Slashdot Mirror


A Unified Theory of Animal Locomotion

Roland Piquepaille writes "You probably already know that there is a master equation for all life processes based on metabolism. Now, physicists from Duke University have applied the so-called 'constructal theory' to explain how running, flying and swimming modes of locomotion are similar even if they're apparently unrelated. This single unifying physics theory explains how fast animals get from one place to another and how rapidly and forcefully they step, flap or paddle in relation to their mass. In other words, these scientists argue that the characteristics of animal shape and locomotion are predictable from physics."

14 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. Real animals only by MarkusQ · · Score: 3, Funny

    the characteristics of animal shape and locomotion are predictable from physics

    They must be using real animals only. I know for a fact that the Pegasus's shape (to cite just one famous example) isn't predictable from physics.

    --MarkusQ

  2. Science gibberish by Piroca · · Score: 5, Funny


    these scientists argue that the characteristics of animal shape and locomotion are predictable from physics

    I wonder who could expected the outcome to be the other way around.

    1. Re:Science gibberish by jackb_guppy · · Score: 4, Funny

      I wonder who could expected the outcome to be the other way around.

      Intelligent Design?

  3. Re:Swimming Fish = Flying Bird? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes, they are the same or different. I could have told you that without a research paper.

  4. Re:Swimming Fish = Flying Bird? by dsanfte · · Score: 4, Funny

    You have obviously never hooked a bird up to a tank of hydrogen. I assure you, they're quite buoyant before they explode.

    --
    occultae nullus est respectus musicae - originally a Greek proverb
  5. Re:Swimming Fish = Flying Bird? by BorgCopyeditor · · Score: 4, Funny
    name a single animal that travels through a completely SOLID medium

    The Horta?

    --
    Shop as usual. And avoid panic buying.
  6. DURR by ClamIAm · · Score: 4, Funny
    This single unifying physics theory explains how fast animals get from one place to another

    Well if they're fast animals, and they're going from one place to another, perhaps they do it by moving quickly? Ever considered that?

  7. Re:Roland Piquepaille by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    In related news, scientists also discovered the unified theory behind the ratio of Roland Piquepaille accepted articles to submissions. Applying the so-called 'covetousness theory,' these scientists developed the formula describing the miraculous amount of articles from a single submitter, regardless of merit or ripped-off content. The answer, contrary to popular belief is not 42 but rather one. This ratio therefore implies that every article submitted has been and will be accepted. The reasons for this still remain unclear.

    However, these same scientists are hoping to answer the latter question by applying the same theory to the variables of slashdot editor kickbacks and Roland Piquepaille advertising money. More information on this research can be found In related news, scientists also discovered the unified theory behind the ratio of Roland Piquepaille accepted articles to submissions. Applying the so-called 'covetousness theory,' these scientists developed the formula describing the miraculous amount of articles from a single submitter, regardless of merit or ripped-off content. The answer, contrary to popular belief is not 42 but rather one. This ratio therefore implies that every article submitted has been and will be accepted. The reasons for this still remain unclear.

    However, these same scientists are hoping to answer the latter question by applying the same theory to the variables of slashdot editor kickbacks and Roland Piquepaille advertising money. More information on this research can be found here

  8. Re:All fish are donuts but not all donuts are fish by EvanED · · Score: 4, Funny

    You need to spend less time reading topology books

  9. Re:Hold on a minute... by User+956 · · Score: 2, Funny

    No, Will Wright's working on a method to procedurally generate Roland Piquepaille Slashdot submissions.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  10. Re: Max weight on a exoskeleton by ozmanjusri · · Score: 2, Funny

    So my two ton exoskeleton will let me fly?

    Mine does. http://stationair.cessna.com/spec_gen.chtml

    --
    "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
  11. Re:Giant ant overlords are scientificly impossible by corbettw · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe we should worry about giant lobstermen.

    Only the ones trying to practice medicine. They're all quacks.

    --
    God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
  12. Mythbusters 1855 by EmagGeek · · Score: 2, Funny

    I can just see the MythBusters trying to bust or prove the myth that Bumblebees can fly - or likewise come up with a way to make a bumblebee fly.

  13. Take that, arrogant scientists by 0xdeadbeef · · Score: 2, Funny

    You have finally proven what God knew all along. Could a random process be self-optimizing? This is yet more proof of His infinite wisdom.