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Tag: @Ant

  • Mosquito Repellent 1000x Stronger Than DEET

    Mosquito Repellent 1000x Stronger Than DEET

    Researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee have developed a mosquito repellent that is 1000 times stronger than DEET, and works on many different types of insects.

    The new substance is tentatively called VUAA1, is far more effective than N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET), and works on mosquitoes, ants, flies, moths and a slew of other bugs. According to project researcher Laurence Zwiebel, VUAA1 is the product of an initiative to combat malaria.

    “It turns out if we found the world’s greatest mosquito repellent, no one would care,” Zwiebel commented, adding, “So we needed to find something that would work against all insects.”

    Existing bug sprays attempt to camouflage the user from the offending insect, by masking any odor indicative of a food source. VUAA1 likewise works via scent, but in an opposite way. “We decided to take a more aggressive approach and, rather than turn off the mosquito’s olfactory system, we could look for something that would turn it too far on, to see if we could design a new generation of insect repellents based on overloading their smell system,” Zweibel said, adding, “They hate, just like we hate, overstimulation. They will move away from too much smell.” So far, VUAA1 has worked on every insect it’s been tested on.

    Malaria, which will likely be contracted by up to 500 million people this year, killed roughly 660,000 in 2010. “Our hope is that we’re able to help develop a product that can be sold for profit in the developed world, and use that profit to leverage distribution in the developing world,” Zwiebel said. “Our hope is that every time we spray on a mosquito repellent here in America, we’re subsidizing malaria reduction in Africa and Asia.”

    Here is an animation describing how malaria enters the bloodstream of a host:

    The malaria research project was supported by the Grand Challenges in Global Health Initiative funded by the Foundation for the NIH through a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. No word on when a VUAA1 product will hit stores, as it is still being tested for safety.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Pillage Ant Subdues Slaves Via “Chemical Camouflage”

    Need a break from hearing about man’s inhumanity against man?

    Fair enough. In lieu, let’s take a moment to observe just how brutal other sentient creatures are capable of being to one another.

    For example, take the new ant species recently discovered in the northeastern forest floors of the Unites States. Despite its length of one tenth of an inch (2.5 millimeters), the formally dubbed Temnothorax pilagens is just the right size to fit its nickname: “pillage ant”.

    In contrast to other slavemaker ant species that use armies to attack, the pillage ants enlist a single scout to recon the places in which potential prey reside – generally hollowed acorns and nuts. Once they’ve honed in on their target, a plundering party of four or fewer is accrued. The group then attacks, annihilating some of the victims and kidnapping others. For those who succumb to the former of these two fates, paralysis and demise follow the stab of a sharp stinger to the neck.

    Far less fortunate are those who cheat death during these raids.

    Pillage ants proceed to pluck the progeny from their targets, bringing them back to their own nests to be raised like six legged child soldiers. They don’t discriminate, however; these tiny tyrants also acquire adult survivors. In six out of 11 of these insect incursions, the kidnapped get escorted back to the nest of their aggressors, where they can look forward to a lifetime of labor and slavery.

    You might ask: why don’t those under siege see these assault assemblies approaching and defend themselves?

    That’s a good question. In fact, researchers noticed a delayed reaction in the slave ants at the initiation of the raids. This observation led them to believe that perhaps some sort of “chemical camouflage” cancels out any unwanted compounds the intruder might emit upon entry, announcing its arrival. Instead, this evolutionary feature allows the pillage ant to creep in inconspicuously.

    This bellicose bug certainly packs a punch. In fact, as an arthropod attacker with unusual camouflage who stalks solo, the pillage ant sounds a bit like a pint-sized variety of that sci-fi Predator guy.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Future Cars of the Beijing Motor Show

    If sheer size is any indication of a good auto show, this years Beijing International Auto Exhibition is the best. Although the recent Frankfurt Motor Show saw many exciting unveils, the auto show going on now in Beijing boasts the largest number of cars on display and the greatest number of guests.

    China has emerged as the largest car market since 2009, so it’s no surprise that their auto show would contain some gems specific to Chinese culture. Some of these years models are impressive for their high level of new technologies, and their following of the current trend of “thinking Green”.

    New and old concepts featured at the Beijing Auto show walk the line between innovative and absurd.

    Take for instance the Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 Mobility Concept. Only a “car” in the since that it has four wheels and a steering wheel, this concept is “designed as a solution to traffic congestion, packing limitations and air quality issues that effect tomorrow’s mega-cities.” If I have to drive one in the future, I hope it goes a lot faster than 20 MPH by then.

    Originally debuting in 2007 is the Toyota i-REAL, a “personal mobility vehicle” that is fully electric and runs about 18.6 miles on a signal charge.

    i-Real

    So, yeah. It’s basically a futuristic Hover-round.

    Debuting late last year, and featured at this years Beijing show is the Toyota Concept Fun-Vii. Featuring huge screens on the side and interiors, this car of the future combines fully interactive displays and futuristic design to show us what the future may look like.

    Think of it like an iPad car. Toyota has no immediate plans to begin production any time soon, hence “concept” car.

    This years show saw the debut fo the Chery @Ant. Chinese Auto maker Chery hopes to change the way we think about cars with its “road train” system. Each “car” is a two seater, with a catch. They can actually link up with eachother on the road, creating a chain of @Ants.

    @ANT

    @ANT 2

    @Ants will use a common cloud computer to determine whether or not other @Ants are traveling in the same direction and link up with them as they go down the highway. This link is designed to combine both of the vehicles power, resulting in greater efficiency.

    This year also saw the introduction of the E-Bugster electric concept, convertible version of the electric hardtop concept unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show this year. Based on the redesigned Beetle, this concept trades internal combustion for a 85 hW electric motor, fueled by lithium-ion batteries.

    Bugster

    Bugster 2

    This new electric can be charged at home, or quick charged via a DC charging station in as little as 35 minutes.

    Of all the e-concepts released, I think this one has the biggest chance of going into production. If not this actual concept, then something similar. VW has always been committed to exploring alternatively fueled drivetrains, and the body style is in line with their current trends.