Story perspectives

Slime Mold Escapes Blue-Light Traps via Long-Axis Surge

6/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Scientists in Germany and the United States found Physarum polycephalum escapes blue-light traps by moving along the longest axis.
Researchers placed starved molds on agar with triangular, square or hexagonal light-free zones.
Protrusions that reached the trap edge along that axis triggered contractions and a pressure surge.
The surge expelled a larger slime-mass outward in one burst.
Schick’s team reported that mechanical fluid flows drive the behavior in PRX Life.

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Story summary

Scientists in Germany and the United States found Physarum polycephalum escapes blue-light traps by moving along the longest axis.
Researchers placed starved molds on agar with triangular, square or hexagonal light-free zones.
Protrusions that reached the trap edge along that axis triggered contractions and a pressure surge.
The surge expelled a larger slime-mass outward in one burst.
Schick’s team reported that mechanical fluid flows drive the behavior in PRX Life.