Today's selection of science news. Links are normally to press releases on EurekAlert (at the bottom end I may also add a couple of newspaper stories). I include quotes from the summary in italics in cases where the title alone doesn't reveal what the story is about. My own thoughts appear without italics if I have any.
ecology
Turtle tracking reveals key feeding grounds
How moon jellyfish get about
With their translucent bells, moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita) move around the oceans in a very efficient way. Scientists at the University of Bonn have now used a mathematical model to investigate how these cnidarians manage to use their neural networks to control their locomotion even when they are injured. The results may also contribute to the optimization of underwater robots.
The picture was taken in the joint aquarium of the Institutes of Genetics and Zoology of the University of Bonn.
Credit:(c) Photo: Volker Lannert/Uni Bonn
light and life
Brilliant iridescence can conceal as well as attract
A new study shows for the first time that the striking iridescent colours seen in some animals increase their chances of survival against predators by acting as a means of camouflage. Rather than reveal it seems these dynamically changing shades are used to conceal, according to the University of Bristol study published today in Current Biology.
biomaterials
The secret of strong underwater mussel adhesion revealed
biomedical
Exposure to diesel exhaust particles linked to pneumococcal disease susceptibility
Venom-producing snake organoids developed in the lab
sustainability
Plane travel destroys polar bear habitat
which isn't news, but researchers hope that this is a more relatable metric than tons of CO2.
Science magazine special issue: Chemistry for Tomorrow's Earth
I do need to look at that, so more a note to self than anything else.
humans
Engineering: 3D-printed vocal tract reproduces sound of ancient mummy
I've already seen that reported in several media outlets - I still prefer the ancient April's fool story I heard on radio way back in the 20th century. The report broadcast one April 1 suggested researchers had discovered the accidentally recorded singing of a potter in a decoration running around some kind of clay vase. Using grammophone technology they could play back the potter's song. I'm still waiting for this to happen.
maths
The easy route the easy way: New chip calculates the shortest distance in an instant
Combinatorial optimization problems are problems that arise in everyday situations, involving the puzzle of determining the shortest route that can be taken between multiple points. Researchers at the Tokyo University of Science have developed a new chip that uses special components to calculate the shortest distance between up to 22 cities in a very short time.
I seem to remember that back in the 90s we were promised that quantum computers would be able to do this in the future (ie now).
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From the news media:
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