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How and Why Knots Spontaneously Form

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the knot-a-good-story dept.

palegray.net writes "Scientists believe they have found the underlying reasons why knots are so common in the universe. This research helps us understand how knotty arrangements in various molecules lead to biological patterns, as in certain proteins. The article also provides a look at the field of topology, and how it relates to knots."

4 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. Wrap them by Chmcginn · · Score: 4, Informative

    Get a long sheet (about 50 cm x 2-5 meters, depending on the number of lights.) Starting at one end, wrap it around the short end of the rectangle, then fold it over about 10 cm. Repeat until all your lights are in a big cigar tube.

    --
    Have you been touched by his noodly appendage?
  2. Re:All knotted up for next year. by SimonTheSoundMan · · Score: 4, Informative

    Google 'reverse coil' or 'overhand coil'. Wires tangle because people do not know how to coil them up correctly.

  3. Re:Yes, but what about shoe laces, huh? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Shoelaces come undone due to the type of knot being used. There is an entire site http://www.shoeknots.com/ devoted to this, and another site http://shoelaceknot.com/shoelace/index.htm with exhaustive details on shoelaces in general.

    [disclaimer: I maintain one of the sites]

  4. Re:All knotted up for next year. by f_raze13 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Umm... yeah, this actually is a real link. Way to go, mods.

    It links to http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1683690-1133623-3,00.html.