"Sperm's Surprising Physics-Defying Feat Stuns Scientists"

Scientists have discovered that sperm and single-celled algae defy Newton's third law of motion due to their non-reciprocal interactions with their surroundings. These microscopic organisms move through viscous fluids using whip-like tails or flagella, which possess an "odd elasticity" that allows them to propel forward without losing much energy to the surrounding fluid. The researchers also introduced a new term, "odd elastic modulus," to describe the internal mechanics of flagella. The findings could have implications for designing self-assembling robots and understanding collective behavior.