How animals get their skin patterns is a matter of physics – new research clarifying how could improve medical diagnostics and synthetic materials

Understanding how the intricate spots and stripes, or Turing patterns, of many animals form can help scientists mimic those processes in the lab.

Ankur Gupta, Assistant Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Nov. 8, 2023 • ~8 min

We discovered why giant pandas are black and white: here's how

The scientists who discovered that a giant panda’s distinctive markings provide camouflage from predators tell us about their latest work

Ossi Nokelainen, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Jyväskylä • conversation
Nov. 9, 2021 • ~5 min

How do arctic foxes hunt in the snow?

Arctic foxes have a few special talents that help them sneak up on unseen prey and pounce.

Jacob Job, Research Associate in Department of Fish, Wildlfe, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University • conversation
Feb. 22, 2021 • ~7 min

Stickiness is a weapon some plants use to fend off hungry insects

For some sand-dwelling plants, stickiness is a defense tactic that keeps predators at bay.

Eric LoPresti, Assistant Professor of Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Oklahoma State University • conversation
Jan. 20, 2021 • ~6 min

Why do tigers have stripes?

How do tigers – a top predator – successfully hunt their prey when they have bright orange fur? The secret's in their stripes!

Andrew Cushing, Assistant Professor in Zoological Medicine, University of Tennessee • conversation
Nov. 23, 2020 • ~6 min

Why do tigers have different stripe patterns?

How do tigers – a top predator – successfully hunt their prey when they have bright orange fur? The secret's in their stripes!

Andrew Cushing, Assistant Professor in Zoological Medicine, University of Tennessee • conversation
Nov. 23, 2020 • ~6 min

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