Matilda's Lab Newsletter #89
This week we get arboreal. We have the secret to a long marriage, the power of hope, how a minority can influence the masses yet, we're more influenced than we think and sculpting liquid water.
What we’ve been up to
From my side, I’ve been working. A lot of working. Coming back from holiday was not a smooth transition. It was 0 to 100 in a heartbeat. Thankfully, the world outside of work gave some respite.
Our neighbours got us a treat, which was a chance to take the kids on a treetop trampolining session. This was great fun, and unlike any trampolines that I have been on before. It was like a spiderweb of bungee cords leading through some trees in a forest. There were corridors, slides, buildings and large areas for bouncing on. It was great fun, so much so that both kids fell asleep in the car on the way home.
Then it was Nathaniel’s sports day. He had 4 mini-beast themed events to compete in. A ball collecting race (they were bees collecting nectar), a ladybird race (they had to collect black spots to stick on their red bibs), a space hopper race (hopping like grass hoppers) and a straightforward sprint (no pretence here. It was just a sprint. You can’t have a sports day without one, I think it’s a law or something).
Upon completion of each race, every child got a sticker saying how well they did. There were no presentations for the winner or runner up. Whilst this is nice, the sentiment was slightly lost on me because Nathaniel won, EVERY SINGLE RACE! I was super proud of the little guy. He was proud too, but he seemed to be prouder of the fact that he fell on his bottom at the end of the space hopper race. No pictures I’m afraid, understandably school have asked that pictures, which includes lots of other kids, aren’t shared on line. I completely agree with that position.
The final point of note was Father’s Day. Cat and the kids took me out for breakfast at one of our favourite places. One reason that I like this place so much is because I appreciate an unusual flavour combination. I was in for a treat. I noticed something new on the menu. The description read “Crunchy fried chicken tossed in a hot honey glaze, crispy bacon & pickled red onions loaded in a toasted cinnamon bun”. SIGN ME UP! I know that this will not be to everyone’s taste, but it hit the spot for me.
Finally, I’ve started a fascinating book on Quantum Biology (I didn’t even know that was a thing) which focuses on all the ways that animals, such as ourselves, are influenced by quantum effects that are taking place in our bodies. I generally try and share details of the things that I learn with Matilda but, frankly, even I’m having fun trying to keep up with this one! Unfortunately, an audiobook doesn’t picture very well, so here is the first wild mammal that I’ve ever discovered in our garden; a shrew.
New Blog content
I composed a new notorious namesake this week, for a wasp by any other name would lay its eggs within its prey as sweet. Which isn’t very sweet at all. Patasitoid reproduction is really rather creepy.
And I’ve had to take a different approach to the map of life. It’s been getting too big to keep expanding the entire thing one organism at a time, so I’m focusing on building up something to include all of the mammals that I have drawn to date. So far, I’ve incorporated 6, the primates.
JWST is this the new single on offer. I’m still remarkably proud of this piece (especially the guitar solo). But I have become rather concerned that I’m short on finishedtracks to release going forward. I’m going to have to start spending some more time in the studio.
From the Archive
I shared a post from the good old days when Hollywood stars used to invent torpedo jammers. Why is there no Oscar for scientific contribution from a star in a leading or supporting role?
Science News
It can feel rather cliche to say that so long as you have hope, you have something; but it’s now peer reviewed. Providing a boost of hope can be a game changer with regards mental health and resilience.
Most drivers believe that their driving is better than average. This well know statistical paradox does not appear to be restricted to driving. People are more susceptible to societal pressure than they believe themselves to be.
3D printing has delivered many things that weren’t previously a feasible possibility. Most recently, we’re now able to sculp liquid water!
Forget asking those celebrating their golden wedding anniversary what the secret to a long relationship is, ask a scientist and you’ll get a peer reviewed answer. That answer appears to be that fostering shared understanding is the key to long term coupling.
A superorganism is a community of animals which act like a single creature, like a hive of bees or a colony of ants. Whilst co-ordination of behaviours is important factor in a colony, a minority of individuals can influence the actions of the many.
Kicking back
It’s not Jesus in toast, but it is impressive.
Shakespeare gets praised for a lot of things, but rarely for being massively ahead of his time. Only recently has the extent of his foresight become apparent.
Maybe it’s because I’m not American, but I didn’t realise that this was a thing and it is thoroughly satisfying.
Niels Bohr did great things in physics, making radium look great appears to have been one of those.
This was actually a news story, but the news is the picture: the most detailed thousand-colour image of a galaxy ever taken.
Please feel free to get in contact with any questions, suggestions or comments either via Substack or at matildaslab@gmail.com.
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And remember to share with me any cool sciencey stuff that you find, to make sure that I can pack this newsletter with the best new science content each week.
Until next time, treat every day like a school day and find those lessons to learn.