University of Michigan engineers are kitting out beetles with sensors, aiming to use them to monitor hazardous situations before sending in human beings.
Well, this year's Ig Nobel awards are out, and as ever there's a fine selection of winning research - from why beetles try to mate with beer bottles to how needing to pee affects decision making.
Jewel scarab beetles can see using circularly polarised light - the same as is used in 3D movies such as Avatar. And they don't even need special glasses.
