This tiny organism contracts 200 times faster than we can blink—here's how
Spirostomum ambiguum, a single-celled organism, contracts to one-quarter of its body length in less than 5 milliseconds using a calcium-activated protein network in a fishnet-like configuration. This contraction speed far exceeds human muscle capabilities and may inform development of faster artificial muscles and synthetic cellular machinery.
Read full story →Venus’s pale yellow clouds may hide something surprisingly dark
Scientists calculated that Venus's clouds' unidentified dark ultraviolet material absorbs light far more strongly than previously thought. This finding narrows possibilities for determining whether the mysterious substance is organic, inorganic, or something unexpected.
Scientists find water was fueling volcanoes 3 billion years ago
Water-rich crustal material sank into Earth's mantle more than three billion years ago through a process called "dripduction," fueling volcanic eruptions. Ancient rocks from Western Australia provided evidence that this water-delivery mechanism operated long before modern plate tectonics fully developed.
Scientists discover a hidden switch that shuts down inflammation
Scientists discovered a natural braking system that switches off inflammation and prevents harmful immune cell buildup. Boosting this pathway in people reduced inflammation-related immune changes and accelerated pain relief.