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"Scientists Grow Mini Antlers on Mice Using Deer Cells"

In a groundbreaking study, scientists have successfully grown "mini-antlers" on mice by implanting deer cells into their genome, revealing potential pathways for regenerative medicine. Conducted by Chinese researcher Toa Qin and colleagues, the research highlights the regenerative capabilities of Sika deer antlers, which grow rapidly at a rate of 2.75 centimeters per day. By isolating key stem cells from shed antlers, the team identified critical genes involved in antler development and subsequently cultured these cells before implanting them into mice. After 45 days, the mice developed identifiable mini-antlers, showcasing the genetic mechanisms behind this rapid growth. While the findings offer promising insights into tissue regeneration, ethical concerns regarding cross-species cell implantation and the need for extensive safety trials remain. The study, published in *Science*, opens new avenues for understanding mammalian regeneration and its potential applications in human medicine. sources

Published:
Jul 10 2025, 7 am

Northern Hemisphere Summer Shorter by 15 Minutes This Year

This summer is set to be notably shorter for fans of the season, lasting just 93 days, 15 hours, and 37 minutes in the Northern Hemisphere—15 minutes less than last year. The variation in season lengths is attributed to the Earth's 23.5-degree axial tilt, which affects sunlight exposure, rather than its distance from the Sun. Currently, the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer during aphelion, the farthest point from the Sun, while the Southern Hemisphere enjoys summer at perihelion, its closest approach. This results in the Northern Hemisphere having about four extra days of summer. However, as Earth's orbit shifts over time, this trend will change, with summers in the Northern Hemisphere projected to be six hours longer in a millennium. For now, while this year's summer may feel brief, next year will offer an additional three minutes of summer enjoyment. sources

Published:
Jul 08 2025, 9 pm

Did Rivals Try to Erase This Great Female Pharaoh?

Excavations at Deir el-Bahri in Luxor during the 1920s revealed the shattered statues of Hatshepsut, a prominent female pharaoh of Egypt's Eighteenth Dynasty, leading to speculation about a deliberate attempt to erase her from history, often attributed to her nephew and successor, Thutmose III. While many believed Thutmose ordered the destruction out of vengeance, recent research by Jun Yi Wong from the University of Toronto suggests a more complex narrative. Wong's analysis of excavation records indicates that many statues remained intact and that some were repurposed rather than maliciously destroyed. The targeted damage to certain statues may reflect a ritualistic practice to neutralize their perceived magical power rather than outright hostility. This new perspective acknowledges the political motivations behind Hatshepsut's erasure while emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of Thutmose III's actions, which may have been driven by ritual necessity. sources

Published:
Jul 09 2025, 7 pm

Mummy Found with Baby's Head Stuck in Pelvis

Researchers have analyzed the mummified remains of a teenage girl who died during childbirth in ancient Egypt, revealing she was delivering twins when complications arose. The young mother, estimated to be between 14 and 17 years old, was discovered in 1908 at the El Bagawat cemetery, with field notes indicating she had a fetus and placenta between her legs. Recent CT scans uncovered a second fetus in her chest cavity, suggesting it was a twin. The study indicates that the first baby’s head became lodged in the birth canal during a breech delivery, leading to traumatic decapitation. The authors note that the embalmers likely overlooked the second fetus, which may have shifted due to the decomposition of the mother’s diaphragm. This tragic case underscores the dangers of childbirth in ancient times, particularly twin births, which were often feared and guarded against with protective spells. The findings are published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. sources

Published:
Jul 10 2025, 6 am

Scientists Can Create Gold in Lab, But There's a Catch

In a fascinating twist on alchemy, scientists have discovered that gold can indeed be created in a laboratory setting, albeit through complex and energy-intensive processes. Most of Earth's gold originated from cosmic events, such as supernovae and neutron star collisions, which fused lighter elements into heavy metals. Modern techniques, including nuclear reactions and particle accelerators, can replicate this phenomenon, allowing the transformation of elements like mercury and platinum into gold. For instance, experiments at CERN's Large Hadron Collider have shown that smashing lead nuclei can produce fleeting amounts of gold. However, these methods are highly inefficient and costly, with estimates suggesting it could take over a quadrillion dollars to produce just one ounce of gold. Nobel Prize-winning chemist Glenn Seaborg's experiments in the 1980s further demonstrated this point, highlighting that while creating gold is theoretically possible, it is far from a viable economic venture. sources

Published:
Jul 10 2025, 1 am

Parker Solar Probe Discovers "Barrier" in Sun's Atmosphere

A recent study utilizing data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe has identified a "helicity barrier" in the Sun's atmosphere, contributing to the understanding of the long-standing "coronal heating problem." Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe has made multiple close approaches to the Sun, reaching speeds of 692,000 kilometers per hour. The research aims to explain why the Sun's corona, which can reach temperatures of 3.5 million °F, is significantly hotter than its surface, which is around 10,000 °F. Previous theories, including turbulence and ion cyclotron waves, faced challenges in fully explaining this phenomenon. The helicity barrier, described as a dam that alters turbulent dissipation, may bridge these theories by linking energy flow and magnetic fluctuations. This discovery not only enhances our understanding of solar dynamics but also has broader implications for astrophysics and space weather predictions. The findings are detailed in the journal *Physical Review X*. sources

Published:
Jul 10 2025, 1 am

New Insights on the Pacific Sleeper Shark's Mysteries

Despite being one of the largest predatory fish in the Pacific, the Pacific sleeper shark remains largely understudied, prompting a team of scientists to compile a comprehensive resource to aid in its conservation. Closely related to Greenland sharks, these elusive creatures can grow up to 14.1 feet (4.3 meters), with some speculated to reach 23 feet (7 meters) in deeper waters. Their lack of commercial value and the challenges of studying them have hindered research, leaving them classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List. Recent genetic studies revealed that the southern sleeper shark is not a distinct species, suggesting a greater population of Pacific sleeper sharks than previously thought. Findings indicate they have a slow growth rate and delayed maturity, making them vulnerable to overfishing. The researchers emphasize the need for better management strategies to ensure the species' survival, highlighting the importance of ongoing research. sources

Published:
Jul 10 2025, 2 am

Psilocybin May Slow Aging and Extend Lifespan in Mice

New research has revealed that psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms, may possess significant anti-aging properties, in addition to its known mental health benefits. Conducted on cultured human cells and live mice, the study demonstrated that psilocybin can slow cellular aging and extend lifespan, with treated human fetal lung cells showing a lifespan increase of up to 57% at higher doses. The research, inspired by the "psilocybin-telomere hypothesis," found that psilocybin treatment reduced telomere shortening and increased levels of the SIRT1 protein, crucial for cellular aging regulation. In a notable experiment, 80% of older mice treated with psilocybin survived longer than their untreated counterparts, also appearing physically younger. While the findings are promising, study author Dr. Kosuke Kato cautioned that further research is needed to determine optimal dosing and potential long-term risks before psilocybin can be considered for public use. The study is published in the journal *npj Aging*. sources

Published:
Jul 10 2025, 12 am

Blue Sharks' Unique Tooth-Skin Enables Color Change to Green, Gold

New research has unveiled that blue sharks (_Prionace glauca_), known for their striking coloration, possess unique tooth-like scales on their skin that may allow them to change color. These scales, called dermal denticles, contain pulp cavities filled with guanine crystals and melanosomes, which reflect blue light while absorbing other wavelengths. Dr. Viktoriia Kamska and Professor Mason Dean from City University of Hong Kong explain that the arrangement of these crystals can shift in response to environmental factors, such as water pressure, enabling the sharks to transition from blue to green or gold hues. This remarkable ability not only enhances their camouflage in varying light conditions but also highlights a distinct evolutionary path for color production in sharks, diverging from bony fishes. The findings will be presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Antwerp, Belgium, in July 2025, sparking interest among biomimeticists and marine biologists alike. sources

Published:
Jul 09 2025, 4 pm

Ancient Protein Fragments from Extinct Animal Transform Biology

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by extracting the oldest animal proteins from 18-million-year-old fossilized mammal teeth in East Africa, extending the record by 14 to 15 million years. Additionally, fragments of proteins from a rhino tooth dating back 21 to 24 million years were found in North America, providing unprecedented insights into ancient life. Lead researcher Ryan Sinclair Paterson from the University of Copenhagen described the findings as a "game-changer" for studying ancient organisms. The research highlights the durability of dental enamel, which protects proteins from degradation, allowing for the recovery of molecular data that can illuminate evolutionary histories. These studies, published in *Nature*, suggest that proteins can survive far longer than previously thought, potentially reshaping our understanding of evolutionary processes and the lives of ancient species, including our own ancestors. sources

Published:
Jul 09 2025, 9 pm

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