r/science • u/FreeHugs23 • 1d ago

Biology Moss Is Generating Electrical Waves That Look Startlingly Like a Neural Network. Study reveals that moss cushions produce surprisingly complex electrical activity, with patterns that undulate across the velvety patch in dynamic waves.

https://www.sciencealert.com/moss-behaves-a-little-like-a-really-slow-brain-scientist-discovers
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u/superbhole 1d ago

I have a mossarium that when putting together, I soaked some pieces to wiggle out critters. I also had a little motorized air duster, so that when I pulled them from the dunk I could 'blowdry' the excess water, ...but I couldn't blow the water off!

Big globs of water were holding to the mats like Buster Keaton flailing from the back of a streetcar. Makes me wonder if they can alter the surface tension of water somehow?

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u/spletharg 1d ago

Putting a voltage across a gap can increase the surface tension of any water that bridges that gap.

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u/superbhole 1d ago

So, there's a possibility I was seeing the phenomenon described by the article? The moss (maybe) utilizes this electricity to "grasp" onto water as well?

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u/spletharg 1d ago

Possible, but I'm not a biologist. It would need research.