build

How animals build complex ‘cities’ without blueprints: The science of self-organizing structures

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African termites and other creatures construct sophisticated structures without a master plan, relying on local interactions. Research reveals how stigmergy facilitates the emergence of complex architecture, supported by studies on termite nests' intricate designs, showcasing simple behaviors leading to remarkable outcomes in nature. (Representational/Unsplash)

Some African termites build mounds that rise more than five meters above the ground, creating towering structures around their colonies. Coral reefs extend for many thousands of kilometers. Spider silk can be stronger than steel by weight. None of these creatures can draw blueprints, but they can still produce structures that are highly sophisticated from … Read more

In 1945, Oklahoma opened a nearly 4,900-foot bridge across Lake Texoma; 81 years later a record $408 million project has begun to build its replacement while the old bridge stays open

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In 1945, Oklahoma opened a nearly 4,900-foot bridge across Lake Texoma; 81 years later a record $408 million project has begun to build its replacement while the old bridge stays open

More than eight decades after the Roosevelt Bridge first carried traffic across Lake Texoma, Oklahoma has begun work on a massive replacement project that will reshape one of the region’s most important transportation links. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) says the more than $408 million project will replace the aging US-70 bridge while keeping … Read more

A Washington couple claims they spent nearly $300,000 to build a home on their family land; after years of permits and studies, the state demands they surrender 44 acres before construction can begin

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A Washington couple claims they spent nearly $300,000 to build a home on their family land; after years of permits and studies, the state demands they surrender 44 acres before construction can begin

In 2021, Tyler Chambers, 59, purchased 66 acres in rural Chelan County, Washington, with his wife, Wendy, planning to construct a home. The land they bought seemed perfect: it was zoned residential, had power, PUD water, fibre and paved-road access, with other homes nearby. Everything looked promising for the small-business owner from a farming family. … Read more

A Cleveland district fell from nearly 100,000 residents in the 1960s to fewer than 20,000, leaving blocks looking like countryside; a new plan now aims to build 200 homes and could generate up to $182 million for streets, parks and sewers

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A Cleveland district fell from nearly 100,000 residents in the 1960s to fewer than 20,000, leaving blocks looking like countryside; a new plan now aims to build 200 homes and could generate up to $182 million for streets, parks and sewers

Parts of the East Side look rural, with the loss of population creating what it called an “urban prairie” A Cleveland district that once had nearly 100,000 residents in the 1960s now has fewer than 20,000, leaving large areas with open green space that can resemble the countryside. The city is now trying to reverse … Read more

A 27-year-old Tennessee diesel mechanic wanted to farm full-time; solar sites gave his sheep 400+ acres to graze, letting him quit his job and build a 300-ewe flock

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A 27-year-old Tennessee diesel mechanic wanted to farm full-time; solar sites gave his sheep 400+ acres to graze, letting him quit his job and build a 300-ewe flock

A 27-year-old Tennessee diesel mechanic has left his job to become a full-time livestock farmer after gaining grazing access to more than 400 acres of utility-scale solar farms. The arrangement, made through vegetation management contracts at solar sites, allowed the young farmer to expand his flock to more than 300 breeding ewes without having to … Read more

Belgium sank 23 concrete blocks weighing 22,000 tons each in the North Sea to build the world’s first artificial energy island in a €7B project

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Belgium sank 23 concrete blocks weighing 22,000 tons each in the North Sea to build the world's first artificial energy island in a €7B project

Forty-five kilometres off the Belgian coast, in the middle of the North Sea, humans are creating something that did not naturally exist in the water. It is the world’s first artificial energy island the size of eight football fields, being built with 23 giant concrete caissons, each weighing approximately 22,000 tons. While one might assume … Read more

Michael Bloomberg was fired from a Wall Street bank after 15 years. He used his $10 million payout to build a $109 billion fortune and has given away $25.4 billion

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Michael Bloomberg was fired from a Wall Street bank after 15 years. He used his $10 million payout to build a $109 billion fortune and has given away $25.4 billion

Michael Bloomberg was 39 when his 15-year career at Wall Street investment bank Salomon Brothers came to an end in 1981. A general partner at the firm, Bloomberg left as Salomon was being acquired by Phibro Corporation and received about $10 million for his stake. Rather than use the money to retire or join another … Read more

Since 2007, New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has been milled into lumber after the holidays; the wood has helped build Habitat homes from New York to Mississippi

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Since 2007, New York's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has been milled into lumber after the holidays; the wood has helped build Habitat homes from New York to Mississippi

Rockefeller Center Christmas trees has been used in Habitat homes in several communities, including locations in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mississippi and Maryland. For millions of people, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a familiar part of the holiday season in New York City. Every year, the large tree stands in the plaza, … Read more

In 1956, a doctor bought a 7.9-acre Florida Keys island from the US at auction with residential zoning; 70 years later, his heirs won a decades-long fight over their right to build

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In 1956, a doctor bought a 7.9-acre Florida Keys island from the US at auction with residential zoning; 70 years later, his heirs won a decades-long fight over their right to build

Representative image of Florida Keys from Canva In 1956, a physician from Florida purchased a 7.9-acre island in the Keys at a federal auction, believing he had acquired a rare piece of private land where he could one day build a home. The island, known as Snipe Key, came with residential zoning and a chain … Read more

A 69-year-old North Carolina father spent $800,000 buying 5 acres; he now wants to build 20 tiny homes so adults like his disabled son can have a community of their own

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A 69-year-old North Carolina father spent $800,000 buying 5 acres; he now wants to build 20 tiny homes so adults like his disabled son can have a community of their own

Like most parents, Dave Curro, a 69-year-old father, is also worried about the future of his son, especially since he has a developmental disability. But now, he is one step closer to ensuring that his son has a community that supports him and makes his life more comfortable and happier. Four years ago, he dreamt … Read more