Just Plain WEIRD #2 Archives - Page 99 of 169

Scientists tally up the total number of ants on Earth

Scientists in Germany have estimated how many ants there are on Earth. Depositphotos – By Michael Irving 2022 Sep 19 – The next time an inquisitive four-year-old asks how many ants there are on Earth, you can be ready to fire back a specific …

Why does nature create patterns? A physicist explains the molecular-level processes behind crystals, stripes and basalt columns

Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland features around 40,000 exposed polygonal columns of basalt in perfect vertical sections. Chris Hill/Photodisc via Getty Images – By Maxim Lavrentovich, Assistant Professor of Theoretical Biophysics, University of Tennessee Published: 2022 Sep 19 – Curious Kids is a …

Uncovering the genetic basis of mental illness requires data and tools that aren’t just based on white people – this international team is collecting DNA samples around the globe.

Ethical and equitable scientific collaboration could help increase the genetic diversity of genomic data. gmast3r/iStock via Getty Images Plus – By Hailiang Huang, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard University – Published: 2022 Sep 12 – Mental illness is a growing public health problem. …

Humans evolved with their microbiomes – like genes, your gut microbes pass from one generation to the next

The gut microbiome may also play a role in personalized medicine. nopparit/iStock via Getty Images Plus – By Taichi A. Suzuki, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute for Biology And Ruth Ley, Director, Department of Microbiome Science, Max Planck Institute …

Structure-inflating construction tech could give 3D printing a run for its money

Automatic Construction CEO Alex Bell stands atop a prototype building which was constructed using his company’s Flexible Factory Formwork system. Automatic Construction. View gallery – 3 images – By Ben Coxworth 2022 Sep`15 – We’ve heard how 3D-printed concrete buildings can be constructed quickly …

Viruses may be ‘watching’ you – some microbes lie in wait until their hosts unknowingly give them the signal to start multiplying and kill them

Phages can sense bacterial DNA damage, which triggers them to replicate and jump ship. Design Cells/iStock via Getty Images Plus – By Ivan Erill, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County – Published: 2022 Sep 15 – After more than …

Cancer-fighting particle packs drugs in a glass bubble core

A new nanoparticle design has shown exciting potential against pancreatic cancer. Depositphotos – By Nick Lavars 2022 Sep 14 – Getting cancer drugs to the right place in the right quantities is a perpetual problem for medical scientists, but a group from UCLA (University …

Is your gas stove bad for your health?

A growing body of research suggests that gas stoves can pose health risks, especially for people with respiratory ailments. Sean Gladwell/Getty Images Published: 2022 Sep 13 By Jonathan Levy, Professor and Chair, Department of Environmental Health, Boston University Cooks love their …

How do ants crawl on walls? A biologist explains their sticky, spiky, gravity-defying grip

Walking vertically – or even upside down – is a piece of cake for ants. pecchio/iStock via Getty Images Plus – By Deby Cassill, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida Published: 2022 Sep 12 – Curious Kids is a series …

Why are some people mosquito magnets and others unbothered? A medical entomologist points to metabolism, body odor and mindset

Mosquitoes need to feed on blood in order to reproduce. But how do they choose whom to feed on? boonchai wedmakawand/Moment via GettyImages – By Jonathan Day, Emeritus Professor of Medical Entomology, University of Florida Published: 2022 Sep 09 – It’s rare to …