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Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Science
- Los Angeles Times
It's tarantula mating season. Where you can spot the spider and how to avoid getting bit
If you suffer from arachnophobia, this is the time of year when you're most likely to run into one of your worst nightmares: a tarantula. It's mating season for most of the 29 species of tarantulas in the United States, 10 of which can be found in California, according to Los Padres National Forest. Around this time, tarantulas tend to leave their burrows to hunt for a mate — and they will travel up to 20 miles on their eight fuzzy legs to make a love connection. In Southern California, the two most common species are the Mojave blonde tarantula Aphonopelma iodius, which resides in the Mojave desert area, and the California ebony tarantula Aphonopelma eutylenum, which lives in the south and eastern regions of San Diego and Imperial counties, said Danny McCamish, senior environmental scientist for the California State Parks. During mating season, which begins in August and can last until December, male tarantulas leave their burrows in search of a mate. 'This highly visible behavior contrasts sharply with their otherwise cryptic, burrow-dwelling lifestyle,' said McCamish. Outside of mating season, tarantulas only emerge at night to hunt. 'Mating season for tarantulas is not uniform across the United States,' McCamish said. 'Instead, it depends heavily on regional climate, elevation and species-specific biology.' During mating season, tarantula sightings are common during dusk and nighttime hours, especially following warm days and before seasonal rains, McCamish said. They can be spotted moving around in chaparral and shrub but also in the deserts and mountain areas, said Doug Yanega, senior scientist at UC Riverside's Entomology Research Museum. One indicator of a possible tarantula sighting is a Tarantula hawk wasp buzzing around. This wasp hunts the spider to feed its offspring, according to the National Parks Service. The large blue-black wasps with bright orange wings are 'a much better way to estimate the spider population than trying to actually find the spiders, which are intensely secretive,' Yanega said. McCamish said some of the best-known locations for observing the California ebony tarantula include: Experts say the male spiders may travel up to 20 miles throughout the mating season to find a connection, but the distance depends on the weather, food availability and other environmental conditions. While this is a solitary and competitive journey, you might wander across a swarm of tarantulas who happen to emerge at the same time. 'Anecdotally, people can experience this 'horde' or 'swarm' in the desert during mating season late at night, if conditions are right, when hundreds can be seen crossing remote desert roads slowly on their mating search, McCamish said. When a male locates a female tarantula, he 'initiates a courtship ritual involving rhythmic tapping and vibration to signal his presence and avoid predation,' McCamish said. If the female is receptive, mating occurs. 'Males don't live very long, and females often aggressively rebuff potential mates, so small or weak males may never successfully reproduce,' Yanega added. On average, males live seven to 10 years, whereas females can reach 20 to 25 years or more, according to experts. After mating, the female may eat her counterpart, which is why some males try to escape. The female will then store the sperm in structures called spermathecae and eventually construct an egg sac where the eggs remain until they hatch the following spring or summer, said Sarah Crews, from the California Academy of Sciences' department of entomology. The baby tarantulas are known as 'spiderlings.' 'The spiderlings probably hang out for a bit, then disperse and make their own burrows, likely not traveling too far,' Crews said. Tarantulas are harmless unless grabbed. Researchers say their bodies are covered with 'irritant hairs' that, if touched, can cause dermatitis and a rash. When a spider needs to protect itself from a predator, it rubs its hairs to ward off the danger. 'This is why you sometimes see tarantulas with 'bald spots,'' Crews said. 'They do it when they are stressed, so if you come across one and it starts doing that, best to leave it alone ... while it won't hurt humans, you don't want to stress out the poor guy — he has enough problems at this point'. Tarantulas are often vilified in movies, but they are actually shy, slow-moving and reluctant to bite. Native tarantulas in the United States pose no serious threat to humans and only bite if severely provoked, McCamish said. The venom from a tarantula bite typically won't kill a human, but it can cause minor pain, swelling or itching.
Arabian Post
26-07-2025
- Science
- Arabian Post
Google's AI Breakthrough Tackles Hidden Deepfakes
A revolutionary AI-driven tool developed by Google in collaboration with UC Riverside researchers is setting new standards in deepfake detection. The system, known as UNITE, aims to combat the growing issue of manipulated media by identifying deepfakes in videos where faces are not present, challenging traditional detection methods. The increasing sophistication of AI-generated content has raised concerns globally, as it becomes more difficult for both the public and experts to distinguish between real and fabricated videos. Deepfakes, which use AI to superimpose or manipulate faces, have already caused significant harm by spreading misinformation and misleading audiences. These video forgeries have been used in everything from political manipulation to creating harmful viral content. Traditional deepfake detection systems primarily focus on facial recognition, scanning for anomalies or inconsistencies within the faces of individuals in videos. However, these methods fall short when the face is obscured or absent altogether, which is common in modern deepfake techniques. To address this gap, UNITE has been designed to look beyond faces, analysing the entire video frame to detect subtle visual cues that indicate manipulation. ADVERTISEMENT The system employs an innovative approach that involves scrutinising the background, motion patterns, and even the physics of the scene, which can reveal subtle discrepancies introduced by AI editing. For example, changes in the motion of objects, lighting inconsistencies, and unnatural background shifts are all telltale signs of deepfakes, and UNITE is trained to spot these signs with an exceptional degree of accuracy. According to the researchers, the system works by comparing the video under scrutiny with a vast database of real-world footage, assessing what is considered natural or typical for specific environments, actions, and movements. These advanced methods are powered by deep learning algorithms that continuously improve their ability to identify fake content as they process more data. The collaboration between UC Riverside and Google aims to make deepfake detection more accessible and efficient for various industries, including newsrooms and social media platforms. As misinformation continues to spread through manipulated content, news organisations are increasingly turning to automated systems to help verify the authenticity of video materials before publication. With UNITE, they gain a powerful tool that goes beyond face-based analysis to ensure the credibility of the content. This AI solution is timely, given the surge in social media videos and user-generated content. Many platforms have struggled with moderating fake content, and deepfakes are becoming an especially potent tool for those seeking to spread disinformation. This is particularly concerning in political campaigns, where fake videos can be used to sway voter opinions or tarnish reputations. UNITE's success could pave the way for more advanced technologies that can identify digital fakes across various forms of media, including text and audio, further protecting against the rising tide of fake content. The system also raises important questions about privacy and ethics, especially as it opens the door for new ways to track and monitor digital media for authenticity.
News18
07-07-2025
- Science
- News18
Reverse Evolution? Wild Galápagos Tomatoes Bring Ancient DNA To Life
Last Updated: Scientists find Galápagos wild tomatoes naturally reactivating ancient genes—offering insights into evolution, survival, and future biotech breakthroughs In a groundbreaking discovery that has stunned biologists, wild tomatoes growing on the rocky terrain of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, have been found to naturally activate ancient genes, a process once thought to be nearly impossible in real-time evolution. Two species, Solanum cheesmaniae and Solanum galapagense, are showing unexpected genetic reversals, suggesting that nature may be capable of 'reverse evolution'. The remarkable find comes from a team of researchers at UC Riverside and Israel 's Weizmann Institute of Science, and the study is now published in Nature Communications. What's Happening In Galápagos? The scientists collected 56 wild tomato samples from both the eastern and western regions of the Galápagos archipelago. What they uncovered was astonishing: Tomatoes on the eastern islands had modern crop-like alkaloids — naturally occurring chemicals often found in today's farm-grown varieties. Tomatoes on the western, younger, and harsher islands contained primitive alkaloids — chemicals similar to those in ancient relatives like wild eggplants (brinjal). The culprit? A tiny enzyme change. Just a few amino acid modifications in one key enzyme were enough to switch the tomatoes' genetic programming back by millions of years. A Case Of Genetic Atavism This rare genetic phenomenon is known as Genetic Atavism — where long-dormant genes are reawakened. In lab experiments, scientists have reactivated similar traits in animals (such as growing teeth in chickens), but this is one of the first known cases of a naturally occurring, population-wide genetic reversal in plants. Environmental pressures, particularly the barren, nutrient-scarce conditions on the western islands, are believed to have triggered this ancient defensive mechanism in the tomatoes, causing their genes to flip into survival mode. Why It Matters: Evolution And Biotechnology The implications go far beyond botany. This discovery offers a rare real-world view of evolution unfolding in reverse, and it has huge potential for biotechnology, agriculture, and medicine. Dr Adam Jozwiak, one of the lead researchers, notes: 'By changing just a few amino acids, a completely different chemical can be produced. This opens the door to creating pest-resistant crops, less toxic fruits, or even new medicines." Understanding how nature rewires its own genetic code could allow scientists to intentionally mimic these changes; leading to breakthroughs in crop design, pharmaceutical compounds, and sustainable agriculture. A Natural Wonder With Global Impact While these tomatoes may seem like a quirky island curiosity, they could be the key to unlocking ancient genetic blueprints that modern science is only beginning to understand. The Galápagos, famously known as Darwin's natural laboratory, continues to challenge what we think we know about life's adaptability. This isn't just a story of tomatoes, it's a reminder that evolution doesn't always move forward. Sometimes, nature takes a step back to survive the future. First Published:
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Tomatoes in The Galapagos Islands Appear to Be Evolving in Reverse
The idea of evolution backtracking isn't a completely new idea, but catching it in action isn't an everyday experience. A newly documented example of wild growing tomatoes on the black rocks of the Galapagos Islands gives researchers a prime example of a species adapting by rolling back genetic changes put in place over several million years. Researchers from the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel say it's evidence that species can wind back changes that have happened through evolution. Related: "It's not something we usually expect," says molecular biochemist Adam Jozwiak, from UC Riverside. "But here it is, happening in real time, on a volcanic island." Through an analysis of 56 tomato samples taken from the Galapagos, covering both the Solanum cheesmaniae and Solanum galapagense species, the team looked at the production of alkaloids in the plants: toxic chemicals intended to put off predators. In the case of the S. cheesmaniae tomatoes, different alkaloids were found in different parts of the islands. On the eastern islands, the plants come with alkaloids in a form comparable to those in the cultivated fruit from the rest of the world; but to the west, an older, more ancestral form of the chemicals were found. This older version of the alkaloid matches the one found in eggplant relatives of the tomato stretching back millions of years. Through further lab tests and modeling, the researchers identified a particular enzyme as being responsible for this alkaloid production and confirmed its ancient roots. A change in just a few amino acids was enough to flip the switch on the alkaloid production, the researchers determined. There are other isolated examples of evolutionary backflips known scientifically as genetic atavisms, where a mutation causes a species to revert to expressing an ancestral trait. These include experiments on chickens that have been genetically tweaked to revive their ancient programming for growing teeth. The difference in this case is a critical change has propagated through entire populations. In some plants, multiple genes have reverted, suggesting strong selection pressures are involved. What makes it an even more interesting shift is that the western parts of the Galapagos islands are younger – less than half a million years old – and more barren. It seems environmental pressures may have driven these steps back into evolutionary history. Besides being a fascinating example of how evolution turns around on itself, the research also opens up possibilities for advanced genetic engineering that works with even greater control, altering plant chemistry for multiple benefits. "If you change just a few amino acids, you can get a completely different molecule," says Jozwiak. "That knowledge could help us engineer new medicines, design better pest resistance, or even make less toxic produce." "But first, we have to understand how nature does it. This study is one step toward that." The research has been published in Nature Communications. Earth Became a Hothouse 250 Million Years Ago, And We Finally Know Why Scientists Find Most Cats Sleep on Their Left Side – This Could Be Why Orcas Caught 'Kissing' For Two Minutes With Tongue
Gizmodo
02-07-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
Physicists Solve a 50-Year Mystery About a Critically Important Molecule
After relying on an educated guess for decades, scientists have finally confirmed the dipole moment of aluminum monochloride (AlCl), an elusive but important molecule known to sneak around the interiors of ancient galaxies. An electric dipole moment is a measure of polarity—a crucial determinant for many physical properties of any system, such as its boiling point or solubility. Given its importance, the new result, published last month in Physical Review A, presents exciting opportunities for applications across a wide range of fields, from quantum computing to astrophysics. At our core, we're all made of molecules. Anything we do—whether it's picking up a cup of coffee or digesting coffee after taking a sip—can be explained in terms of molecular interactions. This is of obvious interest to scientists, and for a host of reasons. For one, knowing how different molecules interact either with each other or with their environment can reveal a lot about their respective characteristics, akin to how physicists study different particles using large particle colliders. But another reason is that the interaction itself—in this case, the dipole moment—helps scientists understand completely different systems in unexpected ways. 'In chemistry, dipole moments affect everything from bonding behavior to solvent interactions,' said Boerge Hemmerling, a physicist at the University of California (UC), Riverside, and paper co-author, in a statement. 'In biology, they influence phenomena like hydrogen bonding in water. In physics and astronomy, the dipole moments can be harnessed to make neighboring molecules interact, for instance, with the goal to create a quantum entanglement between them.' The dipole moment of AlCl, in particular, shows promise across a wide range of applications, added Stephen Kane, an astrophysicist at UC Riverside and study co-author, in the same statement. 'Accurate dipole moment data improves how we interpret molecular signatures in starlight,' said Kane. 'The ratio of aluminum to chlorine in stars, as revealed through AlCl measurements, provides critical clues to stellar nucleosynthesis and the material history of these celestial bodies.' For the experiment, Hemmerling and his team built a customized laser vacuum system they had been developing for more than seven years, enabling them to perform high-precision spectroscopy. They generated beams of AlCl in a vacuum inside the setup, picking apart the molecule to better understand its chemical underpinnings and behavior. Eventually, they arrived at the value of 1.68 Debye (the unit for measuring dipole moments) for the dipole moment of AlCl. It may seem strange that such a fundamental number took nearly a century to lock down, but it turns out the estimate was really close. In 1956, chemist David R. Lide estimated the dipole moment of AlCl at 1.5 Debye—a mere 0.18 Debye away from Hemmerling's result. The closeness demonstrates the validity of existing theoretical models while also offering some clues as to how the accuracy can be improved even further, Hemmerling said in the same statement. 'From improving our understanding of distant stars to enabling next-generation quantum computers, the precise measurement of AlCl's electric dipole moment is a foundational step toward unlocking future discoveries,' Hemmerling said.
