Wood

In South America there is a bird that camouflages itself as a piece of wood. And a young Uruguayan has insisted on finding him

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In the depths of the South American forests lives a bird that has inspired legends, myths and night terrors and is called the ‘ghost bird’, although his real name is urutaú. At first glance it is just a piece of wood that acts as an extension of the tree on which it perches like a chameleonbut behind this mimicry lies a biology that makes many scientists very curious to see it live even if it is really complicated. An ornithologist. The urutaú is not a bird that one finds by chance, but one must know how to look. Mauricio Silvera, a young Uruguayan amateur ornithologist who has been observing birds since he was five years old, knows this premise well, and according to a recent report from the BBCMauricio has turned observing this elusive species into a true passion. In popular culture, the melancholic song of the urutaú has fueled all kinds of folklore and rural legends in South America. However, for observers like Silvera, the true “magical power” of this species is not in the myths, but in its plumage and its peculiar way of ‘hiding’. A chameleon. It is no wonder, since we are not talking about it going slightly unnoticed, but rather its ability to imitate the bark of trees It is so perfect that sighting records on scientific platforms often require exhaustive photographic confirmation. And it is no wonder, because without this evidence it is difficult to convince the experts that they are not looking at a simple branch and a small irregularity that corresponds to this bird. How he does it. Disappearing in broad daylight is not something easy to achieve, but here science has different answers that go far beyond the simple color of their feathers. The key is in visual crypsis, where research shows that these birds not only have a plumage pattern that blends with the environment, but also make active decisions about where to perch in trees. And it is that a 2017 study on the choice of backgrounds showed that these birds carefully select the place where they rest to maximize the coincidence of patterns with their environment, which increases the survival rate against predators. And if they don’t see it, they can go completely missing. Modify your smell. Beyond the visual, researchers were able to see in a fascinating 2022 study that these birds have the ability to change your scent profiles in different seasons to prevent predators from being able to smell them. Echolocation. Unlike most birds, owls have developed this system, emitting acoustic signals to navigate in the darkness of Venezuelan and South American caves, similar to bats. Furthermore, their role in the ecosystem is vital, since research into the “secret life” of these birds reveals that they are formidable seed dispersers. They spend entire days in the trees regurgitating the seeds of the fruits they consume, acting as true foresters who maintain the ecological connectivity of Neotropical forests. A story of the search. As we see, it is not easy to find this bird and that is why Mauricio Silvera relates that finding it is “an adrenaline rush like in the chest of not knowing what to do: whether to scream, take the photo and tell someone.” Even this biology student makes a very comical simile when he sees that it is “almost like looking for Pokémon and seeing how many little birds you find and if you find the rarest one.” Your adventure always begins with a location or a photo that indicates that the bird may be present in a specific place. But due to its great ability to hide, it means that your trips do not always end with a photograph of this bird, much to your misfortune. Images | Wikipedia In Xataka | “Emergency room mentality”: the Dutch philosopher convinced that saving snails is saving ourselves

We have been hearing for years that plastic is safer than wood. Jordi Cruz does not agree (and it seems he is right)

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Science has spent decades studying what happens with E.colithe Salmonella and company when they touch the wooden, plastic or metal boards that we use in the kitchen. It is an old (and we thought unsolvable) fight, but the famous chef Jordi Cruz has spoken. He said it on TikTokbut since the ways of distributing content on the Internet are capricious, he has also said so in tens of websites. The question is whether what he said makes sense. What does Jordi Cruz defend? In essence, Cruz has commented your prints on three cutting board materials (plastic, metal and wood). Furthermore, it has gotten wet: for him, the best option is wood. As explainedwhile plastic is filled with grooves where bacteria accumulate and metal destroys the edge of the knife, wood has “natural antibacterial and antimicrobial” properties, where bacteria “get between the fibers and end up dying.” The controversy has been enormous, of course. A curious debate. That “clear” comes from the fact that for years it has been said that wood is the material that “accumulates the most bacteria”, in contrast to “non-porous” plastics that can be put in the dishwasher (and can be cleaned more easily). It is logical that seeing a famous chef say that wood is the best has made many put your hands on your head. However, Cruz is not as off track as we might think. What the evidence says. From the very beginning (the pioneering studies by Dean Cliver at the University of Wisconsin in the 90s), research they have been giving us back the same image: There is no evidence that plastic is inherently safer than wood. Appropriate (hard and closed-pore) and well-preserved wood creates a hostile environment for many bacteria. The problem is that. Wooden boards are not only more expensive, but require maintenance. And if we are not going to give it to them, plastic with all its problems is safer. Although not totally sure, of course. That is to say: the most dangerous boards are the old, scratched and poorly washed ones. The material does not matter, what is important is its state of conservation. And then? Some time ago, food safety experts stopped focusing on the material and began to look for strategies that would try to reduce the main risk derived from the tables: cross contamination. A good example of this are the recommendations of the North American USDA. For the Agency, both wood and other “non-porous” surfaces are acceptable for things like meat and chicken. Their main recommendation is another: use a table for raw meats and a different one for ready-to-eat foods (in addition to always cleaning them with hot water and soap; and subjecting them to periodic disinfection). In Europe the recommendation is similar and, in fact, he adds that although there may be more or less appropriate materials depending on the use, “in domestic kitchens the priority is hygiene and not the specific material.” What do the chefs say? What Jordi Cruz says (that a wooden board is best as a “main board”) is a general consensus between chefs and gastronomic influencers. However, it is common to restrict them to chopping cooked vegetables, fruit, bread and produce. On the other hand, also it is common to use plastic with meat and raw fish. Or what is the same, for “dirty uses.” Sometimes we get stuck in absurd debates. And this is a good example: the public debate has dedicated a lot of effort to establishing the idea of ​​”bad wood/good plastic”, when the important thing is to use several boards, assign them fixed uses and clean (and replace them) when necessary. Image | Garden House | The Anthill In Xataka | To the question of whether ultra-processed foods are as bad as we have been told, science still has no clear answer

a giant plane made of wood

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On November 2, 1947, thousands of people gathered near the port of Long Beach, California, without knowing that they were going to witness something that was not in their plans. In front of them, a huge plane built almost entirely made of wood He was preparing to move on the water. It was larger than any aircraft that had existed until then. Its creator, businessman and filmmaker Howard Hughes, decided to take charge. That day, for a few brief seconds, the H-4 Hercules —popularized as “Spruce Goose”— managed to take off and prove that it could fly. Five years before that unexpected flight, the world was at war and German submarines were sinking hundreds of Allied ships in the Atlantic. The United States needed a safe way to transport troops and supplies without relying on sea routes, and magnate Henry Kaiser thought he had the answer: a gigantic transport plane capable of crossing the ocean. Since he had no experience in aviation, he went to Hughes, who accepted the challenge of building it under a condition that would complicate everything: the government prohibited the use of strategic materials such as aluminum or steel. When aluminum was lacking and ambition was left over: the birth of the H-4 Hercules The agreement between Kaiser and Hughes was signed in 1942, in the middle of the war, with the idea of ​​manufacturing three units of the new aircraft. They called it HK-1, after the initials of their last names. However, the initial enthusiasm soon collided with reality: the size of the device, the complexity of the design and material limitations caused the project to be delayed more than expected. Kaiser, accustomed to meeting deadlines in the naval industry, grew impatient and abandoned the program in 1944. Hughes decided to go ahead alone and renamed the aircraft the H-4 Hercules. Deprived of metals such as aluminum, Hughes turned to an unusual material in aviation: wood. But not just any wood. He opted for a system innovative called Duramoldwhich consisted of laminating thin layers of birch and gluing them with synthetic resins until forming a structure that was as rigid as it was light. This process, developed a few years before, allowed the parts to be molded with great precision and reduced the total weight of the fuselage. The result was a gray and smooth surface that, at first glance, barely allowed one to guess that this colossus was made of wood. The result of Hughes’ experiments was a monumental flying boat. The H-4 Hercules had a tall wing that extended almost 98 meters from tip to tip and eight enormous28-cylinder Pratt & Whitney enginescapable of propelling the ship with surprising smoothness. Two floats were installed on the outside of the wings to give it balance when sailing. The entire fuselage was built with the Duramold methodwhich provided a smooth surface, without rivets. It was a strange combination of strength, elegance and enormous size. The H-4 Hercules measured almost 66 meters long and more than 79 meters in wingspan, figures that made it the largest aircraft ever built at its time. Its height, more than 24 meters, was equivalent to an eight-story building. Empty, it weighed about 136 tons, and fully loaded it could reach 180. With a cruising speed of about 240 kilometers per hour, it was designed to transport up to 400 soldiers or the equivalent in war material. Despite its size, Hughes was confident that the design would allow it to take off smoothly from the water. The morning of November 2, 1947 dawned calm in Long Beach. The H-4 Hercules was to carry out simple displacement tests, with Hughes at the controls and a small group of technicians and journalists on board. What happened next was not on the flight plan. Halfway through the trip, the pilot increased the power and the seaplane, of more than 130 tons, rose a few meters above the water. It remained in the air for half a minute and traveled about 800 meters before descending gently. It was his first and last flight. The H-4 Hercules cost about 23 million dollars at the time, the equivalent of more than 278 million today. Its development had spread so far that, by the time it flew, the war had ended two years ago. Many considered it a waste of public money and the press dubbed it “Spruce Goose,” a label Hughes detested. For years he defended his project against critics and kept the aircraft in perfect condition, with a full-time team in charge of keeping it ready to fly. For more than three decades, the H-4 Hercules remained hidden in a climate-controlled hangar under the direct supervision of Howard Hughes. After his death in 1976, his company, Summa Corporation, donated the plane to the Aero Club of Southern California. In 1983, heThe aircraft was again shown to the public: The Wrather company moved it to a huge dome-shaped hangar next to the Queen Mary ship, also in Long Beach. For the first time since 1947, the “Spruce Goose” was again seen by thousands of curious visitors. In 1992, the Oregon-based Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum submitted the winning proposal to give the H-4 Hercules a new permanent home. The plane was disassembled piece by piece and transported by barge from Long Beach to Portland, following the Pacific coast and then the Columbia and Willamette rivers. After several months of waiting for the water level, in February 1993 the sections arrived in McMinnville, where temporary hangars were erected to begin restoration. In 2001, the “Spruce Goose” was again shown to the public, fully assembled. More than seven decades after its only flight, the H-4 Hercules remains a benchmark in aeronautical engineering. To this day it maintains three historical titles: it is the largest seaplane, the largest wooden plane and the largest propeller plane ever built. Its technical influence can be seen in numerous subsequent developments, and its history continues to inspire engineers and enthusiasts. What was born … Read more

responded with an unprecedented wood platform

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During the Cold War, the possibility of a nuclear attack was not a remote hypothesis. It was a scenario contemplatedcalculated and tested. It was estimated that An atomic explosion in the atmosphere could generate an electromagnetic pulse capable of Radares unusedcommunications, electrical networks and command systems. In that context, the United States launched an ambitious test program to ensure that its strategic aircraft could resist that type of threat. They could not afford an electronic failure to stop fighting a bomber like the B-52. Thus, Trestele (Atlas-I) was born, a colossal installation Raised near the Kirtland Air Basein New Mexico. Its purpose was as singular as its design: simulate, without the need for explosives, the effects of a nuclear detonation on real aircraft. As they point out in Motorpasionto create a reliable trial environment, it was essential to eliminate any interference. Even the platform itself had to become “invisible” to the phenomenon that was tried to reproduce. The solution was as radical as ingenious: build the main structure Almost without metalusing laminated wood, fiberglass bolts and more advanced civil engineering techniques. The result remembered a railway bridge suspended on a ravine in the middle of the desert. More than 35 meters from the groundthe airplanes were towed on a wooden track and exposed to gusts of controlled energy that imitated the behavior of an electromagnetic pulse. It was a way to recreate, with extreme precision and without a single nuclear explosion, the invisible effects of a war that should never occur. A colossal structure to protect the nucleus from US military power The mind behind the project was Carl E. Bauman electrical engineer of meticulous thought that dedicated more than four decades to the Air Force. It was he who proposed to build a high and non -conductive platform to simulate a realistic flight environment, free of interference. His proposal was not a heart, but the fruit of years of study on the effects of Electromagnetic pulses. At a time when computers could barely model complex phenomena, Baum defended that there was only a reliable way to understand the impact of an EMP on an airplane: apply it directly on a real aircraft, without computer shortcuts or synthetic recreations. He himself avoided the use of computers, although his team did use them. Decades later, super -touches like The Captain They are capable of simulating nuclear explosions in three dimensions with an unthinkable precision in the seventies. But then, neither the calculations were so sophisticated nor the models so reliable. Baum preferred Pencil, perforated paper and hand -drawn transparencies. While the world began to imagine a defense supported by simulations, he designed a physical environment, almost completely assembled in wood, to test with real energy what one day could decide the fate of a country. Building such an installation was not only a matter of size, but of intention. The complex Trestele It should be immense, but also not disturbing for experiments. To achieve this, almost all the metal materials of the test platform were removed: even the screws were made of wood or fiberglass. The main board measured about 61 meters sidealthough it was not a perfect square: its corners were cut to improve structural efficiency, which slightly reduced its useful surface. The whole set was held on a ravine in the Kirtland Air Baseso that the plane was suspended as if it were in full flight. The total length of the complex exceeded 300 meters. Each component was designed not to interfere with the reproduction of the phenomenon, although other parts of the installation, such as the Wedge building or the termination tower, they were made of steel. The Trestele test structure in the 1980s The airplanes were towed to the platform using a wooden ramp of about 120 meters. Once in position, they were subjected to discharges of very high intensity generated by an electrical system capable of loyalty replicating the conditions of a nuclear electromagnetic pulse. Two Marx generators, housed in sealed compartments, launched impulses of about 5 million volts each. It was not about destroying the plane, but to verify how their systems responded to an invisible threat, capable of burning unprotected circuits, with the aim of reinforcing them to continue working after a real attack. A B-52H Stratofortress at the Barksdale Air Base, Louisiana (2021) Some of the most strategic aircraft in the United States passed through the Platform of the Tressel. He BOMBARDERO B-52emblem of nuclear deterrence, was one of the first to submit to the tests. It was followed by models like the EC-135designed to maintain the chain of command in case of crisis, and the E-4also known as “the final judgment plane.” Everyone shared a critical mission: to follow operational even if the rest of the country was incommunicado. What was tested was not just the resistance of a cell or the integrity of a radar. It was the ability to preserve intact the core of military power in the worst imaginable scenario. For decades, TresTle was one of the largest wooden structures ever built. His scale was huge. To keep it standing, more than 60,000 dielectric bolts were used only on the board and the ramp, although more than 150,000 special bolts without metal were used throughout the installation. That is added millions of laminated wood pieces. Although today the Grand Ring of Expo 2025 in Osaka It has been officially recognized by Guinness as the largest wooden architectural structure in the world, the Tustle maintained that title in an unofficial way. Images | United States Air Force (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) In Xataka | Naples Airport has rejected a Boeing 787 with 200 passengers on board for a single reason: two meters long

We have a problem with used wind blades. A German startup believes to have a solution: make them wood

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At some point he had to arrive, because in the end, everything comes to an end, even the materials for renewable energy. First it was the turn of the solar panels, which now have Recycling centers. Then, it was the turn of the wind energy that their blades have found a second life in different structuresfrom mini homes even jelly beans. But so far, no one had achieved what he has achieved in the wind sector: starting from scratch with completely recyclable materials. 100% recycled. The German company Voodin Blade Technology has developed The first wind turbines made of laminated wood. This material has represented a recyclable alternative to the traditional carbon fiber, fiberglass and epoxy resin. In addition, the most curious thing is that it has greater fire resistance and a rigidity-pepper relationship similar to fiberglass, which allows you to resist all climatic conditions. As of 2026, the German company has been associated with the Indian company Senvion for install some blades of more than 50 meters In 4.2 MW turbines. The tests will be held in Europe at the end of next year and beginning of 2027. The goal. The German startup has found a rather big problem within the wind industry. While in the solar sector there are already recycling centers for photovoltaic panels, such as European photovoltaic recycling center (CERFO) In Teruel. I asked that it was around the company was: What about the wind turbines? The investigation took them to A study by the University of Cambridgewhich revealed that by the year 2050 there will be 43 million tons of shovels worldwide. The reason was none other than conventional materials are very difficult to recycle, so they reached the rolled wooden blades. This solution that is based on reuse to prevent them from ending up or are incinerated. In addition, the use of a natural material such as wood has a lower impact on the product life cycle, since it can be replaced and managed more responsible. Manufacturing. The process to get LAMINADA WOOD It goes on presses and laminating, as the name implies, wooden panels, creating resistant and durable materials. This type of wood is already used in the construction of skyscrapers and other important infrastructure, which demonstrates its reliability. Laminated wood offers a greater flexibility In the design, which allows to create longer blades and higher towers, optimizing the efficiency of the turbines by taking advantage of stronger wind currents. This advance not only provides a more ecological alternative, but also makes the production of blades more economical. In addition, in the manufacturing process eliminates the need for molds, which further reduces production costs, and makes the process more efficient and accessible. In fact, wooden blades can be up to 20% cheaper than traditional ones, according to The German company declared to Recharge. Although something if it had been recycled. While some advances have already been achieved in the recycling of traditional blades, the VOODIN BLADE TECHNOLOGY approach goes one step further. Although it should be noted that the Danish company Vestas has developed A chemical process capable of decomposing epoxy resins and then reuse in new blades, preventing them from ending in a landfill. And fire resistance? It is quite curious because they can even be replaced, but resist fire. In the first place, laminated wood can support high temperatures because being a natural material, it has a Greater self -extinguishing capacitywhich means that it is less prone to burn or spread rapidly in case of fire. In addition, advances in their treatment make it more lasting and stable in front of the fire. On the other hand, traditional materials, such as fiberglass and carbon fiber, although strong and light, do not have high fire resistance. In the end these components, together with the necessary resin to unite them, are more susceptible to decomposition and the release of toxic gases when exposed to high temperatures, which can compromise the structural safety of the turbines in a fire. The future of the big shovels, but … The German startup was news last year when installed 19.3 meters blades In Germany. Now seeks to overcome that milestone with blades of more than 50 meters in lengththe largest manufactured to date with laminated wood. However, in the field of wind energy, China continues to lead the race in large infrastructure. Recently, the Asian giant He has managed to install A Qihang wind turbine, with a 151 -meter tower and a 260 -meter diameter rotor. If mathematics does not fail, we would be talking that the length of a shovel is 130 meters, of course it is not laminated wood. And if I get more searching in the newspaper library, the discussion about the size of the wind turbines would give for an article itself. Just point out that at the moment none has surpassed the wind turbine to take advantage of the strength of the typhons with A 310 meter blade diameter. What we know so far is that laminated wooden blades could mark a before and after in wind energy, reducing costs and environmental impact. If the tests confirm its efficiency, this advance will open the way to more sustainable turbines. Image | VOODIN BLADE TECHNOLOGY Xataka | The tariff storm that affects Spain: Trump’s blow to the wind and steel

Year of the Wood Snake: what is the lucky charm

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The Year of the Wood Snake, which begins on January 29, 2025 according to Chinese astrology, promises to be a period full of transformations, opportunities and challenges. For navigate successfully the powerful and sometimes unpredictable energies of this year, a lucky charm is not only an accessory, but a essential tool to attract prosperity and protection. One of the most recommended amulets is the keychain with 5 Chinese copper coinsa powerful symbol of wealth, stability and defense against negative energies. Meaning of the keychain with 5 Chinese coins The keychain with 5 Chinese copper coins is not a simple ornament; It is an object loaded with symbolism and power. According to The Chinese Zodiac site, its meaning is: Prosperity: These coins represent the “money of the five emperors,” a historical period in China associated with abundance and stability. Protection: When joined together, the coins form an energetic shield against negative influences.Connection with the earth: Copper, the material of coins, is linked to the Earth element, which provides stability and harmony. This amulet is ideal for those who want to maintain a constant flow of positive energy in their life and protect themselves from negative vibrations that could hinder their progress in 2025. Why wear a lucky charm in the Year of the Snake? The Year of the Wood Snake will be a period marked by transformative energies, where intuition, patience and strategic planning will play a crucial role. In this context, an amulet like the keychain with 5 Chinese coins offers several benefits: positive energy attraction– Works as a magnet for prosperity and opportunities, helping to maintain a constant flow of abundance in your life. Energy balance: It helps counteract negative energy and strengthen your aura, protecting you from harmful external influences. Ease and practicality: Being a keychain, you can take it with you everywhere, whether in your bag, your car or your keys. Symbol of new opportunities: In Chinese culture, keys represent opening paths to success. Combined with coins, they enhance their effect to unlock new opportunities. How to activate the keychain with 5 Chinese coins? To maximize the benefits of this amulet, it is important to activate it correctly: Energy cleaning– Before use, clean it with incense smoke or soak it in sea salt water for a few hours to remove any residual energy. Intention: While holding the keychain, close your eyes and visualize your goals for the Year of the Snake. Declare your intentions out loud, such as attracting prosperity, protecting yourself from negativity, or breaking new ground. Where to place the amulet? Personal keys– Attach the keychain to your keys to carry the energy with you daily.Car rearview mirror: to protect you while traveling.Office or workplace: as a symbol of prosperity in your career. What does Year of the Snake mean in Chinese astrology? The Snake is a profound sign, associated with wisdom, intuition and the power of transformation. In the 2025 cycle, which will be governed by the Wood element, these qualities will be combined with energies of growth, creativity and renewal. This year will encourage reflection and strategic decision making. It is an ideal time to plan for the long term and avoid acting on impulse. The Snake also symbolizes the need to protect ourselves spiritually. This makes the use of an amulet such as the 5 coin keychain especially relevant. Although it will be a challenging year, it will also be rich in opportunities for those who know how to adapt and stay focused. Keep reading:• Chinese New Year 2025: These are the colors to attract good luck• 10 simple rituals to attract money in the Year of the Snake• Chinese horoscope: the Year of the Snake means growth for 4 signs

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