Episode description

150 years after they were discovered, researchers have identified how specific nerve-cell structures on the penis and clitoris are activated. While these structures, called Krause corpuscles, are similar to touch-activated corpuscles found on people’s fingers and hands, there was little known about how they work, or their role in sex. Working in mice, a team found that Krause corpuscles in both male and females were activated when exposed to low-frequency vibrations and caused sexual behaviours like erections. The researchers hope that this work could help uncover the neurological basis underlying certain sexual dysfunctions.

News: Sensory secrets of penis and clitoris unlocked after more than 150 years

Research article: Qi et al.

News and Views: Sex organs sense vibrations through specialized touch neurons

Astronomers struggle to figure out the identity of a mysterious object called a MUBLO, and how CRISPR gene editing could make rice plants more water-efficient.

Research Highlight: An object in space is emitting microwaves — and baffling scientists

Research Highlight: CRISPR improves a crop that feeds billions

It’s long been understood that fish can identify the direction a sound came from, but working out how they do it is a question that’s had scientists stumped for years. Now using a specialist setup, a team of researchers have demonstrated that some fish can independently detect two components of a soundwave — pressure and particle motion — and combine this information to identify where a sound comes from.

Research article: Veith et al.

News and Views: Pressure and particle motion enable fish to sense the direction of sound

D. cerebrum sounds: Schulze et al.

Ancient DNA sequencing reveals secrets of ritual sacrifice at Chichén Itzá, and how AI helped identify the names that elephants use for each other.

Nature News: Ancient DNA from Maya ruins tells story of ritual human sacrifices

Nature News: Do elephants have names for each other?

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