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Daily Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Wind turbines could soon be recycled into homes
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: ETX Daily Up Text Size: The Nestle is a tiny house built from a wind turbine nacelle. (Superuse pic) PARIS: Swedish energy producer and supplier Vattenfall has teamed up with Dutch architecture firm Superuse to develop an innovative concept for recycling end-of-life wind turbine nacelles into eco-friendly tiny houses. Today's wind turbines have an average lifespan of around 20 years, and dismantling them poses a number of challenges in terms of recycling their materials. While some parts, such as steel towers and blades, are now partially reused, the nacelles – the top of the turbine that houses its mechanical and electrical components – are difficult to recycle. As a result, this unique and somewhat extraordinary project aims to transform these nacelles into small homes, perfect for environmentally-friendly living. A first prototype, called Nestle, has already been assembled, featuring 36 sq m of living space with a modular living area, a mezzanine sleeping area, a kitchen and a bathroom. In terms of energy, this home uses a heat pump heating system and solar panels for energy self-sufficiency. The home also benefits from reinforced insulation with triple glazing and a ventilation system with heat recovery. Advertisement The prototype was built using a nacelle that had been in operation for 20 years at a height of around 100 meters at the Gols wind farm in Austria. Its dimensions are approximately four metres wide, 10 metres long and three metres high. The interior furnishings are partly made from recycled materials, including a table made from a wind turbine blade. In real terms, this type of home could be used for temporary or emergency housing, as well as primary residences for those who prefer minimalist, environmentally-friendly living. In addition to this project, Vattenfall is committed to recycling 100% of its wind turbine blades by 2030. Eventually, this strategy will also extend to nacelles.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Hygiene is important among chimpanzees, even after sex!
Among the chimpanzees, the spirit of mutual aid and solidarity extends to hygiene and personal care. — Photo: Andyworks/ Getty Images, via ETX Daily Up Wiping after using the toilet or cleaning up after sex is basic hygiene for humans. However, researchers have observed some surprisingly similar behavior in chimpanzees, shedding new light on the evolutionary roots of such practices. Chimpanzees have already been shown to have a strong sense of empathy. But new research shows that the spirit of mutual aid and solidarity extends to hygiene and personal care. The study was carried out by a team of anthropology researchers from Oxford University and is published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. Over a four-month period, the researchers observed the East African chimpanzee communities of Sonso and Waibira, in Uganda's Budongo Forest. Their observations were complemented by over 30 years of video footage shot at the Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS) by other researchers on site, showing how chimpanzees ensure their survival, whether by licking their wounds or extricating themselves from snares. The findings highlight a number of surprising hygiene-related behaviors exhibited by chimpanzees. As well as licking their wounds, they apply the pre-chewed leaves of plants known for their bioactive properties, and apply pressure with their fingers to treat their wounds. These primates are also capable of cleaning their genitals with leaves after mating and wiping their anus with leaves after defecation. These practices may help prevent infections, the study authors say. Understanding behavior to inform conservation efforts Even more surprisingly, the team found that chimpanzees in the Sonso community helped each other by tending to each other's wounds and even, as observed in one case, by wiping the penis of one of their peers after sexual intercourse. This spirit of solidarity applied to individuals the chimpanzees were genetically related to and those they weren't, "despite the potential risk from being exposed to pathogens," the researchers note. "Our research helps illuminate the evolutionary roots of human medicine and healthcare systems," says Dr Elodie Freymann of the University of Oxford, first author of the article, quoted in a news release. "By documenting how chimpanzees identify and utilize medicinal plants and provide care to others, we gain insight into the cognitive and social foundations of human healthcare behaviors." These findings are of interest not only for understanding the origins of human medical and hygiene practices: they could also prove invaluable for the conservation of the chimpanzee species. "As chimpanzee habitats become increasingly disrupted, and primate populations inch closer to extinction, understanding the socio-ecological pressures on chimpanzee healthcare behaviors could play a critical role in informing conservation strategies. By uncovering and protecting the resources chimpanzees need to keep themselves healthy, as well as guarding against anthropogenic risks (e.g., snares) known to negatively impact chimpanzee wellbeing, we can help buffer free-ranging chimpanzees from environmental and climatic disturbances that increasingly threaten their survival," the study concludes. — AFP Relaxnews
The Star
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
How to avoid crying too much when cutting onions (according to scientists)
It's better to have a sharp knife blade to avoid crying (too much) when cutting an onion. — Photo: andreygonchar/ Getty Images, via ETX Daily Up When you cut an onion, a gas is released that comes into contact with the tear fluid in your eyes. In short, it makes you cry, and it's almost unavoidable. But researchers have discovered that there's a simple way to minimise this inconvenience. Crying when chopping onions is the most natural reaction there is, but that doesn't stop it from being annoying. And who hasn't tried the many tips and tricks that are touted as ways to prevent tears when slicing these kitchen staples? There's the match or the slice of bread in the mouth. Or how about running your wrists under cold water before setting to work, or putting an onion in the freeser for 15 minutes before cutting it? Otherwise, you could simply put on a diving mask, as suggested in a number of humourous videos on social networks. Or you could try running the knife blade under a trickle of lemon juice... But the knife may be the key to the solution, according to a recent experiment conducted by researchers at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and reported by New Scientist. The question is... how sharp is your knife? In other words, is it blunt? Because in this case, there's a very good chance that cutting an onion will make you cry. Indeed, the conclusion of the study, conducted by researcher Sunghwan Jung and his team, is that a knife that doesn't slice well can generate up to 40 times more droplets than a well-sharpened blade. This is because the onion's skin bends, increasing the pressure inside. The scientists' experiment involved cutting brown onions with different blade thicknesses and at different speeds, and analysing the effects. The process was filmed using a high-speed camera. And to better visualise how the onions reacted to the maneuver, they were spray-painted black. The scientists found that there were fewer droplets when the blade was sharp. Also, slicing very quickly multiplied the quantity of these particles fourfold, compared to slow slicing. Indeed, peeling an onion triggers the release of a gas. When this gas comes into contact with the tear fluid in our eyes, it turns into sulfuric acid. Initially, onions absorb sulfur from the soil, which is stored in the cells of the vegetable. When sliced, the molecules are released, which in turn meet ensymes, and are eventually turned into a volatile, irritant gas. The result is as immediate as it is unpleasant: we cry! And that can be annoying when you have several onions to chop, and you need to see what you're doing. And if your knives aren't sharp enough, did you know that scientists have (also) developed onions that don't make you cry? These are marketed by the Sunions brand. They are the result of over 30 years' research in the US states of Nevada and Washington. — AFP Relaxnews
The Star
20-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Why job satisfaction is more than a question of salary or prestige
Several factors influence job satisfaction, but neither the level of remuneration nor the prestige of the position are decisive. — Photo: dragana991/ Getty Images, via ETX Daily Up Many surveys concur that employees are increasingly disillusioned, reduced to working "just" for their wages. This gloomy view of the professional world is fortunately tempered by a recent Estonian study. It claims that some jobs really do make people happy. And they're not necessarily the ones you might think. The study is based on data from the Estonian Biobank, a nationwide project involving thousands of participants. Each participant completed a lengthy questionnaire after a blood donation. The survey covered their current occupation, salary, psychological profile and level of satisfaction with various aspects of their lives. By cross-referencing the responses of 59,042 volunteers with the precise characteristics of their jobs, the researchers were able to establish an average satisfaction index for each profession. Based on this information, they drew up a ranking of 263 professions according to the level of satisfaction they offer. The top occupations are those in which people find meaning in what they do. From priests to doctors and writers, these occupations share a strong sense of personal commitment and a direct link with others. On the other hand, professions where working conditions are considered difficult, such as kitchen work, storage, manufacturing or sales, appear to be the least fulfilling. How work can influence life The study also took into account life satisfaction as a whole, and not just that linked to professional activity. As a result, certain professions – such as psychologist, special-needs teacher, sheet-metal worker or ship engineer – stand out as having a higher level of life satisfaction. Conversely, security guards, waiters, mail carriers and carpenters have a lower overall level of satisfaction. Overall, several factors influence happiness at work, but neither salary level nor job prestige seem to be decisive factors. "I was expecting the job prestige to be more associated with satisfaction, but there was only a slight correlation," study coauthor, Kätlin Anni, of the University of Tartu, told New Scientist. "Jobs with a higher sense of achievement are associated with higher satisfaction, and even lower-prestige jobs can be quite fulfilling." In other words, an undervalued or even overlooked profession can become a source of profound pride if it enables the person doing it to feel useful, recognized and in tune with their values. Stress also plays a key role. Some positions of responsibility, particularly in large corporations, are subject to excessive pressure and rigidity, which weighs heavily on personal well-being. On the other hand, self-employed workers, who are freer to manage their own schedules, appear to be more fulfilled overall. But can these results be applied to other countries? Caution is advised, as professional experiences are shaped by local realities. Cultural norms, social expectations and economic conditions are just some of the factors that influence perceptions of work. But this study opens up some interesting perspectives for rethinking the place of work in our quest for well-being. Maybe the ideal job isn't the one we always dreamed of, but the one in which we find the most meaning... — AFP Relaxnews
The Star
09-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
What's the secret to happiness? There's no one-size-fits-all answer
What's the secret to happiness? A recently published study challenges a number of preconceived ideas.— Photo: monkeybusinessimages/ Getty Images, via ETX Daily Up What's the secret to happiness? Does it come from within, or does it rely on external influences such as jobs, health and relationships? A North American study, recently published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, challenges a number of preconceived ideas. In recent years, happiness has become a serious subject of study. Psychologists, economists and sociologists have joined forces to unravel the inner workings of human fulfillment. With this in mind, researchers from several North American universities have analyzed the lives of over 40,000 people in five countries. Over a period of almost 30 years, they examined their level of general satisfaction, as well as their relationship to five essential dimensions of existence: health, income, housing, work and relationships. It turns out that there is not just one, but a multitude of ways to be happy, specific to each individual and each context. For some, happiness is based on tangible criteria such as income, employment or housing. For others, it depends on personal traits such as resilience or the search for meaning. Some combine these two dimensions, while a minority seem to deviate from any pre-established model. These findings call into question the two main theoretical models that have dominated until now. The first, termed "bottom-up,' assumes that happiness derives from satisfaction in the various areas of life. The second, called "top-down,' argues that certain personal dispositions, such as optimism or emotional stability, influence our perception of happiness independently of external circumstances. This study proposes a third, more flexible path, closer to reality, with a "bidirectional model," in which internal and external factors are intertwined. "These things are treated separately, but they aren't really. They feed into each other at a personal level," explains Emorie Beck, assistant professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis and first author on the paper, quoted in a news release. To promote well-being, public policies should be designed to take account of this diversity, rather than relying on universal approaches. "We have to understand the sources of happiness to build effective interventions," says Emorie Beck. In other words, raising a society's level of happiness means taking each individual's needs into account. The same policy can transform the lives of some, while making no difference to others. This study serves as a reminder that there's no magic formula for happiness. It is complex, specific to each individual, and sometimes even elusive. But one thing seems certain: to better understand it, we need to stop thinking of it as a universal standard, and start thinking of it in terms of the individual. – AFP Relaxnews
