ANT+

The next time an inquisitive four-year-old asks how many ants there are on Earth, you can be ready to fire back a specific number. Researchers in Germany now have an answer to that question, as well as a follow-up: how much do they all weigh combined?

A fascinating study has discovered an insulin-suppressing protein that can help extend the lifespan of some ants by 500%. It revealed that in a certain species of ant this anti-aging pathway is activated when workers transition to the position of queen.

A fascinating new study suggests trained ants could be an effective way to detect cancer in humans. The researchers demonstrated a certain species of ant can be quickly trained to detect cancerous cells with an accuracy equal to that seen in dogs.

Why do ants and other small creatures have such sharp bites? According to scientists from the University of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the answer lies in their ability to uniformly add zinc atoms to their teeth.

The first thing many of us might wish for is eternal youth, but there’s always a catch. Now, scientists have discovered a version of this story playing out in ant nests, as parasites drastically extend the lifespan of worker ants – at a terrible cost.

Amber has offered us all kinds of fascinating insights about long-gone creatures that once inhabited the Earth. Joining them is a rare 99-million-year-old fossil that shows an enigmatic “hell ant” clamping down on its cockroach-like prey.

A new study indicates that ants can be very effective at protecting crops from diseases. It's even being suggested that ant-derived antibiotics could be applied on a commercial scale.

Start-up Brim Brothers is aiming to offer cyclists a little more flexibility in measuring their performance with a wearable power meter that is fitted to the cyclist's shoes to measure force, regardless of their choice of ride.

Reliable power meters can cost upwards of US$500 or even $1,000, making them out of reach for many weekend warriors looking to improve their performance. Velocomp is trying to change that with its PowerPod, a handlebar-mounted power meter designed to offer reasonably-priced tracking to the masses.

Headlights, tail lights and even turn indicators certainly make cycling safer, but operating all those devices at once could be a bit awkward. That's why Bontrager has announced its new Transmitr system. It allows multiple lights to be wirelessly controlled from one handlebar-mounted remote.

Shimano has made its first foray into the increasingly crowded action cam market with the CM-1000 Sport Camera. Lightweight and HD-capable, the camera is ANT+ compatible and could prove a useful tool for reviewing performance.

Paddling a kayak is tough work. If you're wondering just how tough, a new paddle from New Zealand-based One Giant Leap can tell you. Its integrated power meter monitors how much power is going into each stroke.