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A scientist can make plants scream
A German physics researcher is making plants
scream.
University of Bonn scientist Ralph Gaebler uses
a special sensor to register plant gas emissions.
When under stress, plants give off increased
amounts of ethylene gas. The sensor translates the gas concentration
into noise.
The German newspaper Express reports Mr Gaebler
demonstrated the method by cutting a leaf off an orchid, which
caused a piercing scream.
He said: "The orchid cannot run away, so
this is her way of complaining about such mean treatment."
He caused the same effects by infecting a cucumber
with mildew.
Mr Gaebler says his machine frequently registers
'screams' coming from fruit baskets.
"Apples naturally give off lots of ethylene
gas. If there are any bananas in the basket, they will quickly
turn brown from it," he added.
Story filed: 09:53 Friday 23rd November 2001
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