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...
Credit: DepositphotosDid you know that the bananas we eat now differ from those consumed a few generations ago?Today's common banana is the Cavendish variety, while the Gros Michel variety, which was widely available until the 1950s, was decimated by a disease known as Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB).The Fusarium wilt that devastated the...
This generative image illustrates the discovery that the brain stores memories in three parallel copiesSimilar to a computer system with built-in redundancies, a study has discovered that the brain uses three distinct sets of neurons to store a single memory. This finding might eventually aid in alleviating painful memories for those who have experienced...
One of the almost-thornless roses (left) alongside an unmodified plantMohammed Bendahmane/INRAE, CNRS, Université de Lyon, FranceEveryone adores roses, but they’d be even more enjoyable without their sharp thorns. Scientists have now developed a way to grow thornless roses, which could simplify crop harvesting.It’s worth noting that some rose varieties are naturally thornless.However, most plants don’t...
Credit: PixabayDogs can detect human stress, and a new study shows that this scent may cause dogs to make 'pessimistic' decisions, reflecting a similar emotional effect. This is the first scientific evidence that human stress odors influence dogs' emotions and learning, according to UK researchers, and it may provide valuable insights into the ancient...
Understanding the blushing behaviors of chickens could help improve livestock practices. Credit: PixabayFor the first time, researchers discovered that chickens fluff their facial feathers and blush in response to various stimuli, likely to express their inner emotions. This finding could enhance how we care for these birds.However, if you've ever been charmed by a...
Credit: PixabayWhen people converse, they quickly take turns speaking and sometimes interrupt each other. Researchers who have compiled the largest dataset of chimpanzee "conversations" have discovered that chimps also communicate using gestures in a similarly rapid manner. These findings, reported on July 22 in Current Biology, reveal that chimpanzees follow a rapid-fire pattern similar...
A new "smart soil" infused with hydrogel allows crops to grow larger with less water. Credit: PixabayWatering and fertilizing crops to meet global food demands is a significant challenge in agriculture. Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have now developed a “smart soil” that enhances plant hydration and provides a controlled nutrient...
