Articles for author: Jan Otte

The Unicorn Returns? Genome Breakthrough Offers Hope for Earth’s Rarest Mammal

Jan Otte

For decades, the saola, a mysterious, antelope-like creature dubbed the “Asian unicorn” has eluded scientists, existing more as a ghost of the Annamite Mountains than a living, breathing species. With fewer than 100 individuals believed to remain, and no confirmed sightings in over a decade, many feared it had already slipped into extinction. But now, ...

Divers from below.

10 Discoveries About Marine Life from Deep-Sea Exploration

Jan Otte

The deep sea remains one of Earth’s most enigmatic and underexplored environments. Stretching from 200 meters below the ocean’s surface to depths exceeding 11,000 meters, this twilight zone is teeming with life forms that defy imagination. Deep-sea exploration has unveiled fascinating discoveries, expanding our understanding of marine biodiversity and adaptability. Who knows what could be ...

bennu asteroid

Asteroid Bennu in Images – The Solar System Time Capsule

Jan Otte

Asteroid Bennu isn’t just another space rock drifting through the cosmos—it’s a relic from the early days of our Solar System. Scientists believe that this 500-meter-wide asteroid holds crucial clues about the origins of life on Earth and possibly beyond. The OSIRIS-REx Mission In 2016, NASA launched the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft on a daring mission to ...

Unveiling a Hidden Fungal Predator: New Purpureocillium Species Targets Trapdoor Spiders in Brazil

Jan Otte

A Startling Find in a Biodiversity Hotspot (Image Credits: Unsplash) Brazil’s Atlantic Forest – Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of Purpureocillium fungus that preys on trapdoor spiders, offering fresh insights into the region’s untapped fungal diversity through an innovative field-based genomic method. A Startling Find in a Biodiversity Hotspot In the dense, misty ...

Three African elephants interacting playfully in their natural habitat on a sunny day.

What Is Allomothering? Discover the Surprising Social Life of Elephants

Jan Otte

When an elephant mother requires support, she does not have to look far. In the close-knit society of elephant herds, aunties, sisters, and even teenage “nannies” come to babysit, educate, and guard calves, a phenomenon that scientists refer to as allomothering. This co-operative system of childcare isn’t a one-in-a-million display of compassion, it’s the foundation ...

space

How Space Research Is Influencing Animal Conservation Technology

Jan Otte

In recent years, the intersection of space research and animal conservation has opened up exciting new possibilities. Many innovative technologies, initially developed for space exploration, are now being repurposed to help preserve and protect wildlife on Earth. This article delves into how these advancements are being harnessed to aid animal conservation efforts worldwide. So lets ...

Attidiya Wetland in summer.

8 Habitat Restoration Efforts Transforming Ecosystems

Jan Otte

Habitat restoration is a crucial process aimed at revitalizing ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed due to human activity or natural events. This involves reestablishing native vegetation, reintroducing wildlife, and managing resources sustainably. Through these efforts, biodiversity is preserved, ecosystem services are enhanced, and climate resilience is strengthened. Here, we’ll explore eight transformative habitat ...

flock of flying birds during golden hour

Navigating the Skies: How Birds Migrate With Magnetic Maps and Celestial Clues

Jan Otte

Every autumn and spring, the skies teem with millions of winged travelers, embarking on journeys so vast and precise that they border on the miraculous. Imagine weighing less than a chocolate bar yet flying thousands of miles, crossing oceans, deserts, and mountain ranges, often in complete darkness. How do birds manage such astonishing feats? The ...

Not Just A Diamond: Scientists Forge a ‘Rondeau’ Time Crystal That Redefines Temporal Order

Jan Otte

In a stunning leap forward for quantum physics, researchers have unveiled a never-before-seen phase of matter known as a rondeau time crystal—a structure that blends predictability with controlled disorder in its temporal oscillations. Unlike ordinary crystals that repeat patterns in space, time crystals evolve in time without consuming energy, and the newly discovered rondeau type ...

2025 Full Moon calendar: When to see the Full Moon and phases

2025 Full Moons: All The Celestial Wonders We Experienced This Year

Jan Otte

The Science Behind the Full Moon’s Glow (Image Credits: Unsplash) Throughout 2025, skywatchers around the world witnessed a series of luminous full moons that illuminated nights with their silvery glow, marking the rhythm of the lunar cycle. The Science Behind the Full Moon’s Glow Earth’s moon reaches its full phase when it positions itself directly ...