A compromised participation?

Agriculture in Britain has become the focus of international attention in recent years. Many have questioned the changes that have occurred in the industry, and the typical assumption is that agriculture has become increasingly unsustainable and remote form consumers. The contribution of agricultural research to all of this is also being dissected: after all, who is supposed to benefit?     

A brachypterous butterfly?

Butterflies of the genus Redonda Adams & Bernard (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) are endemic to the Andes of Venezuela. They comprise a monophyletic group of five allopatric taxa, females of which show various degrees of wing reduction and ability to fly. The female of Redonda bordoni Viloria & Pyrcz sp. nov. appears to be brachypterous and incapable of sustained flight, a phenomenon previously unknown within the Rhopalocera.     

A peripheral market?

Considering the number of PCs that could benefit from the addition of biometric user identification, the market for biometric PC peripheral devices is potentially massive. But, to date, the number of sales is disappointing, and in some cases is falling. There are many potential drivers and detractors at play, so it may take another few years before the overall dynamics of this market become easier to predict.     

A leisurely market?

The leisure industry’s use of biometrics has been limited to date, but in certain niche areas its take up is rapid. While security is important in many of these niches, industry suppliers are also coming up with inventive ways to make the technology more palatable for consumers when used in public-facing scenarios.