a bee solves math

in animalphotograpyh •  7 years ago 

A computer science asks the question "By looking at the list of cities and the distance between each city, which shortest route is to visit each city and return to the home town?"

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Here's a riddle to bees being released at a series of artificial flower food stations at the Rothamsted Research institute in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Scientists try to trick the bees by offering a shortcut between each flower that increases their total mileage.

Initially, the bees were deceived, they chose a short route, but ended up with a longer and exhausting journey as they stopped at each flower. However, gradually the bees are improving their flight path and finding the most effective solution.

The team examined six bees that make 201 flights, using a type of radar that is able to identify the special reflections of small transponders attached to insects.
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"We track every flight of bees as they study the bait sequences, with a radar that tells the bees position every three seconds, with a two-meter accuracy," Woodgate said.

Source: okezone.com

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