Dulcibella camanchaca, a newly identified amphipod from the Atacama Trench. (Johanna Weston/WHOI)Earth’s oceanic trenches, plunging as deep as 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), remain one of the planet’s most mysterious realms. Their pitch-black waters endure crushing pressures of up to 1,088 atmospheres (16,000 pounds per square inch), yet life somehow thrives in these extreme environments. Despite...
Credit: PixabayScientists have created a hybrid mouse by incorporating a gene that predates all animal life. In this groundbreaking study, the team replaced a single gene in the mouse stem cells with one from an ancient, single-celled ancestor and successfully grew healthy mice from it.Stem cells are known for their ability to differentiate into...
Credit: PixabayRecent research has detected fentanyl and other drugs in dozens of dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico, just months after cocaine was found in sharks off the coast of South America. This finding highlights the growing problem of pharmaceuticals infiltrating marine environments."Pharmaceuticals have emerged as micropollutants and are becoming a global concern, with...
A zebrafish embryo. (Dr. Deodatta Gajbhiye)Fish embryos in many species can control their hatching timing, effectively selecting their own birthdays. A study from Hebrew University of Jerusalem has uncovered the chemical and biological processes enabling this precise control, showing how embryos align their hatching with optimal environmental conditions.Researchers focused on zebrafish (Danio rerio) and discovered...
Skeletal muscle fibers (multinucleated cells) with their nerve connections. (Ed Reschke/Stone/Getty Images)We all wish for a longer life—at least, I know I do—but what about ensuring that we enjoy good health during the time we have?Over the past century, human life expectancy has significantly increased for several reasons, particularly advances in sanitation, public health, nutrition,...
The sensors are attached to the underside of the leaves (right) in order to ensure that the plant still receives enough sunlightKohzuma and MiyamotoMonitoring crop health from aerial images has its limits, as they can only provide a broad overview. Enter a groundbreaking spectral sensor designed to attach directly to the underside of individual...
Footage of the explosion, slowed down 400 times Thorogood, C. et al/CC By 4.0"Ballistic seed dispersal" is a rare phenomenon in the plant world, and for good reason, as demonstrated by the squirting cucumber's impressive abilities. Rather than relying on external factors like wind or animals, this cucumber takes matters into its own hands, launching...
Credit: PixabayGenetic research has revealed that male mosquitoes lose their ability to reproduce when they lose their sense of hearing. This surprising discovery could open new methods to reduce mosquito populations and the diseases they spread.While the high-pitched buzz of a mosquito is highly annoying to humans, especially on warm nights, it is an...
September 22: Pesto manages to make an average-sized king penguin look small Bronwyn Thompson/New AtlasA new viral sensation is taking the spotlight: Pesto, a nine-month-old king penguin chick, whose unusually large size has made him a global star. Hatched from an avocado-sized egg on January 30, 2024, at Sea Life Melbourne, Australia, Pesto now weighs...
Credit: PixabayHave you ever found yourself caught in a flurry of water droplets as a wet dog shook to dry off? Well, it’s not a choice. Scientists have discovered the mechanism that drives dogs—and many other furry mammals—to shake off water with intense vigor. This behavior is involuntary and has fascinating genetic roots.Discovering the...
