Fire Ants’ Social Pattern Determined By Supergene
A researcher has found the social patterns of fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are determined by a supergene. This discovery has been lauded as a step towards reducing the dangers of insects. John Wang (王忠信), an assistant research fellow at Academia Sinica, says his research has found that the social patterns of fire ants are determined by about...Continue reading
Young Siberian White Crane Living in Taiwan
A young Siberian white crane that accidentally migrated to a northern Taiwan wetland last December has captured the attention of people in Taiwan. The young white crane, about one year old, flew into the Chingshui Wetland in Jinshan, New Taipei on Dec. 13th. It was the first time in recent memory that a Siberian crane,...Continue reading
Taiwan Researchers Unveil Lab-produced Civet Coffee
A professor and students at the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology have unveiled a civet coffee they developed using bacteria collected from civet feces. The coffee, which took six years to develop, is touted as being rich in texture with 47 different layers of flavor, including caramel, almond, milk and chocolate — 16...Continue reading
Record Number of Black-faced Spoonbills in Taiwan this Winter
Officials say a record number of black-faced spoonbills spent the winter in Taiwan this year thanks to the improved wetlands environment. The Forestry Bureau says local bird societies spotted 2,034 of the endangered migratory birds during the 2014/2015 winter, an increase of 375 from last year and the highest ever. The result was published as...Continue reading
China Smog Documentary Gets 50 Million Hits in a Day
A documentary on air pollution in China got more than 50 million hits online in a day after it was released on Saturday. Titled “Under the Dome”, the documentary explores the issues surrounding smog, including where it comes from, and how to deal with the problem. After its release early Saturday on various video-sharing websites,...Continue reading
Da Ai Technology’s recycled products help the environment, economy and global relief
Diamonds aren’t the only material that lasts forever—so does plastic. Luckily, Taiwanese Da Ai Technology Co. converts about 2,000 tons of trash-destined bottles destined into blankets, T-shirts and suitcases. Its history proves one of the most interesting parts of the company. In 1966, Taiwanese Buddhist nun Cheng Yen founded the Tzu Chi Foundation. Tzu Chi,...Continue reading
Islets South of Penghu designated Taiwan’s Ninth National Park
The Ministry of the Interior says four islets south of Penghu County will soon be designated as Taiwan’s ninth national park on Saturday. The South Penghu National Park will include Dongi, Sigi, Dongyuping, and Siyuping islets, as well as their surrounding waters. The park will cover a land area of 370 hectares and a sea...Continue reading
Innovating Taiwan: Agricultural Minister Chen Bao-ji
For the fourth episode of Innovating Taiwan, I spoke with the Minister of Agriculture Chen Bao-ji about the state of Taiwan’s agricultural industry as well as the role of innovation in one of the island’s most traditional industries. Listen Continue reading
Taitung Farmer Reproduces Takeshi Kaneshiro Tree
A local farmer has successfully propagated three plants from the famous “Takeshi Kaneshiro tree” in Chihshang Township in Taitung County, which was uprooted during a storm earlier this year. The seven meter tall tree became a landmark after featuring in a 2013 campaign by EVA Airways that showed Taiwan-Japanese movie star Takeshi Kaneshiro sitting under...Continue reading
Moves to Save “Queen’s Head” to Begin Today in Yehliu Geopark
A plan to repair the iconic Queen’s Head rock formation at New Taipei’s Yehliu Geopark will begin today, in a bid to protect the popular tourist attraction from erosion that threatens to snap its narrow neck. Tourism officials say different erosion-combating techniques will be tested on four smaller rocks near the Queen’s Head, which is...Continue reading
Taipei’s Xingtian Temple Goes Green, Bans Incense Burning
In an effort to save resource and help protect the environment, Taipei’s Xingtian Temple has announced that it will remove its large incense burner and stop offering tables starting tomorrow. The decision was made in line with rapid changes in the environment and the increasingly serious global warming – trends that temple managers said remind...Continue reading
New Taipei Plans 300 YouBike Rental Kiosks by 2016
The New Taipei government says it plans to have 300 YouBike stations and 8,000 public bikes available around the city by 2016. According to New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu, 60 YouBike rental stations with 1,600 bikes will be in operation by the end of this year. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Chu said by introducing a...Continue reading
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