Unusual scales on crocodile heads due to skin growth rate, scientists say

Researchers find that varying stiffness and speeds at which skin grows lead to ‘mechanical’ formation of inward folds

It sounds like a conundrum that Rudyard Kipling would have explored in his Just So Stories, but researchers say they have the answer to how crocodiles get the scales on their heads.

Many animals, from turtles to birds, have scales – hard plate-like structures that form on the skin.

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Cotton-and-squid-bone sponge can soak up 99.9% of microplastics, scientists say

Filter performs well in removing plastic pollution from water and Chinese researchers say it appears to be scalable. A sponge made of cotton and squid bone that has absorbed about 99.9% of ...
The Guardian - 1d
Xi says China will remain world’s ‘growth engine’

Stocks rise after Beijing signals more measures to boost economy
Financial Times - 1d
AI's growth is just getting started, BlackRock's thematic ETF head says

BlackRock's Jay Jacobs expects infrastructure and cybersecurity plays to shine in 2025. He cites the artificial intelligence boom as a major catalyst.
CNBC - 4d
UnitedHealthcare head Brian Thompson’s killing shines light on health-insurance denial rates

Words written on shell casings — “deny,” “defend” and “depose” — are leading to discussions about frustrations over the number of claims that get denied.
MarketWatch - 5d
Saving ‘old and wise’ animals vital for species’ survival, say scientists

Hunting bigger, more experienced animals eradicates memories and knowledge crucial to group survival, research suggests. It’s not just humans who get wiser as they age – animals do too, according ...
The Guardian - 5d
India's central bank revises down economic growth forecast for 2025, keeps interest rate steady

The Reserve Bank of India has held interest rate steady since February last year, while a sharper-than-anticipated slowdown in India's growth has made RBI's task tougher.
CNBC - 5d
Killer whale spotted balancing a salmon on its head, intriguing scientists and orca watchers

A killer whale was spotted balancing a salmon on its head. It’s not clear what the behavior means, but orcas were observed doing the same thing in the 1980s.
NBC News - Dec. 4
Interest rates forecast to be higher for longer due to Budget

Measures in the Budget will boost growth in the short-term, but interest rates will fall more slowly, it says.
BBC News - Dec. 4
Syria crisis due to Assad’s refusal to engage with opposition, says Turkish minister

Iran’s foreign minister blamed Israel’s intervention instead, but emergency talks in Ankara said to be ‘constructive’. Middle East crisis – live updates The crisis in Syria is the result of ...
The Guardian - Dec. 2