ScienceDaily: Featured - February 16, 2025
Featured research news
Does planetary evolution favor human-like life? Study ups odds we're not alone
Humanity may not be extraordinary but rather the natural evolutionary outcome for our planet and likely others, according to a new model for how intelligent life developed on Earth.
Marine mystery solved: How anemonefish avoid stings from their sea anemone hosts
The clownfish-anemone living arrangement is one of the most widely recognized examples of symbiosis. Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how anemonefish can live safely among sea anemones without being stung by their venomous tentacles, solving a century-long mystery. Scientists have discovered that anemonefish have evolved to maintain very low levels of sialic acid in their skin mucus to avoid triggering the release of nematocysts (stinging cells) in their sea anemone hosts. The researchers found that sea anemones also lack these sugar compounds in their own mucus, likely to avoid stinging themselves. Their findings suggest anemonefish might be using a similar protective strategy to their hosts.
Mouse study finds impaired cell development: Intermittent fasting could be unsafe for teenagers
A recent study reveals that age plays a significant role in the outcomes of intermittent fasting. Researchers discovered that chronic intermittent fasting disrupted the development of insulin-producing beta cells in young mice. The findings raise concerns about potential risks for humans, especially teenagers.
'Game changing' release of Type Ia Supernovae data may hold key to the history of the Universe
A unique dataset of Type Ia Supernovae being released today could change how cosmologists measure the expansion history of the Universe.
Under-sea mountains are key 'hubs' for sharks
Under-sea mountains are key locations for predators -- with 41 times more sharks than the open ocean, new research shows.
Evidence of play-like interaction with carousel in insects
Scientists have for the first time demonstrated play-like behavior in flies. They found that fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) voluntarily and repeatedly visited a carousel.
Climate change threatens global cocoa production: New study highlights pollination-based solutions
This Valentine's Day, millions of pounds worth of chocolate will be exchanged as gifts, but climate change and biodiversity loss imperil future global supplies of this treat. A new research study demonstrates that sustainable agricultural practices that both protect pollinator populations and mitigate climate risks could help secure -- and even improve -- global cocoa yields.
Ancient Egyptian mummified bodies smell 'woody,' 'spicy' and 'sweet'
Ancient Egyptian mummified bodies smell 'woody,' 'spicy' and 'sweet', finds a new study, revealing new details about mumification practices.
Phoenix galaxy cluster in the act of extreme cooling
New findings explain the Phoenix cluster's mysterious starburst. Data confirm the cluster is actively cooling and able to generate a huge amount of stellar fuel on its own.
Creation of black holes without singularities through pure gravity
Traditional black holes, as predicted by Albert Einstein's theory of General Relativity, contain what are known as singularities, i.e. points where the laws of physics break down. Identifying how singularities are resolved in the context of quantum gravity is one of the fundamental problems in theoretical physics. Now, a team of experts has described the creation of regular black holes from gravitational effects and without the need for the existence of exotic matter required by some previous models.
Physicists uncover evidence of two arrows of time emerging from the quantum realm
What if time is not as fixed as we thought? Imagine that instead of flowing in one direction -- from past to future -- time could flow forward or backward due to processes taking place at the quantum level. This is the thought-provoking discovery made by researchers, as a new study reveals that opposing arrows of time can theoretically emerge from certain quantum systems.
Jumping workouts could help astronauts on the moon and Mars, study in mice suggests