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New physics model explains why ocean animals swim in groups

Researchers say the offshore waters, from the sunlit surface down through the twilight zone, shape how animals group up; the ocean runs on snacks and panic.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on BBN Tonight
Published 7:26 PM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: ABI imagery from NOAA's GOES-18 satellite · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

▶ As it aired · Tech

Watch it as it aired: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on this story, from BBN Tonight at 7:26 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Phys.org's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: ABI imagery from NOAA's GOES-18 satellite · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Ocean — Photo: ABI imagery from NOAA's GOES-18 satellite · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by Phys.org: “Food, fear and physics help explain group behavior from plankton to whales”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 7:26 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Phys.orgFood, fear and physics help explain group behavior from plankton to whales

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentPhysics researchers say food, fear and ocean conditions explain how animals move together, from tiny plankton to whales, in waters where meals are scattered and predators are everywhere.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo a school of fish is just a group chat that panics when something shows up, and honestly I've been in that chat.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt's simple rules, Kenji, which is also why the ocean has never needed your notifications.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSports with Rex is next, and he has a grudge against mascots, so brace for that.

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