Atractylodes plants, known for their medicinal uses, have three main species: Atractylodes lancea (AL), A. chinensis (AC), and A. macrocephala (AM). These plants have different types of sugars, called polysaccharides, which play a big role in their medicinal properties. Scientists looked at these sugars to understand what makes each species unique. First, they check...
Scientists wanted to see how many fish in a tank affect the DNA floating in the water. They used special tests to measure DNA levels. The idea was to find out if more fish mean more DNA, and how long this DNA lasts. First, they filled tanks with different amounts of fish. Then, they took water samples to check the DNA. They found that more fish do indeed release mor...
Black holes colliding is not just a sci-fi spectacle; it's a real cosmic event that sends out ripples in space and time, called gravitational waves. These waves, first spotted in 2015, carry energy and can teach us a lot about gravity, the force that keeps us grounded. Gravity, as Einstein explained, is like the curvature of space and time caused by mass and energy....
In the world of prehistoric creatures, the rock hyrax had some unusual habits. This small, furry animal, which lived in South Africa around 126, 000 years ago, had a knack for lounging on boulders and soaking up the sun, much like seals and walruses do today. But here's where it gets interesting: the rock hyrax also enjoyed dragging its bottom through the sand. This...
A comet from another star system, named 3I/ATLAS, has caught the attention of scientists. It might be linked to the famous Wow! signal, a mysterious radio wave detected in 1977. Avi Loeb, a well-known astronomer from Harvard, thinks this comet could be the source of the signal. The Wow! signal was a strong radio wave picked up by a telescope in Ohio. It was so unusua...
Proteins are like tiny machines in our bodies, doing important jobs. Scientists are trying to redesign these proteins to do even cooler things, like creating new medicines or materials. One way they do this is by using computers to figure out the best way to change the protein's recipe, or sequence. This process is called computational protein design (CPD). It's lik...
October is set to be an exciting month for stargazers, with not one but two meteor showers gracing the night sky. The Draconids and Orionids will make their appearances, offering a celestial spectacle for those who love to look up. Plus, a super harvest moon will add to the show, making this a great time to explore the cosmos. The Draconids meteor shower kicks off t...
People with mixed heritage often have unique facial features. This includes their noses, which can be a blend of different shapes and sizes. A recent study looked at how noses vary across different ethnic groups and genders. It also checked how well artificial nose implants match these natural shapes. The study used 3D scans of faces from three groups: Chinese, Eura...
Parasites are a big problem for sheep and goats. They can make animals sick and hurt farm productivity. One of the worst parasites is Haemonchus contortus. It's a tiny worm that lives in the stomach of sheep and goats. Farmers use drugs to kill these worms. But now, the worms are fighting back. They're becoming resistant to the drugs. This is a big deal because it ma...
On Mars, scientists have found something unusual. The Perseverance rover, exploring Jezero Crater, discovered a strange rock called Cheyava Falls. This rock has tiny black spots and unique patterns. Scientists are excited because these spots contain carbon, iron, phosphorus, and sulfur. These elements are important for life on Earth. The rock also has minerals like ...