Everything is Made of Math

Catapleiite

Scientists at the Pacific Shark Research Center have discovered a new species of Lanternshark. The sharks give off a dim glow thanks to tiny organs in their skin called photophores. When seen from below, they blend in with the dim light that filters down to their dark hunting grounds from the ocean’s surface. In this context, glowing is actually an effective form of camouflage. Lanternsharks are incredibly sneaky predators. 

Researcher (and shark-discoverer) Vicky Vásquez was describing the sharks’ special power to her young cousins when they suggested the common name Ninja. Its scientific name Etmopterus benchleyi honors Peter Benchley, the author of the novel Jaws who became a vocal advocate for shark conservation. 

“Listen, I have been educated. I have learned about Western Civilization. Do you know what the message of Western Civilization is? I am alone.”

Quartz, Galena and Realgar | ©Carion Minéraux

Quang’s Tree Frog - a frog with hyperextended vocal repertoire

Gracixalus quangi (Rhacophoridae) is a species of frog described in 2011 from North-Central Vietnam and known only from Pu Hoat Proposed Nature Reserve. 

This small frog (less than 25 mm) has a non-stereotypical, hyperextended vocal repertoire, with calls highly variable in structure, duration,amplitude and frequency.

The male advertisement call of Gracixalus quangi contains components that are extremely variable in nature. While most male frogs attract females with repetitive croaks, Quang’s tree frog spins a new tune each time. No two calls are the same, and each individual mixes clicks, whistles and chirps in a unique order. It is not known how common hyperextended vocal repertoires are within the genus Gracixalus, as the call of G. quangi is the only known.

References: [1] - [2]

NPR’s Frank Langfitt has been driving Chinese people around Shanghai so he can meet a variety of people and better understand the rapidly changing country. 

Recently, he took his experiment to a new level when he drove an engaged couple, Rocky and Xiao Piao, back home to Hubei province in central China for Chinese New Year – and to attend their wedding.

A Reporter Chauffeurs A Chinese Couple 500 Miles To Their Rural Wedding

“Colugos (flying lemurs), constituting the obscure and tiny order Dermoptera, are gliding mammals confined to evergreen tropical rainforests of South-East Asia. These creatures have an extended membrane skin between their limbs that allows them to glide downward between trees…” Read more: Journal of Biology Via: I fucking love biodiversity

“Pictures from an organic chemistry laboratory” turned 3 today!

During the years a lot photo was posted, my favorites are tagged as “portfolio” and could be reached at: http://labphoto.tumblr.com/tagged/portfolio

If you are bored and looking for some random pictures from chemistry, just get a random post: http://labphoto.tumblr.com/random