Tag Archives: living

Could Meat Be the Key to Living to 100? Exploring Its Surprising Role in Longevity

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Centenarian Hu Zaizhong celebrates his 100th birthday in northern China, April 24, 2021. Surrounded by family, he shared six wishes that symbolize a life well-lived.

Celebrating 100 years with love and memories

Xinhua/Shutterstock

Longevity advocates, such as Brian Johnson, often push boundaries in their pursuit of immortality. For those of us looking to celebrate a century with less complexity, dietary changes are typically the first step. While plant-based diets are frequently recommended, recent studies in China indicate many centenarians include meat in their diets, potentially offering crucial benefits, especially for those with low body weight.

Meat is a source of essential amino acids that influence a signaling molecule named mTOR, linked to the aging process. Although numerous studies recommend reducing meat intake for longevity and disease prevention, it’s important to note that vegetarian diets have been associated with increased fractures and instances of malnutrition.

These challenges can be particularly pronounced for older adults with weaker bones, resulting in slower recovery post-surgery. According to Wang Kaiyue from Fudan University in Shanghai, understanding the link between diet and longevity is essential. Wang and colleagues analyzed data from a centralized health database focusing on individuals aged 65 and above.

Within their study, 5,203 participants aged 80 and older in 1998, who were free from cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, or cancer, were surveyed. Approximately 80% identified as meat eaters, while others followed a mainly plant-based diet but occasionally consumed animal products.

Interestingly, meat consumers demonstrated a higher probability of living to age 100 compared to those following vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan diets. This finding held statistical significance when body weight factored into the analysis.

The likelihood of reaching 100 grew, especially among underweight meat eaters, with 30% reporting daily meat consumption, compared to 24% of underweight vegetarians in 1998. This trend was less pronounced among heavier individuals.

While heavy consumption of meat has been linked with obesity, research supports the role of animal proteins in building stronger muscles and enhancing bone health. According to Wang, such benefits are particularly significant for those lacking body mass.

Nonetheless, a diet rich in vegetables is crucial, with findings indicating participants who consumed vegetables daily tended to have extended lifespans.

“Older adults often face unique nutritional challenges,” says Wang. “Our research implies that dietary guidelines for older individuals should prioritize nutritional balance over strict avoidance of animal products, particularly for those with low body weight.”

This particular outcome may not hold true globally, as dietary habits differ significantly, but “the biological principles connecting nutrition and aging likely have universal relevance,” Wang adds.

According to James Webster from the University of Oxford, while this discovery is noteworthy, it should not drastically alter dietary practices. His team’s previous study highlighted a potential link between vegetarianism and the risk of femoral neck fractures, suggesting potential health issues with a strict vegetarian diet. However, Webster stresses that several studies illuminate the benefits of vegetarianism, especially concerning overall health.

Both vegetarian and meat-inclusive diets can be either healthy or detrimental, depending on nutritional content quality, Webster notes. “Identifying the nutrients essential for a balanced and healthful lifestyle is key,” he says, recommending a rich intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while limiting salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

“Ultimately, more research is needed to determine the optimal diets for longevity, but a comprehensive view of dietary patterns is imperative,” concludes Webster.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

2025 Discovery: Living Organisms Emit Ghostly Glow

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Living Things Emit “Biophotons”

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This year, scientists made a fascinating discovery: an eerie glow emitted by mice that vanished after death, evoking paranormal notions about the body’s aura. This finding has ignited significant interest in the scientific exploration of biophotons.

Biophotons are extremely faint particles of light created by cellular structures, particularly mitochondria, which are responsible for energy production. Researchers have been attempting to detect these weak signals, but the field has encountered skepticism. Separating biophotons from other light sources, such as infrared light, presents considerable challenges in demonstrating their authenticity.

<p>Due to experimental limitations, biophoton research has mainly concentrated on smaller, specific body parts. However, in May, <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=sUKbEwsAAAAJ&hl=en">Daniel Oblak</a> and his team at the University of Calgary, Canada, observed biophotons emitted from the entire bodies of four hairless mice. Interestingly, these biophotons dissipated shortly after the mice died.</p>
<p>The researchers also recorded biophotons emitted from the leaves of umbrella trees (<em>Heptapleurum arboricola</em>), reinforcing the evidence for their existence through comprehensive study.</p>
<p>Following the <em>New Scientist</em> report on the study, many media outlets contacted Oblak’s team for interviews. The phenomenon's similarity to a "spiritual aura," which some psychics claim reflects an individual's physical and mental health, may have contributed to the public's fascination. Oblak mentioned, "Someone from Argentina urged us to investigate the glow of hands during healing." </p><section>

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<p>However, Oblak emphasizes that the science surrounding biophotons is legitimate. Numerous scientists have approached his team to collaborate on further studies. One proposal involves investigating biophoton production mechanisms in plants. Experts in genetically modified seeds suggest analyzing changes in biophoton emissions by disabling specific genes.</p>
<p>Insights into how biophotons correlate with seed germination could significantly benefit agriculture, according to Oblak. “You could assess seed samples to determine if the germination process happened without direct contact with the seeds.”</p>

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Living Systems Might Require a Fourth Law of Thermodynamics

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HeLa Cell in Telophase with Separated Chromosomes

Dr. Matthew Daniels/Science Photo Library

The principles of thermodynamics, particularly aspects like heat and entropy, provide valuable methods for assessing how far a system of ideal particles is from achieving equilibrium. Nevertheless, it’s uncertain if the existing thermodynamic laws adequately apply to living organisms, whose cells are complexly intertwined. Recent experiments involving human cells might pave the way for the formulation of new principles.

Thermodynamics plays a crucial role in living beings, as their deviations from equilibrium are critical characteristics. Cells, filled with energetic molecules, behave differently than simple structures like beads in a liquid. For instance, living cells maintain a “set point,” operating like an internal thermostat with feedback mechanisms that adjust to keep functions within optimal ranges. Such behaviors may not be effectively described by classical thermodynamics.

N. Narinder and Elisabeth Fischer-Friedrich from the Technical University of Dresden aimed to comprehend how the disequilibrium in living systems diverges from that in non-living ones. They carried out their research using HeLa cells, a line of cancer cells derived from Henrietta Lacks in the 1950s without her consent.

Initially, the scientists employed chemicals to halt cell division, then analyzed the outer membranes of the cells using an atomic force microscope. This highly precise instrument can engage with structures just nanometers in size, enabling researchers to measure how much the membranes fluctuated and how these variations were affected by interference with cell processes, such as hindering the development of certain molecules or the movement of proteins.

The findings showed that conventional thermodynamic models used for non-living systems did not fully apply to living cells. Notably, the concept of “effective temperature” was found to be misleading, as it fails to account for the unique behaviors of living systems.

Instead, the researchers emphasized the significance of “time reversal asymmetry.” This concept examines how the distinctions in biological events (like molecules repeatedly joining to form larger structures only to break apart again) differ when observed forwards versus backwards in time. These asymmetries are directly linked to the functional purposes of biological processes, such as survival and reproduction, according to Fischer-Friedrich.

“In biology, numerous processes are reliant on a system being out of equilibrium. Understanding how far the system deviates is crucial,” states Chase Brodersz from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Recent findings have unveiled a promising new metric for assessing this deviation.

This development marks a significant stride toward enhancing our knowledge of active biological systems, as observed by Yair Shokev at Tel Aviv University. He notes the novelty and utility of the team successfully measuring time-reversal asymmetry alongside other indicators of non-equilibrium simultaneously.

However, to understand life through the lens of thermodynamic principles, further advancements are necessary. Fischer-Friedrich and her team aspire to formulate a concept akin to the fourth law of thermodynamics, specifically applicable to organisms with defined processes. They are actively investigating physiological observables—key parameters measurable within cells—from which such laws could potentially be derived.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Transplanting Pig Livers into Living Humans Achieves Near-Normal Functionality

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Surgeons carry out a pig liver transplant at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in China in May 2024.

Lu Xianfu

Transplants of organs from non-human animals to human recipients could transform medicine and potentially save countless lives each year as many die awaiting transplants. Past experiments have seen pig hearts and kidneys transplanted into humans, but this marks the first instance of an animal liver being transplanted into a living person.

“This is truly groundbreaking,” remarks Heiner Wedemeyer from Hannover Medical School in Germany, who was not involved in the procedure. “The patient was critically ill, but thanks to the transplant, he survived for six months.”

The complexities of the liver have prevented previous surgeries of this kind. Earlier studies were conducted on brain-dead individuals, but indications of success were observed. “The heart acts merely as a muscle for pumping blood,” Wedemeyer explains. “Kidneys are simpler as they filter waste. The liver, however, is unique as it synthesizes a variety of proteins essential for numerous metabolic functions.”

Similar early successes were noted in heart and kidney transplants, although subsequent complications arose. In the realm of heart transplantation, risks potentially include the spread of swine viruses.

Recently, Hokujo Taiyo and colleagues at Anhui Medical University reported a pig liver transplant performed on a 71-year-old man. His liver was deemed too damaged for a traditional transplant due to severe tumor growth and significant scarring from hepatitis B. Thousands perish annually awaiting liver transplants, so each surgical case must be meticulously justified, according to Sun.

However, Sun indicated that the man required some form of transplant as there was a risk of the tumor rupturing, which could be life-threatening. With the patient’s consent, Sun and his team replaced the affected portion of the liver with one harvested from an 11-month-old minipig in May 2024. During a five-hour procedure, they connected the blood vessels of the pig liver to those of the left side of the recipient’s own liver.

To mitigate the risk of rejection by the immune system, three pig genes were disabled while seven human genes were introduced, enhancing compatibility. The patient was also administered immunosuppressants while the team diligently examined his liver to ensure it was free from swine viruses.

Almost immediately post-surgery, the new liver began to produce bile. Bile is crucial for the digestion of fats. Within weeks, levels of bile and albumin (a protein that retains fluid within blood vessels) in the patient rose to healthy ranges, as reported by Sun.

Nevertheless, about a month post-transplant, a life-threatening blood clot formed in a blood vessel, necessitating the removal of the graft. This complication likely stemmed from an overactive immune response, leading to abnormal blood-clotting protein levels—a challenge that may be common in pig transplants given the biological differences between species.

The patient lived for roughly five additional months with only the left side of his liver remaining before succumbing to gastrointestinal bleeding, a frequent issue associated with liver scarring, according to Sun. Both Sun and Wedemeyer believe this bleeding was probably not related to the transplant.

Despite the outcome, the operation is seen as a partial success because the patient would likely have died very soon after the tumor’s removal, noted Wedemeyer. Furthermore, he added that the patient’s liver may have partially regenerated during the successful functioning of the transplant, enabling survival for several months after the graft removal.

Wedemeyer emphasized that this procedure enhanced the understanding of xenotransplantation and opened up the possibility of pig livers providing temporary solutions for patients awaiting human transplants. There may even be a chance that the remaining liver tissue could grow sufficiently to negate the need for further treatment, indicated Sun.

However, Sun cautioned that it may take at least ten years before pig livers can replace human livers permanently. He stressed the need to minimize potential complications through further genetic advancements.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Living at High Altitudes Could Help Combat Obesity

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Research reveals obesity rates among children in Colombia’s hilly capital, Bogotá

Guillermo Legaria/Getty Images

A study involving over 4 million children in Colombia suggests that living at high altitudes may help in preventing obesity.

This outcome is consistent with existing research. Higher altitudes are thought to reduce obesity, potentially due to increased energy expenditure at lower oxygen levels. Most studies, however, have focused primarily on adults.

To explore the effect on children, Fernando Lizcano Rosada from Lhasavanna University in Chia, Colombia, along with his team analyzed data concerning 4.16 million children from municipalities up to age 5, sourced from the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare.

The participants were categorized into four groups based on the altitudes where they resided.

In two low-altitude areas, about 80 out of every 10,000 children were classified as obese. In contrast, at altitudes of 3,000 meters or higher since 2001, this rate dropped to 40 per 10,000.

However, at elevations above 3,000 meters, the prevalence rose again, reaching 86 out of 10,000. The researchers caution that this might be a statistical anomaly since it is based on data from only seven municipalities and 11,498 individuals, substantially fewer than the data for the other altitude groups.

“That’s a valid observation,” states David Stencel from Loughborough University, UK. He notes that a dose-response relationship would have strengthened the findings.

Stencel also underscores that the study is observational, meaning it does not definitively prove that high altitudes reduce obesity risk. “The research takes into account various confounding factors,” he explains, including measures of poverty. Yet, he adds, “we cannot account for everything.”

Nevertheless, he sees this research as a promising commencement. “It establishes a relationship that calls for more tailored studies to verify the hypothesis independently.”

Lizcano Rosada posits that metabolism may be heightened at higher altitudes, leading to increased energy expenditure.

This claim is plausible, Stencel agrees. “Some studies indicate that resting metabolic rates may be elevated at high altitudes,” he notes. For instance, a 1984 study found that climbers tended to lose more weight at high altitudes partly because fat from food was burned or expelled before being stored as tissue.

More recent studies suggest that lower oxygen levels may lead to accelerated metabolism and increased levels of leptin, the hormone related to satiety, while levels of ghrelin, often associated with hunger, are reduced.

If it is indeed true that high altitude diminishes obesity risk, Stencel notes that the practical application of this knowledge in combating obesity remains ambiguous. Nonetheless, Lizcano Rosada asserts that personalized advice could be beneficial, acknowledging that diverse environmental factors contribute to obesity across various locales.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

I’m Exhausted from Living in Tornado Alley

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Residents of Shipan City are increasingly worried about the potential for severe weather, as the community is set to lose 14 staff members, leaving it vulnerable to such events.

Wolf, a retired meteorologist from Davenport, expressed his concerns. He mentioned that up to 12 staff members were typically involved in managing severe weather incidents simultaneously. The cutbacks have resulted in a significantly reduced workforce for critical situations, especially when other forecast offices are also dealing with their own weather emergencies.

“With only 14 staff members, needing 10 leaves you in a tough spot,” Wolf remarked. “If we face a major weather event in the coming weeks, I’m confident they will still perform admirably, as they have in the past.”

Brian Payne, emergency manager for Scott County, Iowa, stated he has been receiving consistent service and hasn’t observed any issues.

“We depend on them heavily,” Payne noted. “They seem exhausted.”

A former National Weather Service staff member, familiar with the situation in Davenport, indicated that the team’s professionalism and commitment are crucial in preventing more serious outcomes.

“They all strive to accomplish their tasks despite time constraints and unpredictable conditions,” said the former employee, who preferred to remain anonymous due to fears of repercussions. “I genuinely feel for the team; they carry a heavy burden.”

Sorensen noted that employees are apprehensive about retaliation and hesitant to express their concerns.

“These are my friends and colleagues. I studied alongside a meteorologist 25 years ago,” Sorensen said, referencing Friedline. “They worry that their comments could have political consequences, and that someone might respond like a bully from high school, unjustly targeting them.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Using fungi-based living materials to create sustainable buildings

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The bacteria Neurospora Crassa formed a scaffold for living construction materials

Wim Van Egmond/Science Photo Library

Fungi and bacteria could one day become part of living building materials that can grow and repair.

When we try to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, one of the major challenges facing the world is finding more sustainable building materials. Concrete-only production accounts for more than 5% of total human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.

Some researchers want to develop engineered biological materials generated from cells, which have desirable attributes such as self-assembly, repair, and photosynthesis. Many powerful, mineralized structures exist in organisms such as bones and corals.

Chelsea Heberan Montana State University and her colleagues tested whether similar mineralized structures could be created around scaffolds of fungal mycelium. Mycelium is a network of microscopic, branching filaments that make up part of most fungi.

Heberan and her team grew mycelial scaffolds using fungi called Neurospora Crassa, After that, I applied bacteria Sporosarcina pasteurii On the scaffolding.

As fungi and bacteria metabolize urea in the growth medium, they formed a cured structure consisting of calcium carbonate, the same compound found in eggshells and shells.

She says the team drew inspiration from the bones. Bone has biological ninerals formed on scaffolds for collagen and other proteins. “The bones are very strong and tough considering how light it is,” Heberan says.

Although other biological materials created in the lab only lived for a few days, the structure developed by Heberan and her colleagues was viable for at least a month.

“We are excited by the outcome and look forward to engineering more complex and larger structures,” Heberan says. “If survival rates are high enough, we can actually convey persistent biological properties to materials that we care about, such as self-healing, sensing, and environmental repair.”

“Proposing mycelium as a scaffolding medium for living materials is a simple but powerful strategy,” he says. Aysu kuru At the University of Sydney.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Locked in a Tesla: From Dream Car to Living Nightmare | The Stealthy Tesla Enthusiast

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aOur children moved out, and my wife and I treated ourselves to a new car for our upcoming driving vacation in Europe. We had been driving family cars with the kids for years, but now we wanted something just for us.

To my surprise, she arranged a test drive for my birthday in a Tesla Model S. It was unlike any car I had ever experienced. “Amazing, this is amazing.” It felt like the future with a computer on the steering wheel that constantly updated with new features. However, opinions seem to have changed since then, as Tesla’s sales dropped by 13% in the first few months of the year. There have even been protests against Elon Musk and his actions outside Tesla facilities around the world.

Despite concerns about charging infrastructure, we found Tesla’s network to be exceptional. We traveled all over Europe, even fitting five adults and all our luggage in the car. As someone who wanted to move away from diesel and gasoline, the environmentally friendly electric vehicle was a perfect fit for us.

My political views leaned left, but owning a Tesla was never intended to be a political statement for us. Little did we know how our choices would later become politicized.

Initially, I tried to ignore the negative opinions about Elon Musk, but as his political stances became more apparent, it became harder to overlook. Many Tesla owners also began feeling uncomfortable with the association and started expressing their concerns online.




Protesters demonstrating against Tesla CEO Elon Musk during the national Tesla Takedown Rally outside dealers in Pasadena, California. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

With the growing concerns and price drops in the second-hand market, my daughter suggested selling the Tesla. However, I feel stuck as it has been a perfect fit for our lifestyle in every other aspect. Maybe I’ll consider a European electric car for our next purchase.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Returning to cash: Living without money in your pocket is not the utopia Sweden envisioned

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Back in 2018, the former lieutenant governor of Sweden’s central bank made a prediction that by 2025, Sweden would likely become a cashless society.

Fast forward seven years later, and that prediction has largely come true. Cash transactions have significantly decreased, with cards being the most popular form of payment followed closely by Swish, a mobile payment system introduced in 2012. Other mobile phone payment services are also gaining popularity.

A recent report from the Central Bank indicates that Sweden and Norway have the lowest cash circulation as a percentage of GDP globally.

However, given the current geopolitical tensions and security concerns, the idea of a completely cashless society in Sweden may not be as appealing as it once seemed.

Authorities are now urging citizens to keep and use cash for civil defense purposes. The Ministry of Defense has distributed pamphlets to households, advising people to maintain a supply of cash in various denominations for emergency situations.

The Central Bank emphasized the importance of ensuring everyone can access money in times of crisis, shifting the focus from efficiency to safety and accessibility.

Recently, the government recommended that both public and private entities continue to accept cash, a suggestion that should be implemented by central banks.

As cash usage declines, central banks have been exploring their own digital currencies. However, the focus has now shifted to monitoring the global development of digital currency.

Norway, a neighboring Scandinavian country, has also been moving towards a cashless society, introducing mobile payment systems and imposing fines on retailers who do not accept cash. The government advises citizens to keep some cash on hand due to the vulnerability of digital payment solutions to cyberattacks.

Ultimately, in terms of emergency planning, having a balanced approach between digital and cash payments seems to be the way forward.

Miranda Bryant is the Guardian’s Scandinavian correspondent

Source: www.theguardian.com

How Virtual Reality Goggles Contributed to my Journey to Physical Rehabilitation

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IYou were asking me a month or two ago if I had ever had a spatially immersive experience, or if I was 60 years old and could have been hired early. Virtual Reality Goggles, I’d say it was as likely as the Silicon Valley tech giant appointed to “disrupt” the US federal government.

Let me explain a series of events that are likely to have led me to the latest technology.

Over the years I had to be in the perfect acrobatic position that would qualify me Cirque du Soleil To avoid discomfort while working on my computer. Despite moving to multiple rounds of standing desk and boring physics, I can no longer use my right arm.

Last year in particular felt like a tortured battle between cognitive decline and brain fog. This is the result of the steady use of ineffective anti-inflammatory agents. I have never done much work in my life and never had much time in my hands. I am currently armed with an MRI scan indicating that my shoulder tendon has ruptured. This records the date to combat the three herniated neck discs compressing the nerves running through my arm, and my malicious guilt.

To cope, I have learned to develop curiosity, a great source of distraction. I leave the house and open to places where adventures may take me… because you never know. Last week I did a shuffle dance with a great DJ Camden assembly Pub in the afternoon.

Two months ago I left for something I thought I would stop by at the museum, but instead found myself in a store looking for a charger for my iPhone. While standing there, I explained to my empathetic young sales assistant that I was a benched writer and that my right arm was temporarily disabled, and jokingly asked if he had a gadget that could put food in my mouth with my left hand without stabbing my eyes with a fork.

I looked ignorant when he asked if he wanted to try out the “mixed reality headset.” He explained that it is used in multimedia experiences such as watching movies and games on virtual screens. He suggested that eye tracking, coupled with voice control in the accessibility feature, could make me work.

The next moment I was sitting in the demonstration area wearing thick, heavy glass goggles. After a quick setup, a little green dot floats in the air. Tap your thumb and finger together to see a group of familiar app icons in a transparent visual overlay. Pixelization of the graphics makes the icon more clear than the chair in front of me. Eye tracking is the most surprising thing. All you need to do is look at the app you want to launch, gently tap your finger and thumb together to open the program. You can move multiple screens close or far apart, like furniture in a room.

I try other programs, open the photos and extend them to isologies. I’m watching immersive videos that look just as realistic as nightmares with dinosaurs blown away, but they’re kind of adorable and check me out the same way I keep the gaps in them. It reminds me of a parenting moment when my son was a toddler and struggled to resolve whether the stuffed animal was real or not. He was relieved to be told there was no gruffalo-like thing, despite being a replica of a stuffed animal. Once he realized it was an optical trick, he didn’t need to ask again the difference between the real thing and the pretend.

Navigating my path around various programs is a bit like learning to balance on a bike. I grow up confused. Speed ​​of movement requires constant adaptation to spatial and visual cues. I start to relax. I reach out and interact with digital objects – butterflies land on my finger. I have found myself reacting to the same wonders I experience in the real world.

And de Noument. A small dial appears on the side of the goggles, allowing you to control the reality you want to immerse yourself in. The actual room is gone and surrounded by mountain scenes. I breathe in surprise. Its spatial depth, light and shadow make the scene very clear and I feel the space around me. I know it’s not real, but the distinction is clear – I experience a mood shift as if it were. It’s similar to getting into a Piccadilly Circus tube and surface at the next stop and being on the beach in the Bahamas.

If the possibilities of these immersive spaces are slightly frightening, consider the historical adaptation of neurocognition and spatial awareness as a species, as well as the consequences of cultural and scientific advances. It takes how physics evolved because we were able to imagine visual art, the fundamental shift in spatial perspectives from two dimensions to three dimensions of painting, or the invisible behavior of the universe that is not available to the human eye.

In a few minutes, I was easily in and out of the program. Using my eyes and hands, my arms relaxed without firing nerve pain. It shows software that demonstrates breakthroughs in medical training, an immersive experience that can be used in educational environments, art, architecture and design. Seeing this, I realized I was overwhelmed by tears thinking that I might be able to work for the months leading up to my surgery and during rehabilitation.

Until my thoughts move to my next dilemma. How did you intend to break the news to your husband? 30 years of marriage and rules have always been the case. We are consulting each other about purchasing over £100. How was it when you explained it to him over the phone? What is the difference in my mood, the vision I had the following year in my life? It felt like someone had given me a smart medicine, a magical cure for brain fog. In fact, I always change goggles and painkillers.

There was only one answer. I have to bring them home so he can try it out for himself. I took a picture of the boxless purchase and texted him with the message “No heart attacks, I can return them.” He immediately texts, “I’m having a heart attack.” I leave the store with deep creative thinking and new virtual reality goggles, carrying the bag with my left arm. I take the bus that goes in the wrong direction and go without picking up a visual clue that will stop another 10.

Once I send it home, negotiations will continue all night. I’ll refrain from reviewing. He admits there is a consensus that it is relatively best on a VR headset, but that’s it. virtual reality. I think it’s like claiming that smartphones are nothing more than mobile phones. He points out that even influencers and early adopters are predicting market failures because prices are so prohibitively prohibitive (from £3,499). Why don’t you wait for prices to drop? Point out that waiting will defeat your purpose. It’s about doing my job and helping me survive mentally next year. He’s certain. He gets it and is actually at ease for me. Even it moved. The goggles stay.

A few days later During coaching on accessibility features, you can block gestures from your right arm and force a break in the part of your brain you want to steer on the right side. Accelerate your learning to become hands-free on other devices. And that’s good because I can only use my goggles for a few hours a day before I have a neck cramp with weight. But I learned to hack for that. By lying down to serve as a table of some kind.

I’m not dying with bug eyes in public, but after experiencing the panic attacks I experienced after taking them off, I am beginning to feel relieved with my new hip identity – the consequences of physical disorientation and fear towards their seductive charm.

This turned my way from friends and family despite the enormous amount of ridiculous laughter and skeptical concerns. I have not been a target of this much stack since being arrested after trying joints as a teenager. Am I at risk of letting go of my struggle to become a human in the real world? Look at this space. This article was described as hands-free.

Debora Harding’s dance with Toctopus has been published by Profile Books and Bloomsbury USA. Buy for £9.99 Guardianbookshop.com

Source: www.theguardian.com

Oldest living recipient of pig organ transplant in Alabama is a woman

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An Alabama woman achieved a significant milestone on Saturday by becoming the longest surviving recipient of a pig organ transplant. After receiving a new kidney, she has been healthy and full of energy for 61 days.

Twana Rooney, who jokingly referred to herself as a “superwoman,” shared with The Associated Press her excitement about her recovery as she took a long walk through New York City. She expressed that the transplant has given her a fresh perspective on life.

Rooney’s remarkable progress following the transplant has provided hope in the advancement of animal-to-human organ transplants. While only four other individuals in the United States have received experimental pig organ transplants (including two hearts and two kidneys), none of them survived for over two months.

Dr. Robert Montgomery of Langone Health, who led Rooney’s transplant, expressed that her kidney function is now “absolutely normal.” The medical team is optimistic about her continued progress, enabling her to eventually return to her home in Gadsden, Alabama.

There is ongoing research involving genetically modified pigs to create more human-like organs to address the critical shortage of transplantable human organs in the US. With over 100,000 people on the US transplant waiting list, most in need of a kidney, and thousands dying while waiting, pig organ transplants have been implemented as acts of compassion.

Hospitals conducting these transplants are collaborating to share insights on the outcomes, paving the way for an upcoming formal study. United Therapeutics, the provider of Rooney’s kidney, has recently sought FDA approval to commence a trial.

Rooney’s experience of donating a kidney to her mother in 1999, subsequent pregnancy complications, and eight years on dialysis led her to explore pig organ transplants. Her journey has been closely monitored by medical professionals, demonstrating the possibility of successful long-term pig organ functionality in humans.

As an advocate and source of support for those navigating the transplant process, Rooney aims to inspire and educate others through her unique story. While the longevity of her new kidney remains uncertain, her resilience and determination offer hope for the future of organ transplantation.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Living microorganisms found in ancient 2 billion-year-old rocks by microbiologists

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Researchers from the University of Tokyo and others have discovered pockets of living microorganisms in mineral-filled veins in 2 billion-year-old rocks taken from South Africa’s Bushveld Igneous Complex.

The 2-billion-year-old mafic rocks of the Bushveld Igneous Complex reveal veins filled with clay minerals colonized by indigenous microorganisms (stained green). Image provided by: Suzuki others., doi: 10.1007/s00248-024-02434-8.

“We didn’t know whether rocks from 2 billion years ago were habitable or not,” says Dr. Yohei Suzuki, a researcher at the University of Tokyo.

“This is a very interesting discovery because the oldest geological formations in which living microorganisms have been found were 100 million-year-old deposits beneath the ocean floor.”

“By studying the DNA and genomes of these microorganisms, we may be able to understand the evolution of very early life on Earth.”

Dr. Suzuki and his colleagues analyzed rock samples from the Bushveld Igneous Complex, a rock intrusion in northeastern South Africa that formed when magma slowly cooled beneath the earth’s surface.

“The Bushveld Igneous Complex covers an area of approximately 66,000 km2 (about the same size as Ireland), varies in thickness by up to 9 km, and contains approximately 70% of the platinum mined worldwide. , contains some of the richest mineral deposits on Earth,” they said.

“Due to the way it was formed and the minimal deformation and changes that have occurred since then, the BIC is thought to have provided a stable habitat for ancient microbial life that continues to this day.”

The core sample, measuring 8.5 cm in diameter and 30 cm in length, was taken from a depth of 15.28 meters with the assistance of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program, a non-profit organization that funds exploration of geological sites.

By analyzing thin slices of the rock, the researchers found that the cracks in the rock were packed with live microbial cells.

The crevices near these cracks were clogged with clay, making it impossible for living things to get out of them or for anything else to get in.

The researchers built on previously developed techniques to ensure that the microbes were native to the rock samples and not due to contamination during the drilling or testing process.

By staining the DNA of microbial cells and using infrared spectroscopy to observe proteins in the microbes and the surrounding clay, they confirmed that the microbes were alive and uncontaminated.

“I am very interested in the possibility that subsurface microorganisms exist not only on Earth, but also on other planets,” said Dr. Suzuki.

“Rocks on Mars are generally much older (20 billion to 30 billion years ago), but NASA’s Perseverance rover is currently scheduled to return rocks that are similar in age to the rocks used in this study.”

“Now that we have discovered microbial life in a 2 billion-year-old Earth sample and have been able to accurately confirm its authenticity, we are excited to see what we will find in Mars samples in the future.”

of result Published in a magazine microbial ecology.

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Yuya Suzuki others. 2024. Subsurface microbial colonization of mineral-filled veins in 2 billion-year-old mafic rocks of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa. microorganism ecole 87, 116; doi: 10.1007/s00248-024-02434-8

This article is based on a press release from the University of Tokyo.

Source: www.sci.news

Here’s why scientists are attempting to coat robots with living skin

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From the early days of robot creation, researchers have been dealing with the “uncanny valley” phenomenon, where something resembles a human but falls short of being completely realistic. A recent breakthrough involves attaching human skin to robots, creating a more lifelike appearance.

The team of researchers from the University of Tokyo, Harvard University, and the International Neurointelligence Research Center have successfully created lifelike skin for robots using live human skin cells, as detailed in a study published in the journal Cell Report Physical Sciences.

Lead author Michio Kawai explained that the skin is created by culturing skin cells from excess tissue with collagen tissue, which is then solidified around the robot using a perforated anchor structure.

Initially, they experimented with attaching skin using tiny hooks, but this caused tears. Instead, they developed a perforated anchor structure that mimics the functionality of real skin, creating a more natural appearance.

To ensure durability and flexibility, holes were drilled in the robot, collagen gel was applied, and skin was attached on top. This method aims to create robots that can self-repair surface damage and adapt to a wide range of tasks.

While the skin lacks blood vessels and must be kept moist to prevent drying out, future research aims to create pathways for nutrients and moisture within the skin tissue. Challenges such as maintaining sterile conditions during development must also be addressed.

In the quest for human-like robots, the team aims to replicate anatomical structures like glands, pores, blood vessels, fat, and nerves to achieve the perfect skin resemblance. As soft robotics technology advances, the potential applications of skin-covered robots expand to various fields.

While still in the demonstration phase for research purposes, this technology could eventually impact areas like skin aging, cosmetics, surgery, and training for surgeons. Despite the current limitations, advancements in robotic skin signal a promising future.

About our experts

Michio Kawai: A PhD student in bioengineering at Harvard University, focusing on research in Cell Report Physical Sciences, Helyon, and Case.

Shoji Takeuchi: Professor of Biohybrid Systems at the University of Tokyo, known for research in Science Robotics, Natural Chemistry, and Nature Communications.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Food colorings can temporarily make skin and muscle see-through in living animals

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The researchers Stanford University Aqueous solutions of tartrazine, a common food coloring approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have been shown to have the effect of reversibly transparentizing the skin, muscle, and connective tissue of live rodents.

Diagram of skin tissue cleared by saturating it with FD&C Yellow 5, including the path of photons reflecting off unstained tissue. Image courtesy of Keyi 'Onyx' Li / National Science Foundation.

“We combined a yellow dye, a molecule that absorbs most light, especially blue and ultraviolet light, with skin, a scattering medium; these two individually block most light from passing through,” said study lead author Dr. Zhihao Ou, who conducted the research with colleagues during his postdoctoral research at Stanford University before joining the University of Texas at Dallas in August 2024.

“But when we combined them, we were able to achieve skin transparency in mice.”

To master this new technique, Dr. Ou and his colleagues developed a way to predict how light would interact with stained biological tissue.

These predictions required a deep understanding not only of light scattering, but also of the process of refraction, how light changes speed and bends as it passes from one material to another.

Scattering is why we can't see through the body: fats, fluids within cells, proteins, and other substances all have different refractive indices, properties that determine how much incoming light waves bend.

In most tissues, these materials are so densely packed that differences in refractive index cause light to scatter as it passes through them, resulting in what our eyes perceive as opaque, colored biological material.

The researchers realized that if they wanted to make biological materials transparent, they had to find a way to match the different refractive indices so that light could pass through unimpeded.

Drawing on fundamental insights from optics, the researchers realized that the dyes that are most effective at absorbing light are also highly effective at directing light evenly through a wide range of refractive indices.

One dye that scientists predicted would be particularly effective was Tartrazinecommonly known as FD&C Yellow 5, is a food coloring.

As it turns out, they were right: when dissolved in water and absorbed into tissue, the tartrazine molecule becomes perfectly structured to match the refractive index, preventing light scattering and resulting in transparency.

The authors first tested their predictions on thin slices of chicken breast.

As the concentration of tartrazine increased, the refractive index of the fluid inside the muscle cells increased, matching the refractive index of muscle proteins, causing the sections to become transparent.

Next, the researchers gently applied the temporary tartrazine solution to the mice.

First, the researchers applied a solution to the scalp, making the skin transparent to reveal the blood vessels crisscrossing the brain.

The researchers then applied the solution to the abdomen, where it disappeared within minutes and demonstrated intestinal contractions and movement due to heartbeat and breathing.

This technique allows for the resolution of micron-scale features and improved microscopy.

Once the dye was washed off, the tissue quickly returned to its normal opacity.

Tartrazine appears to have no long-term effects and excess is excreted within 48 hours.

“It's important that the dye is biocompatible and safe for living organisms,” Dr. Ou said.

“Plus, it's very cheap and efficient. You don't need that much of it to work.”

The team has yet to test the process on humans, whose skin is about 10 times thicker than that of mice.

“At this point, it's unclear how much dye or the delivery method is needed to penetrate the entire skin,” Dr. Ou said.

“In human medicine, we now have ultrasound that can see much deeper into the body.”

“Many medical diagnostic platforms are prohibitively expensive and inaccessible to a wide range of users, but this shouldn't be the case for a platform based on our technology.”

of study Published in this week's journal Science.

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Wu Zhihao others2024. Achieving optical transparency in living animals using absorbing molecules. Science 385 (6713); doi: 10.1126/science.adm6869

This article is an edited version of an original release from the National Science Foundation and the University of Texas at Dallas.

Source: www.sci.news

Living in areas with abundant trees may lower risk of heart disease, study finds

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A recent study suggests that living in a neighborhood filled with trees can have similar heart benefits to regular exercise. Researchers at the University of Louisville conducted a clinical trial involving hundreds of people living in six low- to moderate-income neighborhoods in South Louisville, Kentucky. They found that planting thousands of mature trees near people’s homes led to lower levels of blood markers associated with heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

The Green Heart Louisville Project, part of the HEAL Research, revealed that areas with more trees and shrubs had improved health outcomes compared to areas with fewer trees. This study aimed to reduce the incidence of heart disease in the community under the leadership of Professor Aruni Bhatnagar.

Unlike previous observational research, the HEAL study had a control group and an intervention group, providing clearer insights into the effects of nature. Participants aged 25 to 75 living in South Louisville were recruited for the study, with samples collected before and after the tree-planting intervention.

The results showed a 13% decrease in a blood marker associated with heart disease in individuals living in areas with more trees. This reduction was comparable to the benefits seen from starting a regular exercise routine.

Overall, the study demonstrated a strong link between trees and improved physical health by providing shade, cooling, and noise reduction. Beyond physical health, trees also offer mental health benefits and create spaces for relaxation, exercise, and socialization.

How trees improve your physical health

Trees play a crucial role in mitigating urban heat and air pollution, which can worsen existing health conditions. The project in South Louisville focused on areas with poor air quality to study the impact of tree planting on pollution levels.

As the project continues, researchers plan to expand tree planting to other areas and explore additional benefits such as encouraging outdoor activities and improving overall well-being. The findings highlight the importance of equitable access to green spaces in cities and the essential role of nature in human health.

In conclusion, nature is not just a luxury but a necessity for human well-being, and efforts should be made to ensure everyone has access to green spaces for a healthier future.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Robotic grin crafted from living human skin cells

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This robot's face can laugh

Takeuchi et al. (CC-BY-ND)

Researchers say smiles made from living human skin could one day be attached to humanoid robots, allowing the machines to emote and communicate in a more lifelike way – and the wrinkles could even be useful for the cosmetics industry.

The living tissue is a mixture of human skin cells grown on a collagen scaffold, then placed on a 3D-printed resin base. Unlike previous similar experiments, this skin also contains the equivalent of ligaments, which are embedded in the layers of tissue beneath the skin of humans and other animals and hold the skin in place, giving it incredible strength and flexibility.

Michio Kawai The Harvard researchers call their ligament equivalents “perforated anchors” because they were made by drilling holes in the robot's plastic base and filling the tiny V-shaped cavities with tissue, which helps the robot's skin stay in place.

The team attached the skin to a smiling robotic face a few centimeters wide, which could be moved by rods attached to a base, and to a similarly sized 3D shape in the shape of a human head (see below), which could not be moved.

“As the roles required of robots expand due to developments in AI technology and other factors, the functions required of robot skin are also starting to change,” Kawai said, adding that having human-like skin could make communication between robots and humans smoother.

3D head shape covered with living skin

Takeuchi et al. (CC-BY-ND)

The research could also have unexpected benefits for the cosmetics industry: In tests, the researchers made the tiny robot's face laugh for a month and found that they could replicate the formation of expression wrinkles on the skin, Kawai says.

“If we can reproduce wrinkle formation on a palm-sized research chip, it could also be used to test new cosmetics and skincare products aimed at preventing, delaying or improving wrinkle formation,” said Kawai, who conducted the research while at the University of Tokyo.

Of course, this skin still lacks some of the functionality and durability of real skin, Kawai says.

“They have no sensing capabilities and no blood vessels to provide them with nutrients and water, so they cannot survive long in air,” he says. “To address these issues, our current challenge is to incorporate neural mechanisms and perfusion pathways into the skin tissue.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

First-ever pig kidney transplant performed on a living human

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The kidney transplant surgery is the first of its kind in a living person.

Michelle Rose/Massachusetts General Hospital

Surgeons successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a 62-year-old man with end-stage renal disease. Recipient Richard Suleiman is recovering well and is expected to be discharged from the hospital soon, just a few days after surgery.

Is this your first pig kidney transplant?

This is the first time a pig kidney has been transplanted into a living human, marking a major milestone in the field of xenotransplantation, or transplanting animal organs into humans.

“This successful transplant is the culmination of decades of hard work by thousands of scientists and doctors.” Tatsuo Kawai At Massachusetts General Hospital statement. “Our hope is that this transplant approach will provide a lifeline to the millions of patients around the world suffering from kidney failure.”

However, strictly speaking, this is not the first time a kidney has been transplanted from a pig to a human. This surgery has been performed five times in the past, each time on a person declared brain dead and placed on life support. The most recent of these was conducted by Robert Montgomery and colleagues at New York University Langone Health in July 2023. The kidney continued to function for over a month with no signs of rejection or infection.

When was the surgery performed?

Kawai and his colleagues performed the surgery on March 16th. reported that the procedure lasted four hours, and shortly thereafter the kidneys began producing urine and the waste product creatinine. new york times. Suleiman was also able to stop dialysis, which is a further indication that his kidneys are functioning properly.

Where do pig kidneys come from?

The organs were donated by the pharmaceutical company EGenesis. The company breeds pigs that are genetically engineered to carry certain human genes and lack a specific set of pig genes that are harmful to humans. These genetic modifications reduce the chance of transplant rejection, where the immune system attacks the organ and causes it to malfunction. Suleiman is also being given a cocktail of immunosuppressants to further reduce this risk. So far, there are no signs of rejection and Suleiman is able to walk on his own. His doctors hope he will be discharged soon.

What do we know about the recipient?

Suleiman has type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. He had previously received a human kidney from a donor in December 2018. However, the organ showed signs of malfunctioning after about five years. He started dialysis in May last year, but complications arose, and he needed to go to the hospital every two weeks. This seriously affected his quality of life while awaiting his second transplant.

is more than 100,000 people in the US They are waiting for organ transplants, and 17 of them die every day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the experimental transplant for Suleiman due to a lack of other treatment options.

“I saw it as a way not only to help me but also to give hope to the thousands of people who need transplants to survive,” Suleiman said in a statement.

Have xenotransplant surgeries involving other organs been performed?

Only two other people received xenotransplants, and both received genetically modified pig hearts. The first, a man named David Bennett, died two months later from complications believed to be caused by a swine virus called porcine cytomegalovirus. So scientists genetically inactivated a virus similar to the pig virus from which Suleiman's kidneys came.

The second recipient, a man named Lawrence Fawcett, died six weeks later from transplant rejection.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New research determines the longest living dog breeds

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Researchers studied the lifespans of 500,000 dogs to determine which species live the longest. The answer? Whippets, or dogs shaped like whippets. Research indicates that small dogs with long noses have an average lifespan of 13.3 years (source).

Another study looked at data from over 580,000 individual dogs in the UK, classified as purebreds or mixed breeds, to find out more about the lifespan of different dog breeds.

In addition to breed, the researchers collected data on the dogs’ sex, date of birth, and, if applicable, date of death. This data helped determine mortality rates as well as calculate the median life expectancy for different categories of dogs.

The study found that small, long-nosed dogs have the highest average lifespan at 13.3 years. Conversely, medium-sized short-nosed dogs, especially males, had the shortest average lifespan at 9.1 years.

Interestingly, purebred dogs generally lived longer than mixed breeds, and Labradors were found to have the highest life expectancy at 13.1 years.

The researchers hope that these results will help dog owners better understand the factors that influence their pets’ health and longevity, and they also suggest that future studies should investigate designer breeds due to their different genetic diversity levels.

Dr. Kirsten McMillan, one of the authors of the study, believes that future research should not simply classify dog breeding into pure and mixed categories and emphasizes that this is a complex issue.

Dr. Kirsten McMillan is a DataSEA (Science Engineering and Analysis) Manager at Dogs Trust, and her research has been published in various scientific journals.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Upcoming Antimatter Science to Provide Insights into the Existence of All Living Beings

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After years of extremely precise experiments, a group of researchers at CERN finally succeeded in creating and carefully capturing a sample of antihydrogen (the antimatter version of hydrogen) in September of this year. The sample was held in magnetic confinement to prevent it from hitting the walls of the container and quickly disappearing. The ALPHA-g experiment aimed to answer how antimatter behaves and revealed that it actually falls the same way that regular matter does.

Antimatter is known for generating high-energy radiation when it encounters normal matter, but contrary to popular belief, it has been shown to be less extreme than expected. For example, positrons, known as antielectrons, are exactly the same as electrons but with opposite charges and “parity.” Physicists had not experimentally confirmed that antimatter behaves the same way as regular matter until the ALPHA-g experiment.

Despite its violent tendencies, antimatter’s nature has raised questions about the definition and properties of matter in physics. The debate revolves around the conception of matter, where rest mass is the simplest definition. Matter encompasses various substances, atoms, molecules, protons, neutrons, electrons, quarks, and neutrinos. However, what constitutes matter becomes blurry when considering massless elementary particles and the contribution of energy to the mass of an object.

Exotic materials, like dark matter and negative mass materials, add complexity to the matter debate. The fact that matter and antimatter exist in unequal amounts, although not fully explained, has led to the formation of stars, galaxies, and planets. Antimatter experiments like ALPHA-g offer insight into matter’s nature and the existence of the universe.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

How does living in space impact evolution?

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How will our species evolve in space? If humans were suddenly forced to board a fleet of space arks and abandon Earth, evolution by natural selection would force our bodies to adapt to the new environment. Humans will probably become extinct before we change anything.

Even assuming that air, food, and water are all synthesized and infinitely recyclable, the microgravity environment currently makes it difficult for astronauts on the International Space Station to undergo daily strenuous exercise. Bone density decreases by about 1 percent every month.

If this situation continues for several years, everyone will suffer from serious illness. Osteoporosis. If our voyage were to go into deep space, we would also have to worry about radiation. Galactic cosmic rays We will be exposed to approximately 250 times the normal background radiation we receive on Earth, and a single solar flare can be strong enough to cause radiation sickness.

Surviving this situation for decades at a time would require a spacecraft with an environment more similar to Earth than our current spacecraft. A large-diameter rotating habitat to simulate gravity and thick shielding to block radiation would be the minimum requirements. But if the conditions inside the spacecraft were exactly the same as on Earth, there would be no evolutionary pressure for our bodies to adapt.

Society will definitely evolve. Surrounded by danger and heavily dependent on technology, we are becoming more authoritative, with each person fulfilling their assigned role without question, ready to sacrifice themselves for the good of the species. It is possible to develop a principled society. This is too important to be left to the unpredictability of democratic, free-market capitalism, so a rigid hierarchy akin to the sailing ship regime of the 19th century will likely emerge.

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Asked by: Sophie via email

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

A new species of toad has been found living in African volcanoes

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Scientists have identified a new genus and species of true toad from a single specimen found in a high-altitude forest. mount kenya, an extinct volcano in Kenya and the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Contrary to the popular belief that most of Kenya’s amphibians arose after volcanic activity subsided millions of years ago, this new species is related to the Kenya volcanic toad (Kenya Phrynoides vulcanis) – Its origins may date back as far as 20 million years, making it considerably older than the volcanic formation of Mt Kenya itself.

artistic performance Kenya Phrynoides vulcanis (A), dorsal view of the left hand of the holotype (B), and photographs of the dorsal (C) and ventral (D) sides of the holotype before preservation. Image credit: Liedtke other., doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad160.

Dr Simon Loader, lead curator of vertebrates at the Natural History Museum, London, said: ‘Many of Kenya’s mountains are volcanic or geologically relatively new, so discovering ancient lineages that have lasted for millions of years is unlikely. It’s amazing.”

“It’s a real challenge to figure out how it got here.”

“We can’t say for sure, but it seems likely that they were once more widespread, and as the climate has changed over the past tens of millions of years, they have tracked their way through tropical forests, with their final destinations being the mountaintops. It was ‘Mt Kenya’. ”

The discovery of Kenya’s volcanic toads calls into question the concept of the Kenya interval, a term used to describe the striking contrast in amphibian diversity between Kenya and its neighboring countries.

Ethiopia and Tanzania have long been hotspots for amphibian biodiversity, but Kenya’s geological history and frequency of tectonic activity make it a difficult place for these organisms to thrive.

unique features Kenya Phrynoides vulcanis This suggests that the Kenyan Interval may not be as simple as previously believed.

When this toad was first discovered in Mount Kenya’s pit in 2015, it already seemed very different from the species normally seen in the area.

“We were really surprised to see this animal. It looked nothing like anything we had seen before, but it was similar to what we know and call the Tanzanian animal. Ta” Churamiti MaridadiIt is a forest tree toad that lives in the Ukaguru Mountains rainforest,” said National Museums of Kenya curators Dr Patrick Maronza and Dr Victor Wasonga.

Kenya Phrynoides vulcanisDistinctive features include its small size, more frog-like body, and distinctive green and brown markings.

Genetic and morphological differences from other known toad species have led to its recognition at the genus level.

Clues from physical features such as enlarged fingertips suggest it may be a climber.

Its thumb has a sharp tip known as a nuptial spine found in many male frogs and toads, which helps the male grasp the female and encourage reproduction.

“The forest toad found in the mountains of East Africa is unusual and does not resemble typical toads,” said Dr. Hendrik Müller, a researcher at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.

“More interestingly, some individuals are known to have an unusual reproductive strategy called ovoviviparity.”

“In ovoviviparity, the eggs hatch inside the female’s body. This means that the chicks are born from the mother as small toads, rather than as tadpoles.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper inside Zoological journal of the Linnean Society.

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H. Christoph Liedtke other. A new species of toad discovered from Mount Kenya sheds light on the biogeography of East Africa’s mountains. Zoological journal of the Linnean Society, published online on November 7, 2023. doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad160

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists Baffled by Mummified Rat Found on 20,000-Foot Volcano: How Could Anything Be Living There?

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A view from the top of Sarin Volcano, one of three volcanoes in the Andes where researchers discovered the mummified corpse of a rat. The combined analysis of mummies and the capture of live specimens suggests that the rodents are able to climb Mars-like peaks on their own and somehow survive there.

This study rules out any connection to Inca rituals and suggests that the rats ascended independently.

At the top of a 6,000-foot volcano in the middle of the driest desert on earth, the environment was harsh and unforgiving. Temperatures were consistently below freezing, oxygen levels were less than half that at sea level, and strong winds whipped over the mountaintops across the sparse, rocky terrain.

In the 1970s and 1980s, carcasses of several rats were first discovered during expeditions to several Andean peaks, and researchers believed that the rodents must have hitchhiked with the Incas. It was initially thought that these pinnacles served as altars for the ceremonial sacrifice of children to the Inca gods. This led to the assumption that the rats probably rushed into the firewood and other supplies that the Incas had hauled up the slopes, or they were sometimes among the animals sacrificed along with humans.

In early 2020, a live specimen of a hedgehog was captured at the 22,000-foot peak of Lullillaco, a volcano that straddles the Chilean-Argentine border, casting doubt on the initial hypothesis. The analysis of mummified corpses, combined with the capture of live specimens discovered across the Andes, confirmed that the rats ascended the volcanoes independently. The capture of additional live specimens and the study of the mummies further solidified the evidence that the rats are able to survive at such high altitudes.

Further research and analysis are underway to understand the genetic insights and mysterious survival of the rats and to determine what drives rats to such high altitudes. The researchers are working to answer the ongoing question of why the rats rise to such extreme altitudes in the first place. This research was funded by grants.

Source: scitechdaily.com