When exposed to ultraviolet light, the hairs on the toes of Mexican free-tailed bats illuminate mysteriously. Biologist Fernando Gual-Suárez from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City finds it intriguing but questions its purpose. Unlike other predators that use photoluminescence to attract prey, bats are active hunters in flight, making it unlikely for their glowing toe hairs to aid in hunting. Gual-Suárez suggests that further research is needed to uncover the true function of these unique markings. They could be a byproduct of grooming or sensing, or possibly used for communication among bats during flights or roosting.
Meanwhile, scientists have observed a rare decay of subatomic particles known as kaons, referred to as the “golden channel.” This discovery has significant implications for particle physics and could challenge existing theories.
Date: 2024-11-30 07:00:00
Source: www.sciencenews.org