Biology

“Supermales” and social groups: What we know about sex-changing organisms

Biology / /

What if “male” and “female” were only temporary states? In the worlds of fish, snails, and slugs, animals can have sexual plasticity: the ability to shift between sexes throughout their lives. Also known as sequential hermaphroditism, the advantages and costs of this reproductive strategy remain debated. There are two main types of sequential hermaphroditism: protogyny, […]

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Foliage of the future: How Harvard’s new tech aims to prevent a global food shortage

Biology, Environment / /

What if humans created a leaf better at utilizing sunlight than plants? And what if that leaf was engineered with such efficiency that it could feed the future world? Researchers at Harvard University have created and improved their “bionic leaf” to do just that and are now ready to bring this new technology into the

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Rare plant species survive thanks to pollinators: How bees and other insects help maintain flowering plant diversity

Biology / /

The California Floristic Province is a region encompassing the entire coast of California and is known and studied for its incredible biodiversity. This Mediterranean-like ecosystem is home to almost 3,500 different vascular plant species — 61 percent of which cannot be found anywhere in the world. This biodiversity hotspot, along with other hotspot regions around

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Dyslexia: Disadvantage or advantage?

Biology, Psychology / /

There’s a reason why some are naturally gifted artists and others are born mathematicians, some are social butterflies while others recharge with solitude, and some study using repetition while others can take a mental photo. When it comes to brain structure, everyone is different. An individual’s traits have much to do with upbringing, context, and

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What causes bioluminescence to illuminate our waters and where we can apply it

Biology / /

Most people would turn to unnatural explanations when water and animals illuminate the night. In reality, organisms can chemically produce this light on their own. This phenomenon, called bioluminescence, occurs in organisms such as bacteria, algae, plankton, crustaceans, and even fish. But what generates the ethereal glow and why? Bioluminescence occurs when a light-emitting molecule

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Music, mozart, and masking epilepsy

Biology, Health, Physics / /

Rhythm, melody, and harmony. Each genre of music has its unique combination of pitch, tempo, and texture. Each person’s taste in music is extremely subjective, evoking different emotions and feelings. With so many moving parts, however, it is amazing how a single song can have universal effects on people. Often dubbed the “Mozart Effect,” Mozart’s

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