June research roundup: 6 cool science stories we almost missed

It's a regrettable reality that there is never enough time to cover all the interesting scientific stories we come across. So every month, we highlight a handful of the best stories that nearly slipped through the cracks. June's list includes insight into the science of soccer's scissors feint; the physics of poo's distinctive coiled shape; a boron buckyball; and the latest breakthrough in the ongoing Vesuvius challenge to decipher the Herculaneum scrolls.

With the FIFA World Cup in full swing, even scientists' thoughts are turning to soccer (or football for everyone else in the world). For instance, one common and highly effective dribbling maneuver is the "scissors feint," in which a player uses the outside of their feet to fake going one way and then cutting to the other. Japanese scientists studied university and junior high school soccer players of varying skill levels to study dribbling dynamics, focusing on the scissors feint.

The movements were captured with high-speed cameras. The study aimed to understand the physics behind the scissors feint and how it can be used to deceive opponents. By analyzing the movements of players with different skill levels, the researchers were able to identify the key factors that contribute to the effectiveness of the scissors feint.

The Vesuvius challenge, a project aimed at deciphering the Herculaneum scrolls, has also made significant progress. The scrolls, which were buried under volcanic ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, contain valuable information about ancient Greek philosophy and culture. The challenge, which involves using machine learning algorithms to read the scrolls, has yielded promising results.

The physics of poo's distinctive coiled shape has also been studied, with researchers using a combination of experiments and simulations to understand the factors that contribute to its unique shape. The study found that the shape of poo is influenced by the properties of the intestinal tract and the muscles that control bowel movements. A boron buckyball, a molecule composed of 12 boron atoms arranged in a spherical structure, has been synthesized by researchers.

The molecule has unique properties that make it potentially useful for a range of applications, including catalysis and materials science. The study of the scissors feint and other scientific stories from June highlight the diversity and complexity of scientific research. Why this matters: The scientific stories highlighted here may seem unrelated at first glance, but they all demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary research and the importance of exploring seemingly obscure topics.

For developers and businesses, these findings could have practical applications in fields such as sports technology, medicine, and materials science. For consumers, a better understanding of the science behind everyday phenomena can lead to new products and services. As researchers continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge, we can expect to see new breakthroughs and innovations emerge.