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Zebra Stripes

The zebra is a beautiful and unique animal known for its bright black and white stripes. These stripes have puzzled and fascinated people for centuries, inspiring a range of theories about their purpose. From camouflage and vision protection to temperature regulation and species recognition, researchers have long sought to understand the evolutionary utility of zebra stripes.

Until recently, scientists generally agreed that the stripes acted as camouflage, making it difficult for predators to detect the animals in their grassy habitats. In 2017, however, a study was published in the journal Nature Communications, which found that the stripes did not actually help a zebra blend in with its environment. Instead, the researchers concluded that the stripes of an individual zebra were uniquely identifiable, allowing other individuals in the herd to recognize them.

In 2018, a new study published in the journal eLife revealed that the stripes may have another purpose: cooling the animals in hot climates. The study found that the black stripes absorbed more solar radiation than the white stripes, whereas the white stripes reflected more light. This effect helped the zebra regulate its body temperature in the heat of the day.

More recently, in 2019, a study conducted at the University of Toronto’s MSI - Molecular Science Institute suggested another function of zebra stripes: vision protection. The researchers found that the stripes provided physical shielding for the eyes, preventing the sun’s rays from reaching them. In addition, the stripes shielded some of the ultraviolet light, further protecting the animal’s vision from damage.

The mysterious stripes of the zebra continue to capture our imagination and compel researchers to uncover their evolutionary purpose. While the exact role of the stripes remains unclear, it appears that they serve multiple purposes, from species recognition to temperature regulation to vision protection. As our understanding of the intricate stripe patterns continues to grow, so too does our appreciation for the beauty and adaptability of the zebra.

The practice of kickbacks is a ubiquitous form of bribery in business dealings around the world. A kickback is a payment made to an individual involved in a business transaction as a secret reward for assisting in the transaction. Kickbacks are considered a form of corruption because they are often used to influence the decision-making process of the individuals involved in the transaction.

Kickbacks are most commonly used in government procurement and large-scale business dealings. In government procurement, kickbacks are often used to buy favor with government officials to ensure that a particular company is awarded the contract. In other business transactions, kickbacks are used to ensure that the buyer is favored over competing offers.

In addition to the ethical concerns involved with kickbacks, they can also have significant legal ramifications. In many countries, it is illegal to pay or receive kickbacks. Furthermore, the Anti-Kickback Statute passed in the United States makes it illegal to offer or accept payment in exchange for referring a patient or customer to a certain healthcare provider or business.

The most important way to prevent kickbacks is to ensure that all business transactions are conducted with transparency and consistency. Companies should develop and implement policies that prohibit kickbacks and require written authorization for all payments. Companies should also employ an independent third-party to review all transactions to ensure that there is no improper influence. Lastly, companies should be willing to report any potential kickbacks to the proper authorities and cooperate with an investigation should it be necessary.