“From Fiddler Crabs to Lab-Grown Chicken Nuggets: The Latest Science News Roundup”

In this week’s science news roundup from NPR’s Short Wave podcast, three fascinating stories caught the attention of hosts Rachel Carlson and Emily Kwong.

The first story delves into the world of fiddler crabs and how they use drumming as part of their courtship dance to attract mates. Researchers at the University of Oxford used geophones to observe and record the vibrations created by these crabs in the sand, revealing a four-stage courtship routine that culminates in underground drumming to communicate with potential mates.

Moving on to the realm of lab-grown meat, scientists at the University of Tokyo have successfully grown chicken meat in the lab using myoblasts that naturally fuse together to form chicken myotubes. This breakthrough could pave the way for more sustainable meat production methods to feed the growing global population.

Lastly, researchers have developed a molecule similar to LSD but without the psychedelic effects, opening up the possibility of using psychedelic therapy for mental health conditions in patients who cannot tolerate hallucinogenic experiences. The molecule, named JRT after the grad student who synthesized it, shows promise in animal studies but further research is needed to determine its efficacy in humans.

These stories highlight the diverse and innovative research happening in the fields of biology, food science, and mental health, pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and potential applications for the future.