Biology

Scientists Observe Sperm Defying a Fundamental Law of Physics

Image from pixabayAccording to a recent study, human sperm use their slender tails to navigate through thick fluids, appearing to defy Newton's third law of motion. This research also examines the movement patterns of these sex cells alongside single-celled algae.Exploring Non-Reciprocal Interactions in Microscopic SwimmersKenta Ishimoto, a mathematical scientist at Kyoto University, and his...

Why We Kiss: A New and Intriguing Theory That Predates Human Life on Earth

Credit: PixabayThe Origins of KissingMost of us kiss at some point, whether romantically, with family, friends, or formally. However, the origin of this behavior and how it emerged among humans remain subjects of intense debate among historians and anthropologists. A new theory suggests that the evolutionary loss of body hair could be at the...

Plant-Animal Hybrid Cells Create Solar-Powered Tissues, Organs, Or Meat

Fluorescent microscope image of the animal cells with embedded chloroplasts (magenta)R. Aoki, Y. Inui, Y. Okabe et al. 2024/ Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series BHybrid Plant-Animal Cells Developed in JapanScientists in Japan have developed hybrid plant-animal cells, allowing animal cells to harness energy from sunlight like plants. This innovation could bring significant benefits...

Scientists Show How Sperm and Egg Unite Like a Key in a Lock

This microscope image provided by Osaka University and the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology in October 2024, shows the fertilization of a mouse egg marked in red and green. DNA is marked in blue, showing in the egg at the top and in a sperm cell at the bottom left. Credit: Yonggang Lu/Osaka University/IMP...

Rats May Use Ultrasound to Enhance their Sense of Smell, a Study Suggests

Mice and rats could use ultrasonic pulses to boost their sense of smell. Credit: PixabayRodents communicate in sounds too high-pitched for human hearing, but scientists have discovered these vocalizations may serve another function—enhancing their sense of smell.The high-pitched squeaks of cartoon mice aren't too far from reality. For decades, scientists have documented rodents using...

Scientists Uncover How Plants Generate a Unique Molecule that Combats Stress

Credit: PixabayA groundbreaking study has identified, for the first time, the genes that enable plants to thrive in stressful conditions, offering potential solutions for creating more sustainable food crops amid global climate change.A study led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) has uncovered the genes that allow plants to produce a novel anti-stress...

Innovative Nanopillars Pierce The Nuclei Of Human Cells

A scanning electron microscope image of a cell sitting atop the nanopillarsAli SarikhaniResearchers have discovered a way to pierce the nucleus of a cell without damaging the rest of its structure, similar to puncturing the yolk of an egg without breaking the white or the shell. This breakthrough could have significant implications for medical...

Can music Promote Plant Growth? A Study Suggests Sound may Boost Beneficial Fungi Activity

Credit: PixabayA study released on Wednesday found that playing a monotonous sound enhances the activity of a fungus that supports plant growth, suggesting that music could potentially benefit crops and gardens.The question of whether playing Mozart could enhance plant growth has been debated for a long time. The US TV show "MythBusters" even tested...

Closer to a Live Mammoth by 2028

This achievement marks a world first and is crucial for the development of a mammoth outside the womb.Image courtesy of Colossal BiosciencesColossal Biosciences has announced a world-first achievement: their goal is to create a woolly mammoth by 2028. Their approach involves reprogramming elephant cells into stem cell-like cells capable of differentiating into all necessary...

A Mysterious Group of Orcas Near Chile has Been Found, Revealing New Hunting Techniques

Off the coast of Chile, in the krill- and anchovy-rich waters influenced by the Humboldt Current, resides a rarely seen population of orcas. Through citizen science and years of diligent monitoring, a research team led by Dr. Ana García Cegarra from the Universidad de Antofagasta is beginning to uncover their mysteries—starting with their feeding...