Book Review: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

In The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Elizabeth Kolbert explores the current state of biodiversity loss and the role that human activities have played in causing it. Kolbert is an American journalist and author. She is the editor of “The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2009” and the author of “The Prophet of Love: And Other Tales of Power and Deceit,” “Field Notes from a Catastrophe,” and “The Sixth Extinction,” for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction in 2015. The Sixth Extinction provides a detailed analysis…

Read More

Molecular Atlas of Spider Silk: Fibrous Protein Assembly

Researchers at Southwest University in China have successfully constructed the chromosomal-scale genome assembly as well as the complete spidroin gene set of the golden orb-weaving spider. The chromosomal-scale genome assembly represents genome sequence; while the spidroin refers to proteins in spider silk. Different spidroins determine the varieties in spider silks.   With this new insight, researchers can dive deeper into the silk-producing capabilities of spiders. Eventually, this might lead to the development of new materials with desirable mechanical properties.

Read More

Book Review: The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries by Donald R. Prothero

Since the origin of life in 3.5 billion years ago, hundreds of millions of species might have lived on planet earth. Most of those are extinct by now. In his exceptional book, The Story of the Dinosaurs in 25 Discoveries: Amazing Fossils and the People Who Found Them, Donald R. Prothero has tried to surface those species that led to the landmarks in evolution. The idea was to signify evolutionary transition from one group to another. An interesting read for those who are looking for history of dinosaur science. Very…

Read More

Probiotics Protect Bleached Corals from Death: Beneficial Microorganisms

Coral reefs harbour the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem globally. Constant rise in temperature is causing havoc to marine life as well. Coral reefs across the globe are suffering from bleaching and mass mortality due to warming ocean temperatures. Recent research by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) shows probiotic treatment can boost coral health.

Read More

Protective Protein Guarding DNA Makes Tardigrades Indestructible: An Offbeat Genetic Constitution

Tardigrades are water dwelling, eight legged microscopic organisms, also known as the water bears, are one of the most resilient organism (extremophile) known to survive in the most inhospitable conditions on earth and even in the space. They are found to thrive in extremely low temperature (as just above the absolute zero), in high temperatures (i.e above the boiling point of water), high pressure and can even withstand high radiation.

Read More

Male Widow Spiders Inseminate Young Females And Avoid Being Cannibalized: Spidery Sex Life

Sexual cannibalism is very common in some species like the male coin spiders. Black widow and Redback female spiders are famous for slaying their partners soon after mating. The male widow spiders that are considerably smaller in size, are often seen voluntarily offering themselves to be eaten, with a hope that the female will give birth to his offspring. Sometimes, the males reaching out females are mistaken for prey and are killed even before copulation occurs.

Read More