Aerological balloon launched in Bukhara region of Uzbekistan for the first time since independence

During the summer and rainy seasons, mosquito activity sharply increases. During rains, water accumulation around residential buildings promotes mass insect reproduction. The situation reaches a point where windows and doors must be closed in the evening, otherwise, a swarm of mosquitoes enters the house. Usually, people use sprays, coils, and other repellents for protection against them.

However, it turns out that mosquitoes can be repelled without resorting to coils and sprays. If you are looking for a natural way to combat insects while simultaneously increasing greenery at home, some special plants can help you. The strong aroma or natural oils released by the leaves and flowers of these plants are capable of repelling mosquitoes and other pests. The advantage is that many of these plants are easy to grow in pots, which allows you to improve the appearance of the balcony, window, or garden while helping to protect against mosquitoes.

Mosquito Repellent Plants:

1. Tulsi: The Tulsi plant is widely found in Indian homes. Its strong smell is disliked by mosquitoes. Since Tulsi does not require much space for planting, it can be placed in a pot near the balcony or window.

2. Lavender: The next plant on the list is lavender. The lavender plant with purple flowers decorates the garden, and its special aroma helps repel mosquitoes due to its natural oils. Since this scent is very pleasing to people, it is also a good option for home decoration.

3. Lemon Balm: Lemon Balm belongs to the mint family. It contains the compound citronellal, which is used in many natural insecticides. Its leaves emit a citrus aroma.

4. Rosemary: Rosemary is used to enhance the taste and aroma of food, but it has another advantage. Its strong smell can help repel mosquitoes and some other pests. It is also easy to grow in pots.

5. Mint: Mint is also included in this list. Its pungent smell is disliked by mosquitoes and many other insects. Since this plant spreads quickly, it is better to keep it in a pot rather than planting it directly in the ground.

6. Lemongrass: Lemongrass is known for its citrus scent. It contains elements such as citronella, so it is considered a natural mosquito repellent plant. It can be planted in the garden or on the home balcony.

7. Citronella: The essential oil of citronella, used in many mosquito products, is associated with this plant. Its unique aroma can help repel mosquitoes. If you have space in the garden, you can plant it.

8. Marigolds: The yellow and orange flowers of marigolds brighten up any garden. Marigold flowers are used to decorate the home during holidays and on any special occasion. Furthermore, their special aroma can help repel many pests, providing an additional benefit beyond decoration.

9. Peppermint: Peppermint is usually associated with cats, but this plant is also on the list of mosquito-repelling plants. If you want to grow something unusual in the garden, you can try this.

10. Garlic: The strong smell of garlic can bother not only people but also many pests. It can be planted in the vegetable garden along with other vegetables.

An Italian designer is developing a concept for mobile wind towers, drawing inspiration from the age-old Iranian windcatchers known as Badgir. The project aims to reduce urban heat by directing natural air currents into streets and public areas suffering from rising temperatures.

According to the German publication Focus Online, Danilo Petta, a designer from Olbia on the island of Sardinia in Italy, is working on a project designed to channel sea breezes and local winds into particularly hot areas during the summer months.

The design is based on traditional Persian wind towers, which have been used in Iran for centuries to cool buildings without electricity. These architectural structures capture and redirect natural air flows, improving comfort inside premises, especially in cities like Yazd, Kermanshah, and Kashan.

According to Petta, 'cooling cities is an important issue. Planting more trees is not enough.' He argues that when designing public spaces, urban planners should consider not only creating shade but also effectively directing airflow.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with the international architectural firm Mask Architects and the engineering company AQH Italy. The proposed towers are designed to capture prevailing winds and sea breezes, directing them into zones with high thermal impact.

Initial estimates indicate that the system can lower the ambient air temperature locally by 1–2 degrees Celsius, and the perceived temperature by up to 5 degrees. The goal is to create more comfortable outdoor conditions and encourage greater use of public spaces during periods of intense heat.

Petta also emphasized the need to revise urban infrastructure, such as bus stops, noting that materials like Plexiglas can intensify heating, creating a greenhouse effect. He suggested using alternatives made from recycled and cooler materials.

In addition to wind towers, experts point to other climate adaptation measures, including green facades and the 'sponge city' approach. Green walls can provide shade, help cool buildings, and contribute to improving urban air quality, while 'sponge city' concepts utilize green areas, water catchment areas, and water management systems to mitigate flooding and conserve water during heatwaves and droughts.

The renewed interest in wind towers demonstrates how traditional architectural knowledge, including Iran's local cooling technologies, continues to inspire modern solutions to global problems such as climate change and rising urban temperatures.

German designer Aaron Moser created the Symbios buoy system, designed for ecologically sustainable cultivation and farming of seaweed. Initially, this concept was presented as part of a bachelor's thesis at the Bauhaus University in Weimar.

The project aimed to study how product design can contribute to creating a more sustainable and environmentally sensitive form of oceanic farming. The resulting structure, Symbios, is a network of interconnected buoys that control the depth of seaweed growth.

During warm months, air chambers allow cultivation lines to descend into cooler, deeper waters, which helps maintain favorable growing conditions throughout the year. This enables continuous farming regardless of the season.

The system solves the problem of constant monitoring of marine crops faced by aquaculture farmers. Sensors in the buoy system collect environmental data and transmit it to a digital display, allowing farmers to remotely monitor conditions.

To ensure the durability and sustainability of the equipment, the buoy system is designed modularly, which facilitates the replacement or repair of individual components. The development of Symbios involved extensive research and consultation with experts in marine biology, engineering, and seaweed farming.

The goal of Symbios is to increase yield while supporting marine biodiversity by maintaining continuous seaweed growth, instead of seasonal harvesting and replanting of crops. The design received recognition with the Green Concept Award.