Tails serve various purposes, yet unlike vervet monkeys seen in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda, humans' nearest primate ancestors shed these appendages roughly 25 million years ago. ImageBROKER/ShutterstockHumans are special, but we're missing something common in many animals with spines: a tail. Why this is has been a bit of a mystery.Tails are helpful...
Cash cows: Transgenic cattle could boost insulin production and lower its cost. Credit: PixaobayA recent study reveals that a genetically modified cow has successfully produced milk containing human insulin. This breakthrough suggests a potential solution to ensure sufficient insulin production at a reduced cost for all diabetic patients.Type 1 diabetics,...
Credit: PixaobayIf you've had the opportunity to interact with Australia's renowned magpies, you're aware of their remarkable intelligence. With their distinctive black and white feathers, melodious calls, and intricate social interactions, magpies exhibit a level of avian cleverness that captivates both bird enthusiasts and researchers.However, what factors contribute to the success of these intelligent...
During the period of commercial whaling, this sea creature was nearly brought to extinction by hunting.Scientists have verified that a whale, extinct in the Atlantic Ocean for 200 years, has been sighted off the coast of New England. It's an exciting discovery, but it also highlights the impact of climate change on ocean creatures.Researchers...
How do Microplastic bits affect the heart? A small study from Italy looked into this by checking if these minuscule plastic particles, mostly too small to see (called nanoparticles), were in the artery plaque of the people they studied. The researchers studied 257 individuals who underwent surgery to clear clogged blood vessels. They examined...
Recording bees' response to a gentle tap can indicate the health of a colonyDepositphotosNew research has discovered that gently tapping the outside of a hive and recording the collective response of honeybees can provide insights into the health of the colony, eliminating the need for intrusive inspections.As of the latest count, it is estimated...
The eviscerated carcass of another great white which was very likely also killed in the same incidentChristiaan Stopforth, Drone Fanatics SAThis marks the first documented instance of a solitary orca hunting and consuming a great white shark. While orcas were previously observed hunting great whites in groups or pairs, witnessing an individual orca hunting...
Marlins can reach speeds of approximately 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour), suggesting the need to signal others in their path. Researchers believe that the distinct stripes of attacking marlins may serve as a cautionary signal to nearby marlins.Image credit: Alicia Burns (CC BY-SA)Marlins and sailfish are big predators in the sea...
HIV is a very complicated virus, and we haven't succeeded in making a vaccine for it yet.Image credit:CanvasSince HIV first appeared, many things have changed. New medicines help people with HIV live well and stop them from spreading the virus. But to truly beat HIV, we need a vaccine.HIV is a big problem worldwide,...
'The Lawnmower' represents a groundbreaking achievement as the inaugural synthetic molecular motor capable of self-propulsion, deriving energy from its action of cutting through proteins, which are artificially generated by AI through DALL-E.The body uses tiny machines made of proteins to do important jobs. These machines help with things like cell division and moving around...
