What’s breathing underwater like a scuba diver? Meet the water anole!
Found in the tropical forests of Costa Rica, the green-brown water anole lizard is an intriguing semi-aquatic species capable of diving underwater to evade predators. These tiny creatures, reminiscent of forest ‘chicken nuggets’ according to researcher Lindsey Swierk, can stay submerged for over 15 minutes, creating a bubble of air to assist in breathing. In a recently published study, Swierk explained the mechanics of this remarkable adaptation, which allows anoles to exhale and inhale while maintaining air bubbles that significantly prolong their time underwater. Swierk’s research showcases the potential for fundamental scientific discoveries to impact both ecology and material science. Read more.
This Week in Science: From diving lizards to finger counting
NPR’s Juana Summers engaged in a discussion with scientists Regina Barber and Emily Kwong about the fascinating abilities of “scuba-diving” lizards and the innovative technique that made mouse skin transparent. They also explored how finger counting might enhance children’s mathematical skills. This conversation highlights the continuous advancements and curious findings in scientific research today. Read more.
NASA’s Artemis II: Evaluating radiation protection for the crew
As NASA gears up for its Artemis II mission, new insights into the radiation shielding capabilities of the Orion spacecraft have been unveiled. Following the Artemis I mission’s data, scientists have confirmed the spacecraft effectively mitigated radiation during its journey around the moon. This information comes as spacecraft design continues to evolve in preparation for extended crewed missions into deep space, highlighting the critical need for effective radiation protection as astronauts venture beyond the safety of Earth’s magnetic field. Read more.
Examining the turbulence in Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night”
A recent analysis has discovered that Vincent van Gogh’s iconic painting “The Starry Night” reflects a sophisticated understanding of turbulence in nature. Researchers used digital images to study the patterns in the painting, revealing that its swirling representations correlate with complex physical laws governing turbulent flow. This intriguing intersection of art and science illustrates how deep observations of natural phenomena can transcend disciplines, sparking new conversations on creativity and physics. Read more.
Sources:
What’s breathing underwater like a scuba diver? Meet the water anole! – NPR
This Week in Science: From diving lizards to finger counting – NPR
NASA’s Artemis II: Evaluating radiation protection for the crew – Yahoo! News
Examining the turbulence in Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” – Yahoo! News
