In the underwater realm, survival often hinges on a mutually beneficial relationship among species. However, the lettuce sea slug (Elysia crispata) takes survival to a new dimension with its audacious, almost mischievous approach. This peculiar mollusk, often mistaken for a garnish in an alien salad, engages in a radical form of kleptoplasty – a term
Science
In the vast expanses of our Solar System, few events spark the kind of curiosity and trepidation that accompany the arrival of a colossal comet. Comet C/2014 UN271, also known as Bernardinelli-Bernstein, is not just another transient visitor; it is a cosmic leviathan, measuring a staggering 137 kilometers (85 miles) across, making it the largest
A recent study from France’s food safety agency (ANSES) unveiled a shocking reality: drinks packaged in glass bottles harbor more microplastics than their counterparts in plastic and metal containers. This revelation shakes the already fragile ground of consumer confidence in health and safety. The presence of microplastics in our environment—from the air we breathe to
In our ongoing quest to understand the natural world, certain biological phenomena astonish us by defying established physical laws. The recent study led by Kenta Ishimoto at Kyoto University serves as a striking example, demonstrating how human sperm navigate through viscous fluids with an ease that seems to challenge Newton’s third law of motion. Traditionally,
In the medical world, jaundice has long been viewed with a sense of foreboding. The yellowing of skin and eyes, fueled by the presence of bilirubin, serves as a stark warning signal of underlying liver dysfunction. For centuries, this accumulation of bilirubin has been positioned as a perilous state, with the potential for brain damage
In a dramatic turn of events that has become all too familiar in the realm of private space exploration, SpaceX’s Starship rocket met a fiery fate during a routine ground test at the company’s Texas launch facility. This incident underscores a crucial point: the path to innovation is riddled with peril, and as much as
In a groundbreaking study that has ignited hope amid the gloomy landscape of neurodegenerative diseases, researchers have uncovered the potential of lemborexant, a sleep medication, to curb the buildup of tau proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. As the number of individuals grappling with cognitive decline skyrockets—almost 10 million new dementia cases emerge globally each year—the
Our health is deeply intertwined with the microbial world within us, the gut microbiome, which hosts trillions of microbes that play a crucial role in maintaining our well-being. This intricate balance, termed eubiosis, is essential for normal digestion and bolstering our immune system. However, this harmony can be easily disrupted by antibiotics, poor diet, or
Recent research has illuminated a rather unsettling risk associated with the contraceptive pill desogestrel: a minor increase in the likelihood of developing intracranial meningiomas, non-cancerous brain tumors, among long-term users. While the statistical risk appears low (1 in 17,331 after five years of continuous use), the emergence of such data necessitates serious conversations around long-term
In a groundbreaking study revealing the hidden complexities of marine biology, scientists led by marine biologist Benjamin Minch and virologist Mohammad Moniruzzaman at the University of Miami have uncovered an astonishing trove of giant viruses lurking in our oceans. Their research has exposed 230 previously unknown viral species, illuminating a dark, often overlooked underbelly of