Articles for author: Annette Uy

High altitude living

The Human Evolutionary “Cheat Codes” That Help People Survive Extreme Environments

Annette Uy

Since the dawn of time, humans have faced countless challenges, constantly adapting to survive in diverse and often extreme environments. Our evolutionary journey is filled with intriguing adaptations, sometimes akin to “cheat codes,” that have enabled us to thrive where other species might falter. From the icy tundra to scorching deserts, humans have developed unique ...

Volunteers cleaning up a beach coastline during daytime.

The Great Ocean Cleanup: Can We Really Remove Plastic from the Sea?

Annette Uy

Imagine standing on a pristine beach, the sun setting on the horizon, waves gently lapping at your feet. Now, imagine that same beach littered with plastic debris, bottles, and bags, a stark reminder of human impact on our planet. This is the reality many coastal areas face, as plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental ...

A high population of bees making honeycomb

The Mysterious Case of the Dancing Bees: How They Bust Moves to Talk to Each Other

Annette Uy

In the world of buzzing bees and blossoming flowers, a fascinating spectacle takes place that has intrigued scientists for decades: the enigmatic dance of the honeybee. These tiny insects, often seen as mere honey producers, actually engage in a sophisticated form of communication through movement. This “bee dance” is not just a random jig but ...

Homo Floresiensis

The Mystery of the Hobbit Humans: What Really Happened to Homo Floresiensis?

Annette Uy

In 2003, a team of archaeologists unearthed a remarkable discovery on the Indonesian island of Flores: the skeletal remains of a diminutive human species, later named Homo floresiensis. These “hobbit humans,” as they were affectionately dubbed by the media, have captured the imagination of scientists and the public alike. With their tiny stature and unique ...

The Antibiotic Dilemma

Not All Germs Are Bad: What You Should Know About the Ones That Help

Annette Uy

The word “germs” makes most people reach for hand sanitizer, but what if I told you that right now, trillions of microscopic allies are working around the clock to keep you alive? Your body hosts an entire universe of microorganisms that outnumber your human cells by a staggering ratio, and many of these tiny tenants ...

Exceptional Preservation: When Everything Goes Right

How Fossils Form — And Why It’s Harder Than You Think

Annette Uy

Imagine dropping a leaf into a pond and expecting it to survive unchanged for millions of years. Sounds impossible, right? Yet this is essentially what happens when fossils form—nature’s most extraordinary preservation system kicks into action. The process requires such precise conditions that scientists estimate less than 0.1% of all organisms that ever lived became ...

Emerging Research and Discoveries

Beyond the Bag: What Happens When Animals Ingest Plastic

Annette Uy

Picture this: a majestic sea turtle gliding through crystal-clear waters, mistaking a floating plastic bag for its favorite meal – a jellyfish. This isn’t just a tragic accident; it’s happening millions of times across our planet every single day. From the tiniest plankton to the largest whales, creatures everywhere are consuming plastic at an alarming ...

Gyres: The Ocean's Plastic Collecting Systems

Ocean Currents and Trash: How Far a Plastic Bag Can Travel

Annette Uy

Picture this: you’re walking along a beautiful beach, the salty breeze carrying the sound of crashing waves. Suddenly, you spot a plastic bag dancing in the wind before it tumbles into the ocean. What happens next might shock you. That simple plastic bag you just witnessed entering the water could potentially travel thousands of miles, ...

Penguins Propose With Pebbles — Unless Another Penguin Steals Them First

Penguins Propose With Pebbles — Unless Another Penguin Steals Them First

Annette Uy

Picture this: You’ve spent hours searching for the perfect engagement ring, finally found the one that screams “marry me,” only to have someone snatch it right from your hands. Welcome to the dramatic world of penguin romance, where pebbles are precious gems and love triangles can turn into full-blown neighborhood feuds. In the icy landscapes ...

Snail With a Metal Armor: The Only Animal That Builds With Iron

Snail With a Metal Armor: The Only Animal That Builds With Iron

Annette Uy

In the deepest, most hostile depths of our planet’s oceans, where crushing pressure would flatten a human instantly and toxic chemicals seep from the Earth’s core, lives one of nature’s most extraordinary engineers. This isn’t some creature from science fiction—it’s real, it’s alive, and it’s building armor from actual metal. Meet the scaly-foot snail, a ...