Author: N1104

It still produces olives after all those millennia. The ancient olive tree of Vouves in Crete, Greece. Image credit: Eric Nagle The Olive tree of Vouves in Crete, Greece is probably the oldest olive tree in the world and is definitely among the oldest of any tree alive on this planet. It is confirmed to be at least 2,000 years old based on tree ring analysis, and scientists from the University of Crete have estimated it to be as old as 4,000 years! That said, the exact age of the tree cannot be determined, as there is not yet an…

We’ve seen crabs doing weird thinks, like decorating themselves, but this is definitely on a new level. During an expedition led by MBARI Senior Scientist Peter Brewer that was exploring methane gas deposits at a depth of 1,260 meters off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, scientists noticed something unusual. A crab was leisurely devouring what seemed to be frozen gas, bubbling up from the seafloor. A closer inspection confirmed that methane hydrate, a solid ice of methane, was forming on the seafloor when the crab attempted to ‘eat’ the bubbles. This was the first time a science team…

American and Canadian chefs are just learning what Mexicans have long known: a bluish fungus that infects corn and has been considered a scourge by most U.S. farmers is actually delicious. So much so that scientists are now trying to figure out how to purposefully grow it. Image credit: David Cohen One evening last July, Sean Brock, an executive chef and restaurant owner based in Charleston, learned from a local farmer that the special Mexican variety of White Bolita corn he had commissioned him to grow had been infested with corn smut, a plant disease caused by the pathogenic fungus…

The ancient vertical-axis windmills of Nashtifan, Iran, are a marvel of engineering and a testament to human ingenuity. Image credit: Hadidehghanpour Located in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi, the town of Nashtifan is one of the windiest places in Iran, where wind speeds often reach 120 km/h (75 mph). About 30 windmills, also known as “wind catchers,” were built here a millennium ago to harness this powerful wind energy and grind grains into flour for bread. On the southern outskirts of the town – the name of which is derived from words that translate to “storm’s sting” – there…

When the hustle and bustle of daily life becomes too much, we all need a haven in which to escape. There’s little more calming than the natural light and fresh air of the great outdoors, so why not designate a corner of your garden as your own personal chill-out zone? X Some comfy chairs, greenery and soft lighting are often enough to transform a dull patio or boring garden into a soothing sanctuary. Take a look at these examples and feel your stress melt away… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .…

Project: Eleven | Eleven Architects: McKinney York (CoXist Studio) Area: 1,100 ft² Photographs: Leonid Furmansky Rather than tucking it away, CoXist Studio placed this ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) front and center, which maximizes the surrounding yard. X The 1,100-square-foot space reflects a mid-century approach with floor-to-ceiling doors and windows, open living spaces, and a warm natural palette of wood, stone, and earthy textured tiles. The second floor houses a luxe primary bedroom, bathroom, and roof terrace, while the ground level has space for guests with a bedroom and bathroom. . . . . . . Main Unit . . .…

Minimal style houses are becoming more and more popular. Because the advantages of decorating a house in a minimalist style are Easy to decorate, doesn’t use a lot of furniture, but provides full functionality. It’s easy to keep clean because you don’t have to deal with a lot of belongings. Importantly, it also saves the budget for decorating as well. Today we have an idea. One-storey house, minimalist style, size Let’s bring friends to see. . . . X . . . . . . . . . . . . Cr: Little House Development Source: Thaiupdates.info

The streaked tenrec is a peculiar little creature that looks like a cross between a hedgehog, a porcupine – and a zebra. And it sports a mohawk! Look at that amazing ‘hairstyle’! Image credit: Alan Harper Found only in Madagascar, the lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus) is known for its unusual appearance, as well as its peculiar behaviors and adaptations. This adorable little critter (its average site is 140 mm or 5.5 in) has spikes all over its body, which it uses to protect itself from predators. But the most notable feature of the streaked tenrec’s appearance is its yellow or chestnut-brown…

A Scorpion found in an unidentified mine in Southern Arizona has turned into copper over time. Or was the process quicker? Let’s find out. A scorpion turned into copper. Image credit: Bill Yedowitz This incredible copper scorpion was on display at the 2019 Tucson Gem And Mineral Show and a photo was published on the AZ MMNRE Museum Twitter page. But how can a scorpion turn into copper? According to Tulane University, the phenomenon is known as encrustation pseudomorphism and happens as follows: “…a thin crust of a new mineral forms on the surface of a preexisting mineral, then the preexisting…

If you are the one who wants to be the owner of a beautiful and simple kitchen to make delicious meals for the family but there is no beautiful kitchen to show love as well as cooking skills. Do not worry, here are “42 splendid kitchen ideas for your small spaces” for those who who likes cooking and interested in making a nice kitchen. And we hope that you will find one that is suit for your favorite. Credit: Pinterest Small minimalist kitchen with dark brown cabinets. . Lively small kitchen with mint cabinets and stone countertop. . Small kitchen…

Architects: Z3Z ARCHITEKCI Area : 329 m² Year : 2020 Photographs : Marcin Mularczyk, Mateusz Zajkowski The plot is located in a picturesque pine forest, with beautiful pine trees overgrown with ivy, which from the very beginning have captivated both the client and the designers. When starting to design the house, the designers of Z3Z ARCHITEKCI faced the task of putting the building between the trees, so that as little as possible of the existing beautiful old tree stand had to be cut down. Together with the client, they found a clearing on a plot, which they chose as a…

We believe that almost everyone should have a dream to have a house for rest. Located in the midst of beautiful greenery. Today, the admin and the team have selected this resort style house for friends to see. This house is designed in a modern villa style. Even though it’s not a big house, but it has a function that makes you relax. Distinctive with a high pointed gable roof, A-shape amidst a garden decorated in a tropical garden style. Credit: Realestate This house has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, exposed cement walls, wide terraces, wooden floors, rosewood shutters. Double folding door,…

Our last house was built on a slope, and one of our biggest challenges was how to build the stairs accessing the backyard. There were so many options available, and each one suggested a different level of effort and expense. Here is an overview of the different types of materials available and a brief summary of the process to help you decide whether this is a job you want to tackle, or leave it to the experts. Brick Path: Bricks are relatively inexpensive and provide freedom to create a path in a variety of shapes and sizes. Those set in…

Architects: B.DESIGN24 STUDIO Area: 1350 m² Year: 2015 Photographs: Photographix Designed as a relaxation space and spatially planned as an outhouse that is architecturally unique and different from any other structure of the city, the inspiration of this home is from the tropical houses of Singapore. Designed with a tropical concept, therefore, the house is the result of the client’s brief with a similar approach adopted for the interiors too. X . . . A multi-triangular roof anchors the project, giving it a unique identity and become symbolic of its tropical intent. While the implementation of the roof was a…

There are so мany wonderful rock garden ideas that will enaƄle you to create a Ƅeautiful rockery – howeʋer Ƅig or sмall your garden. Adding a rockery is one of the Ƅest Ƅackyard landscaping ideas(opens in new taƄ) to add interest to a design, Ƅut has мany other Ƅenefits too. ‘Planting a rock garden is the Ƅest way to turn a potential eyesore into an oasis of Ƅeauty and life,’ says Marjorie Beausoleil, founder of Ethos Seed Coмpany(opens in new taƄ). ‘Rock gardens are a fact of life in мany areas, such as мy natiʋe New England, Ƅecause of the extreмely rocky terrain мost houses are…

Resembling something out of Jurassic Park, the strange-looking Dendrosenecio kilimanjari can only be found atop Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Image credit: Peter Zahar Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, is pretty fascinating in itself. The further you ascend this free-standing mountain, its climate zones progressively become less like the ground-level landscape, incubating isolated, mutated, or rare species found almost nowhere else. One of the most striking of these species is the Kilimanjaro giant groundsel (Dendrosenecio kilimanjari), a prehistoric plant that evolved about a million years ago and looks like a twist between a burned-up cactus and a pineapple. Image credit:…

The tree with the largest trunk girth on earth. The majestic Tree of Tule. Its incredible circumference leaves visitors in awe. Image credit: Travis S. El Árbol del Tule, located in the town of Santa María del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, is a magnificent cypress tree with an impressive circumference of over 42 meters (137.8 ft), equating to a diameter of 14.05 m (46.1 ft). The height is more difficult to measure due to the very broad crown, but it is reported to be somewhere between 35 and 43 m (115–141 ft). The tree has been a…

230 years ago the last eruption killed half of the population. But the inhabitants of Agoshama won’t let the volcano dictate their future. Image credit: Charly W. Karl 1785 was a year the residents of Aogashima, an island about 200 miles due south of Tokyo in the Philippine Sea, will never forget. On May 18, the ground began to shake, and the island’s volcano started to emit giant plumes of gas and smoke, shooting rocks, mud and other debris into the sky. By June 4, the island’s 327 residents had no choice but to evacuate, but only about half succeeded and…

Loads of families consider moving away from the city to a lovely homestead in the country. Here, you have lots of land to yourself, along with a lovely farm. It sounds beautiful, and it really is! Nevertheless, this lifestyle suits some people more than others. Living on a farm is also less expensive than living in an urban area. It’s usually more affordable to run a home in the countryside for a few reasons. X Then, factor in the idea of self-sufficiency! With a farm, you can grow your own food all-year-round. This reduces the ongoing food bill, making it…

This house is a one-story house designed to look small. But the inside is very spacious, different from the outside, even if the space is small It can be designed to be wide and comfortable. This house can be an idea for many people. How beautiful it is, let’s go see it. Cr : Maydanarchitects . X . . . . . . . . Source: Thaiupdates.info

Welcome! You’ve just happened into the world’s largest cave, a world in itself. At more than 200m high, 150m wide and 5km long, the Hang Son Doong cave in Vietnam is so big it has its own river, jungle and even climate! Australian photographer John Spies – who runs an excellent guesthouse called Cave Lodge in Thailand – spent a week photographing the cave’s natural wonders and the handful of tourists who can afford to pay up to $3000 to marvel at its beauty. Some of the places he visited can only be accessed using kayaks or skilled climbing techniques, making…

When Nature feels like painting… Eucalyptus deglupta is commonly known as the Rainbow Eucalyptus because of its unique way of shedding its bark. Once shed, the inner bark that is revealed is bright green, but eventually matures to blue, purple, orange, and eventually maroon. The rainbow eucalyptus does not shed its bark all at once, but in sections throughout the year, allowing for the amazing rainbow effect. Also known as ‘Mindanao gum’, or ‘rainbow gum’, this beautiful tree is native to the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It is the only Eucalyptus species that usually lives in rain forest –…

After losing 20,000 orchids in an unseasonal frost, “extravagant” Englishman Edward James turned to his real love, surrealism, and rebuilt his garden in rock and concrete. Image credit: girlsthatwander This surrealistic group of structures was created by Edward James between 1962 and 1984, more than 2,000 feet (610 m) above sea level, in a subtropical rainforest in the mountains of Mexico. It includes more than 80 acres (32 ha) of natural waterfalls and pools interlaced with towering surrealist sculptures in concrete going by names like The House on Three Floors Which Will in Fact Have Five or Four or Six,…