Welcome to The Sciku Project – the latest scientific and mathematical discoveries, thoughts and ideas as scientific haiku.
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The roots of rhythm by Mike Fainzilber
border control
by Mike Fainzilber
the beat
of different drummers
Rhythmic drumming is thought to be one of the earliest forms of musical expression in humans. Wild chimpanzees are also known to drum on trees, and recent research has shown that this drumming behavior has rhythm.
Strikingly, a recent study shows that different chimpanzee groups drum with different beats (1). East African chimpanzees from savannas and dry woodlands have distinct beat patterns from those of West African rainforest populations, setting an acoustic basis for subspecies and population recognition and communication (1). The findings further suggest that a sense of rhythm arose before diversification of the primate evolutionary tree (2).
Further reading:
(1) ‘Chimpanzee drumming shows rhythmicity and subspecies variation’, 2025, Eleuteri, V., et al., Current Biology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.019
(2) ‘Chimpanzee drumming may give clues to the roots of rhythm’, 2025, Ortega, R.P., Science News, available: https://www.science.org/content/article/chimpanzee-drumming-may-give-clues-roots-rhythm
Author bio:
Mike Fainzilber’s day job is a biologist. He began writing haiku and senryu during the pandemic, and this side effect of COVID-19 has not worn off yet. Editors in his two spheres of activity have been known to suggest that he should best restrict his efforts to the other sphere. Find out more about Mike’s research via his lab’s website and connect with him on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/mfainzilber.bsky.social .
fallen log by Travis Park
fallen log
by Travis Park
after the rain
one green light
Several species of fungi are naturally bioluminescent, producing a soft green glow through a chemical reaction involving the molecules luciferin and luciferase. Although the purpose of this light is still being studied, research suggests it may attract insects that help disperse fungal spores, particularly in dark forest environments.
Further reading:
‘Bioluminescent fungus’, Wikipedia article, available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioluminescent_fungus
Author bio:
Travis Park is an Indiana writer whose work has appeared or is forthcoming in Modern Haiku, Ribbons, Presence, Wales Haiku Journal, Leaf Journal, Haikuniverse, and other publications. More of his work can be found on Instagram at @travisparkarchive.
Pheromones by John Hawkhead
pheromones
by John Hawkhead
the short-lived affair
of ant flights
The word ‘Pheromone’ derives from the Greek words ‘pherein’ (to carry) and ‘hormon’ (to excite). They are chemical messengers emitted by a body into the environment where they can activate specific physiological or behavioural responses in other individuals of the same species.
During the nuptial mating flights of ants, pheromones work as chemical control centres. They are the impetus behind the synchronized mass take-off from ant colonies and the mid-air attraction between virgin-queens and drones.
Recent studies have found that pheromones may also play an important role in the behavioural and reproduction biology of humans.
Further reading:
‘Pheromones’, Wikipedia article, available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheromone
Author bio:
John Hawkhead (@haikuhawk.bsky.social) is a writer and artist from the south-west of England. His work has been published globally over the last 25 years, including three books of haiku / senryu: ‘Small Shadows’ and ‘Bone Moon’ (available from Alba Publishing. http://www.albapublishing.com/) and ‘Four Horse Parable’ (available from Nun Prophet Press).
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