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Octo-Tubs | Spikey Tools | Pew Pew Plant

Issue #116

We can’t confirm or deny if st3v was behind this 2D restaurant opening, but he couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit.

Check it out in st3v on site at the end of this email!

-Steve

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Octo-Tubs

Underwater “hot tubs” are more than just relaxing for some octopuses. Scientists learned why thousands of female pearl octopuses gather in their jacuzzi equivalent.

  • “Hot tubs” = extinct underwater volcano heat vents

  • Used as a nesting ground

  • Eggs hatch in just 2 years instead of the normal 4

A mother octopus’ final years are spent protecting their eggs without leaving for anything, including food. Shortening that period increases survival odds and makes things less draining. Sounds like prime food truck territory.

Quick! (poll)

What's more rejuvenating?

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Check out last week’s results in “Unnatural Selection” below

Spikey Tools

Bug-inspired structure kills superbugs on contact. Dragonfly wing-inspired titanium micro-spikes could keep medical tools clean.

  • Tested on drug-resistant Candida yeast

  • Destroyed 50% of cells shortly after contact

  • Other 50% died before reproducing or causing infection

Tools with micro-spiked surfaces along with antimicrobial coatings can better defend against a broad range of superbugs. The technology can also be applied to other fields, such as dentistry and food prep. Like a forcefield for scalpels.

Pew Pew Plant

Witch hazel acts like a cannon to spread its seeds. Researchers figured out how varying sizes are fired at similar speeds.

  • Shot speed: 30 feet per second

  • Studied at 100k frames per second (YouTube is usually 30fps)

  • Some seeds were 10x bigger than others

Seed velocity remained relatively constant thanks to proportionally sized launching mechanisms. Researchers hope to mimic witch hazel’s spring-based potential energy storage in jumping robots. Or they could just ask Tigger.

Clickables

😺 Why cats love tuna - meow with scientific testing

🦆 Icy ponds bring us curling ducks

🌚 India’s moon rover showing off it’s ride

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “If you had to choose 1 for the rest of your life:”

tea 44%, coffee 56%

Plot twist: it’s actually a win for everyone. We’d probably run out of our favorites if we all agreed!

Make sure you vote up top for next week’s “Unnatural Selection”!

st3v on site

2D Foodie

After visiting Waku Waku from the intro, st3v brought back a souvenir to share later this month…

Forward to a friend!

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