Credit: SechatAccording to Greek mythology, the titan Prometheus faced Zeus's wrath for bestowing fire upon humanity. Chained and tormented by an eagle devouring his liver daily, the myth raises questions about the liver's regenerative abilities. Delving into reality, this article examines the liver, its susceptibility to alcohol, and its capacity for self-repair.The Liver: Vital...
Humans interbred with Neanderthals and spread DNA across the world. Credit: DepositphotosNeanderthal DNA offered evolutionary advantages during environmental adaptation, yet it also introduced drawbacks, with nicotine addiction being one of the adverse effects associated with certain genesGenetic experts assert that six key indicators can reveal the presence of Neanderthal DNA.Approximately two percent of our...
Lord Howe Island Stick Insect (Dryococelus australis) (Zoos Victoria)Just 20 to 30 'tree lobsters' are left in their natural habitat, and this vulnerable group was found again in 2001, 80 years after being thought extinct.The wild Lord Howe Island stick insects (Dryococelus australis) currently cling to survival on Ball's Pyramid, a nearly vertical volcanic outcrop.San...
Credit: PexelsThe mystery of how living organism originated from non-living matter is still one of the most profound puzzles in science. Despite various theories, a definitive explanation remains elusive, which is not surprising given that these events took place three to four billion years ago in vastly different conditions on Earth.Justifying hypotheses with experimental...
An artist's impression of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis, a new species closely related to T. rexSergey KrasovskiyFor sophisticated 10-year-olds looking to stand out, they now have a fresh dinosaur name to flaunt as their favorite – Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. This recently identified species seems to be less evolved than its well-known relative, but it's equally large and intimidating.It's understandable...
The research indicates a new perspective on intra-person fingerprints. Credit: Unsplash.Fingerprint analysis, a cornerstone in forensic and security contexts, has long relied on fingerprint patterns' perceived uniqueness and permanence. However, groundbreaking research from Columbia University introduces a paradigm shift, challenging the conventional understanding of intra-person fingerprint distinctiveness.Challenging Conventional WisdomThe uniqueness of fingerprints, considered...
Formica wood ant. Credit: PixaobayLocking together beneficial traits, supergenes confer significant evolutionary advantages. However, this association comes with potential costs, as it becomes exceedingly challenging to eliminate detrimental mutations.Traditionally, it has been believed that sexual reproduction evolved as a means for organisms to mix or recombine different alleles (gene variations) in the next generation, creating...
Credit: Lamp Soul Studio/Getty ImagesA 3D-printed catheter creates a miniature obstacle course to thwart microbes, addressing widespread infections in hospital settings.Over 100 million people globally need a urinary catheter annually, which is crucial post-surgery. Yet, around one quarter in developing nations and about an eighth in the U.S. who use them may experience catheter-associated urinary...
A new study has offered challenging new insights into evolution and could revolutionize our approach to multiple real-world issues. Credit:Unsplash.Recent research challenges the notion that evolution is unpredictable, shedding light on how a genome's past influences its future trajectory. With implications ranging from synthetic biology to medicine and environmental science, this discovery offers new possibilities...
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA/IEEECredit: IEEE SpectrumOver a long period of evolution, vines honed the skill of finding light and growing toward it, ensuring their access to the sunlight needed for survival. Recently, scientists made a crawler robot inspired by vines capable of mimicking this behavior by moving toward light and heat sources. This...
