Ants and bees working together for food and shelter have fascinated humanity since time immemorial. But can they construct elaborate Lego hives? Well, it has emerged that they can't. But they do tinker with Lego pieces while demonstrating awareness about their partner's actions and calibrating their own in response.&nbsp;

Scientists in Finland got the bees to play with toys to study how exactly they coordinate their movements.&nbsp;

"We were surprised by how the bumblebees took into account their partner’s movements when coordinating their own movements in tasks, demonstrating astonishing social intelligence," Olli Loukola, a behavioural ecologist at the University of Oulu, was quoted as saying by the Forbes magazine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/bumblebees-have-a-remarkably-successful-way-of-fighting-off-asian-hornets-study-643431">Bumblebees have a ‘remarkably successful’ way of fighting off invasive Asian hornets: Study</a>

Loukola is the lead author of a new study on bee research published May 1 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.&nbsp;

The researchers trained one group of bumblebees to work in pairs to push blocks, both styrofoam and Lego and another group to act alone when moving the pieces.&nbsp;

In the first group, scientists observed that when they delayed a partner’s entry into the designated area, the insects that arrived first took a longer while to push the block than bees taught to push the blocks alone.&nbsp;

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

The findings deepen humanity's understanding of bumblebee behaviour and could have applications in fields such as robotics and agriculture.

James Dorey, a biological scientist in Australia who was not involved with the study, described the findings as "quite exciting."

"This study is one in a long line of behavioural experiments showing that bees are capable of some really complex tasks, learning and behaviour," Dorey, a lecturer at the University of Wollongong, said in an interview.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Habitat loss &amp; pesticides decimate bees as their population collapses by 40% in last 30 years

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"The research shows that complex cooperative behaviour from social insects can go beyond innate, or hard-wired, actions and that they are even capable of learning behaviours typically associated with animals like primates and dolphins."

The research points out that bumblebees have enough cognitive flexibility to learn to work together when foraging, which they typically do alone.

The research also builds on previous bumblebee studies that suggest bees could understand cooperation on some level, Loukola said.&nbsp;

"The cognitive mechanisms behind insect cooperation have been unexplored, so we aimed to change that," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ants and bees working together for food and shelter have fascinated humanity since time immemorial. But can they construct elaborate Lego hives? Well, it has emerged that they can't.

Ants and bees working together for food and shelter have fascinated humanity since time immemorial. But can they construct elaborate Lego hives? Well, it has emerged that they can't. But they do tinker with Lego pieces while demonstrating awareness about their partner's actions and calibrating their own in response. Scientists in Finland got the bees to play with toys to study how exactly they coordinate their movements. "We were surprised by how the bumblebees took into account their partner’s movements when coordinating their own movements in tasks, demonstrating astonishing social intelligence," Olli Loukola, a behavioural ecologist at the University of Oulu, was quoted as saying by the Forbes magazine. Also read | Bumblebees have a ‘remarkably successful’ way of fighting off invasive Asian hornets: Study Loukola is the lead author of a new study on bee research published May 1 in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The researchers trained one group of bumblebees to work in pairs to push blocks, both styrofoam and Lego and another group to act alone when moving the pieces. In the first group, scientists observed that when they delayed a partner’s entry into the designated area, the insects that arrived first took a longer while to push the block than bees taught to push the blocks alone. What does it mean? The findings deepen humanity's understanding of bumblebee behaviour and could have applications in fields such as robotics and agriculture. James Dorey, a biological scientist in Australia who was not involved with the study, described the findings as "quite exciting." "This study is one in a long line of behavioural experiments showing that bees are capable of some really complex tasks, learning and behaviour," Dorey, a lecturer at the University of Wollongong, said in an interview. Also watch | Habitat loss & pesticides decimate bees as their population collapses by 40% in last 30 years × "The research shows that complex cooperative behaviour from social insects can go beyond innate, or hard-wired, actions and that they are even capable of learning behaviours typically associated with animals like primates and dolphins." The research points out that bumblebees have enough cognitive flexibility to learn to work together when foraging, which they typically do alone. The research also builds on previous bumblebee studies that suggest bees could understand cooperation on some level, Loukola said. "The cognitive mechanisms behind insect cooperation have been unexplored, so we aimed to change that," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Can bumblebees play Legos? They do move Lego pieces together

With the aim to help Ukraine, a small business in Chicago organised two fundraisers and raised over $160,000 by selling Lego mini-figures of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Motolov cocktails. &nbsp;

Ukraine is facing a tough time since the beginning of the Russian invasion. It has witnessed widespread destruction, deaths, refugee crisis, etc. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-russias-advance-halts-in-ukraine-us-warns-china-over-backing-putin-463300">As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin</a>

The business, which sells custom Lego products, is called Citizen Brick. The fundraisers were held on March 5 and 16. &nbsp;

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Chicago-based Citizen Brick, which makes custom LEGO minifigs, is doing its part in a unique and creative way. On Instagram in early March, they announced a special President Volodymyr Zelenskyy minifig and little Molotov cocktails, with all proceeds going to support Ukraine. <a href="https://t.co/WHW0GsfNbW">pic.twitter.com/WHW0GsfNbW</a>
— arnim f. lighting (@arnimf) <a href="https://twitter.com/arnimf/status/1504708848506048512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Joe Trupia, owner, Citizen Brick, told the Washington Examiner, it would donate the money to the non-profit organisation Direct Relief as it was "top ranked in the NYTimes list of charities helping Ukraine." &nbsp;

"I think he's emerged as a heroic figure in this situation. I think we responded to his bravery in the face of an invasion. We don't usually make political figures, but he has kind of a distinctive appearance that translated well to minifigure," Trupia said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-ukraine-conflict-intensifies-russian-president-vladimir-putin-issues-warning-to-traitors-463306">Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warning to 'traitors'</a>

The figures of Zelensky and Motolov cocktail were sold for $100 and $10, respectively. The first fundraiser fetched $16,540, as per the Facebook page of the business. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A second fundraiser was held as there was "overwhelming interest" with just the Zelensky figure. It garnered $145,388 in donations, the firm said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With the aim to help Ukraine, a small business in Chicago organised two fundraisers and raised over $160,000 by selling Lego mini-figures of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Motolov cocktails.

With the aim to help Ukraine, a small business in Chicago organised two fundraisers and raised over $160,000 by selling Lego mini-figures of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Motolov cocktails. Ukraine is facing a tough time since the beginning of the Russian invasion. It has witnessed widespread destruction, deaths, refugee crisis, etc. Also Read: As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin The business, which sells custom Lego products, is called Citizen Brick. The fundraisers were held on March 5 and 16. Chicago-based Citizen Brick, which makes custom LEGO minifigs, is doing its part in a unique and creative way. On Instagram in early March, they announced a special President Volodymyr Zelenskyy minifig and little Molotov cocktails, with all proceeds going to support Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/WHW0GsfNbW — arnim f. lighting (@arnimf) March 18, 2022 × Joe Trupia, owner, Citizen Brick, told the Washington Examiner, it would donate the money to the non-profit organisation Direct Relief as it was "top ranked in the NYTimes list of charities helping Ukraine." "I think he's emerged as a heroic figure in this situation. I think we responded to his bravery in the face of an invasion. We don't usually make political figures, but he has kind of a distinctive appearance that translated well to minifigure," Trupia said. Also Read: Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warning to 'traitors' The figures of Zelensky and Motolov cocktail were sold for $100 and $10, respectively. The first fundraiser fetched $16,540, as per the Facebook page of the business. A second fundraiser was held as there was "overwhelming interest" with just the Zelensky figure. It garnered $145,388 in donations, the firm said. (With inputs from agencies)

US firm sells Zelensky, Motolov cocktails’ Legos, raises $160,000 for Ukraine

Numerous people are always on the lookout for great investment options. Some of these people invest in shares while some find gold to be more rewarding. &nbsp;&nbsp;

But if a new study is to be believed, buying Lego sets can actually be more profitable. &nbsp;

The study, which was published on last Friday, said that shopping for Lego sets can be a great way to build a sound investment portfolio. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-the-first-time-in-39-years-inflation-surged-by-68-in-the-us-435978" hreflang="en">For the first time in 39 years, Inflation surged by 6.8% in the US</a>

The researchers at the Higher School of Economics in Russia, who conducted the study, found that there could be profitable gains made from investing in "more unusual goods whose purchase might seem less serious" like Lego sets, Barbie dolls, etc. &nbsp;

Victoria Dobrynskaya, associate professor, economic sciences, HSE University, said, "We are used to thinking that people buy such items as jewellery, antiques or artworks as an investment.” &nbsp;

Several deals are conducted on the secondary Lego market. It is a big market, which is not well-known to traditional investors. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-bank-regulators-are-trying-to-oust-a-trump-holdover-436058" hreflang="en">How bank regulators are trying to oust a Trump holdover</a>

Factors like a limited production run, a collector special edition and scarcity in market, boost prices of products over the years, found the study. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The average return on Lego sets may be 10%-11% annually, which is more than stocks, bonds or gold. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The value of a Lego set is only worthwhile if it has been kept for more than three years. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Numerous people are always on the lookout for great investment options. Some of these people invest in shares while some find gold to be more rewarding. But if a new study is to be believed, buying Lego sets can actually be more profitable.

Numerous people are always on the lookout for great investment options. Some of these people invest in shares while some find gold to be more rewarding. But if a new study is to be believed, buying Lego sets can actually be more profitable. The study, which was published on last Friday, said that shopping for Lego sets can be a great way to build a sound investment portfolio. Also Read: For the first time in 39 years, Inflation surged by 6.8% in the US The researchers at the Higher School of Economics in Russia, who conducted the study, found that there could be profitable gains made from investing in "more unusual goods whose purchase might seem less serious" like Lego sets, Barbie dolls, etc. Victoria Dobrynskaya, associate professor, economic sciences, HSE University, said, "We are used to thinking that people buy such items as jewellery, antiques or artworks as an investment.” Several deals are conducted on the secondary Lego market. It is a big market, which is not well-known to traditional investors. Also Read: How bank regulators are trying to oust a Trump holdover Factors like a limited production run, a collector special edition and scarcity in market, boost prices of products over the years, found the study. The average return on Lego sets may be 10%-11% annually, which is more than stocks, bonds or gold. The value of a Lego set is only worthwhile if it has been kept for more than three years. (With inputs from agencies)

Invest in Lego, not gold to get more returns, says study

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