Beetle Backpack | Nature Detective | Zombie Coral

Played my first pickleball match this week and learned there are, in fact, no pickles. But there is a kitchen! Which is both funny and confusing…

Get the weekly email that explains science in sweatpants. Stay smart for free.

Beetle Backpack

New rove beetle species is changing the backpack game just in time for “back to school”. But instead of fitting in with the cool kids, they’re blending with termites.

• Beetle abdomen = realistic termite replica

• Almost completely hides the beetle

• Blind termites sense the replica and feed it

Meanwhile our sneaky beetle slurps up everything that falls from its backpack’s lack of a mouth. Being satisfied with leftovers means it never threatens colony survival and freeloads forever as a “termite”. BRB, making a backpack resembling a vending machine.

Aussie termite backpacks are SO in right now

Nature Detective

Similar to crime dramas, swabbing the scene can tell us a lot about our natural surroundings. Biologists used eDNA to detect animal diversity.

• eDNA = Environmental DNA

• ~1 hour of work detected 52 animals

• “Swabs” can be as simple as paint rollers

Simplicity in collecting high quality data increases how often we can measure biodiversity. While this doesn’t replace all collection methods, it adds key tool in environmental preservation efforts. Unbeleafable!

Imagine seeing biologist “painting” plants

Zombie Coral

Coral colonies have been resurrected from an icy grave. Researchers successfully thawed cryopreserved coral in hopes of understanding how to save it for later.

• Partially dehydrated to prevent ice growth

• Stored in liquid nitrogen at roughly -328°F

• 24 hour thawing process

Restored coral survived for a few days before being killed by normally helpful bacteria. Researchers are working to better protect reawakened coral in hopes of reintroducing it when the planet cools down. Sorta like when Vader froze Han.

Han Coral

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “What’s more rejuvenating?”

I don’t know about you, but neither of these emojis look refreshed to me.

st3v on site

Snack Buddies

st3v misunderstood “Beetle Backpack” and started carrying a massive termite around. Fortunately, it likes donuts.

Forward to a friend!

Get the weekly email that explains science in sweatpants. Stay smart for free.

Missed last week’s science in sweatpants?

Catch-up here: 🔬Octo-Tubs | Spikey Tools | Pew Pew Plant

I'd love to hear from you!

Reply to this email or reach out on Twitter @_steveburgess. I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!