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. April's list includes tracking Roman ship repairs, the discovery that mushrooms can detect human urine, crushing soda cans for science, and the physics of why dolphins can swim so fast.

Dolphins are renowned for their impressive speed and agility in water, but the exact mechanisms behind their remarkable abilities have long been shrouded in mystery. A team of Japanese scientists from the University of Osaka sought to shed some light on this phenomenon by running multiple supercomputer simulations. Their findings, published in the journal Physical Review Fluids, reveal that the secret to dolphins' speed lies in the vortices, or eddies, produced by their kicks.

According to the authors, when dolphins flap their tails up and down, the kicking motion pushes water backward and produces swirling currents of varying sizes. The computer simulations enabled the team to break down those different sizes, revealing that the initial tail oscillations produce large vortex rings that generate thrust, and those larger ones then produce many more smaller vortices. However, the smaller ones don't contribute to the forward motion.

The study's results provide a fascinating glimpse into the complex physics at play when dolphins swim. By optimizing their propulsion through the clever use of vortices, dolphins are able to achieve remarkable speeds and agility in the water. This research not only deepens our understanding of these incredible creatures but also has potential applications in the development of more efficient underwater vehicles and technologies.

The team's innovative approach to studying dolphin swimming is just one example of the many intriguing scientific stories that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. As we continue to explore the wonders of the natural world, it's exciting to think about what other secrets we might uncover. By highlighting these often-overlooked stories, we hope to inspire a greater appreciation for the fascinating world of science and the many mysteries it still holds.