Scientists have long been fascinated with the physiological changes that birds undergo before and during migration. Some birds eat so much fat before their journeys that they double in body weight. In some species, their hearts are enlarged to pump more blood, or their digestive tracts grow and then shrink. But researchers have only recently started to explore at a fundamental level how migratory birds get the energy required to keep themselves aloft for days on end without eating.

Last year, two independent groups published research that explored migratory bird physiology in the lab and field to probe what happens at the subcellular level that allows birds to cover vast distances. They both found answers in biology’s most fundamental engine: mitochondria.

Their studies show how small changes in the number, shape, efficiency and interconnectedness of mitochondria can have huge physiological consequences that contribute to birds’ long-duration, continent-spanning flights.

Scientists have discovered 866 new marine species, including a guitar shark, a deep-sea mollusk with cancer treatment potential, and the first octocoral found in the Maldives, Oceanographic Magazine reported.

The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census looks to change how scientists identify new marine species by speeding up the process. This discovery marks a “significant step” in advancing our understanding of ocean biodiversity. Traditional methods can take up to 14 years, but this international collaborative effort of 800 scientists from over 400 institutions is changing the approach.

Many species go extinct before they’re documented. The mission’s executive director explained that while oceans cover 71% of our planet, only about 10% of marine life has been discovered. By accelerating identification, scientists can better protect these species.

Yonsei University College of Medicine-led research has shown amiloride is as effective as spironolactone in reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) over 12 weeks in patients with resistant hypertension.

Resistant hypertension affects approximately 10% of hypertensive patients and is associated with worse outcomes than nonresistant cases.

Spironolactone is a fourth-line medication, introduced only after renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics fail to control blood pressure. Adverse effects, particularly hyperkalemia and hormonal disruptions, limit its use in long-term care. Amiloride, a potassium-sparing diuretic, lacks these hormonal side effects, making it a potential replacement candidate.

A novel matrix could improve the consistency of stem cell cultures and boost production to industrial scales.