenow/3548) as well as absorb sunlight, distribute water, regulate heat loss, avoid pests, etc. 🍀 Scientists say that the two major factors that influence leaf shape are evolutionary history and environment. [🌱 Plants](https://t.me/askmenow/2751) from the same species can have very different-looking leaves in different climates. 🌿🌐 Researchers have found correlations such as latitude and shape (closer to the equator=simpler leaves), temperature and [teeth](https://t.me/askmenow/3121) (colder climate=more teeth), and moisture and size (wetter environment=larger leaves). [☘️🧬 Scientists have also identified](https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)00010-1?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982224000101%3Fshowall%3Dtrue) a genetic mechanism responsible for leaf diversity that may offer new tools to help plants withstand different climate conditions. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**How does a desert plant pull moisture from the air? ** 🔸 When it comes to eking out a living without much water, some desert plants can grow deep-reaching roots to get a drink from far underground. 🔸 But one dry-adapted plant turns to another source to gain moisture: the air. 🔸 Spindly shrubs called __**athel tamarisks** (Tamarix aphylla__) **draw salty water from the soil and** excrete the salt from their leaves ⬆️. Then, at night, these crystals allow them to **collect water from the air**. 🔸 [Researchers found](https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2313134120) that this salt contained at least ten different materials, which together allowed it to pull water from the air at low humidities. One of these components was lithium sulfate, which could gather water at the lowest humidities. 🔸 These natural salts are likely to be environmentally safe, and identifying them could help engineers improve practices for pulling moisture from the air in [water-strapped regions](https://t.me/askmenow/3133). ℹ️ This finding is considered one of the most promising discoveries in 2023. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What are some surprising facts about leap years? ** ℹ️ 2024 is a leap year with an extra day on February 29. **✍️ Here are some interesting facts about leap years and February 29 ⬇️. ** 📍🗓 In his Julian calendar, Julius Caesar introduced the first leap year around 46 B.C., but this calendar had only one rule: Any year evenly divisible by four would be a leap year. That created too many leap years, but the math wasn't tweaked until Pope Gregory XIII introduced his [Gregorian calendar](https://t.me/askmenow/3448) more than 1,500 years later. 📍 All the other months in the Julian calendar have 30 or 31 days, but February lost out to the ego of Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. Under his predecessor Julius Caesar, February had 30 days and the month named after him - July - had 31. August had only 29 days. When Caesar Augustus became Emperor he added two days to 'his' month to make August the same as July. So February lost out to August in the battle of the extra days. 📍 Without an extra day on February 29 nearly every four years, we would lose almost six hours every year. After only 100 years, our [calendar](https://t.me/askmenow/3453) would be off by approximately 24 days. 📍 People born on February 29 are called "__leaplings__" or "__leapers__". 📍 The odds of being born on [a leap day](https://t.me/askmenow/3449) are 1 in about 1500. 📍🔮 [Astrologers](https://t.me/askmenow/3439) believe people born on February 29 have unusual talents 📍🇮🇹🇬🇷🇷🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Some countries, e.g. Italy, Greece, Russia and Scotland, consider Leap Year and Leap Day to be the unluckiest of times. 📍💍 In some countries, it's OK for a woman to propose to a man on February 29. 📍🐸 In some countries, the frog is a symbol associated with February 29. 📍🇺🇸 The twin cities of Anthony, Texas, and Anthony, New Mexico, are the self-proclaimed Leap Year Capital of the World. They hold a four-day leap year festival that includes a huge birthday party for all leap year babies. (ID required.) 📍🇫🇷 🗞 Since 1980, a special French newspaper has only been published on Leap Day. __La Bougie du Sapeur __is only available on February 29, and it usually outsells all other newspapers on that day. 📍🎂 Many companies don’t recognize Leap Day as a “valid day.” They make leapers choose Feb. 28 or March 1 as their birthday instead. 📍🫰💳 Most employees who are paid fixed monthly incomes will work for free on Feb. 29 because their wages are likely not calculated to include the extra day. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**How many early human species existed on Earth? ** The answer to this question depends on the definition of a human, the [definition of a species](https://t.me/askmenow/3651) and the degree to which you accept variation within a species. Most experts agree that our species, __Homo sapiens__ (Latin for __“wise men”__), may be the ninth and youngest human species. **__H. habilis__**: the handyman (2.4 million – 1.4 million years ago) **__H. erectus__**: the enduring hiker (1.89 million to 110.000 years ago) **__H. rudolfensis__**: the stranger (1.9 million to 1.8 million years ago) **__H. heidelbergensis__**: the hunter (700,000 to 200,000 years ago) **__H. floresiensis__**: the Hobbit (100,000 to 50,000 years ago) **__H. neanderthalensis__**: The Neanderthal (400,000 – 40,000 years ago) **__H. naledi__** (335,000 to 236,000 years ago) **__H. luzonensis__** (at least 67,000 years ago) Some scientists say that there were up to twenty early human species. There is also a growing debate about whether H. sapiens, Neanderthals and Denisovans are in fact all one species. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Who was the only member of genus __Homo__ during nearly a million years? ** According to scientists, **__Homo habilis__ lived as the only member of genus __Homo__ for nearly a million years.** This species with a slightly larger braincase and smaller face and teeth than older hominin species is widely considered to be [the first member of the genus __Homo__](https://t.me/askmenow/3702) that evolved from apes. But it still retained some ape-like features, including long arms and a moderately-prognathic face. Its name, which means ‘__handy man__’, was given in 1964 because this species was thought to represent the first maker of stone tools. Currently, the oldest stone tools are dated slightly older than the oldest evidence of the genus Homo. Researchers believe that __Homo habilis__ lived in Eastern and Southern [Africa](https://t.me/askmenow/3158) between 2,4 and 1,4 million years ago, its average height was 100-135 cm (3 ft 4 in – 4 ft 5 in) and its average weight was 32 kg (70 lbs). Look at one of facial reconstructions of __Homo habilis__ ⬆️. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What Homo species was the first that stood fully upright and cooked its food? ** As the name implies, **__Homo erectus__** (also called __Homo ergaster__)**__ __is the first known Homo species that stood fully upright**. __Homo erectus__ featured other, modern human proportions distinct from those of apes: shorter arms relative to the torso, and long legs adapted for walking and running, rather than climbing trees. Scientists found campfires and hearths near the remains of __Homo erectus__, suggesting they were also the first humans to dabble with cooking — a uniquely human activity that gave access to easily digestible food, allowing brains and bodies to grow. Researchers believe that Homo erectus was a very successful species that lived in Africa and in [Asia](https://t.me/askmenow/3157) between 1,89 million and 110,000 years ago, its average height was 145-185 cm (4 ft 9 in – 6 ft 1 in) and its average weight was 40-68 kg (88-150 lbs). Look at one of facial reconstructions of __Homo Erectus__ ⬆️. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Mitosis vs Meiosis: what are main differences and similarities? ** Both being vital for cell division in [eukaryotes](https://t.me/askmenow/3669), [mitosis](https://t.me/askmenow/3674) and [meiosis](https://t.me/askmenow/3677) are however fundamentally different in their functions and outcomes ⬆️. ✅ **Similarities** Both mitosis and meiosis: 📍 begin with a single parent cell; 📍 have an interphase stage where DNA replication occurs; 📍 have similar fundamental stages such as prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. 🆚 **Differences** 📍 Meiosis ensures genetic diversity and the continuity of species through sexual reproduction, while mitosis facilitates growth, repair, and maintenance of an organism. 📍 Both mitosis and meiosis start out with DNA replication, but with different ultimate goals. Mitosis has one round of cell division, while meiosis has two rounds. 📍 While mitosis yields two daughter cells that are genetically identical (2n) to the parent cell, meiosis produces four haploid (n) cells that are genetically different from the parent cell. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What cells have the unique ability to develop into other cell types? ** Our body is made up of many different types of cells, most of which are ‘specialized’ – with different functions. E.g., [red blood cells](https://t.me/askmenow/3038) are specialized to carry oxygen in the blood, while some gut cells are specialized to absorb nutrients from [food](https://t.me/askmenow/3374). However, there are also **stem cells** that **have the unique ability to develop into other specialized cell types**. Stem cells are different from other cells in several ways: ✔️ They can divide and renew themselves over a long time ✔️ They are unspecialized, so they cannot do specific functions in the body ✔️ In a developing embryo, they can develop into any type of cell. ✔️ Once the body is grown, they can develop into specific cell types, to replace old or damaged cells. ℹ️ The concept of a stem cell was first proposed by [researchers](https://t.me/askmenow/3673) working on embryonic development in the nineteenth century. They saw such cells as the starting point for [biological processes](https://t.me/askmenow/3487). Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**How many types of stem cells are there? ** Today, researchers classify three types of stem cells (SC). The two types of SC ⬆️ are ‘natural’: 1️⃣**Embryonic SC** supply new cells for an embryo as it grows and develops into a baby. Being __‘pluripotent’__, they can change into any cell in the body. 2️⃣ **Adult SC** replace old or damaged cells as an organism grows. Being __‘multipotent’__, they can only change into some cells in the body – not all cell types, because they have already started to specialize, so can only develop further into a specific type of cell. The third type ⬆️ is ‘artificial’. 3️⃣ **Induced pluripotent SC** (or ‘iPS cells’) are made in the laboratory. Normal adult cells (often skin cells) can be reprogrammed to become stem cells. This is called ‘inducing’ the stem cells. iPS cells are pluripotent so can, theoretically, like Embryonic SC, develop into any cell type. ℹ️ In medicine, stem cells are used to replace cells and tissues that have been damaged or lost due to diseases. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What is the most promising place for extraterrestrial life in our solar system? ** 🪐🌑Just two decades ago, scientists expected that the sixth largest of [Saturn’s moons](https://t.me/askmenow/3247), Enceladus, to be a frozen ice ball. 🌑🌊However, in 2005, [robotic spacecraft](https://t.me/askmenow/3431) Cassini sent to study [Saturn and its rings and moons](https://t.me/askmenow/2908) detected plumes of water vapor and icy particles erupting from geysers on the surface, revealing the existence of a global ocean between the moon's icy shell and its rocky core ⬆️. ❗️In 2023, [researchers announced](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05987-9) that that they had found phosphorous in the ocean on Enceladus. ℹ️Of the six elements required for life ([carbon](https://t.me/askmenow/3582), hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur were already found on Enceladus), phosphorus was the only one building block that astronomers had not yet detected in material from Enceladus. ‼️According to scientists, this one of the most important space discoveries of 2023 makes **Enceladus the most promising place for extraterrestrial life **[in our solar system](https://t.me/askmenow/3555). Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What are 2023 remarkable climate highlights? ** 🔴 2023 is confirmed as the warmest [calendar](https://t.me/askmenow/3440) year in global temperature data records going back to 1850. 🌐 2023 had a global average [temperature](https://t.me/askmenow/3624) of 14.98°C, 0.17°C higher than the previous highest annual value in 2016. 🔴 2023 was 0.60°C warmer than the 1991-2020 average and 1.48°C warmer than the 1850-1900 pre-industrial level. 🔴 Almost [each month in 2023](https://t.me/askmenow/3626) was warmer than the corresponding month in any previous year. 🌐🌊 Global average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) reached record levels for the time of year from April through December. 🇦🇶 Antarctic sea ice reached all-time minima in February 2023 and record low extents for the corresponding time of the year in 8 months. 🔥 A large number of extreme events (heatwaves, floods, droughts and wildfires) were recorded across the globe. Estimated global wildfire [carbon emissions](https://t.me/askmenow/3591) in 2023 increased by 30% with respect to 2022 driven largely by wildfires in Northern America. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What are notable global heat and cold records for 2023? ** ☀️🇺🇸[Hottest temperature](https://t.me/askmenow/3625) in the Northern Hemisphere: 53.9°C (129.0°F) at Saratoga Spring, USA, July 16 ❄️🇷🇺Coldest temperature in the Northern Hemisphere: -62.7°C (-80.9°F) at Tongulah, Russia, January 18 ☀️🇦🇺Hottest temperature in the Southern Hemisphere: 49.5°C (121.1°F) at Roebourne, Australia, December 31 ❄️🇦🇶Coldest temperature in the Southern Hemisphere: -83.2°C (-117.8°F) at Concordia, Antarctica, July 25 🔺🇸🇳Highest 2023 average temperature in the Northern Hemisphere: 32.2°C (90.0°F) at Matam, Senegal 🔻🇮🇩Highest 2023 average temperature in the Southern Hemisphere: 29.7°C (85.5°F) at Surabya AP, Indonesia 🥵A total of 175 monthly national/territorial heat records beaten or tied in 2023 🥶A total of nine monthly national/territorial cold records beaten in 2023 ℹ️Earth’s all-time record for hottest yearly average temperature was 32.9°C (91.2°F) at Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in 2010 and 2016. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What drug made 2023 a revolutionary year for weight loss? ** **✔️ Wegovy**, initially prescribed for diabetes, **emerged as a revolutionary weight-loss drug**. Never before has there been an approved weight loss medicine that is so effective and yet also considered reasonably safe. ✔️ Wegovy is the newest glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA). Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin, a metabolic [hormone](https://t.me/askmenow/3251) secreted from the L-cells of the small intestine and colon and specialized cells in the brainstem within a few minutes of eating. ✔️ In a two-year trial, Wegovy participants shed 15% body weight, dwarfing the control group's 3%. Trials also hinted at its potential benefits like reducing heart attack and stroke risks and aiding addiction treatment. ✔️ However, Wegovy's side effects, like nausea and a potential risk of thyroid cancers, caution against unbridled optimism. ℹ️ Global obesity affects 650 million adults, surpassing undernourished populations at 735 million. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What is the smallest common denominator of life? ** **📍 Cells are the smallest common denominator of life. ** 📌 Some cells are organisms unto themselves; others are part of multicellular organisms. 📌 All cells are made from the same major classes of organic molecules: nucleic acids, [proteins,](https://t.me/askmenow/3378) [carbohydrates,](https://t.me/askmenow/3376) and lipids. 📌 Cells can be placed in 2️⃣ major categories as a result of ancient evolutionary events: 1️⃣ **__Prokaryotes__**, such as [bacteria and archaea,](https://t.me/askmenow/3650) with their cytoplasmic genomes, are single cells. 2️⃣ **__Eukaryotes__**, with their nuclear-encased genomes and other subunits. Some eukaryotes, like amoebae, are free-living, single-celled entities. Other eukaryotic cells are part of multicellular organisms. For instance, all plants and animals are made of eukaryotic cells — sometimes even trillions of them. 📌 Though they are small, cells have evolved into a vast variety of shapes and sizes. Together they form tissues that themselves form organs, and eventually entire organisms. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What are intracellular molecules’ functions? ** Intracellular organic molecules include: 🧬2️⃣ **Nucleic acids** contain and help express a **cell's genetic code**. **__Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)__** contains all of the information required to build and maintain [the cell](https://t.me/askmenow/3666). **__Ribonucleic acid (RNA)__** has several roles associated with expression of the information stored in DNA. ⚪️ **Proteins** are made from chains of smaller molecules called **__amino acids__**, and serve **catalytic and structural functions**. E.g., proteins called **__enzymes__** convert cellular molecules into other forms that might help a cell meet its energy needs, build support structures, or pump out wastes. 🔴 **Carbohydrates** **provide energy** and can be of 2️⃣ types: **__✔️simple carbohydrates__** are used for the cell's **__immediate energy demands__** **__✔️complex carbohydrates__** serve as **__intracellular energy stores__** and also play a crucial role in **__cell recognition__**. 🟡 **Lipids** are components of cell membranes, involved in **energy storage and relaying signals**. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Why hibernating bears do not get blood clots? ** 🐻 Despite spending several months [hibernating in frigid temperatures, brown bears](https://t.me/askmenow/2800) (__Ursus arctos__) remain remarkably healthy. Bears rarely suffer from maladies such as [blood](https://t.me/askmenow/3120) clots, which can occur in humans experiencing only temporary bouts of immobility and can be deadly. ✍️According to a last study, a **heat shock protein 47 (HSP47)** helps the hibernating bears avoid dangerous clotting. ℹ️HSP47 recruits an enzyme called thrombin that helps platelets stick together and form clots. 🐻In active bears, HSP47 helps patch up cuts and stop bleeding. But hibernating bears, which are safely snug in their dens, produce 55 times fewer HSP47 than active bears. 🤔[Generally](https://t.me/askmenow/3363), HSP47 [proteins](https://t.me/askmenow/3378) may be a mechanism used across mammals to prevent clotting during prolonged periods of rest. ❗️Considered one of the most important in 2023, this finding can inspire fine-tuned treatments for preventing clotting in patients experiencing temporary immobility. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Can Artificial Intelligence create images as realistic as photos? ** 🔺 **An **[**artificial intelligence**](https://t.me/askmenow/3570)** (AI) image generator** from text is an AI-powered tool that takes a text prompt, processes it, and creates an image that best matches the description given in the text prompt. ❗️ℹ️ AI image generation is completely different from sourcing. While image-sourcing tools can be used to search and download existing images, an AI image generator creates entirely new images that do not exist in reality. 🔺 The idea of generating images from text [using AI](https://t.me/askmenow/3572) has been around for several decades. But the recent advancements in the field of text-to-image generation have made it possible to develop more sophisticated tools that are able to create high-quality images with different art styles. This has opened up a world of possibilities for anyone working with visual content. ⬆️ Look at these **hyperrealistic images** created using latest versions of AI image generators. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What is the role of evolution in taxonomy?** ℹ️ **Evolution** is a progressive change that proceeds through genetic variation, natural selection, and genetic drift. Through evolution, living things evolve to thrive and adapt to the ever-changing environment. A certain group of organisms can evolve so markedly that they diverge into different groups within the group, forming new species. ℹ️ The process of the formation of new species is called **speciation**. 📌Modern [taxonomy](https://t.me/askmenow/3641) describes evolutionary links. 📌A taxonomic group must always refer to a set of organisms that descended from the same ancestor, at some point in evolutionary history. Species within the same genus all share a common ancestor. The same goes for each genus within one family and so on. 📌According to modern taxonomists, taxonomy is nowadays so intertwined with evolutionary theory, that it can be difficult to delineate when a researcher's "doing __taxonomy__" and when they're "doing __evolutionary biology__". Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**How scientists are classifying life? ** ✅ It is **taxonomy** that is essential to classify living organisms into different groups and subgroups. ✅ In simple words, the definition of **taxonomy is a[** ](https://t.me/askmenow/3487)branch[ ](https://t.me/askmenow/3487)of[ science](https://t.me/askmenow/3487) **that deals primarily with the description, identification, nomenclature, and classification of organisms. ** ✅ The term __“taxonomy”__ was developed from two Greek words, __“taxis__,” meaning __arrangement__, and __“nomia__,” meaning __distribution__ or __method__. ✅ There are in fact different definitions of taxonomy, and based on them, taxonomy is considered a [sub-branch](https://t.me/askmenow/3488) of systematics or a synonym of the latter term. It is also thought that biological nomenclature is either a part of taxonomy or a unit of systematics. **__ℹ️ Systematics__** is the consideration to identify the taxonomy of organisms and their nomenclature, classification based on their natural relatedness, and the analysis of variation and evolution among the taxa. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Who were ancient taxonomists? ** **ℹ️Taxonomists** are researchers/biologists who **analyze the relationship among organisms and aggregate them into groups**. Examples of earlier taxonomy are shown on [**ancient Egypt**](https://t.me/askmenow/3181)’s walls about medicinal plants by early Egyptian taxonomists ⬆️. **Aristotle** (384-322 BC)⬆️, ancient Greek [polymath](https://t.me/askmenow/3182), was able to classify organisms for the first time and then grouped them into two major categories, i.e., __plants__ and __animals__. Several groups of animals proposed by him, such as __Anhaima__, __Enhaima__, [sharks](https://t.me/askmenow/2335), and __cetaceans__, are still used to this day. __Anhaima__ includes animals with no blood (now referred to as invertebrates), and __Enhaima__ - animals with blood (vertebrates). **Theophrastus** (371-287 BC)⬆️ was Aristotle’s student and is often called the “**__Father of Botany__**”. He continued the classification process and mentioned 500 plants and their uses in his book, __Historia Plantarum__. Some plant groups, such as __Cornus__, __Crocus__, and __Narcissus__, can be traced back to his findings. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What is meant by orbital resonance? ** Two celestial bodies are in **orbital resonance** if their orbital periods can be expressed as a ratio of two integers. It is caused by the changing gravitational forces of bodies which go round each other. Orbits are usually ellipses, not circular, and as [a satellite](https://t.me/askmenow/2904) goes round [a planet](https://t.me/askmenow/3220) or two [stars](https://t.me/askmenow/3219) go round each other, the gravitational forces can change, sometimes hugely. Also, the [planets and stars](https://t.me/askmenow/3221) are usually not spherical. They spin, and vary in their degree of oblateness. This also changes the forces on an orbiting body. For example, two planets, both orbiting a parent star, are said to be in a 2️⃣:1️⃣ resonance when one of the planets takes approximately twice as long to orbit the star as the other planet ⬆️. [In our own Solar System](https://t.me/askmenow/3247), Neptune and Pluto are in resonance (in this case 3️⃣:2️⃣), as are many [moons of Saturn and Jupiter](https://t.me/askmenow/3248). __ℹ️ The area of mechanics, which is used for these studies, is called **celestial mechanics**. __ Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Why are orbital resonances important for science? ** Orbital resonances are the source of both stability and [chaos,](https://t.me/askmenow/3491) depending sensitively upon parameters and initial conditions. [**Orbitally resonant systems**](https://t.me/askmenow/3639) **are extremely important to find because they tell [****astronomers**](https://t.me/askmenow/3435) **about the formation and subsequent evolution of the planetary system.** Planets around stars tend to form in resonance but can easily have their orbits thrown around, e.g. after a close encounter with a passing star. As a result, __only one percent of all the multi-planet systems stay in resonance__, according to researchers. 🔭That’s why astronomers observe planetary systems around stars that are believed to harbour planets in resonance. ⬆️ Such [a rare star system](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06692-3) with 6️⃣ exoplanets has been recently discovered with an architecture unchanged for billions of years. This star, **HD110067**, lies 100 light-years away in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices, and is the brightest known system with 4️⃣ or more planets. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Why do women need more sleep than men? ** According to [a study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4868418/), men need 7-8 hours of sleep where women need 8-10 hours that leads to different [circadian rhythms](https://t.me/askmenow/3564) and to more sleep for women. The [sleep cycles](https://t.me/askmenow/3558) are similar, but [cortisol](https://t.me/askmenow/2102) goes down and [melatonin](https://t.me/askmenow/3563) goes up sooner in women than men. The interaction between circadian phase and time asleep was significant for sleep efficiency, in that the [circadian disruption of sleep](https://t.me/askmenow/3565) became stronger as sleep progressed. While a person sleeps, their hormone levels are being replenished, and when a woman is deprived of sleep it can mess with cycles that take place within the female body that don’t happen for men. [Another study](https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/poor-sleep-more-dangerous-women) found that for women, poor sleep is strongly associated with psychological distress, and greater feelings of hostility, depression and anger. In contrast, these feelings were not associated with the same degree of sleep disruption in men. ℹ️ As per studies, women require about 20 minutes more sleep than men. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Who sleep better: women or men? ** 💤 In [a new study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721823002358?via%3Dihub), researchers unveiled insights into the [sleep health](https://t.me/askmenow/3560?single) of middle-aged and older adults in Canada 🇨🇦, identifying social determinants that contribute to disparities in sleep satisfaction, efficiency, and duration. ❗️🚹😴🚺 The study revealed that **men report sleeping better than women**, and **women report lower sleep satisfaction and efficiency compared to men**. This disparity persisted across different sociodemographic backgrounds. 👵👨‍🦳 Contrary to previously held beliefs, the study found that sleep actually improves with age - older adults (aged 65 and above) reported better overall sleep health compared to people from 45 to 65 years old. 💰🏡 Socioeconomic factors like income level and homeownership also had [an impact on sleep](https://t.me/askmenow/3269). Higher socioeconomic status also emerged as a significant predictor of better sleep health. Individuals with higher income levels, those who are retired and homeowners reported better sleep quality. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What is the world’s largest “current” iceberg? ** **☑️ The [**iceberg](https://t.me/askmenow/1397), named **A23a**, **is the world's largest iceberg** for a moment. ☑️ It is about 400 meters (1,312 feet) thick, and almost 4,000 square kilometers (1,544 square miles) in area. ☑️ A23a broke off from the Antarctic coastline in 1986 and became grounded in the Weddell Sea, and is now on the move for the first time in 37 years, according to recent satellite images ⬆️. ☑️ It is unclear why the [iceberg](https://t.me/askmenow/1753) is suddenly on the move again after 37 years, but scientists believe that it has probably shrunk enough in size to lose its grip on the seafloor as part of the natural growth cycle of the ice shelf. ℹ️ A23a has held the “largest current iceberg” title several times since the 1980s, occasionally being surpassed by larger but shorter-lived [icebergs](https://t.me/askmenow/2939), including __A68 (around 175 km long, 50 km wide, 5,800 ____sq.km__ __in area)__ in 2017 and __A76 (around 170 km in length, 25 km wide and 4,320 ____sq.km__ __in area)__ in 2021. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**How many camel species are there? ** [Camels](https://t.me/askmenow/2516) are mammals with long legs, a big-lipped snout and a humped back. There are 2️⃣ extant species of [camels](https://t.me/askmenow/2215): 🐪 **the Dromedary or Arabian Camel**, __Camelus dromedarius__, which has a single hump, gets up to about 2 m (6.5 ft.) tall at the shoulder, has a body length of about 3 m (10 ft.) and weighs 400 to 600 kg (880 to 1,325 lbs.). It can be found in North Africa and the Middle East, and exists today only as a domesticated animal. 🐫 **the Bactrian camel**, __Camelus bactrianus__, which has two humps, grows to a shoulder height of 1.8-2 m (6-6.5 ft.), has a body length of 3 m (10 ft.), and normally weighs 600 to 1,000 kg (1,320 to 2,200 lbs.) when fully grown. It lives in Central Asia. Most Bactrians are also domesticated animals, but there are still **about 1000 wild Bactrian camels** in the Gobi Desert in China and Mongolia. ℹ️ The name __camel__ comes to English via the Greek __κάμηλος (kámēlos)__ from the Hebrew __gamal__ or Arabic __Jamal__. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Can artificial materials become magnetic? ** 🧲The most commonly known forms of **magnetism** are **ferromagnetism** (the [spins of all the electrons](https://t.me/askmenow/3501) in a material point in the same direction) and its weaker version – **paramagnetism** (the electron spins point in random directions). 🧲Exploring properties of __**moiré materials (experimental materials made by stacking two-dimensional sheets of molybdenum diselenide and tungsten disulfide with a lattice structure containing electrons)** __[scientists discovered](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06633-0) a new form of magnetism. 🧲Initially the material exhibited paramagnetism, but as researchers added more electrons to the lattice, it showed a shift, becoming ferromagnetic. ❗️The existence of this alternate “kinetic magnetism” has been theoretically predicted for decades but not previously observed in solid materials. 🌡For this experiment, the material had to be cooled down to a fraction above [absolute zero](https://t.me/askmenow/3624), and the phenomenon will be investigated more closely at higher temperatures. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What gives unique sensory properties to animals? ** **Cryptochromes** (CRYs) are a structurally conserved but functionally diverse family of [proteins](https://t.me/askmenow/3378) that can confer unique sensory properties to organisms. They are: ▫️found in a variety of organisms ▫️often involved in light-controlled biological processes ▫️responsible for [circadian rhythms](https://t.me/askmenow/3564). 🪱E.g., the marine bristle worm [Platynereis dumerilii](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-42708-2) ⬆️, employs a special Cry protein designated L-Cry to distinguish between sunlight and moonlight as well as between different moon phases. This is essential for the worms to synchronize their reproduction to the full moon phase via an inner monthly calendar, also called circalunar clock. 🐤In migratory birds, researchers tried to learn more about an unusual eye protein called CRY4, which is part of a class of cryptochromes. Scientists found that birds have evolved a mechanism that enhances their ability to respond to light, which can enable them to sense and respond to magnetic fields ⬆️. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**Where is the head on a starfish? ** For centuries, naturalists have puzzled over what might constitute the head of a sea star, commonly called a "starfish." Sea stars begin life as larvae with a bilateral body plan, but instead of displaying [bilateral symmetry,](https://t.me/askmenow/3627) adult sea stars—and related echinoderms, such as sea urchins and sea cucumbers—have a five-fold axis of symmetry without a clear head or tail ⬆️ In [a new study,](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06669-2) researchers used a variety of high-tech molecular and genomic techniques to understand where different genes were expressed during the development and growth of sea stars ⬆️ The “head” of a starfish, the researchers found, is not in any one place. Instead, the headlike regions are distributed with some in the center of the sea star as well as in the center of each limb of its body. No part of the sea star ectoderm expresses a “trunk” genetic patterning program, suggesting that **sea stars are mostly headlike**. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow

**What is the brain’s surprising reaction to “all-nighters”? ** Most people who have pulled an all-nighter are familiar with that “tired and wired” feeling. Although the body is physically exhausted, the brain feels slap-happy, loopy and almost giddy. The exact mechanisms in the brain that lead to these effects have remained poorly understood. In [a new study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0896627323007584), researchers induced mild, acute sleep deprivation in mice and then examined their behaviors and brain activity. Not only did dopamine release increase during the acute sleep loss period, synaptic plasticity also was enhanced - literally rewiring the brain to maintain the bubbly mood for the next few days. While researchers do not fully understand why acute sleep deprivation is somehow activating to an organism, they suspect [evolution](https://t.me/askmenow/3112) is at play. This discovery provides insights into the mechanisms of fast-acting antidepressants and may guide future drug development. Subscribe- t.me/askmenow