Sleeping Sharks - Sharks Leap

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Researchers filmed seven draughts board sharks over 24 hours while measuring the oxygen level in the shark's tank. They found that when sharks stopped swimming for more than five minutes, their tabolic rate dropped - suggesting they were sleeping. Sleeping sharks typically had a flat posture, lying flat on the bottom of the tank and propped themselves up on their front fins. The researchers say that sharks leap probably to conserve energy.

00:45 A flexible, wearable, fabric microphone

Inspired by the ear, a team of researchers have developed an acoustic fibre that can be woven into fabrics to create a sensitive microphone. This fabric microphone is capable of detecting human speech and heartbeats, and the team think it could be used to develop new, wearable sensors for long-term health monitoring.

Research article: Yan et al.

News and Views: A smart sensor that can be woven into everyday life

08:38 Research Highlights

How a shark’s posture lets you know if it’s asleep, and the desert dust that helps cirrus clouds form.

Research Highlight: The secrets of shark sleep

Research Highlight: Wispy clouds are born of dust in the wind

11:31 How AI helped Togo target financial aid

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Togo needed to distribute financial aid to citizens most in need of assistance. As running a nationwide survey to find out people’s financial situations was impossible, they turned to machine learning to discover how best to distribute aid.

Research article: Aiken et al.

19:02 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. Using machine learning to find meteorite fragments in a desert, and using radiocarbon dating to detect forged paintings.

Physics World: ‘Huge leap’ as scientists report first drone-assisted space rock recovery after observed meteorite fall

Nature: Police rely on radiocarbon dating to identify forged paintings

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