Genes’ intron retention may be behind sex reversal in reptiles at high temps Australian central bearded dragon embryos, which under normal temperatures would hatch as either male or female, all hatch female regardless of their chromosomes when exposed to high temperatures, raising concerns that climate change could result in a change in the sex ratio […]
Streaks shooting out from Mars impact craters likely caused by high-speed winds Some impact craters on Mars show evidence of wind streaks likely caused by high-speed sideways vortices rolling away following the impacts. “These have tornado-like speeds but do not go straight up; instead, they are horizontal, like a tornado on Earth turned on its […]
HIV treatment’s effectiveness affected by type of bacteria in vagina Unhealthy bacteria colonies in the vagina may hinder the effectiveness of tenofovir, a drug used in gel form to prevent HIV infection. “We went from 60% protection if you have good Lactobacillus to 18% — really no protection at all — if you have bad […]
Cyclones and auroras among Juno’s discoveries about Jupiter Massive cyclones have been spotted near Jupiter’s north and south poles, and the gas giant’s auroras differ greatly from those of Earth, according to findings gathered by the Juno spacecraft in its first close swings by Jupiter’s poles. “Discoveries about its core, composition, magnetosphere, and poles are […]
Moss in Antarctica growing more quickly as temperatures rise Mosses are growing at a faster pace in Antarctica thanks to climate change. The moss is growing on the northern peninsula, making what little green there is on the continent greener as temperatures there rise. The Washington Post Trees moving away from eastern US in response […]
Drug-resistant bacteria’s origins traced back 450M years The drug-resistant bacteria Enterococcus may have evolved from an ancient gut microbe that lived inside some of the first creatures that walked on land about 450 million years ago. Researchers examined the superbug’s genetic history as well as its ability to survive in harsh environments and found that […]
Mature parasite living in fish eyeball helps host become easy prey for birds The parasite Diplostomum pseudospathaceum grows inside fish eyeballs and, depending on its age, either protects its host or compels the fish to become easy prey to birds. When the parasite is young, it wants its fish host to stay alive so it […]
Early plate tectonics likely played role in Earth’s oxygen event The early days of plate tectonics may have contributed to the Great Oxygenation Event. “It was likely a combination of many of these mechanisms, including subduction, that allowed O2 levels to rise and be maintained for the rest of Earth’s history,” said study co-author Megan […]
Electrical stimulation to brain at right time can improve memory Electrical stimulation sent to the brain at certain times can boost memory. Scientists found that sending a jolt when brain signals suggested a likely memory lapse helped the person’s recall significantly, but a zap when signals indicated something would be recalled reduced the chance a […]
Atmospheric metal layers around Mars found Layers of atmospheric metal ions have been found around Mars by NASA’s MAVEN space probe, puzzling researchers because the layers shouldn’t be there. “Something is causing these layers — something is pushing them around — but we don’t know what,” said NASA’s Joseph Grebowsky, an author of a study […]