Recent studies reveal that vitamin C concentrations in the skin are closely linked to blood (plasma) levels, and can be enhanced by increasing fruit consumption. This research, involving 20 healthy individuals from New Zealand and Germany, demonstrated that eating two kiwifruits rich in vitamin C daily boosts plasma levels, elevates the vitamin content in the skin, enhances skin thickness (collagen production), and supports the regeneration of the skin’s outer layer.
Vitamin C (ascorbate) is found in all parts of the skin. Puller et al. conducted an extensive study to correlate plasma and skin ascorbic acid levels, emphasizing key skin compartments. Image credit: Pullar et al., doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.10.587.
“The strength of the link between skin thickness and vitamin C intake is striking,” remarked Professor Margriet Vissers from the University of Otago.
“We were taken aback by the significant correlation between plasma and skin vitamin C levels, which was notably stronger than that in other organs we examined.”
“For the first time, we have shown that circulating vitamin C penetrates all skin layers and correlates with enhanced skin function.”
“I’m incredibly proud of my team’s work and thrilled by the insights from our findings.”
The results imply that true beauty emanates from within, suggesting that vitamin C delivered through the bloodstream effectively supports skin function holistically.
“Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis.”
“This understanding has prompted the inclusion of vitamin C in numerous skincare formulations.”
“However, due to its high water solubility, vitamin C is not easily absorbed through the skin’s outer barrier.”
“Our findings indicate that the skin effectively absorbs vitamin C from blood circulation.”
“The uptake into the outer epidermal layers seems to be prioritized.”
The researchers utilized healthy skin samples from patients undergoing elective surgeries to establish the connection between plasma and skin vitamin C levels.
They carried out a pre- and post-dietary vitamin C intervention study involving 12 healthy participants in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Germany.
“Participants were instructed to consume two kiwifruits (equivalent to 250 micrograms of vitamin C) daily for eight weeks,” explained Professor Vissers.
“We collected skin samples before and after the dietary intervention, enabling us to analyze the basal skin layer in Christchurch and the integumentary skin layer alongside skin functionality tests in Germany.”
The researchers assessed skin sample regeneration, including skin thickness, elasticity, UV protection, and epidermal cell regeneration via ultrasound, to provide a comprehensive understanding of skin function.
“A significant finding was that participants’ skin thickness levels showed a notable increase, indicating enhanced collagen production and epidermal cell regeneration, essentially reflecting skin regeneration,” stated Professor Vissers.
Scientists propose that boosting dietary vitamin C intake can enrich all regions of your skin.
“It’s crucial to maintain optimal plasma levels, and we know that healthy individuals can easily reach these levels with approximately 250mg of vitamin C daily,” commented Professor Vissers.
“Nonetheless, vitamins are not stored by the body. Therefore, a healthy habit is to consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, including foods high in vitamin C.”
Refer to the study published on October 28, 2025, in the Journal of Research Dermatology.
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Juliet M. Puller et al. Dietary intake of kiwifruit, a high vitamin C food, improves vitamin C levels and skin function in human skin. Journal of Research Dermatology published online October 28, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2025.10.587
Eczema-like stimulation promoted hair regrowth in shaved mice over 20 days (bottom row). Meanwhile, hair growth was notably less in shaved mice lacking this stimulation (top row).
Tai et al. 2025
Skin inflammation can encourage hair growth in mice by activating fat cells. The serum derived from this process may also benefit humans without causing discomfort.
While hair loss is often addressed with medications or steroid injections, more effective solutions are being researched, including stem cell therapies and drugs that reactivate dormant hair follicles.
Songjian Lin, among researchers at National Taiwan University, became intrigued by how adipose tissue influences hair growth during experiments with mice. “Unexpectedly, we found changes in the size of fat cells following skin inflammation. [Fat cells] shrink quickly before hair starts to grow back. We proposed that fat cells could release fatty acids via lipolysis to spur hair regeneration,” Lin explains.
To explore this further, they repeated the study and examined the relevant cells more closely. They initially applied an irritant to a shaved section of the mouse’s back to simulate eczema. By day ten, they noted that the mice’s hair follicles were actively growing, resulting in visible hair growth in those regions. This effect was absent in other shaved areas without eczema, as well as in control mice.
The research team observed that this phenomenon appears to occur because immune cells called macrophages migrate to the fat layer beneath the mouse’s skin, signaling fat cells to release fatty acids. These fatty acids are then utilized by hair follicle stem cells, promoting increased mitochondrial production, which supplies energy and fosters hair growth. This aligns with past studies indicating that plucking hair can trigger immune responses in nearby hair follicles, stimulating their growth.
Though eczema isn’t typically linked to hair growth in humans, other forms of skin inflammation may play a role, such as those associated with casts for broken bones, which are connected to excess hair growth.
Next, Lin and his team sought to determine whether fatty acids alone could induce hair growth without prior irritation. They formulated a serum containing various fatty acids dissolved in alcohol. This serum was applied to non-irritated shaved mice, and the results were compared to untreated areas and control mice. “We discovered that only monounsaturated fatty acids, like oleic acid and palmitoleic acid—prevalent in adipose tissue—successfully induced hair regrowth when applied topically,” Lin notes.
The researchers, who have since patented the serum, also observed encouraging outcomes when tested on human hair follicles in the lab and now intend to evaluate different dosages on human scalps.
Lin does not anticipate any serious side effects from the treatment. “Oleic acid and palmitoleic acid are naturally occurring fatty acids. They are present in high quantities in our fat tissue and various vegetable oils, making them safe for use,” he states. “I applied a solution of these fatty acids mixed with alcohol to my thighs for three weeks and noticed it stimulated hair growth.”
However, he cautions that the treatment hasn’t yet undergone testing on human skin, and animal models may differ significantly, especially concerning hair follicle biology. Christos Tziotsios from King’s College London also points out that similar serums are under development, including one utilizing plant extracts that promote hair growth in a matter of weeks.
Nonetheless, Tziotsios affirms that the latest findings enhance our comprehension of hair growth and loss. “We were aware of fat cells’ involvement in hair follicle formation, but this is the first instance we’ve witnessed them playing a role in hair regeneration,” he remarks. It could also clarify why certain individuals experience hair growth post-microneedling treatments, which involve rolling fine needles across the scalp to create micro-injuries that elicit an immune response.
Laboratories enable modification of human egg cell genetic identity
Science Photo Library / Aramie
Human embryos arise from eggs that utilize the DNA from adult skin cells. This was accomplished with mice. This advancement may offer a pathway for same-sex couples or women facing fertility challenges to have biologically related children.
Researchers have successfully replicated animals through cloning techniques. This involves substituting the nucleus of an egg cell with the nuclei from somatic cells such as skin cells. However, in addition to the legal hurdles surrounding human cloning, many couples desire children that carry genes from both partners, necessitating both sperm and eggs. Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health and Science University.
This scenario is complicated by the nature of eggs and sperm being haploid, meaning they contain only one set of chromosomes. The challenge lies in halving the complete set of chromosomes found within cells such as skin cells after selecting an optimal combination of the original genes.
Females develop all of their eggs while still in the womb, where the progenitor cells initially containing 46 chromosomes undergo a complicated process of replication, mixing, and division to reduce to 23 chromosomes.
Mitalipov was intrigued by the possibility of employing natural chemical processes that facilitate chromosomal division in mature human eggs both before and after fertilization to replicate this process in his laboratory.
Having achieved this with mice, Mitalipov and his team are now trialing the method with human subjects. They started by extracting the nuclei from hundreds of eggs donated by healthy women, which were left at a specific development stage linked to chromosomal division. Next, the nuclei of skin cells, known as fibroblasts, from healthy female volunteers were inserted into these eggs. Microscopic images displayed the chromosomes aligned on the spindle and the internal structures necessary for chromosomal separation.
The team then injected sperm from a healthy donor to fertilize some of the eggs, utilizing a method akin to that employed in creating babies using third-party mitochondrial DNA, which can also minimize the risk of specific genetic disorders.
This injection typically causes the eggs to undergo chromosome selection and eliminate duplicate DNA, preparing them for additional reception from the sperm. Nonetheless, in the case of the skin-derived eggs, this process was interrupted, with chromosomes aligning but not separating. Consequently, the researchers attempted again with a new batch of fertilized eggs, applying an electrical pulse that allowed calcium to surge into the egg, emulating natural signals triggered when sperm contact the egg’s outer layer, alongside an incubation period with a drug to activate them from their dormant state pre-fertilization.
Through a series of trials, the researchers successfully halved the chromosome counts in the eggs, discarding any excess. By the conclusion of the experiment, 9% of the fertilized eggs had developed into blastocysts — a dense cluster of cells at about 5-6 days post-fertilization, typically moving into the uterus during IVF treatments. However, the team did not pursue the transfer or sustain the blastocyst beyond six days.
Despite the progress made, the mixtures of genes forming the remaining chromosomes appeared particularly susceptible to defects. “I believe this method is still in its early stages and is not presently suitable for clinical applications,” stated MITINORI SAITOU from Kyoto University in Japan.
Lin from Osaka University noted that while the techniques are “very sophisticated and organized,” they remain “inefficient and potentially hazardous for immediate clinical use.” Nevertheless, Hayashi remarked that the team has achieved a “substantial breakthrough in reducing the human genome.” “This advancement will herald new technologies,” he stated.
Mitalipov acknowledged the validity of the criticisms, emphasizing that his team is actively working to address the existing flaws. “At the end of the day, we’re making progress, but we aren’t there yet,” he remarked.
jessica, 25 years old, recalls an incident at Sephora where a young girl rushed to a crying colleague. “Her skin was on fire,” Jessica noted, “It was bright red. She was frantically applying every acid she could find on her face.”
Former Sephora employee KM (25 years old) shared her experiences, recalling an incident where a woman caught shoplifting explained to the guards, “She didn’t have a Dior lip gloss, so she was attempting to steal one because her child was facing bullying. Although she couldn’t afford it, her daughter warned her she would be teased at school.”
Gabby, 26, who spent three years at Sephora, remarked, “I witnessed so much.” One parent even asked Gabby if her tween should “start using retinol now to prevent aging.”
Another mother requested Gabby to make her daughter’s nose appear smaller. “After the mom left, I felt compelled to tell the girl, ‘Your nose is beautiful, by the way.’ It’s not my place to say it, but I just had to.”
The “Sephora Kids” phenomenon—encompassing preteens, upscale beauty stores, and the strong bond between expensive and often harsh products—is now well recognized. Research from Circana indicates that, in the first half of last year, one-third of “prestige” beauty sales were influenced by tweens and households with teenagers. That same year, Sephora, under LVMH ownership, achieved around $9 billion in US sales, while Ulta Beauty reported $11.3 billion, according to Statista.
This trend is fueled by skincare content shared by beauty influencers, which puts young skin at “significant dermatological risk.” A recent study from Northwestern University highlights that skincare routines popular among tweens on TikTok involve an average of 11 potentially irritating active ingredients, leading to possible acute reactions and lifelong allergies.
Sephora has attempted to distance itself from the trend, as President and CEO Artemis Patrick stated, “We’re not marketing to this demographic.” It’s not about promoting anti-aging products to children. Last year, the brand Drunk Elephant experienced a significant decline in sales, attributed to a disconnect with older customers.
The issue has escalated this summer, as former and current Sephora employees report concerning scenarios they have witnessed.
Summer tends to be peak season for “Sephora Kids,” as school is out and retail spaces are increasingly rare. The vibrant, lively environment of beauty stores—with loud music and brightly colored products—acts as a significant attraction for children.
According to employees, toddlers often run amok unsupervised, disrupting displays, knocking over merchandise, and filling baskets with testers. KM referred to these children as “free-range kids,” often distracted by loud YouTube videos.
Kennedy, who works at a Sephora inside a Kohl’s department store near the junior clothing section, noted, “The traffic is very intentional.” Parents often drop their kids at Sephora while they shop elsewhere. It’s common for her to see parents swiping their cards for large amounts without realizing what their children are actually purchasing.
Employees have tried to dissuade younger children from using products meant for mature skin.
However, Gabby mentioned that even parents don’t always pay heed to their advice. “They often disregard it,” Jessica said, “When I warned one mom about a product being too harsh for her child’s skin, she simply replied, ‘I saw it on TikTok’ and bought everything.”
There can be tense exchanges between parents and their tweens. “But I saw it online; it has to be good!” KM noted while mentioning the typical tantrums, like kids insisting, “I want lip gloss!” “But you already have six!” the mothers argue back.
All employees agreed that many beauty products remain unused. “If products sit open for a while, they just become waste,” KM noted, highlighting the issue of overconsumption.
Shoplifting, or “reducing” stores, has also become prevalent. “I frequently find so many empty boxes at work,” Gabby pointed out. Erika, 28, remarked on how social media has normalized a culture of “borrowing” without accountability among children.
Children often use their parents’ credit cards. “I’ve seen kids pull out shiny American Express cards, and I just know it’s not theirs,” Gabby said. Erika noted she witnessed groups of girls casually asking their parents for purchases.
This behavior reflects the broader trend of preteens acting like mini adults. Kennedy described it as a “strange qualification,” where children carry their phones and Starbucks cups, often joking about needing “to start anti-aging right away.” Despite their jest, the pressure of anti-aging has seeped into the minds of young children.
For Joy, a 25-year-old Sephora employee, the attitude is pervasive. The pressure from social media leads girls to think, “Celebrities and influencers in their 50s still look my age.” They are increasingly aware of the role of cosmetic procedures.
Erika frequently notices young girls scrutinizing their own skin, often asking, “Do you think I have pores?” They view everything through a filtered lens.
Dr. Meghan Owentz, a clinical associate professor specializing in parenting and anxiety, asserts that while it’s natural for preteen girls to focus on personal hygiene, today’s pressure has significantly altered how they navigate comparisons with others. With social media amplifying these messages, they feel inundated with constant information.
The desire for belonging among children through brands like sneakers and collectible cards isn’t new. However, those born after 2010 face unprecedented marketing saturation. Surveys suggest that 43% of Generation Alpha kids had tablets before six, and 58% received their first iPhone by age ten. Government research from 2023 indicates that social media use is now “nearly universal,” affecting even 40% of children between 8-12 years old. On these platforms, the line between authentic content and advertisements is often blurred, particularly in the beauty influencer space.
KM began to notice the invasive language of influencers in young customers, who often echo phrases like, “I repeat the actual product name over and over. I don’t really know why I’m doing this, but I saw someone promote it.”
Owentz links this surge in influencer culture to a surge in superficial discussions around topics like “my skincare routine” and “Get Ready with Me,” adding that these dialogues are often not suitable for young girls who may feel pressured to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
“There are simply too many advertisements targeted at kids, making it hard for them to say no,” Owentz stated. “Children are under immense pressure and often redirect that burden onto their parents.”
She emphasized that it’s up to parents to discern what’s appropriate for their children and communicate their rationale clearly.
Yet, California Senator Alex Lee argues that the responsibility shouldn’t rest solely on parents, criticizing the lack of clear warnings regarding product ingredients. “The typical parent isn’t a pediatric dermatologist,” he noted. He has proposed bills aimed at prohibiting the sale of products containing ingredients like retinol to those under 18, which have not passed due to pushback from the Personal Care Product Council.
Many employees believe that beauty brands are deliberately targeting this younger demographic. Kennedy observed that brands have begun to adjust their packaging to be more colorful, introducing tween-friendly offerings like lip oils and blush, alongside skincare products meant for older users.
Some brands foster a culture of collecting, as Gaby explained: “They release limited-edition products, such as matcha-flavored lip balm, even if kids already have several similar items. But they still want the newest scent.”
Sephora, Ulta, and Drunk Elephant did not respond to requests for comment. Nonetheless, the skincare industry is progressively expanding its range of products targeted at younger skin, often employing enticing marketing aimed at parents, featuring close-ups of bottles and vibrant packaging.
Trends are emerging: kids have been celebrating birthdays at some Sephora and Ulta stores for a while now, but Ulta just recently introduced their formal $42 per guest party package, designed to offer “75-90 minutes of beauty enjoyment” using products created “with tweens and teens in mind.” This reinforces the idea that such initiatives cater to grooming needs, allowing guests the chance to invest more with a 20% coupon on their next visit.
Some names have been changed to protect the identity of current Sephora employees.
Armored Ankylosaurus Dinosaur While primarily recognized in late Cretaceous ecosystems of the Northern Hemisphere, the early evolution of ankylosaurs during the medium Jurassic era remains largely enigmatic due to sparse fossil evidence. Spicomellus Afer has been proposed as the oldest known ankylosaurus and the first discovered in Africa, though this was based on only partial ribs from the Jurassic deposits of central Morocco. Currently, paleontologists are working on a new, better-preserved specimen that affirms the relationship of this ankylosaurus with its relatives and reveals that, unlike contemporary or extinct vertebrates, it features uniquely sophisticated dermal armor.
Reconstructing the life of Spicomellus Afer. Image credit: Matthew Dempsey.
Spicomellus Afer inhabited Morocco during the mid-Jurassic period, approximately 168 million years ago.
The species was first described in 2021 based on a single fossilized rib.
“In studying spicomellus,” said Professor Richard Butler from the University of Birmingham:
“We were astonished by its uniqueness and how it differed from other dinosaurs and surviving or extinct life forms.”
“This finding challenges our previous understanding of ankylosaurs, indicating how much more we have yet to discover about dinosaur evolution.”
Professor Butler and his team identified that Spicomellus Afer had fused bone spikes that extended over all the ribs—a feature not seen in either living or extinct vertebrates.
These ancient spikes measured up to 87 cm, and it is believed they could grow longer throughout the animal’s life, emerging from a bony collar around its neck.
“The presence of such advanced armor in early ankylosaurs alters our perceptions of their evolutionary trajectory,” remarked Professor Susanna Maidment, a paleontologist at the Museum of Natural History in London and the University of Birmingham.
“This underscores the significance of African dinosaurs and highlights the necessity to further explore them.”
“spiccomellus showcased various plates and spikes extending from its entire body, including meter-long neck spikes, large protruding spikes at the waist, elongated blade-like spikes, paired long spikes for armor, and plates situated beneath the shoulders.”
“We have never encountered anything quite like this in the fossil record.”
“This is particularly intriguing considering that it is the earliest known ankylosaurus. Although later species might have inherited similar characteristics, we should not assume this was the case.”
Researchers speculate that these spikes may have served as displays to attract mates and deter rivals.
Interestingly, no comparable display armor has been identified in other ankylosaurs; the armor in later species likely evolved to be more functional for defense.
One reason for this may be the evolution of larger predatory dinosaurs during the Cretaceous, alongside the emergence of carnivorous mammals, crocodiles, and snakes, leading to a greater need for defensive adaptations among ankylosaurs.
However, one trait that early ankylosaurs might retain is their tail weaponry.
Though the tail of spiccomellus was not recovered, existing bone fragments suggest the presence of club-like structures. Part of the tail vertebrae is fused, forming what is known as a “handle,” a feature only seen in ankylosaurs with tail clubs.
Nevertheless, these latter animals thrived millions of years later in the Cretaceous.
The combination of tail weapons and armored shields indicates that key adaptations seen in ankylosaurs were already present in spicomellus.
This discovery highlights the importance of fossil records in unraveling evolutionary mysteries and enhancing our understanding of dinosaur distribution.
It also ignites the imagination surrounding the dinosaurs like spicomellus.
“This research has significantly advanced Moroccan paleontology,” remarked Professor Doris Oahatch, a paleontologist at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdela University.
“I have never encountered a dinosaur quite like this. There is still so much to uncover in this field.”
A study detailing this discovery was published in the journal Nature today.
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Scr Maidment et al. The world’s oldest Ankylosaurus armor. Nature Published online on August 27th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09453-6
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can metastasize
Science Photo Library
After years of research and extensive human trials, only one virus specifically engineered to target cancer has gained approval from US and European regulators. Following promising results in treating melanoma—a notably aggressive skin cancer—approval may soon be granted.
The genetically altered herpes virus, known as RP1, was injected into the tumors of 140 patients with advanced melanoma who did not respond to conventional treatments. All participants also received a medication called nivolumab, designed to enhance the immune response against the tumors.
In 30% of the treated individuals, tumors shrank, including those that were not directly injected. Notably, in half of these cases, the tumors were completely eradicated.
“Half of the patients who responded experienced a complete response, meaning total disappearance of all tumors,” said Gino Kim from the University of Southern California. “I am thrilled with these results,” he added, noting that other treatments for patients at this stage often perform poorly and have harsher side effects.
A larger trial involving 400 participants is currently in progress; however, RP1 may receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in conjunction with Nivolumab for treating advanced melanoma before the trial concludes. The New Scientist reports that “the FDA is anticipated to make a decision by the end of this month.”
For over a century, it has been recognized that viral infections can aid in cancer treatment, though intentionally infecting someone with a “wild” virus poses significant risks. In the 1990s, scientists attempted to genetically modify viruses to effectively target cancer while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
These engineered viruses function in two main ways: First, they directly invade cancer cells, causing them to rupture and die. Secondly, they stimulate immune responses aimed at all cancer cells present in the body.
For instance, T-VEC, a modified herpes simplex virus, was engineered to release an immune-boosting factor called GM-CSF within infected tumor cells. T-VEC received approval in 2015 in both the US and Europe for treating inoperable melanoma.
Unfortunately, T-VEC’s use is limited as it was only tested and approved for injection into skin tumors. Many patients with advanced melanoma have deeper tumor locations, as noted.
With RP1, the strategy shifted to administering it into deeper tumors. RP1, like T-VEC, is a herpes simplex virus but has undergone various enhancements. It notably aids in fusing tumor cells with adjacent ones, thus boosting viral spread within the tumor and reinforcing the immune response.
Though there have been no direct comparisons between T-VEC and RP1, RP1 demonstrates a greater likelihood of reducing all tumors, rather than just those directly injected. “It indicates a more pronounced systemic effect,” experts state.
Thus, should RP1 gain approval, its application is expected to be far broader than that of T-VEC. Experts believe this could significantly enhance the overall interest in utilizing cancer-targeting viruses. “There seems to be increasing enthusiasm for this approach.”
CT scan of the front of a skate depicting a hard, tooth-like dentition (orange) on its skin
Yara Haridi
Recent analysis of animal fossils suggests that teeth initially developed as sensory organs rather than for chewing. The earliest tooth-like structure seems to have originated as a sensitive nodule in the skin of primitive fish, allowing them to detect variations in the surrounding water.
The findings support the long-held belief that teeth originally evolved outside the mouth, as noted by Yara Haridi from the University of Chicago.
While some evidence exists to back this theory, significant questions remain. “What purpose do all these teeth on the exterior serve?” queries Khalidi. One possibility is that they functioned as defensive armor; however, Khalidi proposes an additional theory: “It’s beneficial to protect oneself with tough materials, but imagine if those materials could also enhance sensory perception of the environment?”
True teeth are exclusively found in vertebrates, such as fish and mammals. Although some invertebrates possess dental structures, their underlying tissues are fundamentally different. This indicates that teeth originated with the evolution of the earliest vertebrates: fishes.
Khalidi and her research team scrutinized fossils claimed to be the oldest examples of fish teeth, utilizing advanced synchrotron scanning techniques.
They examined fragments of fossils from the genus Anatrepis, which spanned from the late Cambrian (539 to 487 million years ago) to the early Ordovician period (487 to 443 million years ago). These organisms featured a hard exoskeleton with perforations.
These perforations were interpreted as dentin tubules, which are one of the hard tissues composing teeth. In human teeth, dentin serves multiple functions, including sensation and the detection of temperature and pain.
However, Haridi and her colleagues found no such evidence. “We observed the internal structure [of the tubules],” she states. Their examination revealed that the tubules most closely resemble structures known as sensilla, which are found in the exoskeletons of insects and spiders.
This means that Anatrepis are arthropods rather than fish, implying that their tubules do not directly lead to the evolution of teeth.
“Dentin likely emerged as a novel feature in vertebrates, but the hardened external sensory capabilities existed much earlier in invertebrates,” remarks Gareth Fraser from the University of Florida, who was not involved in the research.
Beyond Anatrepis, the earliest known true teeth belong to Ellipticus, which dates exclusively to the Ordovician period. These possess actual dentin found in the skin’s teeth.
Khalidi suggests that like the invertebrate Anatrepis, early vertebrates such as Ellipticus evolved independently to develop skin structures, where sensory nodules had undergone significant evolution. “These two entirely different organisms had to navigate the ancient ocean’s muddy terrain,” she explains. Significantly, the study also indicates that some modern fish skin still retains nerve endings, indicating sensory functionality.
As certain fish transitioned into active predators, they required a method for securing prey, leading to the evolution of hard teeth that moved to their mouths for biting.
“Based on the available data, tooth-like structures may have initially evolved in the skin of ancient vertebrates before migrating into the mouth, evolving into teeth,” Fraser concludes.
wImmersive Sims are a unique realm in gaming, often subjected to gamer gatekeeping. From the classic PC title System Shock to the Dickensian world of Dishonored 2, this genre is akin to avant-garde electronica or Darren Aronofsky films—beloved by critics and genre enthusiasts, yet somewhat alienating to the broader audience. Like similar fandoms, the most ardent fans of immersive sims often regard linear blockbusters with disdain. So, sorry Assassin’s Creed players, this is a club you can’t join.
While larger games like Tears of the Kingdom have recently experimented with genre elements, truly accessible, immersive sims are still scarce. Enter Deep Skin by Blendo Games—an attempt to cozy up the genre. With a premise lifted straight from a 2000s web comic, you take on the role of Nina Pasadena, an insurance commando determined to protect a kitty fleet from a pirate siege. Responding to the increasingly urgent distress signals from the anxious Tabby, Nina stealthily approaches the besieged vessel, strategizing to save the feline clientele.
Steal your prey with anything at hand: books and writers? …Deep Skin. Photo: Annapurna Interactive
The narrative is delightfully absurd, but the intriguing mechanics of the collision system deserve recognition. While pilfering supplies with unconventional items, I release a cloud of sanitizers, then knock out a pirate using a hefty novel. Before he can retaliate, I swiftly maneuver away, blending into a shimmering cloud to engulf adversaries in a spectacular explosion. This whimsical, slapstick style truly shines in Deep Skin, presenting a playground that revels in the absurdity of simulation.
However, not all aspects are flawless; Blendo Games introduces its own quirky gameplay twists. Pirates can respawn after being incapacitated, their “skull saber” desperately hovering back to their lifeless bodies. Nina must act quickly to dispose of the screaming heads before they seek revenge. One creative solution involves launching the skulls into space through shattered windows, while flushing the screams down a space toilet—an inventive way to bin each nuisance. The Duper Gun replicas allow players to sneak up on guards and instantly copy items in their possession, whether weapons or keys—vital for those kittens.
A manga-like playground… Deep Skin. Photo: Annapurna Interactive
With fully detailed ship environments, players can exit through airlocks and scale the exteriors, searching for sneaky entry points. In one mission, I crash through an exterior window, landing dramatically and removing a shard of bloody glass from my foot before tossing it into a pirate’s face, channeling my inner cat-loving John McClane.
Blendo Games recognizes that the finest immersive Sims often function as whimsical playgrounds. Every element feels like a sandbox, a tool for mischief. From tossing a pepper at a guard to watch him sneeze uncontrollably, to riding on a pirate’s back and charging into a wall, the delightful chaos of Deep Skin truly embraces its playful nature.
Unfortunately, I hoped for a more serious narrative tone. The liberated cube cat bursts from its cage with sparkling flair, prompting me to respond to Paw-Penned’s request for an elusive VHS tape. Although the humor of Skin Deep may appeal to some, the incessant cat puns and overly zany tone became exhausting, eliciting more grimaces than laughs.
If the cat-centric concept appeals, be mindful that Skin Deep utilizes Doom 3’s 2004 ID Tech Engine. Picture your nostalgic PC classic’s dimly lit corridors replaced with vibrant colors. Aimed deliberately at hardcore gamers, it sounds great on paper, but the outdated aesthetic doesn’t quite deliver the intended retro-chic vibe, often appearing quite primitive.
Nevertheless, if you’re a fan of quirky experiences, this colorful and refreshing entry into a notoriously challenging genre is worth your time. Ultimately, it offers a unique simulator filled with slapstick humor, although it may not cater to seasoned genre aficionados or entice complete newcomers. Perhaps not a breakthrough title, but if you can appreciate the whimsy of Deep Skin, you may find 10 hours of futuristic cat-themed fun ahead.
Keygene’s new potato variety (center) has pimpernel (left) skin and Bintje meat (right)
Provided by Keygene
New techniques for producing fruits and vegetables with one varieties of skin and another meaty skin can make crops more resistant due to pests and droughts.
Many of the fruits and vegetables we eat come from grafted plants created by blocking off one plant and replacing it with another plant. What makes grafting useful is that even plants that are too far associated with hybridization can be implanted together. For example, you can graft the desired variety of fruit plants onto another type of rootstock that is resistant to pests and diseases.
Very occasionally, buds arise from the junction between grafted plants, two strange mixtures called graft chimeras, with the outer layer of one plant and the inside of another plant. This can occur because shoots arise from three different stem cell layers at the tip, one of which forms the skin of the plant. Coincidentally, shoots from the graft junction result in a mixture of stem cell types from two plants.
Usually, to create a specific type of grafted plant, you need to run the graft for each graft you want to grow. However, graft chimeras can be reproduced by taking cuttings from them, or simply from tubers.
However, researchers sometimes deliberately created graft chimera, but that’s not easy. Many known graft chimeras, such as Bizzarria Citrus, are very rare and accidental by-products of traditional grafts.
now, Jeroen Stuurman At Kigen, a Dutch crop technology company, he says he was the first to develop a reliable method of producing graft chimera. He won’t reveal any details about this method, but he says he used it to create many different graft chimeras from the types of potatoes, tomatoes and aubenin, and between sweet and chili peppers.
In the case of one graft thimella potato with a type of skin called pimpanell and another meaty skin called vintee, keygene is awarded the right of a plant breeder, that is, the right to horticultural, equivalent to copyright. This is the first time for a graft chimera. Getting these rights indicates that producing them is a potentially viable business, Suurman says. “For us, this was a signal that we could move on to the next step.”
The company is currently planning to create graft chimeras with properties such as resistance to pests and diseases. Pest resistance is often due to hair-like structures called trichomes on the surface of plants, which can secrete repellents or sticky substances to trap insects, Stuurman said. Trichomes are very difficult to move between plant varieties with traditional reproduction and genetic engineering, as many genes are involved, but his method effectively gives existing varieties “skin grafts.”
Potatoes are already grown from tubers rather than seeds, so if farmers choose, they could start growing such graft chimera tomorrow, Stuurman said. “There’s no need to change the way things grow.”
“It’s really interesting to be able to create a stable graft chimeras with commercially relevant properties.” Charles Menick At the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. “I don’t know that this has been done before, so their findings are really important.”
Graft chimeras tend to be unstable. So you can go back to one of the original forms, but the keygene must have overcome this to get the plant breeders right, says Colin Turn Bull Imperial College London. “The novelty appears to be the stability of “skin grafting,” and there are marketable types. ”
Paleontologists have examined the 183 million-year-old Pleciosaurus skeleton from the early Jurassic Posidonia shale in Southern Germany with well-preserved skin traces around the tail and front flippers.
Reconstruction of Jurassic Plesiosaurus from Posidonian Shale in Southern Germany. Image credit: Joschua Knüppe.
Plesiosaurs (Greek “near”) is a symbolic group of Mesozoic marine reptiles with a rich history of evolution.
These creatures roamed the vast Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous seas between 235 and 66 million years ago.
They had a wide, flat body and a short tail, a long neck, and four long propulsive flippers that they used to “fly” through the water.
Their teeth were cone-shaped, sturdy, sharp, robust, ideal for stabbing and killing large animals.
Pleciosaurus fossils have been found on all continents on Earth, with important discoveries in Australia, Europe and North America.
However, it is very rare to associate with fossilized soft tissues.
“Fossilized soft tissues such as skin and internal organs are extremely rare,” said Miguel Marx, Ph.D. A student at Lund University.
“We used a wide range of techniques to identify smooth skin in the tail area and scales along the rear edge of the flipper.”
“This provided unparalleled insight into the appearance and biology of these long, repeating reptiles.”
Compare Jurassic Plesiosaurus specimens from Posidonia shales in Southern Germany. Image credit: Marx et al. , doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.01.001.
In their study, Marx and his colleagues analyzed well-preserved plesiosaurus from the world-famous early Jurassic Posidonia shale (Posidonienskihoefer Formation) in Southern Germany.
“Our results reveal an unusual combination of smooth, scaly skin on various parts of the body,” they said.
“We believe this variation could be related to a variety of functions. Pleciosaurus had to swim efficiently to catch animals like fish and squid, which is smooth and fluid. It was made easier by the mechanical skin.”
“But we had to move across the rough seabed.
“Our findings help us create a more accurate reconstruction of our lives for Plesioasurs, which has been extremely difficult since it was first studied over 200 years ago,” Marx said. Ta.
“Also, well-preserved German fossils really highlight the soft tissue potential that provides valuable insight into the biology of these long but animals.”
“Apart from the smooth skin and scale mosaics, it was an incredible moment to visualize cells in thin sections of fossilized plesiosaurus skin,” he added.
“When I saw skin cells that had been stored for 183 million years, I was shocked. It was like seeing modern skin.”
Team's result This week I'll be appearing in the journal Current Biology.
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Miguel Marx et al. Jurassic Plesiosaurus skin, scales and cells. Current Biology Published online on February 6th, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.01.001
A new Pleciosaurus skeleton from Ulwerd Mushamhauf, Holzmaden, Germany
Klaus nilkens/urwelt-museum hauff
The soft tissue of the Pleciosaurus was first studied in detail, revealing that marine reptiles living in the dinosaur era and simultaneously extinct, had similar scales to modern sea turtles.
The 183 million years of 4.5 meters long Plesiosaurus fossil known as the MH7 was first excavated in 1940 from a quarry near Holzmadden, Germany, but was intended to protect it during World War II. He was buried in the museum garden. . It then spent the next 75 years in storage until it was finally assembled in 2020 and ready to study.
Miguel Marx Lund University in Sweden and his team provided thin sections of fossils. The minerals then melted and were treated with organic ruins. This allowed them to study the microscopic structure of fossil tissue.
Illustration of a plesiosaurus with smooth, unscaled skin along the scale and body on a flipper
Joshua Nuppe
Although at least eight other plesiosaurus fossils are known to have soft tissue conservation, most are historically important museum specimens and are used to study them using destructive sampling methods. It's impossible to do, says Marx. “This is the first time we have performed a detailed analysis of fossilized soft tissues from Plesiosaurus,” he says.
The team was surprised to find that the reptiles have both areas of smooth, scaly skin. “Together, this plesioaurus was an interesting chimera between a scaled green sea turtle-like thing and scale. [smooth-skinned] Leatherback turtle,” says Marx. “I would have expected this plesiosaurus to be as scaleless as modern Fischozard.”
The scaled skin of the flippers, he says, helped the plesiosaurus swim in the water, perhaps by providing stiffness, or migrated along the seabed while searching for food. Scaleless skins on the rest of the body would have reduced the impact of drag when swimming.
“The actual appearance of the long neck plesio sauce is truly everyone's guess, but thanks to this new fossil, we now have a better idea,” says Marx.
Many species of birds use shed snake skin when building nests, but this behavior is poorly understood. In a new study, Cornell University ornithologists used comparative and experimental approaches to suggest that the evolution of this behavior is mediated by nest morphology and predator community. They used a series of experiments and comparisons to test four hypotheses (nest predation, nest microbiota, nest ectoparasites, and social signaling) that snake skin confers fitness effects, and the predation hypothesis found support for.
Great Crested Flycatcher (Myialchus crinitus) are famous for using snake skin to construct their nests. Image credit: Barbara Taylor/Macaulay Library.
“What do snakes eat? They eat a lot of rats and small mammals,” said Dr. Vanya Lower, lead author of the study.
“Given the evolutionary history of harmful interactions between small-bodied predators that are commonly eaten by snakes, these predators should become fearful of snake skin in their nests.”
“It may change the decision-making process for whether or not to nest.”
“Birdwatchers have been recording the use of snakeskin in nests for centuries, and have speculated that snakeskin occurs more frequently in hollow nests, but no one has tested this theory. There was no one there.”
“We were trying to understand why birds spend so much time and effort finding this strange substance.”
First, Dr. Lower and his colleagues looked at the literature and found that 78 species in 22 families have been reported to use shed snake skin for nest building.
All but one of these species are passerines, and in a comparative analysis, the researchers found that this behavior was disproportionately observed in cavity-nesting species.
Next, they examined a subsample of North American species, all of which are reported to use snake skin for nest construction, and found that between cavity-nesting species and open-cup nesting species, snake skin We investigated whether the proportion of nests with
The analysis suggested that the proportion of nests with snake skin was approximately 6.5 times higher in cavity nests than in open cup nest species.
“The proportion of nests that had snake skin in the nest description was about 6.5 times higher in cavity nests than in open cup nests,” Dr. Lower said.
“This was really, really cool and suggested to us that these two completely independent data series were telling very similar stories.”
To test the benefits that cavity-nesting birds derive from snake skin, scientists investigated how snake skin reduces nest predation, reduces harmful nest ectoparasites, and benefits birds. We investigated whether they can alter the microbial community or serve as a signal of parental quality. Parents make more efforts to raise their children.
Of these ideas, the results supported the nest predation hypothesis, but only in cavity nests.
For the experiment, the authors placed two quail eggs in more than 60 nest boxes and more than 80 inactive robin nests set up around Ithaca’s Monkey Run Natural Area. Cavity nests and open cup nests were simulated.
Some nests received snake skins collected from local snake breeders, while others did not.
Every three days for two weeks, the team used a ladder to climb through the monkey run to the nest and check for eggs.
Trail cameras revealed that while small mammal and bird nest predators visit open cup nests, only small mammals, namely flying squirrels, visit nest boxes.
“If you were in a hive like that and you had snake skin, you would have a much better chance of surviving those 14 days,” Dr. Lower said.
“The benefits of the material are most strongly expressed in hollow nests.”
The skin is undoubtedly the body's largest organ. Depending on your height and weight, Covers an area of about 1.5-2 square meters They weigh between 3.5 and 10 kilograms, which is about 15 percent of their total body weight.
Think of it as a kind of intellectual armor. It helps us sense the world around us, protects our internal organs, and protects us from pathogens. This is reason enough to take good care of it, especially for the following reasons: premature skin aging Your ability to perform all of these functions may be reduced and your risk of infection may increase. But new research suggests the effects on skin health may be even more profound.
To understand why, we need to examine its structure. The skin is made up of three layers. The outer waterproof epidermis is constantly regenerated. The dermis underneath is filled with collagen and elastin fibers. And underneath, the subcutaneous tissue, or subcutaneous tissue, is made of fat and connective tissue and is filled with cavities that help cushion the rest of the body from impact. Damage to these layers can cause skin cells to excrete inflammatory proteins. In the short term, this may increase blood flow to the injury site and speed healing. However, if high levels of inflammation are maintained over a long period of time, those chemicals can accumulate and spread to other organs with the help of the vast network of blood vessels within the dermis, causing organ damage. .
accelerated aging
Aging can accelerate this process. As we age, our skin loses collagen, water, and fat and becomes more fragile. To make matters worse, many skin cells enter a state called senescence, where their production of inflammatory chemicals increases. This potentially toxic cocktail appears to amplify the risk of age-related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. Although there is no conclusive evidence for this hypothesis yet, various evidences Now we support it. For example, animal studies have shown that skin damage can cause widespread inflammation. Meanwhile, researchers at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Does someone's face look older or younger than their actual age? It was associated not only with general cognitive function, but also with an overall risk of developing cataracts, osteoporosis, hearing loss, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In the future, “aging therapy” drugs may be developed that remove aging cells, including those in the skin, or block the release of inflammatory proteins. these are Still in developmentbut progress is promising. On the other hand, there are many lifestyle changes that can help all of us take care of this important and fascinating organ. Read on to learn more.
Explore the key questions about skincare in our latest special series.
Our skin is not only our largest organ, but also the one we are most familiar with. We see it, touch it, wash it, and inspect it all the time. Nevertheless, when thinking about taking care of it, our minds often jump to aesthetics. We are inundated with advertisements for lotions and drugs that promise to improve our appearance, as if sexual appeal is all that matters to this special organ.
But there are many reasons to take care of your skin beyond cosmetic concerns. According to new research, this condition can have ripple effects on other parts of the body. Because blood vessels run densely beneath the surface, inflammation that starts in the skin can easily spread to the heart and brain, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia. Wrinkles don't just reflect our age, they can actually accelerate the aging process. Therefore, you should think of skin care like exercise. The best reason to take care of your skin isn't for appearance, but for the undeniable health benefits.
Therefore, keeping the epidermis in good condition should be a top priority for anyone who wants to increase their chances of living a long life. That's why we've created a special report summarizing what we know about the best ways to care for your epidermis (see Why caring for your skin is so important to your long-term health).
Taking a scientific approach helps you make informed decisions about new products
As evidence mounts about the importance of skin to general health, research on how to care for it is moving from a marketing campaign for health care products to the realm of proper scientific research.
For example, certain foods have been shown to reduce damage from air pollution and the sun's UV rays, and more regular contact with nature may help nurture your microbiome. Taking a scientific approach can also help you evaluate new trends and fashions, allowing you to make informed decisions about products and services that are proven to work, not just claims of quick fixes. Masu.
Beauty may not be superficial, but our desire to protect our bodies from the outside and inside is never shallow. It may save our skin in various ways.
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.
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.
Scientists from Baylor College of Medicine and other institutions have announced the discovery of ancient chromosome subfossils in a female mammoth fossil.Mammutus primigeniusThe mammoth, a species of mammoth known as the pygmy mammoth, died 52,000 years ago in what is now Siberia. The fossil preserves the structure of its ancient chromosomes down to the nanometer (billionth of a meter) scale. Researchers hypothesize that the cold of Siberia naturally freeze-dried the mammoth's skin, causing a glass transition that preserved the fossil.
Sandoval Velasco othersAssembled the genome and 3D chromosome structure of a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth. Image courtesy of Sandoval Velasco. others., doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.002.
“This is a new type of fossil, one whose scale far exceeds that of individual ancient DNA fragments, with sequences a million times larger,” said Dr. Erez Lieberman Aiden, director of the Center for Genome Architecture at Baylor College of Medicine.
“This is also the first time that an ancient sample has been karyotyped.”
Knowing the three-dimensional structure of a genome gives us a lot of additional information beyond its sequence, but most ancient DNA specimens are made up of very small, jumbled up pieces of DNA.
Building on their work mapping the 3D structure of the human genome, Dr Aiden and his colleagues reasoned that the same strategy could be used to assemble ancient genomes, provided suitable ancient DNA samples were found.
The researchers tested dozens of samples over a five-year period, eventually locating an unusually well-preserved woolly mammoth that was unearthed in September 2018 near Belaya Gora, in the Sakha Republic in northeastern Siberia.
“We believe that the freeze-drying occurred naturally shortly after death, and the nuclear structures in the dried samples can remain viable for an incredibly long period of time,” said Dr. Olga Dudchenko of the Center for Genome Structure at Baylor College of Medicine.
To reconstruct the mammoth's genome structure, the authors extracted DNA from skin samples taken from behind the mammoth's ears.
They are, High C This allows them to detect which parts of DNA are in spatial proximity and likely to interact in their natural state within the nucleus.
“Imagine having a puzzle with 3 billion pieces, but not having the final puzzle picture at hand,” said Professor Marc-Marty-Renom, a structural genomicist at the National Center for Genome Analysis and Genomic Regulation.
“Hi-C allows me to get a rough idea of what the picture looks like before I start putting the puzzle pieces together.”
They then combined the physical information from the Hi-C analysis with DNA sequences to identify interacting DNA sections and produced a neat map of the mammoth genome using the modern elephant genome as a template.
The analysis revealed that mammoths had 28 chromosomes, the same number as modern Asian and African elephants.
Remarkably, the fossilized mammoth chromosomes retained a great deal of physical integrity and detail, including the nanoscale loops that contact transcription factors with the genes they control.
By examining the compartmentalization of genes within the nucleus, the scientists were able to identify active and inactive genes in the mammoth skin cells, a proxy for epigenetics and transcriptomics.
Compared with skin cells from the mammoth's closest relative, the Asian elephant, the mammoth's skin cells showed different gene activation patterns, including genes that may be related to fur and cold tolerance.
“For the first time we have mammoth tissue where we can roughly tell which genes are on and which are off,” said Professor Martti Renom.
“This is a surprising new type of data, the first time we've measured cell-specific genetic activity of genes in ancient DNA samples.”
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.”
A new genus and species of stegosaur from the Middle Jurassic period has been identified from fossilized posterior skulls discovered in the Middle Atlas Mountains, south of Fez, Morocco.
Dr. Mostafa Oukas of Casablanca’s Universidad Hassan II and his colleagues said, “Thireophora is a diverse clade of herbivorous ornithischians consisting of stegosaurs, sclerosaurs, and basal types.”
“Thyleophorans have an extensive fossil record spanning from the Early Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous and are best known from well-preserved specimens from Laurasia.”
“In contrast, fossil remains are poorly known in Gondwana, and most of them are partial,” the researchers added.
“In Africa, thyreophorans may have been present since the Early Middle Jurassic.”
“Stegosaur body fossils have been recorded from the Middle Jurassic of Morocco, the Late Jurassic of Tanzania, and the Early Cretaceous of South Africa.”
“African ankylosaurs are represented by Spicomerus afar from Morocco during the Middle Jurassic period.”
divided partial skeleton Tireosaurus atlasix found in gray marl. El Mars III formation is located in the northern part of the Bourafa region near Bourmane, in the Atlas region of central Morocco.
“In 2021, during a geological mapping mission south of Bourmane, we discovered a new site rich in dinosaur remains in the El Mars III Formation,” the paleontologists said.
“This site, named Bourafa North, is located north of the Bourafa quarry.”
“This material was collected during several consecutive field trips and consists of the posterior skull of a stegosaur, including dorsal vertebrae and ribs, limb bones, and skin armor.”
According to the team: Tireosaurus atlasix had a strange asymmetrical skin armor, unique among stegosaurs.
“Dermal armor is Tireosaurus atlasix “It is composed of up to 4 cm (1.6 in) thick bone oval to subrectangular shaped osteoderms,” the researchers said.
“The asymmetrical texture of the sides, with one side roughly decorated with small holes and strands of fibers and the other with a distinct cross-hatch pattern, is unlike anything previously observed in other stegosaurs and sclerosaurs. It’s clearly different.”
“The bone histology of these osteoderms is reminiscent of the histology of stegosaur tail spines.”
“These osteoderms are interpreted to have been placed in a lying position on the animal’s body, rather than in an upright position.”
Tireosaurus atlasix was estimated to be over 6 meters (19.7 feet) long.
“The axial features indicate that this specimen belongs to a medium- to large-sized stegosaur,” the scientists said.
“The holotype corresponds to an adult individual that has not yet reached its maximum body size.”
discovery of Tireosaurus atlasix is important in understanding the evolutionary history of stegosaurs and other thyreophora dinosaurs.
“Recent discoveries are adraticrit and Tireosaurus atlasix “We provide insight into the early evolution of stegosaurs during the Middle Jurassic of Africa,” the authors concluded.
of findings appear in the diary Gondwana research.
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Omar Zafati other. 2024. A new stegosaur dinosaur (Ornithischian: Thyreophora) with prominent cutaneous armor that lived during the Middle Jurassic period of North Africa. Gondwana research 131: 344-362; doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2024.03.009
Exercising while wearing foundation changes the properties of your skin.
One inch punch/Shutterstock
Wearing foundation while exercising can affect your skin health by changing the size of your pores and subsequently altering the release of sebum, which is responsible for keeping you healthy.
Lee Seok Ho The researchers at Texas A&M University in San Antonio recruited 43 college students, 20 men and 23 women. Participants first washed their faces with facial cleanser. The researchers then measured skin variables in different areas of the face, including pore size and sebum production.
A single layer of foundation was then applied to all participants’ faces, either on the forehead or cheeks, depending on the participant’s preference.
They then did a 20-minute moderate workout by running on a treadmill at 3 miles per hour (mph) for 5 minutes, 4 miles per hour for 10 minutes, and 5 miles per hour for 5 minutes.
After the training, the researchers repeated various skin measurements and found that areas with foundation had less sebum production than areas without makeup.
“This is a shining example of the negative effects of makeup during exercise,” the researchers wrote in their paper. “In this study, makeup use clogged pores and resulted in negative sebum scores.” The optimal amount of sebum is unknown, and too much can cause acne, while too little can cause skin irritation. To do.
Participants’ pore size also increased significantly in areas without foundation, but did not change significantly in areas with makeup. This suggests that this foundation may be inhibiting the natural enlargement of pores during exercise, preventing the release of sebum and sweat, which moisturize and cool the skin. The researchers did not assess whether these changes were related to skin problems.
Wearing foundation during exercise may not have a significant effect on most people who train for relatively short periods of time, but “we don’t know the effect on endurance-type athletes,” Lee said. say. The research team now wants to investigate the effects during longer exercise routines.
Shari Lipner Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York say the study’s split-face design is a good approach, but complicates comparisons because our skin characteristics vary across different parts of the face. Additionally, she says, the skin around the nose, mouth and eyes has a different thickness compared to the skin on the forehead and cheeks, so ideally these areas should have been studied as well.
In winter, the backs of your hands can become dry, red, and cracked. Maybe you find yourself applying more moisturizer. Otherwise, itching and pain can be a big hindrance.
Cracked skin is annoying and uncomfortable, but it's not as serious as something like high blood pressure. However, that assumption may not hold, as with skin aging.
Growing evidence suggests that skin damage can have knock-on effects on other parts of the body, causing inflammation, muscle and bone loss, and even cognitive decline. The more your skin deteriorates, the faster the rest of your skin ages. This new perspective means that our skin not only reflects the signs of aging, but also contributes to it. There's even preliminary evidence that taking better care of your skin may slow down the negative effects of aging and improve your overall health.
Our skin is one of the first areas of our body to show signs of aging. Especially in active areas such as the outer corners of the eyes, wrinkles may increase and age spots may appear. Although these changes may seem to be literally skin deep, the importance of the skin to the rest of the body should not be underestimated. “The skin is the largest organ in the body,” he says. wendy borag At Augusta University in Georgia, USA.
And it's not just the size. Skin is essential for survival. The outer layer of the epidermis is impermeable to water, so body fluids, the source of life, are not lost to the air. If someone causes damage to a large area…
Fossilized skin fragments collected from the Richards Spur Cave system in Oklahoma, US, are at least 21 million years older than any previously reported skin fossil.
Fossilized skin is captorinus aguti.Image credit: Moony other., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.008.
The newly described fossilized skin is captorinus agutia type of early reptile that lived during the Permian period about 289 million years ago.
This reptile specimen and associated skeleton were collected by long-time paleontology enthusiasts Bill and Julie May. Richards Spara limestone cave system in Oklahoma that is currently undergoing quarrying.
The skin fragments are smaller than fingernails and have a pebble-like surface, most similar to crocodile skin.
This is the earliest preserved example of the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, in terrestrial reptiles, birds, and mammals, and was an important evolutionary adaptation in the transition to terrestrial life.
“Every once in a while, we have a unique opportunity to glimpse deep into time,” said Ethan Mooney, a graduate student at the University of Toronto.
“Discoveries of this kind can really enrich our understanding and appreciation of these pioneering animals.”
Skin and other soft tissue rarely fossilize, but Mooney and colleagues say that this is possible thanks to unique features of the Richards Spur Cave system, including fine clay deposits that slow decomposition, oil seepage, and a cave environment. We believe that in this case it was possible to save the skin. It was probably an environment without oxygen.”
“Animals would have fallen into this cave system during the early Permian period and become buried in very fine clay sediments, slowing down the process of decay,” Mooney said.
“What is surprising, however, is that this cave system was also the site of an active oil seepage during the Permian, and the interaction of the hydrocarbons in the oil with the tar is likely what enabled the preservation of this surface. is.”
Analysis of the specimens revealed epidermal tissue, a characteristic of the skin of amniotes, a group of terrestrial vertebrates that includes reptiles, birds and mammals that evolved from amphibian ancestors during the Carboniferous Period.
“What we saw was completely different from what we expected, so we were in complete shock,” Mooney said.
“Finding ancient skin fossils like this is a unique opportunity to peer into the past and learn what the skin of these early animals looked like.”
The skin shares features with ancient and extant reptiles, including a pebble surface similar to crocodile skin and hinge areas between epidermal scales similar to the skin structure of snakes and earthworm lizards.
However, because the skin fossils are not associated with skeletons or other artifacts, it is not possible to determine which species or body part the skin belonged to.
The fact that this ancient skin resembles the skin of reptiles living today shows how important these structures are for survival in terrestrial environments.
“The epidermis was an important feature for vertebrates to survive on land. It is an important barrier between internal processes and the harsh external environment,” Mooney said.
“This skin may represent the skin structure of an early amniote terrestrial vertebrate ancestor that allowed for the eventual evolution of feathers in birds and hair follicles in mammals.”
Ethan D. Mooney other. Paleozoic cave systems preserve the earliest known evidence of amniote skin. current biology, published online on January 11, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.008
Researchers have discovered what is believed to be the oldest skin fossil on record.
The alligator-like skin, which is at least 286 million years old, was preserved in an ancient buried cave in what is now Oklahoma. The discovery could help unravel evolutionary mysteries and provide important clues to a time when some animals were transitioning to living on land.
“Finding old skin fossils like this is a great opportunity to peer into the past and learn what the skin looked like on these early animals,” said the University of Toronto graduate student and co-author of the book. says lead author Ethan Mooney. the paper said in a news release.
Three-dimensional skin casting and compacted fossil of an unknown amniote. Mooney et al. / Current Biology
Discovery announced Thursday Published in the scientific magazine “Current Biology”, created in a quarry and cave system called Richard's Spur. Researchers believe the animals fell into the cave system and were preserved by seeping oil and tar that enveloped them.
Skin is a three-dimensional mold with fossilized tissue attached to it.
“There are very few examples of Paleozoic land animals that have preserved skin,” said Paul Olsen, a paleontologist and Columbia University professor who was not involved in the paper. “He's one of the reasons why this is so important.”
Lepospondyl, temnospondyl, and dermal scales of an unknown quadruped. Mooney et al. / Current Biology
The preserved skin was discovered at a site full of fossils of lizard-like creatures called lizards. captorinus aguti, However, it was not clearly associated with any particular skeleton.
Olsen said the skin could help solve the mystery of how reptiles and mammals diverged from each other during evolutionary history. Her two branches of life have a common ancestor.
“They hypothesize that the common ancestor of reptiles and mammals had reptilian-like skin, but their reptilian-like skin is not associated with the skeleton, so they have We can't really show that with the materials we have,” Olsen said of the authors. “Maybe this site will reveal that in the future.”
Horny zone of Captorhinus aguti (OMNH 52541). Mooney et al. / Current Biology
Captorhinus aguti, an ancient reptile that may be the source of the oldest skin fossils
michael debraga
The collection of fossilized skin fragments is the oldest ever discovered. This 300 million-year-old fossil belongs to a crocodile-like reptile and could help us understand how skin evolved.
After an animal dies, the skin decomposes quickly, so fossilization is rare. But this early Paleozoic reptile eventually ended up in a suitable place to preserve its skin. It was buried in oily clay deposits in an ancient limestone cave in what is now Oklahoma. There was little oxygen in the cave sediments, which slowed the decomposition process long enough for the tissue to fossilize, trapping the mummified skin mold.
The discovery was a surprise to researchers who had been examining the tiny black fossil fragments using microscopic 3D scans. “They were so small and skinny that we had to be very gentle with them,” he says. tea maho At the University of Toronto, Canada. Their scans revealed a pebble-like scale texture similar to crocodile skin, especially the flatter, smaller scales on the crocodile's flanks.
Researchers concluded that the skin belonged to a Paleozoic reptile, but it is unclear which species. Based on nearby fossils, they suspect the skin belongs to an extinct lizard-like species. Captorinus aguti. It's not clear how the reptile reached its final resting place. Perhaps it fell into the cave from a vertical shaft or was swept into the cave by a heavy rainstorm.
The fossilized skin fragments are about 21 million years older than any previously discovered, showing how and when vertebrates developed skin after they transitioned from living in the sea to living on land. It reveals new clues about how it evolved. “This is a unique opportunity to examine the first chapter in the evolution of higher vertebrates,” he says. ethan mooney at the University of Toronto. Skin helped aquatic animals make the leap to life on land by providing a watertight barrier between sensitive organs and the outside world.
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