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We won’t reach Alpha Centauri until the 24th century…unless we have an energy breakthrough [Mad Science]

27 Sep

Click here to read We won't reach Alpha Centauri until the 24th century...unless we have an energy breakthrough

If you take humanity's current energy and technological capacity and project a steady increase into the future, the chances of us reaching the stars any time soon look bleak. Even our nearest stellar neighbor is at least 300 years away. MoreÂ Â»

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The smell of freshly-cut grass is actually a plant distress call [Mad Science]

26 Aug

Click here to read The smell of freshly-cut grass is actually a plant distress call

The lovely scent of cut grass is the reek of plant anguish: When attacked, plants release airborne chemical compounds. Now scientists say plants can use these compounds almost like language, notifying nearby creatures who can "rescue" them from insect attacks. MoreÂ Â»

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Plants can think and perform computations, say scientists [Mad Science]

14 Jul

Click here to read Plants can think and perform computations, say scientists

Plants are able to assess their environment by analyzing light, and are able to "remember" light they have experienced recently. By analyzing chemical reactions in leaves, scientists have come to appreciate that plants possess a kind of intelligence. MoreÂ Â»