The cancer cells that wake up while we sleep
It sounds like a proper boogie monster that comes out at night while we are all asleep: breast cancer cells that are likely to travel to new locations seem to be more active at night while we rest.
Category: Science
Bulldogs face breeding ban in the UK
Some people think bulldogs are cute, with their smooshed-up faces and wrinkly skin. But British vets are asking people to stop buying them until their serious health issues can be addressed.
Tricking your brain to breathe more easily
Most of us would agree that Vicks VapoRub works to help you breathe better when you have a cold. But how?
When is a bee not a bee? When it’s a fish
According to a Californian court ruling, bumblebees can now be legally classified as fish. The ruling allows the state to apply to protect endangered bees.
Mayan tooth inlays may have improved dental health
People of the ancient Maya culture set inlays of gold and jade into their otherwise healthy teeth. The ‘glue’ used to hold the inlays may also have reduced the risk of oral infections and improved dental health.
Seeds can grow in Moon dust, but not very well
Thale cress plants have been grown in regolith (the fine dust that covers the moon’s surface) using samples from Apollo missions – but they turn out small and stunted
Forget angry birds, try hangry worms
Have you ever skipped a meal and found yourself snapping at people for no good reason? Welcome to the world of hangry – but why does it happen?
Irritable worms may hold the key to new materials engineering
Cranky worms that live in the mud can combine copper into its fangs so simply and effectively they are pointing to new material manufacturing processes.
The average human body temperature is dropping and it’s not clear why
After being confirmed as 37°C in the mid 1800s, the average human body temperature is falling. But why?
Nematodes come back to life after 42,000 years under the permafrost
Nematodes from ancient Siberian permafrost have been brought back to life after 42,000 years.
Do animals have accents?
Do animals have regional accents and dialects? From ducks to currawongs, cows to wolves, they certainly do.
The 2021 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap has been released!
I’m super happy to see the 2021 NRI Roadmap released. Six months of my life was devoted to the Taskforce and I’m proud to have been part of it.
Wild dolphin ‘talks’ to porpoises
A wild dolphin in Scotland has been observed ‘talking’ to porpoises in what is being called cross-species communication.
Microplastics discovered in human blood
Researchers in the Netherlands have discovered microplastics in the blood of humans for the first time.
What happens if you leave a dental abscess?
I’ve had a horrible tooth abscess recently and I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if I didn’t treat it. In short, it can kill you.