We’re still unsure how bird nests manage to be sturdy, yet lightweight and springy. New research provides some insight into the physics of a bird’s nest. Short bamboo rods placed into a transparent cylinder — mimicking the sticks birds use as nesting material — were compressed, but showed little to no signs of bending or breaking because of the many contact points between individual rods. The contact points restrict bending, so the nests might hold themselves together due to this phenomenon. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
