in a recent experiment, researchers from japan and england have constructed a similar layout to japan’s highly efficient rail system using slime mold.   the mold was presented to oak flakes arranged in a pattern similar to that of japanese cities around tokyo and was left over a 26 hour period.  during this time the single celled slime mold constructed networks of nutrient channel tubes with a striking resemblance to the japanese rail system.  this model based on the simple rules of the slime mold behaviour has the potential to lead to more efficient design models for constructing complex networks.

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