All articles tagged with #colony
A new study reveals that sick young ants release a smell signaling worker ants to destroy them to protect the colony, a self-sacrificial act not performed by queen ants due to their stronger immune systems. This behavior highlights the colony's collective effort to prevent disease spread, with sick worker ants leaving the nest and infected pupae being sacrificed through chemical signals, ensuring the survival of the colony's genes.
Researchers discovered what is likely the world's largest spiderweb inside Sulfur Cave on the Albanian-Greek border, home to over 111,000 spiders of two species, Tegenaria domestica and Prinerigone vagans, which have adapted to the cave's extreme sulfur-rich environment and exhibit unique cooperative behavior.
A study using RFID tracking reveals that naked mole-rats have specific roles within their colonies, such as cleaning toilets and transporting waste, with most individuals sticking to their roles for at least 30 days, highlighting their complex eusocial structure.
Thousands of fire ants in Texas formed a life-saving raft by interlocking their limbs and mandibles to save their colony and queen from drowning in a swimming pool. The phenomenon, captured in National Geographic's new series "A Real Bug's Life," showcases the ants' collective social behavior and their ability to exploit surface tension to stay afloat. The ants collected trapped air bubbles to remain buoyant and protect their queen, ultimately reaching dry land within a few minutes.
Thousands of fire ants in Texas formed a life-saving raft by interlocking their limbs and mandibles to protect their queen and colony from drowning in a swimming pool. The incredible footage, part of National Geographic's "A Real Bug's Life" series, showcases the ants' collective behavior and use of surface tension to stay afloat. The ants were discovered by location scouts and filmed with the help of an entomologist, revealing their ability to trap air bubbles and remain buoyant. This remarkable survival strategy allows the ants to withstand significant weight and stay afloat for extended periods.
A new study has conducted simulations to determine the ideal number of residents needed for a Mars colony to survive, finding that 22 people would be the minimum required. The study also identified certain personality types, particularly neurotics, who had a higher death rate and were less suited for life on Mars. The simulations considered factors such as skills, personality types, and regular resupply missions from Earth. The research aims to provide insights into the challenges and dynamics of establishing a permanent outpost on Mars.
A recent study suggests that it may only take a group of 22 people with agreeable personality types to establish and sustain a colony on Mars. Scientists created a simulation based on high-performing teams in isolated, high-stress environments and found that an initial population of 22 was the minimum required for a viable colony. The study highlights the importance of considering human behavior in future space exploration and warns against neglecting social, behavioral, and psychological aspects in estimations and projections.
Guillermo Söhnlein, co-founder of OceanGate, is now planning to create a colony floating above Venus by 2050 through his research group, Humans2Venus. Despite Venus' extreme conditions, including surface temperatures of 900 degrees Fahrenheit, Söhnlein believes the project is doable and aims to accommodate 1,000 people. The technological breakthroughs required to withstand Venus' atmosphere for prolonged periods remain unclear, but Söhnlein is determined to pursue this ambitious venture, emphasizing the need for humanity to seize opportunities for progress.
A PlayStation Vita owner discovered that an entire ant colony had taken up residence inside the handheld, with eggs scattered throughout. Seeking advice on how to repel the ants without harming them, the owner received suggestions ranging from compressed air to freezing the device. Ultimately, the ants were accidentally killed during a cleaning attempt, but the Vita survived unscathed.