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Scientists Discover Why Sharks Can Swim So Fast
MediaSight writes "Shortfin mako sharks can shoot through the ocean at up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometres an hour). Now a trick that helps them to reach such speeds has been discovered — the sharks can raise their scales to create tiny wells across the surface of their skin, reducing drag like the dimples on a golf ball."
I think only the structure of the scales was actually known, sharks raising them to obtain a different skin texture is the new part here.
I bet all those athletes who paid handsomely for their "shark scale" suits are regretting that purchase just about, now.
From the article I conclude that the researchers have performed an experiment that indicates that if sharks do raise their scales while swimming it might allow them to go faster. They've discovered nothing about what sharks actually do.
Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
I bet all those athletes who paid handsomely for their "shark scale" suits are regretting that purchase just about, now.
Considering how many swimming records have been set in the last year, I'd say that the suits work great.
Finally! A year of moderation! Ready for 2019?
My guess is it would require a thicker sheet of metal to achieve this. This would result in added weight and thus lower efficiency.
Face your daemons!
It's not a new phenomenon. Athletic records have been consistently being bettered for as long as they have been keeping them. I'm not denying enhancements, I'm just saying that the facts that records are falling is not by itself proof.