Biophysics
Fruit fly’s giant sperm cells avoid getting in a tangle
The giant sperm cells of fruit flies turn out to be capable of organising themselves within a densely packed tangle of living material that writhes energetically inside specialised sperm organs.
Synthetic micro-rods move like E. coli
Researchers at the University of Twente show that the shape and dimensions of rod-shaped bacteria contribute to efficient collective movement.
Yet another oddity: platypus has unique hollow melanosomes
In birds they produce iridescent colours, but in the platypus they result in nothing more than a dull brown coat. The discovery of hollow melanosomes in this mammal challenges existing ideas about pigment structures.
Zigzag threads betray trapped prey
The zigzagging stabilimenta in the web of this wasp spider aid in prey detection. PHOTO: PIERLUIGI RIZZO
Special structures in orb webs help wasp spiders...