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Minggu, 03 Oktober 2010

Australia Makes Beer for Space

Australians love their beer - really love it. So when going into space it is wise to get "space certified" beer while on board. Saber Astronautics Australia is working with 4 Pines Brewing Company to get their beer registered as satisfactory for space. The beer will be tested in low gravity by weightless parabolas.

Taste and drinkability are paramount. In a low gravity environment human taste is reduced in sensitivity. The way carbonated liquid responds is also an issue. Oddly the Australian brew being tested is not the usual lager. It is stout. This has more flavor. Gas will float around in the liquid in the stomach being released in what is called a wet burp.

The beer will be expensive because of the limited market. Space beer has been made by the Japanese using barley seeds grown in the International Space Station, but that was for earthly consumption.
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Kamis, 04 Februari 2010

Bull Ants Feed at Twilight

Bull ants do not feed during all daylight hours. Observation has shown that they feed at twilight. When the sun is brighter for longer, for example in summer or there is no cloud cover, they forage for food later in the day. When the sun is darker, earlier, they search for food sooner in the day. It was believed that all insects fed according to circadian rhythms, but this does not seem to be the case.

Activity in the nest was affected by cloud cover. But outside activity that involves feeding occurs at twilight. Obviously, they are feeding during these short intervals to avoid predators. Most animals that eat ants would be inactive at twilight.

Tests were done at ANU in Canberra. Bull ants were put in containers where diffused light was altered. It was found they only fed when the light was set at a particularly low level. Evolution does take some winding paths. This shows though that evolution develops in a rational way.
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