Butterfly

• Including more than 350,000 known species, they dominate the ecological system, shape food webs and play a vital role in oxygen production.
• Plus, many of them are valuable commercial crops – think of roses, grains and tomatoes.

• A step change in research is shaking up the way scientists think about plants: they are far more complex and more like us than you might imagine.
• But not all scientists agree it is an angiosperm, due to the different definitions of flower organs.
• This is the largest known amber-preserved fossil flower, measuring about 3cm across and about three times as large as most floral fossils, showing beautiful details of this ancient flower.

Jurassic or Cretaceous?

• The timing of flowers’ evolution is still a matter of debate between scientists, but most scientists are in one of two camps: Jurassic or Cretaceous.
• Analyses using molecular data (DNA or protein sequences) suggest flowers could be much older than the fossil record shows – a Jurassic (145 million years ago) or even Triassic origin (201 million years ago).

Deciphering the past by molecular data

• One technique scientists use to determine the timing of evolutionary events is the “molecular clock”.
• This concept originated from the understanding that genetic mutations tend to accumulate at a constant rate across both time and species.
• To construct a molecular clock, researchers analyse gene segments that have been conserved throughout a species’ evolution.

Piecing the puzzle together

• Scientists examine fossil plants and observe the gradual changes in structures such as leaves, flowers and seeds over time.
• Comparing their anatomy allows researchers to identify similarities and differences between extinct and still-living species, or species in different clades.
• Biological traits which appear similar may be a result of convergent evolution, indicating changes in characteristics for environmental adaptation, rather than genetic similarity.

Mathematical approach can also help

• There is also a mathematical approach to estimating the age of angiosperms – for instance, using the Bayesian Brownian Bridge (BBB) method.
• This statistical model is a scientific formula that uses the distribution of fossils through time to estimate the age of a group.
• By using the BBB method, an international research team found that the origin of angiosperms supports a pre-Cretaceous hypothesis.

Ruolin Wu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• Butterfly Network, Inc. (NYSE: BFLY) (“Butterfly”) a digital health company transforming care with handheld, whole-body ultrasound and intuitive software, hosted its first investor day under President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Joseph DeVivo.
• Also included in the event were innovative showcases on Butterfly iQ3™, Butterfly Compass™ Software and Butterfly Vet, as well as strategic Powered by Butterfly™ partners ( Forest Neurotech , Mendaera ) and select Butterfly Garden™ partners ( Deepecho , iCardio.ai , ThinkSono , University of North Carolina School of Medicine ) introducing AI applications and novel products that are in co-development.
• “The goal of our Investor Day was to show stakeholders that Butterfly’s success is inevitable.
• A webcast replay of the event will be available on Butterfly’s Events & Presentations page on the investor relations website.

• In recent years, there has been a remarkable resurgence in the popularity of Hanfu, the traditional attire of the Chinese nation, particularly among young consumers in China.
• This revival has sparked a corresponding surge in Chinese retro aesthetics, exerting a significant influence on the accessory industry.
• Consequently, we are witnessing the widespread adoption of pearl jewelry, intricate hairpins, and vintage Chinese motifs in both fashion and accessory trends.
• A closer examination of the specific order details reveals a significant surge in the sales of Chinese hairpins and bracelets.

• The shows attract over 90 buyer missions from 65 countries and regions."
• Hong Kong exhibitor Charming Jewellery Ltd (Booth: CEC 1C-A36) brought its La broderie brand, which features embroidery, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
• More than 30 seminars, exhibitor forums and parades at the twin jewellery shows will showcase the latest design trends and facilitate industry exchange.
• Valentin Andres, representative of FRED, an LVMH Group jewellery brand, will analyse the market trends at the Buyer's Forum.