Biology Archives - Page 9 of 34 - Scitke

Fish Can Choose Their Own Birth Timing—Here’s How

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 that the thyrotropin-releasing hormone […]

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Why Preserving Muscle Mass Is Crucial for Healthy Aging

Biology, Science / Mauro Lucas

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, and medicine. These improvements have reduced mortality, especially among younger

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Beneath-Leaf Sensors May Offer Real-Time Insights Into Crop Health

Biology, Science / Valeriano Ndeyi

Monitoring 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 plant leaves. However, developed by Ko-ichiro Miyamoto, Kaori Kohzuma, and their team at Japan’s Tohoku University, this device is meant to be placed on

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The Squirting Cucumber’s Seed Explosion is a Natural Marvel

Biology, Science / Eduardo Paulo

“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 a rapid jet of liquid and seeds into the air from one end

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Deaf Mosquitoes Lose Mating Ability, Paving the Way for New Population Control

Biology, Science / Ngoma Manuel

Genetic 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 irresistible

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50-pound king penguin chick Pesto unexpectedly becomes a global sensation

Biology / cumbonguala

A 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 a hefty 22.5 kg (49.6 lb)—significantly more than the average 9.3 kg to 18

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Wet Dogs Don’t Choose to Shake – It’s in Their Genes

Biology, Genetics / cumbonguala

Have 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 Sensory

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Scientists Observe Sperm Defying a Fundamental Law of Physics

Biology, Cell Biology / cumbonguala

According 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 Swimmers Kenta Ishimoto, a mathematical scientist at Kyoto University, and his team

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

Biology / Evelina Jeremias

The Origins of Kissing Most 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 root

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

Biology, Science / Ngoma Manuel

Hybrid Plant-Animal Cells Developed in Japan Scientists in Japan have developed hybrid plant-animal cells, allowing animal cells to harness energy from sunlight like plants. This innovation could bring significant benefits for growing organs and tissues for transplant, as well as lab-grown meat. Animal and plant cells have different structures for energy production. In animals, this

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