WEIRD ANIMALS
Microscope images of the newly discovered moving “superorganisms,” made up of bacteria (green) attached to filaments of fungus (blue). Penn Dental Medicine – By Michael Irving 2022 Oct 05 – If you needed more motivation to brush your teeth regularly, this could do the …
Its enzymes degrade polyethylene within hours at room temperature and could ‘revolutionize’ recycling. Wax worm eating a piece of plastic. Photograph: CSIC Communications Department/PA – Damian Carrington Environment editor @dpcarrington Last modified on 2022 Oct 04 – Enzymes that rapidly break down plastic …
A new study provides “firm” evidence that dogs can detect the smell of stress. Depositphotos – By Nick Lavars 2022 Sep 28 – Having been domesticated many thousands of years ago, dogs have evolved to become highly attuned to human behavior, but a study …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
In 2020, scientists found sparkling Peinaleopolynoe on hydothermal vents in the eastern Pacific – and were irresistibly reminded of the king of rock’n’roll. A close-up of Peinaleopolynoe orphanae, one of the species of hungry scale-worms that scientists named in 2020. Photograph: Greg Rouse …
An artist’s impression of Brasilodon, a 225-million-year old animal that scientists claim is now the earliest known mammal. 2022 Anatomical Society/Wiley – By Michael Irving 2022 Sep 08 – Paleontologists have identified the earliest known mammal – a small shrew-like animal that lived about …
Joseph Henney’s main companion is not an ordinary alligator. ‘He tries to comfort people and is famous for his hugs’ Five years ago, Joseph Henney was depressed and lonely and in need of emotional support. Enter Wally, the pet alligator. Photograph: Facebook/Wallygator – …
