Approximately 128 million years ago, snakes emerged as a dominant species on Earth, boasting a diverse array of over 4,000 species today. While their limbless bodies and elongated form are often credited for their success, there is more to their evolutionary triumph than meets the eye. Researchers, led by Stony Brook University’s Pascal Title, delved
Science
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a condition that is often associated with older individuals, but it can also affect children. In fact, it is the most common form of arthritis in children, impacting approximately 1 in 1,000 kids under the age of 16 in the UK. This condition causes inflammation and joint pain in various
With more than one billion people worldwide suffering from obesity, the numbers have increased exponentially since 1990, according to a recent study published by the Lancet medical journal. This “epidemic” is particularly impacting poorer countries, with the rate of obesity growing among children and adolescents at a faster pace than among adults. The study, conducted
When we look at the concept of evolution through the lens of Google images, the prevalent representation is Zallinger’s illustration, March of Progress. This image depicts a linear transformation from a chimp-like creature to a tall, erect human. The implicit message behind this illustration is a common bias in the perception of evolution – the
Tattooing has been a popular form of art for centuries, with millions of people worldwide adorning their skin with intricate designs. However, a recent study conducted by Kelli Moseman and her team at Binghamton University has shed light on a concerning issue within the industry. Their analysis of over 50 tattoo inks from various brands
Japan’s Moon lander, known as Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), has recently surprised the world by waking up after a two-week lunar night, according to the country’s space agency. Despite initially touching down at an odd angle that left its solar panels facing the wrong direction, SLIM managed to come back to life for
The Universe is full of wonders, some of which defy the imagination. Magnetars, for example, are neutron stars with incredibly powerful magnetic fields, reaching strengths of around 100 trillion gauss. These cosmic monstrosities are the result of matter being gravitationally compacted to extreme levels, creating unimaginable forces. However, recent research suggests that even here on
The recent analysis of hundreds of preserved bird specimens from museum collections worldwide has shed light on the specific set of feather rules that are crucial for the power of flight. Paleontologists have discovered that these rules are not only key to understanding the flight of birds but also to predicting which dinosaurs may have
The detection of a strange phase of matter known as the Bragg glass phase in the real material PdxErTe3 has recently captured the attention of scientists. Previously existing only in theory, the Bragg glass phase represents a unique arrangement of atoms in a glass material where the particles exhibit an almost perfect order akin to
The Luria-Delbrück experiment, invented in 1943 by Salvador Luria and Max Delbrück, aimed to determine whether bacteria mutated aimlessly or for a purpose. This experiment has had a significant impact on the field of science, leading to the researchers winning the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1969. The experiment involved testing the resistance