Credit: Pixabay 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...
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...
Credit: Pixabay Researchers 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...
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...
Taking melatonin at the right time, in the right dose, could get you a solid night's sleep, says a new study~. Credit: Pixabay Melatonin 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...
Credit: Pixabay Nanoplastics’ Impact on Antibiotic Absorption and Resistance A recent study reveals that nanoplastics—tiny plastic particles smaller than 0.001 millimeters—can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb antibiotics and may even encourage the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Researchers from the University of Vienna, University of Bonn, and University of Debrecen used molecular models to examine the...
Elon Musk and Peter Diamandis discuss the future of AI, among other things, at an FII Institute event in RiyadhFuture Investment Initiative Institute In a discussion with XPRIZE Founder Peter Diamandis, Musk outlined his views on the growing influence of AI, as well as the timeline for SpaceX's initial unmanned and crewed missions to Mars,...
Credit: Depositphotos In a 2011 survey, over half of 16- to 22-year-olds, when asked to choose only two items from a list, said they would rather give up their sense of smell than go without technology like their phone or laptop. Compared to other senses, human smell often seems like an afterthought. However, researchers have discovered...
Credit: Depositphotos Australia's Food Safety Information Council recently released a report on the nation's handwashing habits. It revealed that 19% of Australians don’t always wash their hands after using the toilet, and nearly half (42%) confess they don’t consistently wash their hands before handling food. Do you wash your hands every time you use the bathroom?...
A prototype straw (who would ever have thought those two words would be used together?) developed by Eastman made of foam CDA for testing its biodegradability WHOI Researchers have spent recent years investigating which type of plastic biodegrades most rapidly in marine environments, as millions of tons of plastic enter our oceans each year. They discovered...
