Deep-diving insect larvae in an African lake are forcing scientists to reconsider a popular explanation for why insects are almost entirely absent from the open ocean. Their secret is a remarkably durable system of air sacs that can tolerate far more pressure than researchers expected. Billions of lake fly larvae (Chaoborus edulis), living in Lake…
Stanford Medicine researchers have identified a naturally occurring molecule that may suppress appetite and reduce body weight in a way that resembles semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. In animal studies, the molecule also appeared to avoid several problems associated with the drug, including nausea, constipation and substantial muscle loss. The molecule, known as BRP,…
Skeletal muscle often begins to deteriorate relatively early in the aging process. Over time, this can cause loss of strength, increased scarring, fat buildup within muscle tissue, and a decline in fast twitch fibers, which support rapid and powerful movements. Researchers led by Professor Ryuichi Tatsumi of Kyushu University’s Faculty of Agriculture have identified a…
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has already had a professional boxing career spanning more than 20 years and 68 fights. On Wednesday, just days after he turned 36 years old, the Mexican superstar opened up about how much time he believes he still has left in the sport. “Maybe three, four more fights for me there, because…
A single dose of psilocybin, the psychedelic substance in magic mushrooms, may produce physical changes in the brain that remain detectable for as long as a month, according to researchers at UC San Francisco and Imperial College London. The study, published in Nature Communications, involved healthy adults who had never previously used a psychedelic. Although…
Researchers have found the first atmosphere surrounding an Earth-like, rocky planet orbiting within the habitable zone of a distant star. The researchers say that their discovery provides the strongest evidence yet that worlds with conditions similar to Earth could exist beyond our solar system. The gas detected in the atmosphere is helium, which would not…
A monkey with pinkish-orange lips and a black face that lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been confirmed as a new species to science. The primate was spotted hidden away in the high tree canopy of dense tropical forests in Lomami National Park, in the central east of the country. Conservationists reported seeing…
Scientists have uncovered how a toxin produced by a common gut bacterium gains access to colon cells, solving a mystery that has puzzled researchers for more than 15 years. The discovery not only explains how the toxin begins damaging the colon, but also points to a possible new way to block its effects before they…
Brain cells continually pull material from the fluid around them, including nutrients, signaling molecules, and fragments of their own outer surfaces. This process, called endocytosis, supports learning, memory, and the routine maintenance of neurons. Penn State researchers have now identified a previously unrecognized structure that may control much of this activity. The structure is a…
Getting a little less sleep each night may have a bigger impact on your health than you realize. Researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons found that adults who cut their nightly sleep by about 80 minutes for six weeks gained an average of one pound and spent more time being inactive….
