Credit: PixabayResearchers at the University of Basel have uncovered how bacteria sense environmental threats using a universal danger signal. When nearby cells are dying, bacteria detect fragments of their cell walls, called peptidoglycans, and proactively form protective biofilms. This discovery sheds light on bacterial communication and defense mechanisms, offering insights for combating infections.Sensing Danger:...
A head-on view of the Beatbot Amphibious RoboTurtle, on display last week at CES 2025BeatbotWhen designing a fast, agile, and adaptable underwater robot, why not take inspiration from nature? That’s precisely what China’s Beatbot did with its bio-inspired Amphibious RoboTurtle.Unveiled as a prototype at CES last week, this autonomous robot is built for tasks...
One of the specimens of Saccus xixiangensis, no more than 1 millimeter in diameter. (Liu et al., Palaeogeogr. Palaeoclimatol. Palaeoecol., 2025)Tiny mineralized spheres are offering fresh insights into the history of life on Earth. These millimeter-sized fossils, over 535 million years old, are the fossilized embryos of early Cambrian animals.Belonging to the Ecdysozoa group—which includes insects,...
Sanctuary AI's robotic hand can now perform tasks such as simultaneously holding and adjusting a wrenchSanctuary AISanctuary AI's Phoenix robot is undeniably remarkable, featuring hydraulically powered hands with exceptional dexterity. These hands have recently become even more versatile, as each can now simultaneously hold and manipulate an object.Typically, robotic fingers are operated using cables...
A side view of the speedy new manta ray robot swimming along the surfaceHaitao Qing, NC State UniversityJust two years ago, a tiny robotic manta ray set a record as the fastest-swimming soft-bodied robot. Now, its upgraded successor has shattered that record while using less energy in the process.The original 22.8-mm-long robot was developed by...
Schistosoma mansoni egg recovered from the medieval latrine in Bruges. Black bar represents 20 µm. Credit: Marissa Ledger, McMaster UniversityThe discovery of a 500-year-old African parasite in a Bruges latrine offers new insights into how medieval trade networks facilitated the spread of infectious diseases. Linked to Spanish merchants and global commerce, this finding sheds...
Credit: PixabayChildren with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not lazy, undisciplined, or lacking manners. Instead, their brains develop and function differently, marked by unique neurological activity patterns and neurochemical imbalances. These differences classify ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder rather than a behavioral issue.The Neurological Basis of ADHDThe neurological variations in ADHD manifest as...
Credit: PixabayYour brain can still produce new neurons in adulthood, but how do these rare additions support cognitive function?Neurons, the cells responsible for brain function, are mostly formed before birth. While early life sees the bulk of brain development, certain regions continue generating neurons into adulthood, albeit at a slower pace. Scientists debate whether...
"With the Darwin MX Pro, fans of everything tiny can unlock the secrets of the micro world"BeaverLab TechCompetitions like Nikon Small World reveal how much of the microscopic world remains unseen to the naked eye. Fortunately, affordable desktop microscopes, like BeaverLab’s Darwin MX Pro, now offer a window into these hidden realms for everyday...
The RAVEN robot in flight, showing off its bird legs© 2024 EPFL/Alain Herzog (CC-BY-SA 4.0)While autonomous flying robots hold promising potential, their usefulness is limited if they cannot navigate uneven terrain after landing. However, an experimental bio-inspired robot overcomes this limitation by mimicking the raven's gait.Named RAVEN (Robotic Avian-inspired Vehicle for Multiple Environments), the...
