题型:阅读理解 题类: 难易度:困难
When it comes to architectural accomplishments, humans like to think they stand at the top. That is to underestimate the astonishing achievement s of social insects; for example, white ants raise skyscraping nests. The true master builders of the insect world, however, are the hundreds of species of stingless bees.
In a new study, Ms. Di Pietro and her colleagues observed over 400 colonies of the stingless bee species in a large bee house in Brazil in 2022 and 2023. Around 95% of the colonies exhibited honeycombs(a structure made by bees) built up in horizontal layers(水平分层), like tiered wedding cakes, while the rest adopted a spiral(螺旋的) structure.
Since the stingless bee shows a strong preference for a horizontal-layer honeycomb structure, it's surprising that spiral honeycombs occur. The team confirmed that there was no difference in the average cell-building rate between the two styles, and therefore no efficiency advantage.
In order to rule out a genetic explanation for the different styles, the researchers transplanted workers from colonies that built in one tradition to colonies that built in the other, having first emptied the host structures of their native adults. The imported workers soon switched to the local style, which was then continued by the colony's young insects as they eventually matured into workers.
Dr. Tom Wenseleers guessed that the bees may switch styles as a way of coping with the build-up of small construction errors made by their fore-runners. Such a process, in which multiple organisms indirectly affect each other's behavior through the traces they leave in their environment, is known as stigmergy(共识主动性). The researchers later introduced a sign of spirals to the otherwise perfect horizontal-layer honeycombs, and found that it did indeed cause the bees to switch to building spirals.
These results suggest that stingless bees can pass on different building traditions across generations and individuals needn't be instructed by their peers. "The findings are the clearest demonstration of cultural differences naturally appearing in insects. Insect culture would once have been thought impossible," says behavioral biologist Andrew Whiten, who wasn't involved in the research. "Less than a century ago, culture was thought to be uniquely human."
First aid is a simple medical treatment that gives a person who suddenly becomes ill before a doctor can be found. It's believed that four hundred and eighty seconds after an accident can make a difference between life and death. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Here are some different situations where you can learn, how to give first aid.
Burns
{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's the best to place burns under softly running water for about 10 minutes. Remember that don't use ice!
Nosebleed
Ask the person to lean forward and pinch the nose for five to six minutes. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} If so, the blood may run into the mouth.
Dog Bites
Wash the bite with plenty of water at a comfortable temperature. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Then, go to see the doctor at once and follow their suggestions carefully.
Chocking (窒息)
Stand behind the chocking person put your arms around his body and lean him or her forward slowly. Press his or her stomach. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You can also hit his back with your hand.
A. Cool the burned area quickly with cool water. B. Have you done these in your daily life? C. This helps clean the dirty things around. D. This is why learning first aid is so important in our daily life. E. Don't raise the head! F. Do this up to five times. |
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