Engineers studying humpback whale flippers  have uncovered a flow-shaping trick that defies the rules of physics. The bumps along each flipper create spiralling currents that boost lift and stabilise movement, and now this ocean-tested design is inspiring a new generation of wind turbines  that capture more energy from every breath of wind. '30 Animals That Made Us Smarter' Click to Order Now! When the Water Teaches the Wind Picture yourself on a small boat gliding across gla

A creature in the woods strikes its head against a tree at high speed. Like a natural jackhammer, it drills into wood with shocking precision. Not once. Not twice. But again and again. Banging as if the world’s loudest drum were hidden beneath the bark. Armed with one of nature’s strangest talents, this animal has perfected a life built around impact. Yet, even with all that headbanging, it never suffers brain damage. Scientists have been quietly studying this bird to uncover

Engineers studying termite mounds have uncovered a natural ventilation system so advanced it challenges everything we think we know about building design. These mounds regulate temperature, circulate fresh air and maintain stable indoor comfort in scorching heat – all without the use of fossil fuels, mechanical cooling or complex electronics. Now, architects are turning to these soil-built structures for lessons that could reshape the future of sustainable buildings. '30 Anim