Hydra revealed

Researchers at the University of Chicago’s Marine Biological Laboratory and Columbia University believe they may have achieved a world first by mapping the full-body muscle activity of an animal while it was moving. The small aquatic animal is called a “hydra” and researchers hope that this research will take them closer to one day “breaking the neural code” and a greater understanding of how the nervous system and muscles interact. Hear hydra story (begins at 4:45) and more …

Caption: Hydra’s muscle fibers are in sepia and its nerve net is in blue/green. Credit: John Szymanski