Tag: Biology
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Same-sex Behavior in Primates: Evolutionary Roots
Introduction: A Window into Evolutionary History Humans are not unique in exploring the spectrum of sexuality. A growing body of research reveals that same-sex sexual behavior is widespread among nonhuman primates. In a comprehensive study gathering observations from 59 species, scientists report repeated examples of same-sex interactions in bonobos, chimpanzees, macaques, and many others. Far…
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The First Kiss: How Mouth-to-Mouth Lip Contact Traces 21 Million Years of Evolution
Unraveling a Romantic Mystery with Evolutionary Insight The idea that a kiss is a distinctly human invention has long captured our imagination. But new research challenges this notion, suggesting that mouth-to-mouth kissing predates Homo sapiens by tens of millions of years. Scientists revisited the anatomy, behavior, and communication signals shared by humans and other primates…
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Science News This Week: Solar Storms, Exploding Comets, and Pigs from Hell
Overview: A Week of Cosmic Headlines This week delivered a trio of eye-catching science stories that captivated both space buffs and casual readers. From the Sun’s restless activity to the dramatic lives of comets and a curious animal study with a sensational title, researchers across fields shared fresh data and surprising insights. Here’s a clear,…
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Young Scientist Cracks 50-Year Riddle and Wins Big Science Prize
Overview: A Breakthrough Worth the Wait In a moment that felt almost cinematic, a lone researcher stepped into the limelight to accept one of science’s most coveted honors. The 2025 Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists has crowned a winner who transformed a decades-old riddle into a landmark discovery. The prize, renowned for highlighting…
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Flagella-Free Bacteria Movement: Sugar Currents and Gearboxes
What’s new in bacterial movement For decades, scientists have described bacterial motion as a simple story of tiny propellers—the flagella—that propel single cells through liquids. But fresh research from Arizona State University is reshaping that narrative. The studies uncover how some bacteria can move without their flagella, harnessing sugar-fueled currents and intricate molecular gear systems…
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QuickCheck: Do Humans Share 60% of Our DNA with Bananas?
Introduction: The two very different organisms, one surprising commonality The idea that humans share a large chunk of DNA with a banana may sound bizarre at first. After all, a banana grows on a plant and we walk on two legs, talk, and think in complex ways. Yet scientists sometimes cite an intriguing stat: humans…
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Humans and Bananas: Do We Share 60% of DNA? Explained
Debunking the 60% Claim: What It Really Means The oft-cited idea that humans share 60% of our DNA with bananas sounds sensational. It’s easy to misinterpret, but the claim has roots in how scientists compare genes across species. The figure does not mean that 60% of human life is interchangeable with a banana. Instead, it…
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Nikon Small World: Hidden Beauty and Mystery in the Microscopic World
Nikon Small World: A Collision of Science and Art Each year, the Nikon Small World photomicrography competition turns the invisible into the spectacular. Since 1975, hundreds of scientists and photographers have submitted images captured through light microscopes, transforming tiny life forms and barely perceptible textures into immersive works of art. The latest round continues that…
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Hidden Beauty and Mystery: Nikon’s Small World Illuminates the Microscopic
Introduction: A Collision of Science and Art Each year, science and art collide in a dazzling display of color, texture, and form as Nikon’s Small World photomicrography competition reveals the hidden beauty of the microscopic world. Since 1975, this contest has celebrated images captured through light microscopy, turning seemingly ordinary specimens into extraordinary works of…
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Nature’s Wonders: 8 Multi-Eyed Animals with More Than Two Eyes
Introduction: The World Through More Than Two Eyes The animal kingdom showcases a remarkable variety of sensory adaptations, and an unusual but fascinating feature is the presence of more than two eyes. From terrestrial insects to ocean dwellers, these creatures harness additional eye structures to detect light, navigate their environments, and hunt or evade threats.…