Curr Biol December 2018 PMID 30528580

Geckos Race Across the Water's Surface Using Multiple Mechanisms.

Jasmine A Nirody, Judy Jinn, Thomas Libby, Timothy J Lee, Ardian Jusufi, David L Hu, Robert J Full

Mentions

56
Peak: 15 in Jul 2020
across 6 sources since Dec 2018

Extended reach

57,478
potential audience

Total likes

188

Video views

20,457

Mentions per month

Dec 2018 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • Facebook20 posts
  • X / Twitter18 posts
  • News12 articles
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Most responses highlight the fascinating nature of the gecko’s water-running ability, with comments like 'interesting article' and mentions of scientific details such as surface tension and limb movements. The tone is a mix of curiosity and admiration, with some technical engagement and recognition of the study's novelty, reflecting a positive overall perception of the findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the study’s findings as accurate and impressive, particularly recognizing the multiple mechanisms geckos use to move across water surfaces.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions demonstrate high interest, with comments expressing curiosity about the animal's abilities and the new scientific insights disclosed.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants reference specific mechanisms like limb slapping and body undulation, indicating moderate engagement and attention to detail.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations hint at a modest perceived impact, mainly as an interesting scientific discovery without suggesting it drastically alters broader scientific or societal contexts.

Abstract in brief

  • Geckos can now be added to the list of animals that can race across water surfaces, using a combination of their unique movements like trotting with limbs that create air chambers, body undulation, and their superhydrophobic skin to reduce drag.
  • The study indicates that geckos use several mechanisms to move on the water surface, including limb slapping that increases surface tension, body undulation to generate thrust, and skin properties that help reduce water resistance, allowing them to sprint faster than typical water walkers.
  • Adding chemicals like surfactants, which lower surface tension, slows the geckos down, confirming that surface tension plays a key role in their movement, while their multifunctional body features help them achieve this impressive ability.]

Top posts

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Nereide
@Nereide · X

#Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactylus platyurus) can also run on water. Article from @UCBerkeleyNews➡️https://t.co/6tGipwaK27 Paper➡️https://t.co/h1wLw7fAXT Here's a UC Berkeley movie https://t.co/QBc6jCI1Cm

Jul 13, 2020 · 47 likes · 21 shares · 7,898 followers View post →
maz
@dynamicsoar · X

https://t.co/hggxizz2KE Interesting article. Introduction alone is quite informative to me as I had no idea of this field: small animals=surface tension; large animals=slapping water (and both by intermediate animal) BTW I guess the We = 0 in Figure 1 x-axis should be We = 1...

Jan 8, 2019 · 2 likes · 2,412 followers View post →
Mindy Weisberger
@laminda.bsky.social · Bluesky

7-word "lectures! Original musical performances! Paper airplanes! The Ig Nobels really do have it all

Sep 14, 2023 · 1 like View post →
Mario Livio
@Mario_Livio · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 10,624 followers View post →
Aldo Di Zanni
@Aldo_DiZa · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 4,445 followers View post →
la Isa
@laIsa_M_ · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 2,151 followers View post →

All mentions

Geckos' Unique Multimechanism Water Running Ability

Geckos Hemidactylus platyurus can run across water at nearly a meter per second by utilizing surface tension, limb slapping, body undulation, and superhydrophobic skin to reduce drag, enabling rapid movement on water…

SciNews · Dec 6, 2018 15,989 views
Mindy Weisberger
@laminda.bsky.social · Bluesky

7-word "lectures! Original musical performances! Paper airplanes! The Ig Nobels really do have it all

Sep 14, 2023 · 1 like View post →
EFISIA CORAZZA
@CorazzaEfisia · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 1,492 followers View post →
la Isa
@laIsa_M_ · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 2,151 followers View post →
Aldo Di Zanni
@Aldo_DiZa · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 4,445 followers View post →
Glie ⚖️
@Pugliessino · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 1,027 followers View post →
Anna Lucia Montanari 
@MmTai7 · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 1,870 followers View post →
Mario Livio
@Mario_Livio · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 10,624 followers View post →
Jose
@Dr_Josesin · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 25 followers View post →
@viktorbir@masto.ai Víktor Bautista i Roca
@viktorbir · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 819 followers View post →
Arsen Dzℏanoev
@dzhanoev · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 1,152 followers View post →
Charles Albert
@Charles27710945 · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 304 followers View post →
Fabiana Succi
@SucciFabiana · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 375 followers View post →
Joey Avenger Jr.
@joyfulmath3 · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 205 followers View post →
Gally Sussingcowards
@MucJiu · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 166 followers View post →
Rosy's Science Project
@meryrosyu · X

RT @Nereide: #Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactyl…

Jul 13, 2020 · 21 shares · 289 followers View post →
Nereide
@Nereide · X

#Geckos are renowned for their acrobatic feats on land & in the air, but a 2018 research at @UCBerkeley shows they (Hemidactylus platyurus) can also run on water. Article from @UCBerkeleyNews➡️https://t.co/6tGipwaK27 Paper➡️https://t.co/h1wLw7fAXT Here's a UC Berkeley movie https://t.co/QBc6jCI1Cm

Jul 13, 2020 · 47 likes · 21 shares · 7,898 followers View post →
Alex Virolan
@AVirolan · X

Geckos Race Across the Water’s Surface Using Multiple Mechanisms https://t.co/pWgYZhapQb

Feb 10, 2019 · 62 followers View post →
maz
@dynamicsoar · X

https://t.co/hggxizz2KE Interesting article. Introduction alone is quite informative to me as I had no idea of this field: small animals=surface tension; large animals=slapping water (and both by intermediate animal) BTW I guess the We = 0 in Figure 1 x-axis should be We = 1...

Jan 8, 2019 · 2 likes · 2,412 followers View post →
NGO news from Taiwan
@NGOnewsTW · X

New video by 環境資訊中心: Geckos Race Across the Water’s Surface Using Multiple Mechanisms https://t.co/rTqhItP94L

Jan 1, 2019 · 727 followers View post →
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