🌿 Cauliflory: A Fascinating Botanical Phenomenon

Discover the unusual botanical phenomenon known as cauliflory, where some trees produce flowers or fruits directly from dormant buds on their trunks and branches. This rare trait allows the trees to bear fruits and flowers at eye level or lower, making them easily accessible to animals and humans.

In this featured video, we explore the Jabuticaba, also known as the Brazilian grape tree. This extraordinary tree bursts into bloom with its fruits clinging directly to the bark. The sight is not only stunning but also showcases nature's incredible adaptability and diversity.

Stay tuned to @science for more insights into the wonderful world of plants! 🌳

#science #news

🕷️ Meet the Maratus: Nature's Own Peacock Spiders

Behold the dazzling Maratus genus, commonly known as peacock spiders, found predominantly in Australia and China. These remarkable spiders are famous for their brightly colored abdomens, a trait exclusive to males. But why such vibrant displays, you might ask? It's all about attraction—these colors and patterns are used to captivate potential female mates during their unique courtship dances.

@science
#science #news

Rootless Cones: Unique Volcanic Structures Without Lava

These formations resemble volcanic craters, but there's no lava involved.

The photo shows rootless cones, or rootless craters, on the shores of Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland. These unusual structures are often found in regions of active volcanism. They form due to steam explosions when hot lava flowing underground encounters subterranean water reservoirs, ice, or water-saturated rock layers. The sudden evaporation of water causes a violent release of steam. This steam, mixed with volcanic gases, breaks through layers of tephra deposits left by previous eruptions, creating these distinctive craters.

Interestingly, numerous rootless cones are found not only on Earth but also on Mars. In the volcanic regions of the Red Planet, their numbers reach into the thousands.

@science
#science #lava

Pale Blue Dot: A Glimpse of Earth from the Edge of the Solar System

One of the most iconic photographs of our planet, "Pale Blue Dot," was taken by the Voyager 1 space probe in 1990.

At first glance, you might struggle to spot Earth in the image. Indeed, it appears as a mere speck—a faint blue dot—captured from a staggering distance of 6 billion kilometers, set against the vastness of space.

The concept for this photograph and its evocative name were suggested by astrophysicist Carl Sagan, who also authored a book titled "Pale Blue Dot" in 1994. Sagan's vision continues to inspire awe and reflection about our place in the universe.

@science
#science #space #news

The Sand-Swimming Skink: Nature's Unique Adaptation

The common skink is a lizard with an extraordinary ability: it can swim through sand.

This remarkable feat is made possible by microscopic spikes on the tips of its scales. These spikes carry electrical charges, allowing the skink to glide more efficiently by pushing aside the sand particles.

Nature never ceases to amaze with its ingenious adaptations, and the skink's sand-swimming ability is a perfect example of evolutionary innovation.

@science

#science #animals #lizard #skink

Eugene Shoemaker: The First Person Buried on the Moon

Eugene Shoemaker holds the unique distinction of being the first person buried on the Moon.

Shoemaker, the founder of the field of astrogeology, was also one of the discoverers of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9. In 1994, this comet famously collided with Jupiter, marking the first observed impact between two celestial bodies in our solar system.

Shoemaker was originally slated to be the first geologist to set foot on the Moon, but health issues prevented him from passing the necessary medical examinations. Instead, he played a crucial role in preparing Neil Armstrong and other astronauts for the Apollo missions. In 1997, while searching for undiscovered impact craters in Australia, Shoemaker tragically died in a car accident. In honor of his significant contributions to science, NASA carried his ashes to the Moon aboard the Lunar Prospector spacecraft.

@science

#science #space #facts #news

Denisovan Genes Help Protect Papua New Guinea Inhabitants from Infections

The genes of Denisovans, an ancient human species, are helping the inhabitants of Papua New Guinea fight infections.

Isolated for millennia, the island's inhabitants lived under extremely harsh conditions, making them a "fantastic cocktail" for studying genetic adaptation. Modern humans arrived in Papua New Guinea from Africa around 50,000 years ago and interbred with Denisovans, who had lived in Asia for tens of thousands of years.

Today, the people of Papua New Guinea carry up to 5% Denisovan DNA in their genomes. Scientists analyzed the genomes of 54 highlanders from Mount Wilhelm, living at elevations between 2300 and 2700 meters, and 74 lowland residents from Daru Island.

They discovered that mutations likely inherited from Denisovans increase the number of immune cells in the blood of lowlanders. Denisovan gene variants influence the function of a protein called GBP2, which helps the body combat pathogens found at low altitudes, such as the malaria parasite. Meanwhile, highlanders developed mutations that increase the number of red blood cells, helping to reduce hypoxia.

@science
#science #news #biology

Sea Urchin Waiting for the Tide

A sea urchin in anticipation of the tide... and it seems the wait won't be long. When the tide is far off, sea urchins usually bore themselves into rocks, burrow into the sand, or cover themselves with pieces of shells and seaweed. They do all this to avoid being spotted by predators.

@science
#science #animals

Epic Martian Crater on Utopia Planitia

An epic Martian crater located on the plains of Utopia. Captured by the TGO spacecraft. (High-quality photo below )

Epic Martian Crater on Utopia Planitia
**Epic Martian Crater on Utopia Planitia**

An epic Martian crater located on the plains of Utopia. Captured by the TGO spacecraft. (High-quality photo)

Real Stars in the Universe of "Dune"

The "Dune" universe references many real stars.

For instance, the home planet of House Harkonnen, Giedi Prime, is part of the 36 Ophiuchi system. Contrary to Villeneuve's film, there are no black stars there; 36 Ophiuchi consists of three orange dwarfs.

House Atreides' home, Caladan, orbits Delta Pavonis. This once sun-like star has nearly exhausted its hydrogen and is transforming into a red giant. In reality, House Atreides would need to leave this system to find a new home.

The primary planet of "Dune," Arrakis, also orbits a real star—Canopus. This white-blue giant is 8-10 times more massive than the Sun, 70 times its radius, and over 10,000 times more luminous. At around 30 million years old, it's quite young compared to our Sun.

However, more massive stars die faster. Canopus has already depleted its hydrogen fuel and is now undergoing helium fusion. Its future is uncertain; it may become a red giant and then a white dwarf, like our Sun, or it might explode as a supernova. Fortunately, Canopus is very far from us.

#science

USA, population density

Jupiter: Earth's Cosmic Protector

This animation shows how Jupiter protects Earth!

The gas giant's gravity keeps most asteroids and space rocks away from our planet. It also intercepts long-period comets that intrude into the inner solar system from its outer edges.

However, Jupiter sometimes sends space objects our way. In 1770, thanks to Jupiter, the famous Lexell's Comet passed just two million kilometers from Earth. The comet arrived from the distant reaches of the solar system three years earlier and passed close to Jupiter, which adjusted its orbit and sent it toward Earth. Fortunately, the comet missed us, made two passes around the Sun, and in 1779, approached Jupiter again, which then flung it out of our solar system.

@science
#science #space

The Use of "Please" in American Requests

Americans use the word "please" in only 7 out of 100 requests, according to researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles.

The authors of the study, published in the "Journal of Social Psychology," suggest that the "magic word" should be seen more as a tool of pressure rather than a universal sign of politeness.

@science #science

The Spectacular Courtship Ritual of Grebes

Grebes have a spectacular courtship ritual.

Their synchronized running on water signifies that they are a pair and will soon begin mating. Interestingly, starting the run together is crucial, but finishing together is not necessary. Another key aspect is the position of their beaks; holding the beak slightly upward indicates enjoyment of the process.

Grebes, excellent swimmers and divers, are found in North America and primarily feed on fish.

@science

#science #birds

The Moon's Gradual Drift from Earth

This animation shows how the Moon has moved away from Earth over time.

The Moon formed around 4.5 billion years ago, likely from debris left after the "Giant Impact" between Earth and a Mars-sized planet named Theia. Initially, the Moon was a hot, glowing red object in the night sky. Scientists estimate that the Moon was receding from Earth at a rate of about 20 cm per year back then. Today, it continues to move away, but much more slowly—only 38 millimeters per year.

@science

#science #moon

US Physicists Develop Solution for Sub-Light Warp Drive

A team of physicists in the United States has found a solution for a sub-light warp drive moving at a constant speed that meets all energy conditions and does not require exotic energy. This breakthrough was achieved through the development and application of the Warp Factory computer simulation program.

In science fiction, a warp drive is a general term for engines that allow spacecraft to travel at sub-light or even faster-than-light speeds. In theoretical physics, a warp drive is a hypothetical device capable of creating a space-time warp around an object, enabling it to move at speeds far exceeding those currently achievable by humanity.

The physicists emphasize that this solution is only applicable to a drive moving at a constant speed. The issues of accelerating and decelerating such a drive remain unresolved. Moreover, its creation requires technologies not yet available and an incredible amount of mass for the drive's shell.

It is important to note that, for now, the warp drive remains a challenge for theoretical physics, and no space agencies are currently engaged in its practical development.

@science
#science #wrapengine

As reported in Science, the connection between the brain and body weakens with age, as does the 'communication' between organs. Scientists suspect a causal link here. It's important to note that not only does the brain interact with various organs and tissues through innervation pathways, but the organs and tissues themselves—including the liver, intestines, heart, lungs, muscles, and even bones—also send signaling molecules to each other.**

This inter-organ communication is essential for health and longevity—a concept gaining traction.

We recall about 15 years ago when A.M. Olovnikov proposed a "crazy" hypothesis to explain the course of evolution. He devised a mechanism to enhance evolvability, suggesting that different organs connected through the brain to the gametogenic tissue, sending signals to the sex cells. He published an article in "Biochemistry," which seemed pure fantasy at the time.**

However, putting aside fantasies, various organs and tissues do communicate, for instance, during regeneration and wound healing. As biologists from Duke point out, regeneration is not a localized event but a process involving the entire body. Healthy tissues far from the injury site also participate.

This complex web of mutual connections gives rise to another "crazy" idea: treating a diseased organ by targeting another, healthy one. This idea can even be tested.

🔬 Incredible Journey of a Red Blood Cell

Captured by a scanning electron microscope and magnified 9000 times, this image showcases a red blood cell squeezing through a capillary. The intricate details, brought to life through colorization, reveal the remarkable flexibility and resilience of our body's tiny couriers of oxygen.

@science #Science #Microscopy #Biology #RedBloodCells