st3v is back!
In case you missed it, st3v was vacationing while I recovered from a broken (drawing) wrist. He’s excited to be back bringing investigative depth to your weekly STEM news!
-Steve + st3v
Get the weekly email that explains science in sweatpants. Stay smart for free.
Dr. Ant
Sometimes 5 legs are better than 6. Florida carpenter ants treat and/or amputate bacteria-infected legs in the first-known, non-human amputation practice.
Colonial colleagues lick clean any infections
Tibia injuries are cleaned, w/ 75% survival rate
Femur injuries are amputated w/ 90-95% survival rate
Untreated survival rates were 15% (tibia) and 40% (femur), while amputees continued to contribute to the colony without restriction. Indicating the ants understand helping others ultimately helps themselves, an inspiring lesson! … still not invited to the picnic.
Check out last week’s results in “Unnatural Selection” below
Frog Sauna
Saunas are saving lives in Australia. Heat is providing defense for endangered green and golden bell frogs threatened by chytrid fungus.
Chytrid fungus disrupts amphibian breathing and hydration
Warm temperatures kill the fungus
Scientists built mini-greenhouses for winter warming
These “frog saunas” are kept at temps comfy for frogs, but deadly for chytrid fungus. Researchers are working on how to scale distribution of the affordable DIY shelters and encouraging citizen scientists to join. Imagines Kermit with an Aussie accent.
Rail Robot
Humanoid robots are using chainsaws for good. West Japan Railway is leaning on truck-mounted maintenance bots to fill labor shortages.
Height: ~39’
Carrying capacity: 88 lbs.
Primarily fixing overhead wires and trimming branches
Operators use VR headsets linked to the robot’s eyes to finely control its movements. In addition to looking cool, these real-life Transformers will improve safety for their human colleagues. Optimus Prime can finally meet Thomas the Tank Engine.
Clickables
🐳 Swim w/ a blue whale mother and her calf - 1st time footage!
🌞 Incredible time-lapse of the ISS passing our sun
⭐ Stargaze w/ astronomy photo finalists (#7 is actually a dragon, right?)
Unnatural Selection
Last week: “What is the best fruit?”
Well I guess that settles it, bananas are the best fruit!
Make sure you vote up top for next week’s “Unnatural Selection”!
st3v on site
Choo Choo
Equipped with the right “feet”, robots can zoom on any rail network. Researchers reported temporary levitation, but that was actually just st3v’s extreme levels of happiness being back in the field.
Disclaimer: testing was done on a closed course with no trains. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME…or anywhere else with train tracks 🤓
Claim your sunglasses!
Sharing is caring…and also unlocks cool shades 😎
{{ rp_personalized_text }}
or simply forward this email and tell them to click the “Subscribe Now” button in the intro! (or this one 👇)
currently available in US only
New to the casualSTEM?
Get the weekly email that explains science in sweatpants. Stay smart for free.
Missed last week’s science in sweatpants?
Catch-up here: 🔬Chimpanzeuticals | Shocked Love | Hidden Moon
I'd love to hear from you!
Reply to this email, I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!
