Hitting a fractal beat

Hitting a fractal beat: "Article: Hitting a fractal beat
   
   
Ever notice that tree branches look a bit like tiny trees, and the veins on a leaf look like tiny branches? Fractals are geometric recurring patterns that appear similar no matter if you look up close or from far away. Fractals may seem complex, however they are very common. They occur all the time in nature and can be found just about anywhere – even in a piece of broccoli.

Recently, fractal patterns have been discovered in an unexpected place – music. A team of researchers noticed some groovy patterns in the drumming style of Jeff Porcaro, famous drummer of American rock band Toto.
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Robot assassin protects the reef

Robot assassin protects the reef: "News: Robot assassin protects the reef    
   

The crown-of-thorns is a venomous starfish that lives in the Great Barrier Reef. Growing up to massive lengths of 80 centimetres and having a body entirely covered in toxic spikes, the starfish is almost indestructible and is a vicious predator. They eat coral, the building blocks of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s said that one adult starfish can eat up to ten square metres of coral every year.
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Rare rocks and Dodgy dice

Rare rocks and Dodgy dice: "rticle: Rare rocks
   
   
Zoologists discover unknown animals, and botanists discover plants. And although you might not know it, each year geologists discover 50–60 minerals that have never been seen before. So how many minerals are yet to be discovered?"



Check out the try at home activity "Dodgy Dice", too!

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