Senescent “zombie” cells are linked to aging and multiple diseases, but spotting them in living tissue has been notoriously difficult. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have now taken an inventive leap by using aptamers—tiny, shape-shifting DNA molecules—to selectively tag these elusive cells. The project began as an offbeat conversation between two...
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New ghost marsupial related to the kangaroo found in Australia
Researchers analyzing ancient fossils from caves across Western Australia have uncovered a completely new species of bettong along with two new woylie subspecies—remarkable finds made bittersweet by signs that some may already be extinct.
A long-nosed chameleon hid its true identity for 150 years
Scientists have discovered that Madagascar’s iconic Pinocchio chameleon is actually a distinct species now named Calumma pinocchio. DNA from both modern samples and centuries-old museum specimens also exposed another hidden species, Calumma hofreiteri. The study shows that the chameleons’ elongated snouts evolve surprisingly quickly, likely influenced by female mate choice....
Smallholder Farms Maintain Strong Pollinator Diversity – Even When Far From Forests
Pollinator and fruit diversity on the globe’s smallholder farms – which account for up to 80% of all farms – remains strong, despite ecological fragmentation.
Polar Bears May Be Adapting to Survive Warmer Climates, Says Study
New research reveals a link between rising temperatures and changes in polar bear DNA, which may be helping them adapt and survive in increasingly challenging environments.
New Window Insulation Blocks Heat, but Not Your View
Physicists at CU Boulder have designed a new material for insulating windows that could improve the energy efficiency of buildings worldwide—and it works a bit like a high-tech version of Bubble Wrap.
Nine New-to-Vermont Bee Species Discovered
A new count of Vermont’s bee species has identified nine species not previously reported in the Green Mountain State, bringing the total number of species in Vermont to 352, more than any northern New England state.
Canadian Wildfire Smoke Worsened Pediatric Asthma in U.S. Northeast: UVM Study
New research from the University of Vermont reveals exposure to smoke from Canadian wildfires in the summer of 2023 led to worsening asthma symptoms in children in Vermont and upstate New York.
New Study Warns of ‘Creeping Catastrophe’ as Climate Change Drives a Global Rise in Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, and tuberculosis are considered to pose as great a challenge to global health as new or emerging pathogens, according to a major international study led by The Global Health Network at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Medicine and commissioned by Welcome.
New fossils in Qatar reveal a tiny sea cow hidden for 21 million years
Fossils from Qatar have revealed a small, newly identified sea cow species that lived in the Arabian Gulf more than 20 million years ago. The site contains the densest known collection of fossil sea cow bones, showing that these animals once thrived in rich seagrass meadows. Their ecological role mirrors...