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Vienna’s vegetable orchestra sets world record
Vienna’s Vegetable Orchestra, the world’s first orchestra to play instruments made entirely from vegetables, has set a Guinness World Record for the most concerts by a vegetable orchestra, with 344 shows over 27 years.
Founded in 1999, the 11-piece group creates instruments from vegetables, including carrots as recorders and leeks as mandolins. They carve fresh veggies before each performance, as the instruments last only six hours. After the show, unused vegetables are turned into soup and spent instruments are turned into organic waste to maintain eco-friendliness.
AI-powered shampooing machines in salons
AI-powered shampooing machines are gaining popularity in Chinese salons, reportedly washing and rinsing hair in just 13 minutes. These machines use infrared sensors to detect scalp type and customise shampooing methods accordingly. Salons offer modes for different hair lengths and scalp massage intensities.
Initially priced at 9.9 yuan ($1.35), the service now costs 19 yuan ($2.60) due to demand. However, customer reviews are mixed, with some complaining about painful scalp massages and poor cleaning performance. Despite the critiques, many still find the machines worth trying at the low price.
Goats thrive on an isolated island for two centuries
A herd of goats has thrived for over two centuries on Santa Bárbara Island in north-eastern Brazil, despite the lack of any known fresh water sources. The goats were likely left by early colonisers, and their survival has remained a mystery for researchers.
Scientists speculate that the goats may have adapted to drinking seawater or relied on a water-rich plant called beldroega, which is common in the area. In 2023, the last 27 goats were removed from the island as part of an effort to protect local wildlife and the island’s ecosystem, which is home to rare species.
Researchers plan to continue studying the goats’ remarkable resilience, to gain valuable insights into how livestock can be better adapted to arid regions or areas with scarce freshwater resources.
Published in Dawn, Young World, May 17th, 2025
