Scientists studied the obstacle-clearing behavior of longhorn crazy ants, where a subset of workers temporarily specializes in removing tiny objects blocking the path between the nest and large food items. Experiments revealed that serial clearing behavior can be triggered by a single pheromone mark, which happened to be deposited near an obstacle by a forager recruited to a large food item. Clearing mostly occurs in the context of collective transport, which typically stalls in front of obstacles. The authors concluded that obstacle-clearing is a form of ‘swarm intelligence’ which emerges at the colony level, and which does not require understanding by individual ants.

Researchers at the University of Glasgow have achieved a milestone in brain imaging by detecting near-infrared light that traveled completely through an adult human head. Using high-powered lasers and sensitive detectors, the team measured photons that passed from one side of the head to the other—something previously thought impossible due to the brain’s highly scattering tissue. Simulations confirmed that light followed specific paths through low-scattering regions like cerebrospinal fluid, reaching deep brain areas. This breakthrough could lead to new, noninvasive tools for imaging parts of the brain that are currently out of reach, with potential applications in diagnosing strokes, brain injuries, and other conditions.

Thanks to artificial intelligence, robots can already perform many tasks that would otherwise require humans. In this interview, Edoardo Milana, a junior professor of soft machines, explains how improved design and innovative mechanics are broadening the range of applications for these machines.