Catalogue

1. Origin: The Brazil nut comes from the Amazon rainforest.

2. Tree Characteristics: The Brazil nut tree is one of the tallest in the Amazon, reaching up to 50 metres.

3. Fruit Description: The tree produces large, hard capsules that can weigh up to 2.5 kilograms, containing the edible Brazil nuts.

4. Harvesting Season: Nuts are harvested between January and March when the fruits fall from the trees.

5. Local Harvesters: Indigenous communities often collect the fallen pods, break them open, and extract the nuts.

6. Pollination: Brazil nut trees rely on specific insects, especially orchid bees, for pollination, highlighting their ecological importance.

7. Economic Importance: Brazil nuts provide income for many families in the Amazon, encouraging sustainable harvesting practices.

8. Nutritional Value: They are rich in selenium, healthy fats, protein, and fibre, making them a nutritious snack.

9. Culinary Uses: Brazil nuts are popular in snacks, desserts, and as dairy alternatives in milks and cheeses.

10. Growing Popularity: Their popularity increased in the 20th century, especially with the rise of health foods in Europe and North America.

11. Ecological and Cultural Significance: Brazil nuts support rainforest conservation and local communities, promoting ecological balance and sustainability.

1. Bridge Overview: Brave Men's Bridge is a new glass bridge located in Hunan Province, China, replacing an old wooden structure.

2. Height and Design: The bridge stands 180 metres high, featuring a transparent floor that allows views of the valley below.

3. Visitor Reactions: Many tourists experience fear when crossing, often closing their eyes and unable to enjoy the views.

4. Safety Reassurances: Engineers emphasize the bridge's safety, noting the glass panes are 24 millimetres thick and 25 times stronger than standard glass.

5. Gender Dynamics: Observations suggest that women are generally more comfortable crossing the bridge compared to men.

6. Yoga Enthusiasts: A group of 100 women, all yoga enthusiasts, participated in a display on the bridge, showcasing their calmness and confidence.

7. Bridge Movement: The bridge is said to sway gently from side to side as people walk across, adding to the thrill and fear.

8. Tourism Impact: The bridge has attracted thousands of tourists, eager to experience its views despite their fears.

9. Cultural Significance: The bridge's name raises questions about bravery and gender, sparking discussions about perceptions of fear.

10. Adventure Experience: The bridge represents a blend of adventure and anxiety, challenging visitors to confront their fears while enjoying nature.

1. Classroom Shortage: The urgent need for 68,000 additional classrooms in the Philippines.

2. Financial Challenges: High costs of traditional classroom construction.

3. Environmental Waste: Millions of plastic bottles discarded each year.

4. Innovative Solution: Using plastic bottles filled with soil, water, and cement as building materials.

5. Building Method: Constructing sturdy walls for classrooms with filled bottles.

6. Durability: Structures that can withstand typhoons and serve as emergency shelters.

7. Community Involvement: Local government support and fundraising events to finance the project.

8. Sustainability: Transforming waste into educational infrastructure.

9. Creative Problem-Solving: Addressing social and environmental challenges through innovation.

1. Culinary Exploration: The author's excitement about discovering diverse and delicious food in London, similar to experiences in Hong Kong.

2. Borough Market Overview: A historic food market in Borough, London, mentioned as far back as 1276, known for its local and international food offerings.

3. Market Experience: Description of over 100 stalls with a wide variety of food, including unique items like Macau custard tarts.

4. Popular Dishes: Highlighting the appeal of duck confit, including its preparation method and delicious taste.

5. Food Variety: Mention of other offerings like spectacular bread, cheese, biscuits, burgers, pickles, and sausages.

6. Pricing Observations: Comparison of prices between Borough Market and Hong Kong, noting that while some found London prices high, the author viewed them as reasonable.

7. Personal Reflection: The author’s enjoyment of the market experience and the realization of an eating strategy mistake.

8. Hope for a Similar Market: A desire for a Borough Market-like experience to be established in Hong Kong, ideally located for convenience.

1. Student Stress: The pressure students face from parents and teachers to perform well academically.

2. Parental Concerns: Mrs Li's worry that her daughter was reading books mechanically without understanding their content.

3. Creative Solution: Mrs Li's idea to collect old books and create an artistic installation to inspire her daughter and others.

4. Bookwell Artwork: Description of the six-metre tall artwork made from four tonnes of old books, shaped like a water well.

5. Community Interest: The installation has attracted attention and customers to Mrs Li's coffee shop.

6. Media Coverage: The widespread reporting of Mrs Li’s project, highlighting its impact on the community.

7. Encouragement of Joy in Reading: The underlying goal of encouraging a love for reading beyond just completing tasks.

1. Thrill of Skydiving: The excitement and fear of jumping from an aeroplane and the experience of free-fall.

2. Indoor Skydiving: A new sport that allows people to experience the sensation of flying without jumping from a plane.

3. Wind Tunnel Mechanics: Description of how a flight chamber works, using powerful fans to create a smooth, upward flow of air.

4. Safety and Control: Advantages of indoor skydiving, including safety, control over flight duration, and independence from weather conditions.

5. Cost-Effectiveness: Indoor skydiving is often more affordable than traditional parachute jumps.

6. Maja Kuczyńska: A young athlete who excelled in Bodyflight, illustrating the sport's appeal and potential for competition.

7. Physical Skills: The importance of flexibility and movement control in indoor skydiving, akin to gymnastics.

8. Popularity: The growing interest in Bodyflight as a fun and accessible sport for people of all ages.

1. Lagos Overview: Lagos is Nigeria's largest city, with a population of nearly 21 million, often referred to as a potential "mega-city."

2. Socioeconomic Challenges: Despite its financial prominence, Lagos faces significant poverty, with 1.7 million residents living in hardship and 300,000 homeless.

3. Youth Crime Issues: Many young people in Lagos turn to crime due to limited opportunities and challenging living conditions.

4. BMX Discovery: Three young men—KK Money, Starboy, and S-King—found an old BMX bike in a toy shop, sparking their interest in the sport.

5. Learning from YouTube: They watched professional BMX riders online to learn tricks and improve their skills.

6. Street Riding: Lacking dedicated BMX parks, they used the streets of Lagos as their riding playground, attracting a following.

7. Life Transformation: BMX riding provided them with a positive outlet, steering them away from crime and teaching commitment.

8. Inspirational Motto: Their philosophy, “If you fall off your horse, you just have to climb back on and keep trying,” reflects their resilience.

9. Ambassadorship: The trio has become ambassadors for BMX in Nigeria, encouraging other youths to pursue the sport.

10. Future Aspirations: They aim to compete internationally, demonstrating the potential of BMX to inspire and uplift young people.

Appearance: Bright colours, especially blue tail feathers, with shades of green, yellow, and brown.

Habitat: Found in Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Diet: Primarily eat bees, as well as other flying insects like wasps and dragonflies.

Hunting Skills: Use sharp eyesight and quick flight to catch insects accurately.

Preparation: Hit bees against hard surfaces to remove stingers before eating.

Environmental Indicator: Their presence suggests a healthy ecosystem by controlling insect populations.

Social Behaviour: Often seen in small groups, engaging in playful displays.

Photography Appeal: Popular among nature lovers and photographers due to their striking appearance.

1. Definition:
- Blue Zones are regions where people tend to live significantly longer lives.

2. Author:
- Dan Buettner identified these areas and wrote about them in a 2005 National Geographic article.

3. Locations:
- The five Blue Zones are in Italy, Japan, California, Costa Rica, and Greece.

4. Genetic Influence:
- Genetics account for 20-30% of life expectancy; lifestyle and environment contribute 70-80%.

5. Diet:
- Residents follow a plant-based diet rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts.
- Meat consumption is limited to about five times a month, with fish being a staple.

6. Sleep:
- Most inhabitants get around seven hours of sleep each night, with short afternoon naps.

7. Exercise:
- Physical activity is integrated into daily life through manual work, rather than gym workouts.

8. Social Connections:
- Strong family ties are common, with older generations often living with younger relatives.

9. Cultural Practices:
- Many enjoy a glass of red wine with dinner, but moderation is key.

10. Health Insights:
- Lifestyle choices in Blue Zones contribute to longer, healthier lives and the passing of wisdom across generations.

1. Role of Bees: Understanding the ecological importance of bees in pollination and honey production.

2. Defensive Behaviour: Exploring the circumstances under which bees sting, primarily as a protective measure.

3. Anatomy of the Sting: Describing the structure of the bee's stinger and the associated venom sac.

4. Effects of Venom: Discussing the chemical composition of bee venom and its effects on humans and animals, including pain and swelling.

5. Honeybee Sacrifice: Highlighting that honeybees die after stinging due to their stinger becoming lodged in the skin.

6. Statistics on Bee Stings: Presenting data on the prevalence of bee stings in the U.S. and the potential for allergic reactions.

7. First Aid for Stings: Providing practical steps for treating bee stings and recognizing symptoms of allergic reactions.

8. Public Perception: Addressing common myths and misconceptions about bee stings and their consequences.

1. Definition: Black pudding is a type of blood sausage popular in the UK and Ireland.

2. Ingredients: Made from pig's blood, fat, oats or barley, and various spices.

3. Production Process: Involves collecting fresh pig's blood, mixing it with other ingredients, filling casings, and cooking.

4. Culinary Uses: Commonly served in traditional breakfasts and can be used in various dishes like salads, stews, and pies.

5. Traditional Breakfast: Often included in a full English breakfast alongside other staples like eggs and bacon.

6. Versatility: Can be sliced, fried, or included in different recipes, showcasing its adaptability in cooking.

7. Taste and Texture: Known for its unique, rich flavour and comforting texture, appealing to many food enthusiasts.

8. Cultural Significance: Gaining popularity in modern cuisine and gourmet dishes beyond traditional settings.

9. Global Variations: Similar sausages exist in other cultures, such as France’s Boudin Noir and Spain’s Morcilla.

10. Perception: While some may hesitate due to its ingredients, many find black pudding delicious and rewarding to try.

1. Social Dynamics: The role of food, particularly biscuits, in fostering social interactions and popularity among peers in a school setting.

2. Surprise Element: The unexpected twist of the biscuits containing an unusual ingredient, creating intrigue and curiosity among students.

3. Ethical Considerations: The moral implications of using human ashes in food and the reactions of peers upon discovering the ingredient.

4. Cultural Practices: Reference to cultural practices related to death and cremation, highlighting differences in how societies treat remains.

5. Health and Safety: The reassurance from health officials that consuming ashes poses no health risks, addressing concerns about safety.

6. Legal Implications: The investigation into whether any laws were broken, emphasizing the distinction between legality and ethics.

7. Community Response: The reaction of school authorities and law enforcement to the incident, reflecting on the challenges of addressing unconventional behavior.

8. Psychological Impact: The emotional and psychological effects on students who consumed the biscuits, including feelings of horror and confusion.

9. Discussion and Reflection: Encouraging critical thinking about the incident and its broader implications for society and personal boundaries.

10. Family and Memory: The connection between food and remembrance, exploring how the girl honored her grandfather in an unconventional way.