The carpenter ant in the picture on the right (genus Campanotus), and the bullet ant in the first film clip below (Paraponera clavata), have fallen victim to parasitic fungi of the genus Cordyceps, which manipulate the behaviour of their host in order to increase their own chances of reproducing.
The spores of the fungus attach themselves to the external surface of the ant, where they germinate. They then enter the ant’s body through the tracheae (the tubes through which insects breathe), via holes in the exoskeleton called spiracles. Fine fungal filaments called mycelia then start to grow inside the ant’s body cavity, absorbing the host’s soft tissues but avoiding its vital organs.
When the fungus is ready to sporulate, the mycelia grow into the ant’s brain. The fungus then produces chemicals which act on the host’s brain and alter its perception of pheromones. This causes the ant to climb a plant and, upon reaching the top, to clamp its mandibles around a leaf or leaf stem, thus securing it firmly to what will be its final resting place.
The fungus then devours the ant’s brain, killing the host. The fruiting bodies of the fungus sprout from the ant’s head, through gaps in the joints of the exoskeleton. Once mature, the fruiting bodies burst, releasing clusters of capsules into the air. These in turn explode on their descent, spreading airborne spores over the surrounding area. These spores then infect other ants, completing the life cycle of the fungus. Depending on the type of fungus and the number of infecting spores, death of an infected insect takes between 4-10 days.
Walking robots never cease to amaze, but “Flame” from TU Delft PhD student Daan Hobbelen is what we like to call a mega breakthrough. By mimicking the way that humans actually fall forward when walking, this robot comes insanely close to the real thing.
continue reading on http://www.engadget.com
or see it in action on this video
English: A video of a microbot pushing a football on a field smaller than a grain of rice
Italiano: Il video di un micro robot che spinge una palla in un campo più piccolo di un chicco di riso.
via http://www.engadget.com
Taking its inspiration from the grasshopper, a tiny two-legged robot that stores elastic energy in springs has leaped 27 times its own height, smashing the record of 17 times set by a previous robot.
Questo piccolo robot a due zampe prende ispirazione dalle cavalette ed è in grado di saltare 27 volte la sua altezza.
video
via New scientist
English: Robert Maddox has built a pulse jet-powered bicycle — and
he’ll sell it to you on eBay (sans bike) for just $650. The 140 decibel
clatter tube is capable of propelling a bicycle and rider up to 75 MPH.
the video
Auction Page
Italiano: Robert Maddox ha costruito una bicicletta a rezione e la vende su ebay per 650 dollari. il motore è capace di portare la bici fino a 120 km orari.
il video
la pagina di Ebay
via http://gadgets.boingboing.net
English: he inventor created an arcade-like installation with a pair of exercise bikes, an LCD screen and customized software that enables a pair of individuals to pedal forward and back in order to to play Pong.
Italiano: giocare a pong con due bici come interfaccia… pedala avanti… pedala indietro
via http://www.engadget.com
