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Synchronistic Activity Is Another Superpower Possessed by Ants, Biologists Say

Video Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories - Duration: 01:31s - Published
Synchronistic Activity Is Another Superpower Possessed by Ants, Biologists Say

Synchronistic Activity Is Another Superpower Possessed by Ants, Biologists Say

Synchronistic Activity , Is Another Superpower , Possessed by Ants, Biologists Say.

'Newsweek' reports that scientists have discovered another incredible skill possessed by ants that allows them to avoid traffic jams. Biologists at Texas Tech University and other institutions found that the clever synchronization skills of Leptothorax ants help them to avoid congestion.

The team's findings were published in the 'Proceedings of the Royal Society.'.

The biologists determined that it is the ants' sudden activity, performed simultaneously, that allows them to avoid any potential traffic jams. The study found that synchronization plays a role in the way ants collectively transport prey and their , "consensus-decision making when choosing a nest.".

'Newsweek' reports that while scientists have long observed these synchronistic behaviors in ants, several species' "collective activity rhythm" remains a mystery.

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Overall, the team found that bursts of activity resulted in better spatial accessibility inside the nest.

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Inactive ants behave as immobile obstacles that constrain the potential locations where active ants can walk.

, Texas Tech University study, via 'Newsweek'.

The synchronization of worker activity thereby makes it possible for ants to be active in more regions of the nest as more ants become active.

, Texas Tech University study, via 'Newsweek'.

'Newsweek' reports that the latest study expanded scientists' understanding of the synchronized biological rhythms that social animals employ.


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Texas Tech University Texas Tech University Public university in Lubbock, Texas, US

EPA Issues National Drinking Water Warning [Video]

EPA Issues National Drinking Water Warning

EPA Issues , National Drinking Water Warning. On May 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a countrywide alert urging water utilities to take immediate action to safeguard drinking water from cyberattacks. . On May 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a countrywide alert urging water utilities to take immediate action to safeguard drinking water from cyberattacks. . The agency said that recent inspections indicate that 70% of water systems in America don't comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, 'Newsweek' reports. . Some water utility systems have "critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities, such as default passwords that have not been updated and single logins that can easily be compromised.". Cyberattacks have the potential to disrupt water treatment and storage, damage equipment. and change chemical levels to dangerous amounts. In many cases, systems are not doing what they are supposed to be doing, which is to have completed a risk assessment of their vulnerabilities that includes cybersecurity and to make sure that plan is available and informing the way they do business. , EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe, via press release. According to the EPA's warning, countries like China, Russia and Iran. have "disrupted some water systems with cyberattacks and may have embedded the capability to disable them in the future.". Drinking water and wastewater systems are an attractive target for cyberattacks because they are a lifeline critical infrastructure sector but often lack the resources and technical capacity to adopt rigorous cybersecurity practices, Michael S. Regan, EPA administrator, and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, via March 18 letter to all 50 U.S. governors. The EPA is offering to train water utilities at no cost to correct some of the issues, . but other issues are more complex and costly, which many utilities companies aren't equipped for. . Certainly, cybersecurity is part of that, but that's never been their primary expertise. So, now you're asking a water utility to develop this whole new sort of department, Amy Hardberger, water expert at Texas Tech University, to AP

Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories    Duration: 01:31Published