How do fish know where a sound comes from? Scientists have an answer

Published: June 19, 2024, 3 p.m.

00:46 How light touches are sensed during sex

150 years after they were discovered, researchers have identified how specific nerve-cell structures on the penis and clitoris are activated. While these structures, called Krause corpuscles, are similar to touch-activated corpuscles found on people\u2019s fingers and hands, there was little known about how they work, or their role in sex. Working in mice, a team found that Krause corpuscles in both male and females were activated when exposed to low-frequency vibrations and caused sexual behaviours like erections. The researchers hope that this work could help uncover the neurological basis underlying certain sexual dysfunctions.


News: Sensory secrets of penis and clitoris unlocked after more than 150 years

Research article: Qi et al.

News and Views: Sex organs sense vibrations through specialized touch neurons


07:03 Research Highlights

Astronomers struggle to figure out the identity of a mysterious object called a MUBLO, and how CRISPR gene editing could make rice plants more water-efficient.


Research Highlight: An object in space is emitting microwaves \u2014 and baffling scientists

Research Highlight: CRISPR improves a crop that feeds billions


09:21 How fish detect the source of sound

It\u2019s long been understood that fish can identify the direction a sound came from, but working out how they do it is a question that\u2019s had scientists stumped for years. Now using a specialist setup, a team of researchers have demonstrated that some fish can independently detect two components of a soundwave \u2014 pressure and particle motion \u2014 and combine this information to identify where a sound comes from.


Research article: Veith et al.

News and Views: Pressure and particle motion enable fish to sense the direction of sound

D. cerebrum sounds: Schulze et al.


20:30: Briefing Chat

Ancient DNA sequencing reveals secrets of ritual sacrifice at Chich\xe9n Itz\xe1, and how AI helped identify the names that elephants use for each other.


Nature News: Ancient DNA from Maya ruins tells story of ritual human sacrifices

Nature News: Do elephants have names for each other?


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