#65 Elephants, Sarcophagus and a 3D printed robot
Discover 3 science news from the latest 24 hours in our #PeerusWhatsNew, now on Medium.
1 Bees could bea solution to keep elephants away from humans because they are particularly sensitive to their stings.
The elephant of Africa has learned over the centuries to recognize the scents emanated by a bee. Scientists believe this ability could be used to deter an elephant from approaching danger zones.
During a three-month experiment, researchers suspended socks containing bee pheromones, chemical elements released by the insect when the hive is considered endangered. 25 of the 29 elephants who approached identified the odors and moved away from the area.
2 The black sarcophagus discovered in Egypt has finally been opened. It would have been sealed more than 2,000 years ago.
After being the object of all fantasies, archaeologists have found three skeletons that are probably those of soldiers. The skull of one of them shows signs of fractures caused by a sharp weapon.
To know a little more, it will be necessary to await the analyzes which were immediately launched. They will have to date precisely the age of these three skeletons. Unfortunately, the wastewater contained in the sarcophagus will not facilitate the work of scientists.
3 A 3D printed robot unfolds like an origami to easily catch marine animals. It allows to better study them in their natural environment.
The robot is an assembly of 12 pentagons that unfold like petals to form a pincer. Once the animal inside, it closes with a small engine. Equipped with cameras and sensors, it can scan the body of the animal or collect a DNA sample without hurting it.
This invention was developed by researchers at the Wyss Institute, the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. The robot’s plans will soon be available in open source so that other scientists can make additions or improvements.
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