Study Explains Physics Behind Lugworms' Upward Fecal Structures

Marine lugworms are known for building distinctive, upward-extruding fecal towers from sand-rich waste. New research published in Nature Communications indicates that the formation of these seemingly gravity-defying structures is primarily determined by the physical properties of the material itself, such as elasticity and density, rather than the worm's muscular effort. This discovery offers valuable insights into the mechanics of soft matter.