Oval cross-section of rose prickles may balance stability and cutting efficiency

Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark and Aarhus University tested artificial prickles on skin-like materials to understand why rose thorns have an oval cross-section. Their findings, published in Journal of the Royal Society Interface, suggest this shape is a compromise between more stable round stingers and flattened, blade-like prickles. The work draws on principles from the book 'On Size and Life' to explore physical constraints on living systems.