To determine the viability of airborne pathogens, the researchers anchored E. coli microorganisms to threads of spider silk and exposed them to the open air.
The scientists found, though, that it is not just the silk’s chemical makeup that accounts for its remarkable properties; it is also the way the spider spins this chemical.
Some are linear like the columns of a clump of bamboo or geometric like a spider’s web, whereas others are shapeless like a cloud that changes constantly.
According to the online news site ScienceNOW, the jumping spider’s vision provides “an exciting example of how half-centimeter-long [0.2 in.] animals with brains smaller than those of house flies still manage to gather and act on complex visual information.”
The gaff is also supported by a standing topping lift consisting of a pendant shackled to a spider band fitted round the middle of the gaff, the other end being shackled to a fitting on the after end of the main-lowermast trestle-trees; the length of the pendant is such that the gaff is held at an angle of about 45 degrees with the mast.
The gaff is stayed from slewing sideways by two vangs, which are shackled to the spider band and brought down to each side of the after superstructure.
Consider: To measure its distance from an object, the jumping spider exploits a unique feature of its two principal eyes, each of which has a “staircase” retina with multiple layers.
Cinga ngoku: Ukuze sibale umgama esifanele siwutsibe ukusuka kwenye into ukuya kwenye, esi sigcawu sincedwa ngamehlo aso amabini aneretina eneenwebu eziliqela.jw2019 jw2019
Researchers would like to copy the jumping spider’s technique in order to create 3-D cameras and even robots that can measure the distance to an object.