Moo #2 | Nest Armor | Ladder Ants

I recently learned the lore behind one of our greatest engineering achievements: the Crunchwrap Supreme.

Which got me thinking, can we do this with falafel, hummus, and pita?

-Steve

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

Moo #2

We have a cow poop problem. Fortunately, researchers learned adding tropical algae, Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT), can help.

• Consumable cattle produce ~40% of annual global methane emissions

• Their feces makes up 10% in the US alone

• Cow poop + AT = 44% less fecal methane emissions

AT does its dirty work by preventing methane generation in the first place. Next step is to engineer an edible strain of the algae to reduce burpable emissions. Probably the coolest crappy job ever.

New strain name suggestion: Mooooopsis taxiformis

Nest Armor

Birds are copying humans when it comes to self-defense. Crows and magpies are using…double-checks notes…anti-bird spikes to build nests.

• Spikes face outwards to protect eggs and chicks

• Other defenses include thorns and barbed wire

• Example nest: 61 strips, 604 spikes

Known for their above average smarts, both species are also at war, with crow attacks necessitating spikey domed magpie nests. However, builders are sometimes caught in their own traps. Meanwhile, bird-spike designers.

Brb, starting a bird-construction consulting company

Ladder Ants

Some ants are great gamblers. One species, Oecophylla smaragdina, has been observed calculating risk in building ladders to move between trees.

• Researchers placed food on a height-adjustable platform

• Ants only started ladders when the reward was 11cm or closer

• They could be tricked if the platform was moved during assembly

Regardless of duration or trickery, ants rarely broke off from supporting positions. Indicating a complex cooperative behavior built from many simple decisions. Plus now we know ants use the metric system.

11 centimeters = ~4.3 inches

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “Have you seen the "My Octopus Teacher" documentary?”

Happy to see all voters witnessed octo-intelligence! Personally, I’m trying to build a similar relationship with pigeons near my apartment.

st3v on site

Dynamic Measure

Turns out, st3v’s border wasn’t ready for the new weight of “Unnatural Selection” above. Fortunately his ant friends were willing to help!

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-Babies | Monkey Boost | Pest Hunter

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!