Resurrecting a ‘flipping ship,’ and solving the ‘bone paradox’ in ancient remains
Science Magazine Podcast
Deep Dive
What is the FLIP ship and why is it unique?
FLIP is a 108-meter-long research platform that can flip vertically 90 degrees, with 17 meters above water and the rest submerged. This design stabilizes it for data collection, making it extremely stable even in rough seas.
Why was FLIP originally built by the U.S. Navy?
FLIP was built in 1962 to study how sonar and radar move through water and air, which was crucial for naval interests like submarine detection and warfare systems.
What are the advantages of FLIP's vertical orientation for research?
FLIP's vertical orientation reduces wave interference, making it more stable for data collection. It also minimizes noise interference, which is crucial for sonar studies.
What happened to FLIP after its retirement in 2023?
FLIP was sent to Mexico for deconstruction but was rescued by a UK-based company, Deep, which plans to refurbish it for future ocean research and possibly tourism.
What is the osteological paradox in studying ancient bones?
The osteological paradox suggests that lesions on bones may indicate resilience rather than frailty, as the individual had to survive long enough for the lesions to form.
How does the osteological paradox complicate the study of ancient health?
It complicates the interpretation of skeletal lesions, as they could mean the person was resilient and lived long enough to develop the lesions, or they died quickly and never had a chance to develop them.
What is the male-female mortality-morbidity paradox?
In modern populations, females live longer but experience higher morbidity. This paradox explores whether similar patterns existed in medieval London.
What bones and markers were studied in medieval London cemeteries?
The study examined bones from the 11th to 16th centuries, focusing on markers like enamel hypoplasia, osteoarthritis, femur length, and age at death to assess frailty and resilience.
What did the study find about the male-female mortality-morbidity paradox in medieval London?
The study found no significant difference in frailty indices between males and females, suggesting cultural factors may have overridden physiological differences.
How does the study of frailty in bones differ between medieval London and other locations?
The study suggests that frailty indices should be tailored to specific populations, as different biomarkers may be relevant in different contexts, such as medieval London versus Milan, Italy.
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