Self-enhanced mobility enables vortex pattern formation in living matter. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38480895/)

These scientists discovered something really cool about how groups of tiny bacteria can organize themselves in a special way. They found that when a lot of these bacteria come together, they start moving in a pattern that looks like spinning whirlpools. These whirlpools are made up of thousands of bacteria spinning together in a circle. And not only that, these whirlpools are arranged in a neat hexagonal shape, like a honeycomb.

The scientists studied how these bacteria move and found that they are able to move faster and in a more coordinated way when they are in these spinning whirlpools. This is because when they are all packed closely together, they can push and pull on each other to move more efficiently. It's like when you and your friends hold hands and spin around in a circle, you can move faster and stay together.

This discovery shows how living things, like these bacteria, can work together in a very organized and efficient way just by being close to each other. It's like a big dance where everyone knows the steps without even talking to each other! This study helps us understand more about how living things can create patterns and structures all on their own.

Xu H., Wu Y. Self-enhanced mobility enables vortex pattern formation in living matter. Nature. 2024 Mar 13. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07114-8.