the kind of scientific findings that junior highers would love

or, the kind of science that junior high youth workers (me) would love.

apparently, a new study shows that herring can escape killer whale attacks by farting. yup. i’m not making this up. to quote:

Norwegian killer whales slap their tails underwater to disorient and kill herring, which sometimes defend themselves from the assault by disappearing under the cover of their own bubbly flatulence, according to a new study.

The study is one of two papers presented at the recent Acoustical Society of America Meeting in Rhode Island that addressed some of the clever techniques whales employ to catch their dinner.

While whales often are successful, some herring escape. The study’s authors perhaps say it best: “Farting may save their lives.”