World’s deepest underground laboratory

Located 2,400 metres under the Earth’s surface, the Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments (DURF) is the world’s deepest underground laboratory.

DURF lies beneath Jinping Mountain in China. Initiated by Tsinghua University and Yalong River Hydropower, it’s a vast facility supporting research in particle physics, nuclear astrophysics and life sciences. DURF, with a room capacity equivalent to 120 Olympic-sized pools, is not only the deepest but also the largest underground lab globally. Shielded from cosmic rays, it offers an ideal environment for studying dark matter, comprising 27% of the universe’s mass-energy density. Beyond dark matter research, DURF aims to be a global scientific hub, attracting top minds for cutting-edge experiments.

The Picasso moth is truly a living work of art

Baorisa hieroglyphica, also known as the Picasso moth, is named after the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso because of its unusually artistic wing patterns. First described by British entomologist Frederic Moore in 1882, the Picasso moth is native to Southeast Asia and Northern India.

Like most moths, Baorisa hieroglyphica is a nocturnal insect that feeds mostly on the nectar of various plants. Arguably the most beautiful of the noctuid moths (noctuidae family), this stunning-looking insect has been dubbed the most interesting moth in the world. The species’ scientific name ‘hieroglyphica’ refers to the striking geometric lines and shapes on its fore wings, while its common name was inspired by the blotches, strips and dots of colour that hint at the work of a talented painter.

World’s first microwave bag

The Willtex ‘Willcook’ bag looks like your average laptop bag, but is designed to be slung over the shoulder to heat up food on the go. It can reach temperatures of 176°F (80°C) in as little as five minutes, according to its developers.

The bag itself weighs just 160 grams, while the rechargeable external battery clipped in, weighs an extra 120 grams. Its creators say it has charge to keep your lunch toasty for up to eight hours.

As the world’s first microwave bag, it is made out of an innovative fabric developed by Japanese company Sanki Consys Co. Ltd.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 6th, 2024