Credit: DepositphotosReconstructing Ancient GenomesResearchers reconstructed the oldest human genomes from South Africa, based on the remains of two individuals who lived about 10,000 years ago, providing a deeper understanding of how the region was populated, explained one of the authors of the study on Sunday.A man and a woman whose remains researchers found in...
Morphological features of "Sheba" at different ages. Credit: Communications Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06721-5An international team of botanists, agriculturists, and historians has successfully cultivated a mature tree from an ancient seed discovered in an Israeli cave.In fact, in their study published in Communications Biology, the researchers detail the seed’s origin, the process of tracing its history,...
A Serianthes seedling that was part of the study, surrounded by a 7.5-cm (3-inch)-wide ring of mirrorsThomas MarlerIndoor plant enthusiasts are familiar with using mirrors to direct sunlight onto plants. Now, scientists have adapted this idea to help endangered tree seedlings struggling to grow in shaded forests. The Serianthes nelsonii, a large tree native...
A live recreation of the Ngamugawi wirngarri coelacanth in its natural habitat. P3D graphic credit: Katrina Kenny. Credit: Illustration Katrina Kenny (courtesy Flinders University)"Groundbreaking" new fossil research reveals that climate change, asteroids, and plate tectonics are interconnected with the origins and extinction of animals, highlighting the significant evolutionary role of these factors.A recent study...
The dye that gives foods, drugs, and cosmetics a lemon yellow color can also make mice transparent, as illustrated in this generative imageResearchers at Stanford University have found that applying a common food dye to the skin of mice enables biologists to see through to the animals' internal organs and structures, enhancing their research...
A drug already used to treat Alzheimer's could find a second use in inducing a hibernation-like state, to save lives during medical emergencies. Credit: PixabayIn a medical emergency, timely treatment is essential. However, a commonly used drug could be repurposed to induce a hibernation-like state, slowing organ damage and extending the time available to...
Scientists have discovered why humans no longer have tails© iStockAbout 25 million years ago, an evolutionary divergence happened between our ancestors—the early humans and apes—and monkeys, leading to the loss of tails in our lineage. The specific genetic mutation behind this change, however, has been unknown until recently.In a recent study published in Nature, scientists...
A new study shows that different people transfer different amounts of genetic material to items that they touchDepositphotosIf you’ve ever watched CSI, you know that suspects often leave incriminating DNA traces at crime scenes. However, a recent study suggests that the amount of this genetic material could also indicate a person’s guilt or innocence....
Cilantro seedlings grown in a medium consisting of 100% recycled glass particlesAndrea QuezadaGlass-fragment waste usually ends up in landfills, but that might not always be necessary. A recent study suggests that mixing ground glass particles with soil can create a plant growth medium that outperforms soil on its own.While larger glass items can be...
An orb-weaving spider wraps up a male firefly, getting him ready to attract his buddies to the web tooXinhua FuCertain species have a remarkable ability to exploit others for their benefit. Scientists have recently uncovered a fascinating example: some spiders manipulate the flashing of fireflies to lure more insects into their webs.While fireflies’ enchanting...
