Biology

Alien microbes: The frontier of extraterrestrial research

Biology, Environment / /

Extremophiles are microorganisms that survive — and thrive — in extreme conditions not considered suitable for other forms of life. This umbrella term encompasses bacteria, archaea, protozoa, and fungi with unique adaptations allowing them to inhabit extreme temperature, radiation, salinity, pH, and other physical and geochemical conditions. Extremophiles can be found in deep-sea hydrothermal vents […]

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The Abominable … Mummy?

Biology / /

What do vampires, werewolves, and mummies all have in common? They are classic monsters, but only one of the three truly exists. Mummification has been used to preserve bodies for thousands of years. But mummies are more than old monsters, and science has shown that mummies offer a plethora of information to the academic community.

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Cooler than you: How cold-water coral adapt to evolving fjord conditions

Biology / /

No stranger to a National Geographic photo shoot or a desktop image, landscapes of the southernmost region of South America have an undeniable beauty. But beneath the surface, a complicated ecosystem is at work. North Patagonian Fjords hold substantial populations of cold-water coral (CWC). The scleractinian, or stony, corals predominantly exist in deep ocean regions

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With new technology, an HIV vaccine may finally be within reach

Biology, Health / /

June 5, 1981, the United States CDC published a report describing five cases of pneumonia in young gay men. The same day, the CDC received a call warning about a cluster of unusually aggressive cancers in New York. After the Associated Press picked up the story of these strange cases, the CDC received dozens of

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Stay in with Mom or go out with friends? Hyenas weigh in. A new study on spotted hyenas teaches us that early life social experiences could have effects into adulthood.

Biology, Psychology / /

In the next decade or two, when adults unpack the lasting impact of their childhood experiences, research on these facetious creatures could be the reason why therapists have such astute insights into the topic.  A 2021 study published in Nature Communications used 28 years of data on wild spotted hyenas’ social habits, genetic composition, and

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How a salamander can transform the way we heal

Biology / /

One look at an axolotl is enough to explain how such an animal entranced pet owners and scientists alike. Native to the Xochimilco Lake near Mexico City, these salamanders are recognized by their crown-like gills, slight smiles, and uniquely adorable appearances. The axolotl is currently endangered in the wild; however, enthusiasts breed the animal in

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Tardigrades: Earth’s most resilient animals

Biology / /

Extreme temperature, extreme pressure, dehydration, starvation, air deprivation, radiation, and exposure to outer space. Microscopic, moss-inhabiting animals called tardigrades can withstand all of these conditions, making them one of the most resilient animal species on the planet. They can be found in any of Earth’s ecosystems, though most commonly live in damp environments like moss

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