science
Microbe with the smallest genome yet pushes the boundaries of life
Symbiotic bacteria living inside insect cells have lost much of their DNA over hundreds of millions of years, much like the ancient microbes that evolved into mitochondria Source link
More dog breeds found to have high risk of breathing condition
An assessment of nearly 900 dogs has identified 12 breeds prone to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, which can affect dogs’ ability to sleep and exercise Source link
How baby microbiomes in the West differ from those everywhere else
Babies in the West commonly lack a gut microbe that is found in infants in other parts of the world, which may be due to differences in their mothers’ diets Source link
Scientists want to put a super laser on the moon
An ultrastable laser could enable extremely precise timing and navigation on the moon, and the cold, dark craters near the lunar poles would be the ideal location for it Source link
Giant viruses may be more alive than we thought
A giant virus encodes part of the protein-making toolkit of cells that gives it greater control over its amoeba host, raising questions about how it evolved and how such beings relate to living organisms Source link
Intermittent fasting probably doesn’t help with weight loss
Intermittent fasting appears to be no better than doing nothing when it comes to helping people who are overweight or have obesity lose weight Source link
These 5 diets could add years to your life even if you have bad genes
Five dietary patterns that involve eating lots of plants have been linked with living up to three years longer, even among people who are genetically predisposed to have a shorter life Source link
Endurance brain cells may determine how long you can run for
The activity of certain neurons may influence our endurance for exercise, and these could be targeted to help us run faster for longer Source link
Royal Navy returns to wind power with trial of robotic sailboats
A fleet of wind-propelled robot boats could act as a sensor network covering a wide area and relay acoustic signals to a submarine Source link
Ancient Peruvian civilisation grew mighty by harvesting guano
The Chincha Kingdom was transporting seabird excrement from islands to valleys as early as the 13th century, and this powerful fertiliser may have been key to its economic success Source link