The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, might be more than just a fun fact. It could be a key player in how plants grow. Lots of research has hinted that this day might be a big signal for plants. It could kickstart major changes in how they function. But why? That's the big question. Scientists are still trying to figure out how the solstice fits into the ...
Cluster headaches are a type of headache that can be very severe. They are not as common in children as they are in adults. This makes them tricky to spot and treat. Doctors are still trying to figure out the best ways to handle them in young patients. The way cluster headaches work in kids is still a bit of a mystery. Doctors know that they are linked to some chang...
Breathing is something we do every minute of every day. But have you ever thought about how your lungs work when you're just sitting around or when you're running a race? It turns out that not everyone's lungs are the same. Some people have smaller airways compared to their lung size. This is called dysanapsis. It can make breathing tough, especially during exercise....
Artemisia sphaerocephala is a key player in stopping deserts from spreading. This plant is tough and can handle dry conditions. To figure out how it does this, researchers used advanced sequencing methods. They looked at the plant's genes and how they change when it's really dry. This helps find out which genes and paths are crucial for the plant's survival. The stu...
Pistachio trees, known for their tasty nuts, face a big challenge: drought. These trees struggle with dry conditions, which can hurt their growth and the quality of their nuts. To tackle this issue, researchers have been looking into ways to make pistachio trees more resilient. They focused on a special group of hybrid pistachio trees. These hybrids are a mix of ...
The spotted salamander, a type of ectotherm, lives in environments with big temperature swings. These creatures spend much of their time underground, which might shield them from sudden temperature changes. However, research shows that their bodies still react to seasonal shifts. This reaction is seen in how they use energy, but not in how they lose water. The study...
Florence Buchanan was a pioneer in the field of physiology. She was a woman who broke boundaries in a time when women were not welcome. She worked with some of the biggest names in biology. Her mentors included E. Ray Lankester, who was taught by T. H. Huxley. Huxley was a close friend of Charles Darwin. Her early work was guided by John Scott Burdon-Sanderson. Later...
Curvy toes are a frequent issue that affects the lesser toes. This condition stems from an imbalance in the muscles and tendons that guide toe movement. It can be caused by several factors. Some people are just born with a predisposition to it. Others develop it from wearing shoes that don't fit right. Trauma or certain medical conditions, like neuromuscular disorder...
Scientists have created a new method to study the electrical activity of individual nerve cells. These nerve cells are known as nociceptors. They are responsible for transmitting pain signals. The new tool combines advanced technology with a clever design to capture the electrical responses of individual nerve fibers. This could help in developing better treatments f...
In 2024, a unique event took place in the heart of South Africa. The Skukuza Conference Centre, nestled in the Kruger National Park, became the hub for a gathering of bright minds. This was the first Global South Workshop, a platform designed to uplift and support research communities from various parts of the world. The event was a brainchild of two passionate indi...