New research into the biomechanics of explosive seed dispersal in squirting cucumbers (Ecballium elaterium) reveals how these plants have adapted a suite of unique traits that help propel their ...

Katie has a PhD in maths, specializing in the intersection of dynamical systems and number theory. She reports on topics from maths and history to society and animals. Katie has a PhD in maths, ...

(Laughter) Well, there are Persian cucumbers - the itty-bitty ones. And then there's the super long English cucumber, right? SUMMERS: Go on. Go on. CHANG: That's all I got, Juana. SUMMERS: Well, Ailsa ...

Three summers ago, Kiel University biomechanist Stainslav Gorb, returned to Germany after a vacation in Turkey with a present for Ph.D. student Helen Gorges. "He came back and was like, 'Helen, I ...

The squirting cucumber doesn't get its name for nothing. And it's why her supervisor, who studies biomechanics, was so excited about them. Gorges searched for the plant on YouTube, and turned up this ...