Sci Files

Compiled by Brendan Rowe

More genes than Levi
How many genes is that? Daphnia pulex – also known as a water flea, a type of zooplankton – is the first crustacean to have its genome mapped, and the results are startling. The average human has around 20,000 to 25,000 genes; the water flea has more than 31,000. Scientists believe that the creature’s rapidly multiplying genes are the reason behind the large number.

Space net to net space junk
Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency goes fish ing for space junk. JAXA is working with one of the oldest fishing net manufacturers, Nitto Seimo Co, to produce a metal fishing net that will be attached to a satellite in order to catch space debris.. The net would then fall into the atmosphere and burn up both itself and the junk. They suspect that there are as many as 370,000 pieces of junk in space.

Yikes, that’s a bike?
The YikeBike, invented by Grant Ryan, is unlike any bike you’ve ever seen. It’s an electric bike that travels at about 15 mph for six miles. The entire vehicle also folds up into the front wheel. Instead of needing to lock it up, you simply stash it under your desk. Its unique design also placed the handlebars behind the seat at arm’s length.