Counting Nemo | Shroom Sponge | Micro Hammer

The great sriracha shortage forced me to forage for other flavors. I’m grateful for that nudge, but just as happy to have the real stuff back in my fridge.

What’s your favorite condiment/seasoning?

-Steve

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Counting Nemo

Clownfish count on counting to help defend home anemones. They identify friendly guests by their number of white stripes.

• Most aggressive towards 3 stripes (like themselves)

• Lower stripe counts = lower defensive action

• Strongly suggests basic math ability

This finding adds clownfish to the growing list of animals that understand numbers. Researchers will attempt to replicate these results in the wild since these fish were raised in an isolated tank. I guess their schools DO teach math.

Just keep counting, just keep counting counting counting…

Mushroom Sponge

Mushrooms are great at cleaning oil spills. Scientists developed a mycelium filter Janus membrane for separating oil from water.

• Janus membranes attract water on 1 side & repel from the other

• Mycelium = web-like fungal root structure

• Natural hydrophobin proteins act as Janus membranes

“Mycelium-branes” absorb 445% more oil than currently used plastic alternatives. Further research will help us scale-up this next-generation filter for spill cleanups. What did the mushroom say to the oil?

mycelli-YUM

Micro Hammer

Jackhammers are particularly effective against cancer cells. Researchers used aminocyanine molecules' positive charge to seek and attach to cancer cell’s negative outer layer.

• Infrared light triggers vibration, rupturing cell membranes

• Targeted activation reduces risk to healthy tissue

• Mechanical approach prevents cancer adaptations

“Molecular jackhammer” treatment killed 99% of human melanoma cells in lab mice, 50% of which became cancer-free. This proof-of-concept could one day smash a variety of cancers in humans. Stop, hammer time!

Always room for more anti-cancer tools in the shed

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “Which would you rather hitch a ride on?”

Ok, but what if we put a headlight on the bat?

st3v on site

Coffee Filter

Mycelium’s hydrophobin proteins make a great filter for st3v’s new “Toadally Organic” coffee.

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