Glitter Shrimp | Spacious Space | Pee Science

In Florida this week, I told someone how cool the wild lizards were since we don’t see them in Boston. The way they looked at me, you’d think I yelled “I LIKE SQUIRRELS!”

Which is also true, but like, I wouldn’t just scream that out of context…obv.

-Steve

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Glitter Shrimp

Glitter helps some be seen, while crustaceans become invisible. Their larvae’s shimmering eyes are the key to their hidden survival.

• Many sea creatures strive for invisible infancy, but eyes give them away

• Mantis shrimp evolved “disco eye-crystals” to deflect light

• Making their eyes appear the same color as surrounding water

As mantis shrimp mature, these “crystals” rotate behind the eye to enhance vision similar to how cats’ reflective sight works. Researchers hope to apply this behavior to nanoparticle engineering. Or maybe just make glamorous contact lenses.

All that glitters is goOold

Spacious Space

NASA’s James Webb telescope has found the impossible: galaxies too large and too old to exist in our current understanding of the universe.

• Webb Reminder - massive space telescope that can see into the past

• Spotted 6 new spiral galaxies (like the Milky Way)

• Combined mass > previously believed possible…in the entire universe

Being over 12 billion years old, these galaxies are too young to be so large given everything we thought we knew. Further research could drastically change what we think about how it all began. Literally this.

How it all STARted

Pee Science

A new urine test can tell if you have cancer. Researchers can illuminate your pee in search of potentially deadly indicators.

• Currently identifies prostate and pancreatic cancer

• Utilizes urine strips for quick and easy field use

• Each tests costs ~$0.76

Testing is based on identifying unique metabolites secreted by cancer cells as they spread. Researchers hope to expand testing to other cancer types and improve early detection. It could even become the #1 test.

New reason to do the pee dance!

Clickables

• Frog feet features, from fans to floors

• This 3D-printed basketball is full of holes

• Cuttlefish-inspired cameras coming to a car near you

• Fun with AI - US presidents as Pixar characters

• F1 copying Uber (looks up for pigs flying)

st3v on site

Just Add Glitter

Apparently crustacean larvae do more than just add glitter to become invisible. At least st3v looks fabulous.

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