Sleep Evolved Before Brains. Hydras Are Living Proof
Some of nature’s simplest animals suggest that sleep evolved long before centralized nervous systems......»»
Scientists develop method to control timing of synthetic DNA droplet division
Many cellular functions in the human body are controlled by biological droplets called liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) droplets. These droplets, made of soft biological materials, exist inside living cells but are not enclosed by membranes like.....»»
Cretaceous fireflies reveal early evolution of insect bioluminescence
Bioluminescence, the ability of living organisms to emit light, is a fascinating phenomenon observed in various life forms, including deep-sea fish, glowing mushrooms, and fireflies. Fireflies have long captivated people with their enchanting light d.....»»
New evolutionary model revises the origins of biodiversity
An international team of scientists has made a discovery that could reshape our understanding of how global biodiversity evolved. By reconstructing the evolution of species over the past 45 million years, researchers found that the geographic origins.....»»
Scientists explore how indoor vertical farming could help future-proof food demand
To make sure everyone eats well in our crowded world, we need to innovate. Vertical farming systems, which grow plants intensively in an indoor setting, could be part of the answer—but to use them on a large scale we need to overcome key problems,.....»»
10 long years with—and good riddance to—Apple’s iPhone 6 design
Op-ed: On living with the iPhone 6 design—and its flaws—for a full decade. Enlarge / The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, the first iteration of a very, very long-lived phone design. (credit: Andrew Cunningham) This past weekend.....»»
Global crises are multiplying: Here"s how science can help our public decision-makers
Housing, climate, cost of living, health—the multitude of interconnected crises the world is facing has spawned a new term: "polycrisis.".....»»
Researchers discover tumors inherited by generations of jellyfish-like creatures
Researchers from the CANECEV laboratory, an international collaboration between Deakin University and the University of Montpellier, have observed for the first time the birth of transmissible tumors in freshwater brown hydras—tiny, jellyfish-like.....»»
Proof-of-concept study uses X-rays to target mock-up asteroids in a vacuum
An X-ray pulse may be able to vaporize the surface of an asteroid and change its trajectory, according to a proof-of-concept paper published in Nature Physics. A laboratory experiment that mimics the deflection of an asteroid model using this techniq.....»»
NASA data help protect US embassy staff from polluted air
United States embassies and consulates, along with American citizens traveling and living abroad, now have a powerful tool to protect against polluted air, thanks to a collaboration between NASA and the U.S. State Department......»»
Visual AI: A Future-Proof Solution for Better Meetings Today
Bridge the gap between your remote workers and in-room participants with AI......»»
Boy abducted in Oakland more than 70 years ago found living on East Coast
Boy abducted in Oakland more than 70 years ago found living on East Coast.....»»
New biosensor illuminates physiological signals in living animals
Eric Schreiter and Luke Lavis thought they had figured it out. In 2021, the Janelia group leaders reported that they had developed a way to combine Schreiter's engineered protein biosensors and Lavis's bright, fluorescent Janelia Fluor dyes......»»
Cocaine found in mummified brains reveal that New World drug came to Italy 200 years earlier than thought
Cocaine found in mummified brains reveal that New World drug came to Italy 200 years earlier than thought.....»»
dbrand delivers the grippiest iPhone 16 case, ‘idiot-proof’ screen protector, Area 51 skin
“Definitely not a cult” dbrand has launched three new products for the iPhone 16 lineup to protect and uniquely style your new device. The Grip case offers the “world’s grippiest phone case™” with a free skin of your choice included, ther.....»»
Evolved in the lab, found in nature: Uncovering hidden pH sensing abilities in microbial cultures
In a study led by Sarah Worthan, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Behringer Lab at Vanderbilt University, scientists have successfully evolved microbial cultures that possess the ability to sense pH changes, enabling rapid responses to environ.....»»
Can captive tigers be part of the effort to save wild populations?
Captive tigers in the United States outnumber those living in the wild. The World Wildlife Federation estimates around 5,000 of the big cats reside in the U.S., mostly owned by private citizens......»»
Independent origins of frog glue and its role in predator evasion
Skin-secreted adhesives, or glues, are highly effective defense adaptations that have evolved recurrently in a small number of amphibians. From an ecological standpoint, this rapidly solidifying material—essentially, a sticky slime—encumbers the.....»»
Robot placed under the control of a fungal overlord
A mushroom's response to environmental changes can be used to control a robot. Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) Most living organisms easily surpass machines when it comes to navigating real-world environme.....»»
Video games are having a meta moment, and I love it
If you needed proof that gaming is having a meta-focused moment, look no further than Astro Bot, The Plucky Squire, and UFO 50......»»
People Living with Sickle Cell Disease Share Their Experiences
Life expectancy for people with sickle cell in the U.S. has increased to about 50 years, but some people with the disease still face stigma and other barriers in health care.....»»