Cordyceps fungus infecting a longhorn beetle grub. (Ian Redding/Getty Images)Zombies tap into our fears, and once they get in our heads, they stay there. Animals overtaken by "zombies" lose control over their bodies and actions, instead serving the needs of a virus, fungus, or other parasite.The word "zombi" originates from Vodou, a religion that developed...
This bioelectronic device delivers gentle electrical signals to bacteria that prevents the formation of biofilm, stopping dangerous infectionsUniversity of Chicago/University of California San DiegoNeed for Innovative Infection ControlAs antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to proliferate, we need innovative methods to combat infections. A new patch offers a promising solution. By delivering a gentle electric shock, this...
Interacting galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163, in a composite image combining Hubble and JWST data. (NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI)Abyss Gazing Back: Nietzsche's Prophetic Words in Space"The abyss also looks back into you," said German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in 1886. His words feel almost prophetic as we gaze, nearly 140 years later, at an image from 80 million...
Credit: PixabayResearchers are piecing together the complex relationship between gut health and Alzheimer's disease, revealing yet another connection between our digestive system and brain function. Animal studies have shown that gut microbes can transmit Alzheimer's to young mice, reinforcing this link.Furthermore, a 2023 study supports the idea that inflammation may be the mechanism behind...
Credit: PixabayThe European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reported on Wednesday that it had identified hazardous, banned chemicals in hundreds of cosmetic products sold throughout Europe.Moreover, the Helsinki-based agency inspected nearly 4,500 cosmetic products across 13 European countries, discovering that six percent—or 285 products—contained substances prohibited for their harmful health effects.Hazardous Chemicals Found Across a Range...
(Nobel Prize Outreach/Alexander Mahmoud)If you've enjoyed an AI-generated video, fraud protection, or voice-to-text, you can thank scientists like physicist John Hopfield and computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton. On Oct. 8, 2024, they received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering work on artificial neural networks, which, though inspired by biology, relied heavily on statistical...
A patient with encephalitis lethargica in 1925. (Public Domain Mark/Wellcome Collection)In the film Awakenings, Robert De Niro's character laments, "People have forgotten what life is all about" after he revives from a 30-year shutdown state. This film, based on Dr. Oliver Sacks' true story, explores the lives of individuals impacted by encephalitis lethargica, or "sleepy...
Green dye highlighting the DNA of microbes in a sample. (Suzuki et al., Microbial Ecology, 2024)Deep underground, a community of microbes has thrived in isolation for billions of years. These organisms, found in 2 billion-year-old rock, have been cut off far longer than any known subterranean microbes, surpassing the previous record of 100 million years.Geomicrobiologist...
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...
Taking melatonin at the right time, in the right dose, could get you a solid night's sleep, says a new study~. Credit: PixabayMelatonin is a well-known supplement for individuals who have difficulty achieving restful sleep. However, determining the right dosage and the ideal time to take it has often involved trial and error. A...
