MI weekly selection #113

Scorpion fly first to feed on human corpses

Researchers working with human cadavers were surprised to see scorpion flies arrive first to feed on the remains instead of blowflies, which are commonly thought to be first responders, according to a study. The finding could have an impact on forensic investigations.

The Washington Post

Surprise!: fish living underneath ice in Antarctica

Fish and other aquatic creatures have been found living deep beneath thick Antarctic ice, sealed in a small wedge of seawater far from sunlight, according to researchers who didn’t expect to find anything but microbes. Scientists bore a hole into the Ross Ice Shelf, and sent a specialized robot to investigate the depths.

Scientific American

Fecal transplant cures Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis in mice
Researchers have found that fecal transplants appear to reverse autoimmune diseases of the bowel such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease in mice. The transplant of fecal material in mice via a tube into the stomach restored the balance of intestinal flora and normalized the intestines’ function.

Voice of America

Water just bounces off laser-etched metal surface

Physicists have developed a metal surface that repels water so well, droplets just bounce away. Scientists etched a series of tightly arranged parallel grooves covered in complex nanostructures into the metal using lasers, giving it its remarkable repellent behavior.

BBC

Weight riddle solved by bird wing test

A new instrument may help to carry out tests to optimize miniature drones, in attempts to assess their flight performance more precisely. A team from Stanford University have shown how flapping wings enable flying animals and biomimetic robots to generate elevated aerodynamic forces.

Phys.org