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  • From: Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] Science News | Patterns Seen in Spider Silk and Melodies Connected
  • Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:52:25 -0500

Science News | Patterns Seen in Spider Silk and Melodies Connected
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208092602.htm

Patterns Seen in Spider Silk and Melodies Connected

ScienceDaily (Dec. 8, 2011) — Using a new mathematical methodology,
researchers at MIT have created a scientifically rigorous analogy that
shows the similarities between the physical structure of spider silk
and the sonic structure of a melody, proving that the structure of
each relates to its function in an equivalent way.
The step-by-step comparison begins with the primary building blocks of
each item -- an amino acid and a sound wave -- and moves up to the
level of a beta sheet nanocomposite (the secondary structure of a
protein consisting of repeated hierarchical patterns of protein
assemblages) and a musical riff (a repeated pattern of notes or
chords). The study explains that structural patterns are directly
related to the functional properties of lightweight strength in the
spider silk and, in the riff, sonic tension that creates an emotional
response in the listener.
While the comparison of spider silk and musical composition may appear
to be more novelty than breakthrough, the methodology behind it
represents a new approach to the comparison of research findings in
disparate scientific fields. Such analogies could help engineers
develop materials that make use of the repeating patterns of simple
building blocks found in many biological materials that, like spider
silk, are lightweight yet extremely failure-resistant. The work also
suggests that engineers may be able to gain new insights into
biological systems through the study of the structure-function
relationships found in music and other art forms.

Using a new mathematical methodology, researchers at MIT have created
a scientifically rigorous analogy that shows the similarities between
the physical structure of spider silk and the sonic structure of a
melody, proving that the structure of each relates to its function in
an equivalent way. (Credit: © Pink Badger / Fotolia)

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Attachment: spiderweb.jpg
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