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Cellular secrets of wrinkle formation revealed
Wrinkles are not just reflections of aging or evidence of a life lived in smiles, frowns, and expressions of surprise. They are also a biological phenomena that stretch beyond the skin's surface. Wrinkles are characteristic of many organs and tissues. The brain and stomach - intestines included - have distinctive wrinkle patterns. These complex structures play a pivotal role in governing cellular states and differentiation, facilitating each organ's physiological functions. Formation of biological wrinkles Going beneath the skin's surface - literally - we explore a breakthrough study unlocking insights on the formation of these biological wrinkle structures. At Pohang University of Science and Technology...
Apes use gestures similar to human body language
In our shared world of humans and apes, there is a bridge that extends far beyond our physical similarities. This connection lies in the realm of communication and gestures, a domain we've long believed to be a unique aspect of our humanhood. But could it be that our primate cousins understand the nuances of communicative intention as we do? Ape communication using gestures The communication skills of great apes - like gorillas, orangutans, and chimpanzees - are fascinating and complex. In the 1960s, renowned primatologist Jane Goodall observed apes using gestures to communicate. This marked the beginning of an ongoing discussion about primate...
How antidepressants could help treat brain tumors
When you think of antidepressants, treating aggressive brain tumors might not be the first thing that comes to mind, as these medications are typically associated with mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. Yet, a recent study led by Switzerland’s renowned ETH Zurich has uncovered a unique and hopeful approach to battling one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer: glioblastoma. Navigating the blood-brain barrier Glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive and devastating brain tumor that is notorious for its resistance to conventional treatment methods and its rapid progression. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, current treatments - such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy...
Microplastics found in the tissue and skeletons of corals
Researchers from Japan and Thailand have found that microplastics are invading all three parts of coral anatomy - the exterior mucus, tissue, and skeleton. This alarming discovery may offer new clues about the "missing plastic problem." A whopping 70% of the plastic litter that has entered the oceans has vanished without a trace. The researchers propose that corals may be the unsuspecting culprits, absorbing microplastics from the oceans, acting as a "plastic sink." Enormous issue of plastic pollution We can’t deny, plastics have made our lives easier. But at what cost? The repercussions of our reliance on plastics are becoming evident, damaging ecosystems...
Golden eagles go to ‘flight school’ to master soaring skills
You might think that flying is a no-brainer for birds. It seems like a natural, instinctive behavior. And for the most part, it is. But intriguingly, researchers have discovered that young golden eagles need to learn how to utilize certain aspects to their advantage as they fly. Flying skills of eagles At the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, researchers set out to investigate how juvenile golden eagles hone their flying skills as they grow. The researchers teamed up with experts at the Swiss Ornithological Institute and the University of Vienna for a fascinating journey into the heart of the European Alps. The...
Study: Earth had planetary rings like Saturn 466 million years ago
Scientists have proposed a fascinating new idea: Earth may have once possessed a ring system, akin to that of Saturn. These rings could have formed around 466 million years ago, during a tumultuous era marked by intense meteorite bombardment known as the Ordovician impact spike. This period was characterized by significant environmental changes, and the existence of rings may provide insight into our planet's dynamics at that time and its interactions with cosmic forces. This thought-provoking theory stems from a recent study led by Professor Andy Tomkins of Monash University, who has dedicated years to investigating geological evidence and astronomical data. This revelation...
Central theory of quantum gravity is modeled in the laboratory
Gravity keeps our feet on the ground and the planets in orbit, but when it comes to the tiniest particles, things get a bit fuzzy. Physicists have long grappled with understanding how gravity works at the quantum level. Johanna Erdmenger, a professor of theoretical physics, is tackling this challenge head-on. "To explain the Big Bang or the interior of black holes, we have to understand the quantum properties of gravity," she says. At very high energies, the classical laws we're familiar with start to break down. "Our goal is to contribute to the development of new theories that can explain gravity at...
Don’t blame the picky eater – food fussiness is mainly genetic
Few things are more frustrating for parents than dealing with children who are picky eaters, especially when mealtime turns into a daily battle. The reluctance to try new foods, the constant refusal of vegetables, or even an unwavering preference for just a few meals can leave parents desperate for solutions. But what if the root of this problem isn't solely about parenting strategies or the types of food offered at home? What if it's largely about something parents have no control over - genetics? A breakthrough study, conducted by three prestigious institutions - University College London (UCL), King’s College London, and the...
How Earth’s temperature has changed over the past 500 million years
A recent study presents a new curve of global mean surface temperature, revealing that Earth's temperature has varied more than previously thought over much of the Phanerozoic Eon -- a period marked by the diversification of life, colonization of land, and multiple mass extinctions. The curve also confirms that Earth's temperature is strongly correlated with the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Studying the temperature of Earth's past The Phanerozoic Eon began approximately 540 million years ago with the Cambrian Explosion, a time when complex, hard-shelled organisms first appeared in the fossil record. Although researchers can create simulations dating back to this era,...
Saharan dust supports ocean life far from the desert
Iron is a crucial micronutrient for life, playing an essential role in processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, and DNA synthesis. In modern oceans, iron availability is often limited, meaning that increasing the supply of iron can boost carbon fixation by phytoplankton, which in turn influences the global climate. Iron enters oceans and land ecosystems through rivers, melting glaciers, hydrothermal vents, and especially wind. However, not all iron forms are “bioreactive,” meaning not all forms are readily available for organisms to absorb. Bioreactive iron in Saharan dust “Here we show that iron bound to dust from the Sahara blown westward over the Atlantic has...
Neighborhood food access linked to childhood obesity risk
A new study suggests that residing in under-resourced neighborhoods with limited access to affordable and nutritious foods during critical periods, such as pregnancy or early childhood, significantly raises the risk of developing obesity. Childhood obesity is not just a short-term issue; it often has far-reaching consequences, contributing to a higher likelihood of obesity in adulthood and increasing the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Limited access to healthy foods in early childhood often lead to severe obesity that persists into adolescence - a stage where lifestyle habits become more ingrained and harder to change. Addressing this issue...
How do competing animals manage to find enough food?
Ecologists have long sought to understand the dietary habits of different animal species. In a recent study, researchers have explored the puzzling question of how competing herbivores in Yellowstone National Park, which feed on grasses, wildflowers, and trees, manage to find enough food to survive the winter. Hunting strategies of Yellowstone’s herbivores Over a two-year period, using advanced molecular biology tools and GPS tracking data, the research team was able to identify not only what herbivores in Yellowstone consume, but also the strategies they use to find food throughout the year. “In Yellowstone, we know vegetation changes across seasons, but until now, we...
Breast milk is crucial for microbiome development in babies
A recent scientific breakthrough reveals the profound influence of human breast milk on the health of an infant. In a nutshell, our body's most natural nourishment for newborns, breast milk, is found to have a protective effect against asthma by shaping the baby's microbiome during the first year of life. Mother's milk: Natural pacemaker for infants You might wonder why breast milk is a big deal. Well, the answer lies in our body's complex community of microorganisms, known as the microbiome. A recent study led by NYU Langone Health and the University of Manitoba shows that breastfeeding for more than three months...
Ocean waves can get much bigger and taller than we ever imagined
For the most part, we know ocean waves to be calm, serene and even therapeutic, while simultaneously, powerful, destructive and highly unpredictable. A new study has made an intriguing discovery -- an aspect of ocean waves that we haven't yet fully comprehended. Swell and surge of ocean waves According to this research, ocean waves can grow four times steeper under certain conditions than what was earlier believed to be their limit. So, if you thought ocean waves were all about their two-dimensional swaying motion, prepare to be stunned. The truth is, things are rarely as simple as they seem. Diving deeper in ocean waves Contrary to...
Could captive tigers help restore wild populations?
Captive tigers in the U.S. now outnumber those living in the wild. According to estimates from the World Wildlife Federation, about 5,000 of these big cats reside in the U.S., mostly owned by private citizens. Despite their large numbers, the health and genetic diversity of this captive population remain a mystery, posing significant questions for conservationists. Could these privately owned tigers help stabilize or restore wild tiger populations, or are they too genetically compromised to be of value? Are they purebred or inbred, or do they exhibit characteristics favored in the illegal trade? Protecting captive tigers In a recent study, experts at Stanford University...
Sleep triggers the brain’s ‘reset switch’ to make room for new memory the next day
Researchers have stumbled upon a previously uncharted mechanism of memory in the brain that makes its presence known during sleep. This "switch" helps clear the proverbial decks, allowing the memory pathways to reset and prepare for a new day of learning. Our brains make it a priority to be able to constantly store new information. "BARR" phenomenon The researchers have charmingly dubbed this discovery a "barrage of action potentials" or "BARR." In layman's terms, this implies a burst of neural silence in a specific part of our brain -- the hippocampus -- enabling the neurons that play a part in memory to...
Flexible diets are key to killer whale survival
Often referred to as resident orcas, killer whales are no ordinary predators of the sea. With their intelligence and strong matriarchal social structures, killer whales have learned complex foraging strategies that vary with regional prey resources, shaping their diet accordingly. Researchers at the University of Washington set out to investigate whether social learning affects the dietary preferences of different killer whale populations. The diet of a killer whale Amy Van Cise is a UW professor of aquatic and fishery sciences, who began this study as a postdoctoral researcher with NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center. "Killer whales are incredibly intelligent, and learn foraging strategies from their...
Webb captures a galaxy collision with a radiant smile
Galaxy collisions are complex interactions that create awe-inspiring cosmic events which unfold over millions of years. These colossal interactions are not only visually striking but also provide critical insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies themselves. The gravitational pull, the exchange of gases, and the creation of new stars during these encounters reveal the powerful forces at play across the universe. Arp 107: A stunning galaxy collision A prime example of this cosmic dance is the interaction between an elliptical galaxy and a spiral galaxy, collectively known as Arp 107. This pair showcases how collisions can transform galaxies, altering their shapes and triggering...
Bold personality traits improve parenting success in geese
Have you ever wondered if the adage "birds of a feather flock together" is actually true? A recent study confirms this idea, showing that a bold pair of parenting geese produce a bounty of offspring. The research, which zeroes in on a group of captive greylag geese, was conducted by a team of bird behavior experts led by Flinders University. The researchers Investigated the parental benefits of "made in heaven" matches between well-paired geese couples. Bold personalities and parenting success Study lead author Lauren Common is now based in the Konrad Lorenz Research Centre for Behavior and Cognition at the University of Vienna in...
‘Electric soil’ boosts crop production by 50% in just 15 days
With climate change and limited resources creating tough challenges, researchers are trying out different methods to improve agricultural productivity and crop yields. You might be surprised by one of the answers they've come up with: electric soil. This technique involves applying electrical currents to the soil, which has been found to stimulate plant growth, enhance nutrient uptake, and improve overall crop health. By tapping into the power of electricity in farming, scientists hope to develop more sustainable practices that can lead to better yields and greater food security for everyone. Electricity + soil = tremendous plant growth Leading this study was Eleni Stavrinidou,...
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