Bioluminescence has evolved independently in species time and again, but why this happened and when it first appeared has been a mystery.
Sukanya Charuchandra
Originally from Mumbai, Sukanya Charuchandra is a freelance science writer drawn to reporting on biomedical research, archaeology, and climate science. She holds Master’s degrees in science journalism and biotechnology.
Indigenous fire management in Australia traced back 11,000 years
Abandoning traditional practices led to intense dry season fires, drastically altering biodiversity and increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Gut-on-a-chip helps get to the bottom of inflammatory bowel disease
A microfluidic chip could help researchers uncover the unknown underlying mechanisms that cause inflammatory bowel disease.
A lung-mimicking sealant helps repair surgical leaks
A superior surgical sealant mimics the structural and mechanical properties of lung tissue to repair air leaks after surgery.
How ancient viral infections guide embryo development in mice
Ancient viral DNA, once thought junk, now regulates embryo development in mice, revealing complex host-virus interactions.
Contagious yawning in gelada monkeys triggered by yawn sounds
Gelada monkeys audibly and loudly yawn, triggering a contagious response within their groups, mirroring human behavior.
Plants signal danger and fortify neighbors against hungry insects
Squash plants send chemical warnings underground, empowering neighbors to resist insect attacks, providing insights into natural pest management.
In the world of music, love songs get lost in translation
While people across cultures can discern the behavioral context of various vocal songs, they struggle to identify love songs.
Blood vessels in the brain reveal a secret role in memory formation
A previously unknown mechanism involving the brain’s blood vessels reveals the intricate process of long-term memory formation.
Box jellyfish show surprising ability to learn without a brain
Learning from experience was believed to be restricted to more advanced creatures, but in a first, Caribbean jellyfish were shown to learn from past mistakes.