curved

Researchers find new giant amphibian fossils in Africa

...large fang-like teeth. Saharastega moradiensis had curved 'horns' on the back of its head and an array of small teeth. "Our findings show that climate change more than 250 million years ago had a dramatic effect on species survival and evolution," says Larsson. "Something to keep in mind when evaluating si...

The making and breaking of microtubules

.... At low temperatures, GMPCPP-bound tubulin forms curved ribbons of a few protofilaments side by side; as t...crotubules, suggesting that the ribbons and gently curved sheets correspond to the polymerizing protofilaments at the end of a growing microtubule. Making co...

Bats use touch receptors on wings to fly, catch prey, study finds

...e hair. When a bat's wing isn't properly angled or curved during flight, air passing next to the wing can become turbulent. Merkel cells help bats stay aerodynamically sound by alerting them when their wing position or curve is incorrect, preventing the creatures from stalling in midair. "It's like a sail ...

Researchers unravel DNA tangles and enzyme seamstresses

...ss various entanglement problems," Chan says. The curved distinctions between DNA strands may allow the seamstresses of the process -- the topoisomerases -- to identify linked DNA loops, cut a strand apart, let another strand pass through, and then reconnect the cut strand so that DNA can separate into unt...

Robots manipulating animal behaviour

...pped into a small experimental area with a maze of curved walls, the robots move, turn and stop. They can navigate their way safely by avoiding the walls, obstacles or each other, follow the walls, congregate around a lamp beam or even line up. When placed in the same area with cockroaches, the robots quick...

Ferns provide model for tiny motors powered by evaporation

...ff and that is used for the device. It resembles a curved spine with equally spaced ribs fanning outward from the spine. To make the device move, Borno said, they load the space between the ribs with water, and when the water evaporates, the surface tension of the water pulls on the tips of the ribs so tha...

New system could drastically reduce herbicide use

... and applies herbicide. They have also mounted the curved solar panel that powers the robot. "We custom-built a shelf that holds the solar panel," said Gingrich. "It also protects the machine from weather and gives it shade for its vision system." Although the robot is equipped with ultrasonic sensors...

Carnegie Mellon scientists find key HIV protein makes cell membranes bend more easily

...y important function — reducing the free energy of curved fusion intermediates. These fleeting shapes arise and disappear as HIV enters a T cell. Normally, a cell membrane resists bending. Scientists can quantify the energy needed to overcome this resistance. The Carnegie Mellon team found that FP-23 reduc...