Daphna Uni presented to the group on her research, which focuses on Acacia trees and their surprising behavior. Over the course of two years, Dafi measured how Acacia trees in the Arava respond to different levels of radiation. While most plants growing in dry/hot conditions are known to close their stomata during the hottest time of the day -- a technique that can help them preserve water resources -- Dafi has found that Acacia exhibit an unusually high level of photosynthesis when radiation is at its peak level.  We had a great time hearing about her work and pondering the reasons why this might be the case. At the end of the lecture we were lucky to meet Rotem, Dafi's new baby boy :)