Articles for author: April Joy Jovita

Photo of the constellation Lupus produced by NOIRLab in collaboration with Eckhard Slawik

Nova V462 Lupi Ignites the Skies: A Rare Stellar Explosion Captivates Earth

April Joy Jovita

A spectacular astronomical event has unfolded in the southern constellation of Lupus as a newly discovered nova, V462 Lupi, surged into view this June. Initially recorded on June 12, 2025, by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN), the nova has rapidly brightened to naked-eye visibility, stunning both professional astronomers and casual skywatchers alike. With ...

Illustration of Pharaoh of Egypt Ramses II riding his chariot; the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx appear behind him.

The Pharaoh’s Final Days: How Ramesses II Died and What Came After

April Joy Jovita

Ramesses II, often called Ramesses the Great, reigned for 66 years during Egypt’s New Kingdom and became one of its most iconic rulers. Known for his ambitious construction projects, military campaigns, and reputed fatherhood of over 100 children, his life and death continue to captivate archaeologists and historians alike. New investigations, blending archaeological records, anatomical ...

Large sea spider (Collossendeidae) seen at 1,495 meters in Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

Meet the Sea Spiders That Grow Their Own Food on the Ocean Floor

April Joy Jovita

In a remarkable discovery, scientists have found that certain deep-sea spiders are not predators or scavengers as once believed, but microbial farmers. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that these spiders cultivate and consume methane-oxidizing bacteria that grow directly on their exoskeletons. This newly described symbiosis offers a ...

Mosquito on a leaf

Mosquitoes Break the Rules: Global Study Reveals Unexpected Feeding Flexibility

April Joy Jovita

A sweeping global study has overturned long-held assumptions about mosquito feeding behavior, revealing that these disease-carrying insects are far more adaptable than previously believed. Published in Global Ecology and Biogeography, the research analyzed over 15,600 mosquito blood-meal records and found that environmental factors—not just innate preferences—play a major role in determining which hosts mosquitoes feed ...

Pied kingfisher on a tree

Birds That Love Lemons: The Evolutionary Secret Behind Their Sour Tooth

April Joy Jovita

A new study has uncovered how birds evolved to tolerate—and even enjoy—extremely sour foods that most mammals avoid. Published in Science and summarized by the Max Planck Society, the research reveals that birds have developed a unique molecular adaptation in their sour taste receptors, allowing them to consume highly acidic fruits without discomfort. This evolutionary ...

Honeybees on a comb.

Genetic Tug-of-War: How Honey Bee Larvae Choose Between Queen and Worker

April Joy Jovita

A new study from Penn State University has uncovered the molecular mechanisms behind one of nature’s most fascinating transformations: how genetically identical honeybee larvae become either queens or workers. Published in Genome Biology, the research reveals that a developmental tug-of-war between maternal and paternal genes determines the fate of each female larva, offering fresh insight ...

A bee on a sunflower

Bee Viruses Spread Across Species—But Why Aren’t They Evolving?

April Joy Jovita

A new study led by researchers at the University of Minnesota has found that viruses transmitted between different bee species do not result in the formation of new virus variants. This discovery, published in Communications Biology, provides a rare bit of good news for bee pollinators, which have been in decline for over 25 years. ...

Emperor penguin on the rock

Emperor Penguins Face Growing Threats as Antarctic Sea Ice Shrinks

April Joy Jovita

New research has revealed that emperor penguins are experiencing a faster-than-expected decline due to shrinking Antarctic sea ice. A study by the British Antarctic Survey analyzed satellite images from 2009 to 2024, showing a 22 percent drop in emperor penguin numbers across key colonies. This rate of loss is 50 percent worse than previous estimates, ...