Sunday 21 April 2024

The Squirrel with two-toned fur - Nature 132

We have two previous postings about squirrels: a little squirrel in her nest and four weeks old baby squirrel. 


Image 01 - A squirrel with two tones.

You may read the two previous postings:

Based on internet sources, the squirrels with two toned furs are in good health, and there's no cause for alarm.

If you come across squirrels sporting two-toned furs in any places (parks or gardens), these bicolored squirrels can enjoy just as lengthy and robust lives as their monochromatic counterparts.


Image 02 - A two-toned fur, just playing. 

# Important postings:


Image 03 - A brown squirrel.

At least there are 3 possibilities of squirrels with two-tones:
1) Mismarking
It’s not uncommon to see squirrels with a patch of fur that differs in color from the rest of their coat. Mismarking can result from various factors, such as genetics, injury, or illness.

2) Parasites
Occasionally, mites or fungal infections can lead to patchy fur loss in squirrels, resulting in a dual-colored appearance.

3) Piebald
Piebald squirrels exhibit a rare genetic trait resulting in patches of pigmentation loss. These squirrels can display various color combinations, although gray and black fur is the most frequent occurrence.


Image 04 - A squirrel, playing on the grass.

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Wednesday 17 April 2024

Short fast guide to propagation - Science 39

Plant propagation involves creating new plants from a single parent plant. Various methods can be used for propagating plants.


Image 01 - Plants, ready to be propagated. 

Here the short fast guide: find a tree that can propagate. Trim up unwanted branches or in our case was the mulberry. Cut branches or twigs to a preferred length.

The larger the branch the slower it is to root typically but depending on tree a bigger branch may save a few years of growth.

Optional: put a root stimulant on the bottom before you put it into dirt but I haven’t had much more success using it or notice much difference so do what you will with the info, also can mix root stimulant into water and let the branches soak in it for awhile or apply the stimulant to the dirt.


Image 02 - The Mulberry with fruit.

# Important postings:


Image 03 - Flowers, illustration

Last steps are put sticks into dirt below a node of the plant and water regularly, we will shove 20+ sticks into a pot and separate the ones that root from the ones that die out.


Image 04 - The trimmed leaves. 

Cutting them at a slanted angle gives more surface area from where a root can grow from. At most we should leave one small top leaf

The crape myrtles have to be trimmed differently than regular trees, pretty much cut off any crossing branches but not cutting branches shorter if that makes any sense.


Image 05 - Sticks, ready to be treated.

Good luck.

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Saturday 13 April 2024

The Bees Pollinating Morning Glory Flowers - Nature 131

Morning glory is a common plant seen in our areas. Interestingly, the flowers attract many pollinators. 


Fig 01 - A bee pollinating a flower.

Since the blossoms are rich in sweet nectar and brightly flowers colors, make bees attract to come to Morning Glory plant. 

Other various pollinators include:
- butterflies
- hummingbirds
- and many insects

Flowers with trumped-shaped are perfect for pollination. As the pollinators dive for a sugary reward, it helps the flower reproduce by picking up pollen. 


Fig 02 - A bee picking up pollen.

# Important postings:


Fig 03 - A gate to the garden, illustration 

Moreover, as the bees fly to different morning glory flowers, they transfer pollen, leading to fertilizing the flowers and allowing them to produce seeds.


Fig 04 - The bee just landing.

Do you know about Morning Glory Flowers?

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Saturday 6 April 2024

Have you Tried Cactus Fruit? - Food 44

We just know and quite surprise that the cactus plant has fruit when we visit the Mexican store recently. 


Image 01 - Cactus fruit, sold in the market.

I thought the fruit was a pear in terms of form and size. In fact, cactus fruit also called as "a prickly pear."  

The fruits are native to Americas, but many countries around the world have cultivated this kind of cactus.

We believe the "prickly pear" is delicious. Its flesh is sweet and juicy with flavor similar to pear and watermelon. 

The fruit contains nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, magnesium, potassium and antioxidants.


Image 02 - The price of Cactus fruit. 

# Important posting


Image 03 - Pink roses, illustration

We may find several colors of fruits that are:
- green
- yellow
- red
- orange
- or purple  


Image 04 - The color is not green.

I think this prickly pear is good option if we want to taste a new and interesting fruit.  



Image 05 - Ripe fruits, ready to be consumed.

Have you known about this fruit?

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Saturday 30 March 2024

A Female only Needs to Mate once in Life - Nature 130

The Spring season means mosquitos season in our southern state, Louisian. Higher temperatures make them so active. 


Image 01 - A mosquito (credit to Google). 

We are struggling to mow the lawn, and it seems our neighbors are having the same trouble. 

It is because we are breathing and swallowing these small critters at our backyard or outdoors. 

When open the front door, the mosquitoes attack our eyes and about 5 to 10 of them comes into house.

The fact makes me surprising that female mosquitoes store sperm from a single mating and use it to fertilize eggs throughout their lifespan.


Image 02 - Blooming at neighborhood

# Previous postings:


Image 03 - Multiple flowers, blooming.

A female mosquito can lay between 50 and 500 eggs in her first batch. While subsequent batches may have fewer eggs, a single female can produce up to 10 batches throughout her life. Her lifespan can reach up to 5 months.


Image 04 - Our neighborhood's corner.

What do you think?

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Sunday 24 March 2024

Is Meat Not a Main Food of Fox? - Nature 129

We have talked briefly about a fox crossing street at our neighborhood recently at previous posting. 


Image 01 - A fox, sitting on the street.

You may read the previous post:

What our neighbors (common people) wonder that foxes didn't consume pets, then, what their main diets?

Based on internet sources that in their eating habits, foxes are adaptable to consume whatever food is easily accessible. Foxe don't usually eat "meat," they eat berries and variety of bugs.


Image 02 - Wild fruit at neighborhood

# Important posts:


Image 03 - Colorful flowers

Yes, foxes hunt on frogs, worms, insects and small mammals (rodents and rabbits). 

We believe the foxes around our neighborhoods are mothers searching for foods for their kits. Their habitats are disappearing to build houses.


Image 4 - A mother of fox, searching for food,

What do you think?

# Previous postings:

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Tuesday 19 March 2024

Spicy Food and Alzheimer's Disease – Part 3 - Alzheimer's 14


Image - old building, illustration only.

I like to sit at the bar with other customers to enjoy hot meal. When we were sitting and enjoy the spicy meals, we had talked everything about chili peppers and their benefit.

On the counter many kind of chili souce to adding our meals such as sriracha, many kinds of tabasco, mild and extra hot, spicy mayonnaise, and chili pepper mixed.

We also can ask slices fresh jalapeno to employee in behind the counter.

Then, there is such a warning!

Yes, in another side, the researchers from University of South Australia found out that a spicy diet could be linked to dementia.

A study conducted for 15 years, and for 4582 Chinese adults in China with age over 55. They found that “who consume more than 50 grams chili in a day, they had almost double the risk of memory decline and poor cognition” (Dr Zumin Shi).

And it's more significant for the thinner persons or lower mass index. Thus, proper amount is good, but bad for consume great amount chili every day.


Do you like to consume chili peppers? How often?

# Previous postings:

The Squirrel with two-toned fur - Nature 132

We have two previous postings about squirrels:  a little squirrel in her nest and four weeks old baby squirrel.  Image 01 - A squirrel with ...