Biology and Art: Banksy & Ant Behavior Quiz

Ant "Surgeries"

• Florida carpenter ants perform life-saving surgical procedures on injured nestmates.
• This behavior, involving leg amputations and wound cleaning, has never been observed in other non-human species.
• This remarkable social behavior was observed in injured ants placed back in their colonies.
• Ants with femur injuries (upper leg) underwent amputations, resulting in a 90% survival rate compared to 40% for isolated ants.
• Ants with tibia injuries (lower leg) received wound cleaning, leading to a 75% survival rate compared to 10% for isolated ants.
• Amputation is used for femur injuries due to the higher muscle tissue and slower hemolymph (invertebrate blood) flow, which prevents rapid bacterial spread.
• Tibia injuries have less muscle tissue, so the infection spreads faster, causing quick cleaning actions instead of amputations.

Diamond Discovery

• A 2,492-carat diamond was discovered in Botswana's Karowe mine.
• This is the second-largest diamond ever found and the largest found in Southern Africa.
• The discovery was made using X-ray technology.
• The diamond, yet to be named, is expected to fetch tens of millions of dollars.

NASA's Starliner Decision

• NASA decided to return the Boeing Starliner spacecraft to Earth without its crew (Wilmore and Williams) due to safety concerns.
• The Starliner had experienced helium leaks, thruster failures, and other issues during its eight-day journey.
• The crew will remain on the International Space Station until February 2025 to be returned by SpaceX.

Banksy's London Murals

• Banksy, the anonymous British street artist, created a series of animal murals in London from August 5 to 13, 2024.
• The murals depicted various animals, including a mountain goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, and a rhino.
• The final mural featured a gorilla lifting the shutter of the London Zoo, allowing animals to escape.

Big Basin Redwood Recovery

• A massive fire in 2020 destroyed 97% of Big Basin Redwood State Park.
• Despite the devastation, charred redwoods rapidly regrew fresh green needles.
• Scientists learned that the trees store excess energy (from photosynthesis) and have bud tissue for quick regrowth, allowing them to quickly overcome the impact.
• The stored energy had been collected as early as the 1920s.

Friday the 13th Superstition

• Millions worldwide consider Friday the 13th an unlucky day.
• The reasons for this superstition are varied: the number 13 following 12 as considered "incomplete," a Scandinavian legend involving the trickster god Loki, and biblical associations with Jesus' crucifixion.
• Experts dispute the economic losses associated with the day. A 2008 study showed fewer accidents and thefts than other similar days.

Climeworks Mammoth DAC Plant

• Climeworks launched Mammoth, the world's largest direct air capture (DAC) plant.
• Located in Iceland, Mammoth uses geothermal energy to capture and store carbon dioxide.
• Mammoth can remove up to 39,000 tons of CO2 annually.
• Critics note the plant's expense. Supporters highlight the need for additional carbon reduction strategies.

SpaceX Polaris Dawn Mission

• SpaceX completed Polaris Dawn, the first of three commercial missions under the Polaris Program.
• The five-day flight reached a record altitude of 870 miles.
• The crew conducted the first-ever civilian spacewalk using advanced spacesuits designed for future space missions.
• Medical tests will assess the effects of space travel on the crew.

Herculaneum Scrolls

• Archaeologists used X-ray imaging to study scrolls preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
• A global student competition ("Vesuvius Challenge") decoded the first word, "porphyras."
• The scrolls contain writings of Philodemus, exploring themes of joy and abundance.

Alex Morgan Retirement

• Alex Morgan, a prominent American soccer player, retired from professional soccer after a 15-year career.
• She cited her second pregnancy and a desire to focus on family.
• Morgan has played in 22 World Cups and 16 Olympic matches.

Egyptian Bronze Sword Discovery

• Archaeologists in Egypt discovered a bronze sword inscribed with the emblem of Ramses II.
• The sword was found in a barracks of a 3,000-year-old military fort.
• The sword suggests the fort was strategically important, well-defended, and possibly had a weapon manufacturing site.

Hurricane Helene

• Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm.
• It was the strongest hurricane to hit the region since record-keeping began in 1851.
• Helene caused widespread damage, flooding in areas like Chimney Rock, North Carolina, and numerous storm-related deaths in various states.

Earthworm Impact on Soil

• Two studies highlight the crucial role of earthworms in soil health and crop yields, and their role in preventing plastic damage.
• Earthworms increase crop yields, potentially by 6.5% globally.
• Earthworms improve soil aeration and nutrient availability.
• Earthworms protect plants from microplastics and insects by potentially enhancing their immunity.

Orb-Weaver Spider's Firefly Manipulation

• Orb-weaver spiders are found in China, Japan, and Korea. They are nocturnal hunters who use webs to catch fireflies.
• The Orb-weaver spider, Araneus ventricosus, manipulates male fireflies by inducing them to emit single flashes, resembling female firefly signals, to attract more prey.
• Male fireflies' signal emissions are manipulated via venom.

US Presidential Election of 2024

• The US presidential election of 2024 is approaching (with an election date on November 5, 2024)
• Candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will compete.
• The Electoral College determines the winner.
• States distribute electoral votes based on population (and number of Representatives in the House).

East Greenland Landslide and Tsunami

• A massive landslide and tsunami in eastern Greenland triggered a continuous, nine-day seismic wave detectable on worldwide earthquake sensors.
• The landslide and subsequent tsunami were likely exacerbated by rising temperatures and melting glaciers in East Greenland.
• A seiche, a standing wave, caused by the narrow fjord, amplified the seismic activity.

Octopus Hunting Behavior

• Octopuses display leadership in hunting groups, directing fish and controlling ambush tactics.
• Octopuses in hunting packs typically work with blue goatfish, seemingly due to their strong team hunting skills.
• Octopuses discipline “lazy” hunting partners, demonstrating leadership and the advantages of collaboration.

Test your knowledge on the intersection of art and biology, featuring questions about Banksy's animal series and the unique behaviors of carpenter ants. Explore the effects of environmental disasters on redwood trees and the fascinating adaptations of ant species. This quiz is perfect for anyone interested in art, nature, and animal behavior.