Some sheep are born with bent legs. This is called angular limb deformities or ALD. It's a problem that can make life harder for these animals. Scientists wanted to know how ALD affects sheep's growth, eating habits, and the vitamins and minerals in their blood. They studied 25 young rams, some wit
In some places, the soil is not very healthy. It has something called Cadmium (Cd) in it. This is not good for plants. But, some plants are better at dealing with this than others. These are called invasive plants. They are not from around here. They come from other places and take over. Earthworms
In the rocky landscapes of southwest China, water is on the move. It carries more than just moisture. It also moves harmful stuff like mercury, thallium, and arsenic. These toxic elements are found in the soil. They come from different places. Some come from rocks breaking down. Others come from the
Histamine is a big deal in our bodies. It does a lot of important jobs. It works through four different receptors, each with its own favorite partner protein. One of these receptors, called H 4 R, is special. It helps control how certain cells move and fight off invaders. But how it does this has
Mining does more than just extract resources. It also leaves behind a mix of materials that can affect the environment. One of these is slurry, a thick mixture used in grouting to fill gaps in the earth. But what happens when this slurry interacts with groundwater? Recent research sheds light on thi
In a recent study, the Pocotaligo River in Sumter, South Carolina, was found to have the highest levels of PFAS contamination among 22 waterways tested across the United States. PFAS, known as "forever chemicals, " are synthetic substances that persist in the environment and the human body, posing s
In Taiwan, esophageal cancer is a serious health issue. It's tough to treat and often has poor outcomes. Scientists are now looking into how certain chemicals in our environment might play a role in causing this disease. One group of chemicals, called organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), has ca
Phthalates are sneaky chemicals that can mess with our bodies, especially the male reproductive system. One of the worst offenders is di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHxP). Even though Europe banned it in 2020, people are still getting exposed to it. How? Well, sunscreen might be the culprit. Some sunscreens
Spotless starlings are small, sleek birds with a glossy black plumage. They are found in parts of Europe and North Africa. They are known for their impressive vocal abilities and social behavior. They are also known for their interesting reproductive strategies. When female starlings are not in the
Plastic waste is a big problem. It's everywhere and hard to get rid of. But what if we could turn it into something useful, like medicine? Scientists have found a way to do just that. They used a common bacteria called E. coli to change plastic into a key ingredient for paracetamol, a common painkil
