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Economic Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
This creature hasn't mated in 80 million years, and it just gave birth after thawing out
There is a tiny survivor who is changing the rules of biology. The bdelloid rotifer is a strange little creature that has been around for 80 million years and has never mated. It's one of the most interesting rebels in evolution: all female, almost indestructible, and incredibly they make copies of themselves, live in tough conditions, and even take DNA from other species. Scientists are interested in how well they do without genetic reshuffling, which is usually thought to be necessary for long-term survival. ALSO READ: Veterans Affairs terminates union contracts — what it means for federal workers nationwideIn nature, sexual reproduction is thought to be necessary for a species to adapt and live for a long time. It lets living things mix up their genes so they can stay one step ahead of disease and changes in the environment. But bdelloid rotifers never got the message, as per a report by Discover Wildlife. These tiny animals, which live in moss, puddles, and even sewage, have been around for 80 million years because they don't need to mate to reproduce. All of the members of this species are female. Instead of mixing their genes with those of a partner, they make genetically identical copies of themselves, which is basically animals that reproduce this way end up at a dead end. Species that don't have a lot of genetic diversity are more likely to get sick from parasites and changes in the environment. But bdelloids have been breaking this rule for thousands of years, and scientists are still trying to figure out how, as per a report by Discover Wildlife. Bdelloid rotifers are known for being some of the toughest living things on Earth, in addition to their strange way of reproducing. They can live for thousands of years without water, radiation, or brought rotifers back to life in 2021 after they had been frozen in Siberian permafrost for more than 24,000 years. They started reproducing again as soon as they thawed. Even tardigrades, which are known for being tough, don't have that kind of strength. Their DNA repair systems, which may be the best in the microscopic world, seem to be linked to this amazing ability to survive, as per a report by Discover Wildlife. Scientists think that bdelloids have figured out a smart way to get around the genetic stagnation that usually happens in asexual species. They might not be getting new genetic material from mating, but from the organisms they eat. Bdelloids eat bacteria, algae, and small pieces of organic matter. It looks like they take in DNA from other organisms during this process, which is called horizontal gene transfer. Some estimates say that as many as 10% of their active genes may have come from other species. This "theft" of genes could be a big step forward for bdelloids in terms of evolution, since they can adapt without having to reproduce in the usual way. It's like nature gave them a biological loophole, and they've been using it very bdelloid rotifer is proof that there is more than one way to live and do well on Earth. This tiny creature has broken the rules of evolution by cloning itself, being very tough, and stealing genes from other species. It's a quiet reminder that nature's strangest plans often work best. Have bdelloid rotifers really survived so long without mating?Yes, they reproduce completely without males using cloning and have done so for tens of millions of years. How do they stay alive in harsh conditions? Their cells can repair DNA damage and may absorb beneficial genes from the organisms they consume.
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Bowhead whale cracks through ice in order to breathe
A post shared by Fredrik Christiansen (@fredrik_christiansen) A marine biologist captured video of the moment a bowhead whale cracked through a layer of ice in West Greenland in order to breathe. Fredrik Oscar Christiansen of Aarhus University in Denmark posted the footage on his Instagram page, describing it as 'an ice whale breathing through a hole in the ice.' 'This behavior happens frequently during the colder winter and spring months in Disko Bay, when few open water patches exist in the ice,' Christiansen told Discover Wildlife. Bowhead whales reside almost exclusively in Arctic and subarctic waters and have become adapted to life in icy water, according to NOAA Fisheries. That includes being able to break through ice to take a breath. They are so named because of their very large triangular skull that they use to break through heavy ice to come up for air, according to AZ Animals. Christiansen told Discover Wildlife that a bowhead whale, also referred to as a polar whale and Arctic whale, can break through nearly 2 feet of ice. Bowhead whales can grow up to 62 feet and weigh up to 200,000 pounds. Christiansen, who is studying the effects between climate change and how much these mammals are eating, uses a drone to film the huge creatures. Bowhead whales are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Conservation Act in 1970 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and are listed as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Yes, cockroaches can live without their heads — here's the bizarre biology behind it
It sounds like something out of a horror movie, but this creepy-crawly fact is very real, and deeply unsettling. Cockroaches are known for their extraordinary resilience, but the idea that they can survive for almost a week without their heads takes that reputation to a whole new level. While most living creatures would perish within minutes of decapitation, cockroaches defy the norm thanks to their unique biology. So, how is this possible? Cockroaches, unlike humans and other organisms, don't rely on their heads for many critical life functions. When a cockroach loses its head, it doesn't immediately die because its circulatory system operates very differently from ours. Cockroaches have an open circulatory system with relatively low blood pressure, meaning they don't experience extreme blood loss that would quickly kill them. The wound at the neck typically clots quickly, sealing off the injury. The respiratory system provides another key to their survival. While humans breathe through their nose and mouth, cockroaches breathe through small openings located along their body segments. According to Discover Wildlife, 'The cockroach's brain does not control its breathing and blood does not pump oxygen to the body. Instead, air is piped directly to tissues through a set of tubes called tracheae.' Perhaps most remarkably, cockroaches can continue moving and responding to stimuli without their brains. This is possible because the ganglia throughout their body segments can coordinate basic movements like walking and respond to simple stimuli such as touch or light. In essence, each body segment retains some degree of autonomous function. The cockroach's simple nervous system allows these distributed control centers to maintain basic bodily functions. However, without the brain's coordination, these movements become less purposeful and coordinated over time. While a headless cockroach can survive the initial trauma and continue basic functions, it cannot live indefinitely. The primary limitation is nutrition. Without a mouth, the cockroach cannot eat or drink, and it will eventually die of starvation or dehydration. In laboratory conditions, headless cockroaches typically survive for several days to a few weeks, depending on environmental conditions and the individual insect's health prior to decapitation. Temperature also plays a crucial role. Cockroaches are cold-blooded, so their metabolic rate decreases in cooler temperatures, potentially extending their survival time. However, they also become less active and responsive as their energy reserves deplete, ultimately leading to death.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Living with an anaconda? Understanding human and snake relationships in the Amazon Várzea
Source: Discover Wildlife The cultural connection between humans and snakes or more specifically, the mythical anaconda, is profound in the Amazon. These kinds of snakes are often seen not just as animals but as powerful symbols in local mythology. In a new study in Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science , researchers Dr. Beatriz Cosendey and Professor Juarez Carlos Brito Pezzuti explored the interaction between local communities and species of snake in the várzea regions of the Lower Amazon River, seasonally flooded and biologically diverse areas. Lead author Dr. Cosendey dispels the anaconda myths, facts, and shifting attitudes and describes how conservation measures must shift to account for scientific as well as native knowledge. Humans and snakes: Understanding their Amazon connection through Ethnobiology Dr. Cosendey's route to ethnobiology was fueled early on in her life. She was captivated by field study documentaries and wondered why knowledge was being discovered remotely from city life. Later in life as an ecologist, she became drawn to science-linked research that reunited science with society, particularly studies that recognised humans as part of ecological systems rather than separate from them. This point of view brought her to ethnobiology, a field that unites ecology, conservation, and indigenous knowledge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Novi ortopedski sandali za moške poletje 2025. Fiippy KUPITE ZDAJ Undo Her goal: to make science not only of intellectual value but of social significance. E thnobiology is not simply the biology of plants and animals; it looks at how local communities influence the biodiversity they live among. For the riverside communities of the Amazon, it is passed down through generations, enabling people to spot changes in the environment early on and encouraging good conservation practices. With Dr. Cosendey, the conservations are more effective when locally based communities are engaged as partners rather than as research subjects. Individuals are more committed and engaged when they consider themselves co-creators of the research. Source: Discover Wildlife The great snake still haunts the Amazon—but now it's over chickens, not legends One of the most powerful local legends concerns the Great Snake—a legendary anaconda supposedly lying beneath cities and churning the Amazon waters with every twitch. With glowing eyes and the ability to swallow cattle, even humans, this snake is both feared and admired. While fewer large anaconda sightings are reported, the legend persists. But the demeanor of these snakes is slowly shifting from spiritual concerns to secular issues mainly in relation to livestock. Now, anacondas are more likely to be seen as not mythical but as economic threats. "Chicken is her favorite dish. If one clucks, she comes," a resident said. This captures the degree to which the conflict has become entangled with local livelihood. It's not just bothersome to lose pigs or chickens to anacondas – it's also expensive. "You raise the chicken – you can't just let it be eaten for free," another resident continued. Others explained they had to rebuild coops multiple times or kill snakes to retrieve partially swallowed birds. This tension between living and surviving shows how practical circumstances are overshadowing traditional respect for anacondas. Source: Discover Wildlife Communities and researchers find real solutions through shared experience Research did not just stop with documenting stories. Researchers worked with residents to chart successful approaches to safeguarding livestock. They observed wire and nylon mesh coops—some of which worked, others that didn't. They eventually settled on a solution based on this local experience: two sheets of thin nylon mesh at the interior and exterior surfaces of wire mesh for excluding both small and large animals. This collaborative effort exemplifies the power of community-based conservation where experience feeds science and attention to real-world problems. Misconceptions regarding Ethnobiology Even though it is an established science, ethnobiology is still not trusted within some academic settings. Critics think that it cannot maintain the rigorous data collection of "hard sciences." Dr. Cosendey clarifies, though, that ethnobiology employs tried scientific procedures and generates robust outcomes—especially in complex ecological and social contexts. Notably, ethnobiology retains subtle aspects that may be lost in traditional ecological models and is, therefore, a critical instrument in inclusive and adaptive conservation. Building conservation through shared wisdom between snakes and humans Dr. Cosendey feels that the future of conservation rests with community engagement. She supports projects that engage local people not as passive recipients but as active participants. Their indigenous knowledge may be used to guide environmental planning and prove particularly valuable in regions susceptible to biodiversity decline. She also emphasises the necessity of documenting and valuing cultural traditions—such as the use of natural remedies—wherein there could be sustainable solutions that can be shared with other parts of the world. Also Read | Snake in Delhi Metro? Women scream and jump onto seats as ladies' coach sparks chaos amid unconfirmed scare| Watch
India.com
11-06-2025
- Health
- India.com
Meet World's Most Dangerous Animal, It's NOT A Tiger Or A Lion; Kills 725,000 Annually; One Bite Can Be Fatal... Check Top 10 List Of Animals Deadliest To Humans
photoDetails english Updated:Jun 11, 2025, 07:00 AM IST Meet World's Most Dangerous Animal 1 / 11 Meet World's Most Dangerous Animal: Today, let's check out top 10 list of Animals Deadliest To Humans. You will be surprised to know which one tops the list based on several reportrs online. Take a small guess? Hint: It's not who you think it is! Mosquitos (Culicidae family) 725,000 – 1,000,000 deaths per year 2 / 11 According to Discover Wildlife, as far as number of humans killed every year, mosquitos by far hold the record, being responsible for between 725,000 and 1,000,000 deaths annually. Can you imagine this tiny insect being labelled as the most dangerous animal ever! Well, that's why truth is stranger than fiction. Mosquitoes are vectors for diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika virus, which collectively cause millions of deaths and illnesses worldwide. Humans (homicides only) - kills 400,000 humans per year 3 / 11 Yes! Hard to digest but besides the deadly mosquitos, the most deadly animal is ourselves - Humans. Homicides account for an estimated 431,000 human deaths a year, making us by far the deadliest mammals, as per Discover Wildlife. Snakes - kills 138,000 humans per year 4 / 11 The most common human deaths from snakes occur from venomous bites, however, with the lucky left dealing with amputations and 'other permanent disabilities' according to the WHO. Dogs (rabies) - kills 59,000 per year 5 / 11 Man's best friend can be a deadly enemy too. BBC'S Science Focus states World Health Organisation (WHO) finding reading, 'dogs are the main source of human rabies deaths, contributing up to 99 per cent of all rabies transmissions to humans.' It is transmitted by saliva via bites, scratches, and direct contact with infected areas on the dog. Assassin Bugs (Chagas disease) - kills 10,000 humans per year 6 / 11 Assassin bugs are a primary spreader of the deadly Chagas disease. A terrible disease that attacks the heart, digestive system, and nervous system according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). It can be transmitted from mother to baby through the placenta during pregnancy. Scorpions - kills 3,300 humans per year 7 / 11 With over 2,600 species of the arachnid, only around 25 carry a powerful enough toxin to kill humans. Crocodiles - kills 1,000 humans per year 8 / 11 The ferocious animal causes up to 1,000 reported fatalities a year, as per Science Focus. Elephants - kills 600 humans per year 9 / 11 Elephants typically kill humans by trampling. One blow from an elephant is enough to kill, and around 500 deaths a year are caused in this way. Hippos - kills 500 humans a year 10 / 11 Hippos kill an estimated 500 deaths annually (as compared to only 22 for lions), hippos are deadly land mammals. Lions - kills 200 humans per year 11 / 11 The most deadly-looking king of jungle - Lions stalk in small groups, circling around their prey before going in for the kill. As per BBC Science Focus, nearly 200 humans are killed every year by the big cats.
