Flying without Fractals

A new study raises doubts about fractal patterns in animal behavior

Scientific fashions can rise and fall, like the hems of each year’s skirts. Unlike haute couture, however, scientific fads can shed light on the world.

Albatrosses don’t use fractal search patterns after all, a new study shows. iStockphoto
The drawing on the left shows the path of a dot traversing a Lévy flight.