Pollen-deprived bumblebees speed up plant blooming by biting leaves
Researchers at France's National Institute for agricultural research have discovered some interesting behaviours of bees.
Pollen deprived bumble bees have been observed nipping the leaves of plants in crops, which sees flowers from the damaged plants, moving up to 30 days earlier than their usual cycle.
Researchers are still unsure about how biting the leaves of these plants speeds up the blooming process.
The behaviour is believed to be the bees response to a shortage of pollen.
WHO warns COVID-19 pandemic still in its first wave
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the coronavirus pandemic has not subsided and is still in its first wave.
The statement came in as social distancing restrictions in Brazil subside despite the country having nearly 350,000 coronavirus infections - second only to the U.S.
The country has counted only 23,000 deaths, but many fear the actual number is a lot higher.
Cross River Rail Development completing in 2024
The Cross River Rail Development is soon reaching its peak construction point and is expected to support around 3000 jobs through contracting.
State Development Minister, Kate Jones, says the cross river rail development will deliver many local benefits for Queensland companies and for local companies.
Their projects’ infrastructure, including 10.2 kilometres of rail, is expected to be completed by 2024.
Local contractors who wish to contribute to the project should apply at https://crossriverrail.qld.gov.au/
Deliveroo driver lodges unfair dismissal claim
A Sydney delivery rider has gone to the Fair Work Commission to sue delivery giant, Deliveroo, on the grounds of unfair dismissal.
Deliveroo stated Diego Franco frequently took significantly longer to complete a high number of deliveries, and issued him with a dismissal on 23 April.
Diego Franco, who moved to Sydney from Brazil three years ago, contends that his deliveries were slow and that he did not receive any notification before his contract was terminated.
Powderfinger reunites for charity gig
Brisbane band Powderfinger's online reunion concert has raised almost $500 000 for charity support in the music and art industries affected by COVID-19.
The band, reunited after ten years, delighted fans with a video receiving over 500 000 views.
The band was supporting charity Support Act, which provides mental health support to people in the music industry, and the national hotline for anxiety, depression, and suicide - Beyond Blue.
Prime new location for Ekka beef competition
The RNA Beef Committee has announced the return of its prime beef competition, following the cancellation of this year’s Ekka show due to COVID-19 social distancing and public gathering restrictions.
The competition will now take place at Silverdale Saleyards in Queensland’s Scenic Rim on Thursday 6 August.
Located an hour away from the Ekka’s original location in Brisbane, entries for the competition are now open and will close on Friday 26th of June. Enter by visiting the website at ekka.com.au/competitions.
Ka: The Descendants Of Cain
<p><span><span>Ka is the quintessential New York MC. A fire captain by day, his spoken word poetry is innately nocturnal. Wisdom delivered and derived from the street corner, mumbled flows muffling the significance of what's held within. The forty-seven-year-old Brownswood rapper, real name <strong>Kaseem Ryan</strong>, writes what he's lived, through an allegoric lens.
Jack Colwell: Swandream
<p><span><span>- Australia’s music industry does have its “issues” - the preponderance of cisgender, heteronormative, white male voices that, at times, effectively drown out anything that is not. Elsewhere there is a wider market for difference in content, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe where differing styles of musical development are actively encouraged and celebrated. Australia’s homogeneity is a product of our development as an outpost of an Empire that has long since decayed and vanished, and the change is coming – slowly, but it is happening.
Custard: Respect All Lifeforms
<p><span><span>- The last time we heard from beloved Brisbane institution Custard, they were maturing gracefully with their last long-player 2017’s <em>The Common Touch</em>. Their trademark way with a catchy ditty was balanced by strings, horns and a reflective feel that one may not traditionally associate with the band. </span></span></p>
Cavern Of Antimatter: In Fabric OST
<p><span><span>- Cavern Of Anti-Matter have just released their soundtrack to <strong>Peter Strickland</strong>’s 2018 film <em>In Fabric</em>. Strickland, who is unapologetically indebted to old Euro-horror and giallo films really outdid himself with <em>In Fabric</em> (in my opinion). Wryly funny and absurd, it’s a sprawling movie that takes you through different textures and mise-en-scene. This is realised in part by the rich imagery and by the exceptional score.