Guest Author • Jan 03, 2017 •
In August, US scientist introduced us to their 3D-printed autonomous ‘Octobot’, an entirely soft and squidgy robot octopus which is made of a gel-like substance and doesn’t require a solid battery to operate. The synthetic cephalopod moves using its eight arms, which are driven by small pistons powered by the release of oxygen, created as a product … Read More
Guest Author • May 25, 2016 •
By Alexander Arkhipkin, University of Aberdeen Squid, octopus and cuttlefish populations are booming across the world. These fast-growing, adaptable creatures are perfectly equipped to exploit the gaps left by extreme climate changes and overfishing, according to a study colleagues and I published in the journal Current Biology. Humans have reached and in many cases surpassed sustainable fishing … Read More
Aimee Whitcroft • Oct 09, 2013 •
Today is, apparently, the tenth annual World Octopus Day. So, I figured you’d all enjoy this fun infographic, courtesy of the National Aquarium. And what better time to go and read this stunning article about these stunning creatures (my favourite form of the plural), and, if you live in Wellington, make a date to go meet the octopodes at the … Read More
Grant Jacobs • Feb 18, 2013 •
Last week Alison tagged me* in a post where an artist had used his hands to present animals. In his work, the artist had effectively camouflaged his hands - at a glance we see the animal. In response to Alison’s post, here’s a video of animals that change their camouflage in response to … Read More
Aimee Whitcroft • Aug 22, 2012 •
I’m sure that anyone who’s ever watched an octopus wasn’t in the slightest bit confused today when news broke that octopuses* are, in fact, conscious. But: ever wondered what octopuses are _saying_ when they languidly wave their tentacles at us? Well, the video below has an answer for you :P (A big thanks to @The_Episiarch [...] … Read More
David Winter • Nov 27, 2011 •
The title contains everything i have to say on this video: … Read More
Aimee Whitcroft • Oct 31, 2011 •
Featuring something ever so slightly different this week. Elf, as previously mentioned, is away for a couple of weeks (somewhere in the Pacific, possibly)? So aimee invited friend, and the g33k show co-host Chelfyn Baxter onto the podcast. This week, we covered the very real possibility of a functional malarial vaccine, carbon … Read More
Elf Eldridge • Apr 12, 2011 •
I wanted to use my first post to welcome one of our national symbols to the folds of nanoscience! Say hello to Eudyptula minor, Korora in Maori or the Little Blue Penguin to its friends. Little Blue Penguin These quirky little critters have just been shown, by a group from Yale and Akron Universities (sadly without any Kiwi institutions contributing), … Read More
Peter Griffin • Apr 20, 2010 •
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/10966874[/vimeo] … Read More