Articles for category: Biology & Genetics, Disease & Medicine

A couple of small birds sitting on top of a dry grass field

Poop to Planet: How Waste Drives Life From Soil to Sky

Maria Faith Saligumba

Picture this: you’re walking through a pristine forest, breathing in the fresh air, marveling at towering trees and delicate wildflowers. What you might not realize is that beneath your feet lies nature’s most underestimated superhero – waste. From the tiniest microbe’s excretion to the massive piles left by elephants, what we politely call “waste” is ...

A serene scene of koi fish and a turtle swimming in clear water, showcasing nature's beauty.

The Genetic History of Koi: From Carp to Living Art

Maria Faith Saligumba

Picture this: a humble muddy carp swimming in ancient Asian rivers, completely unaware that its descendants would one day sell for millions of dollars and be revered as living masterpieces. The transformation from ordinary fish to extraordinary art form represents one of the most remarkable journeys in selective breeding history. What started as a simple ...

Blue jelly fishes.

This Jellyfish Might Be Immortal — Scientists Are Still Figuring It Out

Trizzy Orozco

Picture this: you’re living your life, aging day by day, and then one morning you wake up as a child again. It sounds like science fiction, but in the depths of our oceans, one tiny creature has mastered this impossible feat. The Turritopsis dohrnii, often called the “immortal jellyfish,” has baffled scientists for decades with ...

10 Scientific Discoveries Named by Accident

10 Scientific Discoveries Named by Accident

Trizzy Orozco

Sometimes the most groundbreaking scientific discoveries happen when researchers least expect them. A spilled chemical, a forgotten experiment, or a simple mistake can lead to revolutionary breakthroughs that change our understanding of the world. These accidental discoveries remind us that science isn’t always about following rigid protocols – sometimes it’s about being observant enough to ...

Spotted axolotl in an aquarium.

The Axolotl Refuses to Grow Up — and That’s Its Superpower

Trizzy Orozco

Imagine a creature so remarkable that it holds the keys to healing wounds that would cripple any other animal, yet it achieves this miracle by doing something most of us would consider impossible: refusing to grow up. In the murky waters of ancient Mexican lakes, the axolotl has mastered the art of eternal youth, turning ...

What Is Ego Death? The Strange Psychological Phenomenon Experienced on Psychedelics

What Is Ego Death? The Strange Psychological Phenomenon Experienced on Psychedelics

Annette Uy

Imagine a moment where the boundaries that define you seem to dissolve, and the sense of self melts into the universe. This is a glimpse into the elusive and intriguing realm of ego death, a psychological phenomenon often encountered during profound experiences with psychedelics. The term itself evokes a sense of mystique, suggesting a transformation ...

wood frog

The Wood Frog Freezes Solid in Winter — and Comes Back to Life in Spring

Trizzy Orozco

Picture this: a small amphibian, no bigger than your thumb, lies motionless beneath fallen leaves as winter’s grip tightens. Its heart stops beating. Its breathing ceases completely. Ice crystals form throughout its body, turning it into what appears to be a biological popsicle. Yet come spring, this seemingly dead creature will thaw out, take its ...

Vision in the Void: Eyesight Alterations

Why Do We Blink at the Same Time With Both Eyes?

Trizzy Orozco

Right now, as you read this sentence, your eyes are performing one of the most synchronized acts in your entire body. Every few seconds, both of your eyelids close and open in perfect harmony, like dancers following an invisible choreographer. This simple action happens so automatically that you probably don’t even notice it, yet it’s ...