helenczerski

helenczerski, hace 10 meses a random en

Well. "Open sesame" is actually a thing.

Just googled where sesame seeds come from (it never occurred to me to ask before) and found that they grow in pods that are hung upside down to ripen until they burst open and release their seeds. The treasure is revealed.

https://awkwardbotany.com/2022/03/30/dispersal-by-open-sesame/

#seeds #science #OpenSesame

helenczerski, hace 10 meses a random en

Today’s reminder that we are still very far from knowing everything: I have just found an odd gap in the scientific literature: the specific mechanisms of generating root pressure in trees and how this relates to the force that tree roots can exert on their surroundings (eg pavements/sidewalks), and what those forces actually are. As far as I can see, having done an extensive literature search, nothing has been done on this since the 1970s. Zilch. Not a sausage. Frustrating! #science #trees

helenczerski, hace 11 meses a random en

Tidying my office the other day and I found my favourite ever certificate, from ten years ago. We had helped with the release of a stratospheric balloon in Texas and then tracked it to recover the data once it was back on the ground. Steely-eyed ballooner! #science #stratosphere

helenczerski, hace 1 año a random en

Ooh, this year’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist has been released by Royal Museums Greenwich. And they’re (obviously, and as always) stunning: https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/astronomy-photographer-year/galleries/2023-shortlist #science #photography #astronomy