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The base of the blade would damage the gelatin, but because of the change in density the base of the beak doesn't damage the squid, he pointed out. The squid solves the problem by changing the beak composition progressively, rather than abruptly, so that its tip can pierce prey without harming the squid in the process. The researchers calculated the changes by carefully measuring the ratios of chitin -- the material in insect shells -- water and proteins in the beaks of Humboldt squid, showing gradual changes from tip to base. Waite said it was the first time this had been measured. He said he was surprised that the main difference in density resulted from the amount of water included in each part of the beak. Most people probably know squid best as fried calamari -- the tasty starters popular in many restaurants. But the researchers noted that these are animals that deserve respect. "Squids can be aggressive, whimsical, suddenly mean, and they are always hungry," Waite said. "You wouldn't want to be diving next to one. A dozen of them could eat you, or really hurt you a lot." And they are very fast, swimming by a sort of jet propulsion. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, NASA and the Swiss National Science Foundation.
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