Twirling Turtles | Gold Rx | Termite Termaybe

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Had an existential moment when I realized my level tool was off-level.

Good news: I got another level!

Bad news: By Inception-totem rules, we maaay be in a dream.

—Steve 💤

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Twirling Turtles

Dancing sea turtles navigate Earth’s magnetic field for food. Researchers used the turtles’ anticipatory meal dance to test their magnetic navigation.

• Captive loggerhead sea turtles dance when expecting food

• Flapping in circles as their heads raises above the water

• Turtles were conditioned to feed in specific magnetic fields

After conditioning, the turtles danced when exposed to “food magnetic fields” even if no other feeding triggers were present. Future research will try to uncover the mechanism for how they use magnetic fields. Can’t wait for the map app.

Turtle Maps > Google Maps

Gold Rx

Gold could change how we treat obesity. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) outperformed orlistat in treating obesity in rats.

• Orlistat = commonly used anti-obesity drug

• AuNPs reduced body fat by 36% over 9 weeks

• No effect on muscle mass

AuNP treatment also repaired liver and kidney tissue, which orlistat was shown to damage. Further research is needed to determine long-term implications and safety for humans before gold becomes another tool for us to battle obesity.

All that glitters is AuNP

Termite Termaybe

Flies make the best spies. A rare blow fly in Morocco mimics termites to mooch off their nests.

• Fly larvae wear a “termite mask” on their back

• Breathing holes double as false eyes

• Chemical signatures mimic termite scents to avoid detection

Blending in with underground “cool kids” offers protection and possibly free food. Larvae die before metamorphosing in lab settings, so it could be a while before we fully understand this symbiotic relationship. Classic hardcore spy move.

How do you do, fellow termites?

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Unnatural Selection

Last week: “Who is the better boxer?”

I don’t know anything about boxing, but kangaroos can carry snacks. Clearly an advantage in any arena.

st3v on site

Hex Code Valentine

st3v’s ability to speak colorblind is the secret sauce keeping casualSTEM so green. Though our recycling bins are more of a #0092e2.

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