Current:Home > MarketsSea squirts and 'skeeters in our science news roundup-LoTradeCoin
Sea squirts and 'skeeters in our science news roundup
View Date:2024-12-23 20:59:00
All Things Considered host Adrian Florido joins Regina G. Barber and Geoff Brumfiel to nerd-out on some of the latest science in the news. They discuss an amazingly preserved sea squirt fossil that could tell us something about human evolution, a new effort to fight malaria by genetically modifying mosquitos and why archeologists are rethinking a discovery about a Copper-age leader.
Evolutionary clues from a 500-million-year-old fossil
In a new paper in Nature Communications, Harvard researchers detail a newly-identified species of sea squirt that may be among the most well-preserved and oldest specimens of its kind. Sea quirts belong to a group of tubed-shaped animals known as tunicates, which are the closest invertebrate relative that humans and other vertebrates have. This tunicate fossil's characteristics suggest our ancient shared lineage may stretch back even further in time than previously thought.
Fighting Malaria with genetically-modified mosquitoes
Mosquitos spread malaria, which is caused by a parasite. But because the parasite doesn't make them sick, their immune systems don't fight that parasite — until now. Researchers are experimenting with genetic modification using CRISPR technology to create mosquitos that naturally produce antibodies to fight the malaria parasite. And it's not the first time scientists have genetically-modified mosquitos!
A new understanding of an ancient leader
In 2008, in southwestern Spain, scientists uncovered the remains of an ancient leader from the Copper age — a man who lived and ruled in the region nearly 5,000 years ago. Ivory objects were strewn around the burial site, earning him the nickname the Ivory Man. But a group of scientists now believe the Ivory Man may actually have been a woman. Analysis of chromosome-linked proteins in the person's preserved tooth enamel led the researchers to this conclusion, and the same technique could lead to more reliable identification of other skeletal remains in the future.
Have questions about science in the news? Email us at [email protected].
veryGood! (45)
Related
- Wildfires burn on both coasts. Is climate change to blame?
- New Thai prime minister pays friendly visit to neighboring Cambodia’s own new leader
- Bodycam shows Michigan trooper clinging to fleeing car; suspect charged with attempted murder
- Hundreds attend funeral for high school band director who died in bus crash
- See Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani's Winning NFL Outing With Kids Zuma and Apollo
- North Korean leader urges greater nuclear weapons production in response to a ‘new Cold War’
- Why Mick Jagger Might Leave His $500 Million Music Catalog to Charity Instead of His Kids
- Watch Ronald Acuna Jr.'s epic celebration as he becomes first member of MLB's 40-70 club
- Tennis Channel suspends reporter after comments on Barbora Krejcikova's appearance
- Turn it down? Penn State practices without music to prepare for road game at Northwestern
Ranking
- Pie, meet donuts: Krispy Kreme releases Thanksgiving pie flavor ahead of holidays
- For Sanibel, the Recovery from Hurricane Ian Will Be Years in the Making
- In UAW strike, Trump pretends to support workers. He's used to stabbing them in the back.
- Bruce Springsteen postpones all 2023 concerts to treat peptic ulcer disease
- Supreme Court seems likely to allow class action to proceed against tech company Nvidia
- Powerball jackpot at $850 million for Sept. 27 drawing. See Wednesday's winning numbers.
- Alex Murdaugh Slams Court Clerk Over Shocking Comments in Netflix Murder Documentary
- $10,000 bill sells for nearly half a million dollars at Texas auction — and 1899 coin sells for almost as much
Recommendation
-
Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Leave No Blank Spaces Between Them in First PDA Photo
-
Is nutmeg good for you? Maybe, but be careful not to eat too much.
-
Kylie Jenner Turns Heads With Bangin' Look During Red Hot Paris Fashion Week Appearance
-
Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
-
Week 5 college football picks: Predictions for every Top 25 game on jam-packed weekend
-
Suspect sought in fatal hit-and-run that may have been intentional: Authorities
-
SUPREME COURT NOTEBOOK: From bananas to baby socks, lawyers stick to routines before arguments