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News: Simone Biles has a rival — a tiny bark... (NPR News) - Behind the headlines

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NPR News Jan. 23, 2022

Simone Biles has a rival — a tiny bark beetle (but it can't stick the landing)

by Megan Lim

A team of researchers has discovered the gymnastic ability of bark beetle larvae. Scientists recently recorded the larvae performing the twisting leap for the first time.

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PLoS One JAN. 19, 2022

A novel power-amplified jumping behavior in larval beetles (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae)

MA Bertone et al

Larval insects use many methods for locomotion. Here we describe a previously unknown jumping behavior in a group of beetle larvae (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae). We analyz …

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The Scientist JAN. 20, 2022

Leaping Larvae Intrigue Scientists

The Scientist spoke with entomologist Matt Bertone about the characteristics of Laemophloeus biguttatus larvae jumps—a previously unreported behavior in this group of beetles.

The New York Times AUG. 8, 2019

Legless, Leaping Larvae (Published 2019)

Gall midge maggots have some surprising tricks that help them launch themselves into smile-inspiring jumps.

The Scientist MARCH 14, 2022

Caught on Camera

Selected images from the-scientist.com

WIRED AUG. 13, 2019

The Biomechanical Perfection of Simone Biles in Flight

Behold the triple double: The gymnast’s precise control of her body as she moves through space sets her apart. Add tremendous strength and speed, and you’ve got a champion.

CNN News AUG. 4, 2022

Updated Covid-19 boosters are expected in September. Will it be too late?

This fall, Americans could get boosted with a mRNA Covid-19 vaccine unlike any that's come before. Some experts wonder whether the Omicron-specific boosters will come in time to make a difference.