We know you’re all out of school, but we’re going to attempt to keep you abreast on Tufts news this summer with a new feature. Similar to Fresh Cream, Ripe Produce will feature local Tufts news that’s “ripe for the reading.” Here are four summer stories you must know.

* There could in fact be martians.  NASA scientists and Samuel Kounaves, a professor at Tufts University and a research affiliate, are saying the soil on Mars can support life. So, it looks like it won't be that long until we relocate to Mars.

* Caterpillars are taking over the world. Well, at least in Tufts labatories. Researchers at Tufts University received a $3.3 million contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to build soft automatons, caterpillars copies.  They are building caterpillar robots to explore caves or dismantle explosives.

* Eat those fruits and veggies and you won't get old! According to Tufts scientists eating a pint of strawberries or a spinach salad a day makes you younger than taking drugs! Yes!

* Be sure to get your sleep. Tufts University found that a lack of sleep equals more pounds and a greater risk of disease. Stop partying so hard!