Cell Press

A study on vervet monkeys has identified stable social traditions within different groups, particularly in grooming behaviors, indicating that these animals pass on social customs through generations. Males adapt their social behaviors to conform to the norms of new groups, showcasing a form of social conformity among non-human primates. Credit: Charlotte Canteloupindividuals residing in different communities adhere to distinct social traditions or norms. For example, in certain areas, it’s customary to greet everyone you…

Sanfordiacaulis model with simplified branching structure for easier visualization. Note that humans are provided for scale but did not exist concurrently with the tree. Credit: Tim StonesiferIn the fossil record, it’s common to find trees preserved merely as trunks, lacking any foliage that reveals their canopy structure or overall shape. However, a recent study published in the journal Current Biology, presents an extraordinary discovery of fossilized trees from New Brunswick, Canada, showcasing an unexpected and…

Research indicates that the quality of tea is not solely dependent on the variety of tea plants but also on the microbes present on their roots. Modifying these microbial communities has been shown to significantly improve tea quality by enhancing amino acid content, suggesting a new avenue for agricultural improvement that could extend beyond tea to other crops.You’d think the complex flavor in a quality cup of tea would depend mainly on the tea varieties used to make it. However, recent research published in the journal…

Researchers have discovered the oldest known fragment of fossilized skin, over 21 million years older than previous findings, from an early Paleozoic reptile. The study highlights the skin’s resemblance to modern reptile skin and its importance in understanding the evolutionary transition to land. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.comA groundbreaking discovery reveals the oldest fossilized reptile skin, showing significant evolutionary features and offering a unique perspective on early terrestrial animal life.…

A study has identified genes that influence obesity risk differently across sexes and age groups, offering new insights into the biological pathways of obesity. These discoveries underscore the importance of considering sex and age in obesity research and could lead to new treatments.Researchers have discovered genes that impact obesity risk differently in men and women and across various ages, revealing potential new pathways for understanding and treating obesity.From influencing how our body stores fat to how our brain…

Modern computing techniques are transforming historical research by enabling the analysis of cultural artifacts to uncover societal mindsets and psychological trends. However, these methods, mainly validated with contemporary content, face challenges in accurately representing the diverse strata of historical societies. Juvenility in baby faces and in historical artwork. Credit: Trends in Cognitive Sciences/Baumard et al.No two civilizations throughout history have identical thought patterns. The way a society thinks at…

Researchers have discovered that the static electricity generated during coffee grinding is influenced by the bean’s moisture content. Adding water before grinding reduces static and enhances espresso quality. These findings, offering economic benefits to the $343.2 billion coffee industry, also improve the consistency of espresso shots. Adding moisture to coffee beans before grinding reduces static electricity, enhancing espresso quality and offering significant benefits for the coffee industry. The fracturing and…

A comprehensive DNA analysis of the Balkan population from 1 to 1000 CE challenges the assumed Roman influence, revealing no Italian genetic traits. Instead, the study uncovers significant ancestry from Western Anatolia, Europe, and the Pontic-Kazakh Steppe, with a notable Slavic migration shaping modern Balkan genetics. Credit: SciTechDaily.com A groundbreaking study overturns previous assumptions about Roman influence in the Balkans, showing a diverse genetic heritage primarily influenced by Slavic migrations, rather…

A study uncovered mummified mice on high-elevation Andean volcanoes, revealing that mammals can survive in extreme, Mars-like conditions. This finding challenges our understanding of vertebrate life’s physiological limits and prompts further research into these mice’s survival mechanisms. The barren, wind-blasted peaks of volcanoes in the Puna de Atacama, straddling Chile and Argentina, bear a striking resemblance to the Martian surface, characterized by a sparse atmosphere and frigid conditions. Situated at staggering…

In a groundbreaking study reported in Current Biology, researchers have found the earliest-known fossil mosquitoes in Lebanese amber, revealing that ancient male mosquitoes likely fed on blood. Credit: Current Biology/Azar et al. Researchers have unearthed the oldest fossil mosquitoes in Lebanese amber, showing that ancient male mosquitoes were likely blood-feeders. This finding from the Lower Cretaceous period sheds new light on the evolution of mosquitoes and their relationship with flowering plants. Researchers…