There is no doubt that seahorses are fascinating creatures. Ranging from the size of a pine nut to nearly a foot long, sporting funky colors and an aura of mythicism, they have long been a source of wonder to human civilizations. Scientists find them intriguing for a host of reasons — their elongated, suction-like snout, […]
Nature’s miracles: Hippocampi Read More »
Contrary to our peaceful perception of the humble bee, foraging for pollen can be a treacherous journey filled with seduction and trickery. Bees don’t get a “free lunch” in their mutualistic relationship with flowers. Instead, flowers often exploit bees as vessels for pollination, forcing them to endure trials reminiscent of Jason’s endeavors for the Golden
Trials of the Golden Fleece: What bees must overcome when collecting pollen Read More »
Cells make up tissues, which make up organs, which form organ systems, which ultimately are the key to keeping us alive. But what is the key to unlocking how various types of cells are made? How does a neuron know to transmit information from the brain to parts of the body, and how does a
Histones: The mastermind behind gene expression Read More »
Today, the longest beard measures 17 feet, 6 inches. On average, facial hair grows about a half inch per month. To many, the beard is a common feature of a man — one that is rarely looked at when discussing evolution. What is its purpose? Does a beard have specific uses, or is it just
Fluffy beards: Safeguard or just for show? Read More »
Insulin is a necessity. A peptide hormone produced by the pancreas, insulin is important in controlling blood glucose levels as well as carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. In fact, without insulin, glucose can not be stored, and its absence causes fat to be broken down into keto acids, triggering diabetic ketoacidosis, a harmful condition often
Breaking the pattern: California’s step into reducing insulin prices Read More »
Over time, people have developed countless tips and tricks for falling and staying asleep through the night. Counting sheep, yoga, meditation, reading, watching ASMR videos, melatonin, and essential oils … While some of these methods may work temporarily, they may not be the solution to long-term sleeping problems. All of these strategies share a common
Lullabies for adults: How white noise can improve sleep Read More »
In September of 2022, a research team working at the Gogo Formation sedimentary deposit in western Australia discovered the world’s oldest heart, located inside a fossilized prehistoric fish. The fish, classified as a placoderm, had been dead for approximately 380 million years. The placoderm is crucial to studying the evolution of modern-day vertebrates. Because they
The world’s oldest heart: Evolutionary insights from the 380 million-year-old fossil Read More »
As food availability in the Northern Hemisphere decrease in the fall, many birds travel southward. This seasonal trend of mass travel is known as migration. To prepare for a large migration, birds often stock up on fruits and other food sources. But with invasive plant species overtaking their native counterparts, birds are struggling to obtain
Back to Basics: A Bird’s Preference for Native Species over Their Invasive Counterparts Read More »
Sleep is the one time many feel like they are completely relaxed. However, when monsters start to crawl from under your bed and you find yourself frozen: All you can do is lay there and wait for them to attack. As you panic, your breathing gets harder; the figure gets closer; your panic increases; and
When monsters under the bed come to life Read More »