Groundbreaking experiments suggest plants might be living, thinking, and feeling entities, challenging our understanding of consciousness.
Imagine walking through a dense forest, feeling the hush of nature all around you. You might assume that the only beings truly aware in that space are the birds in the trees, the insects in the soil, or perhaps yourself. But what if the trees, the flowers, and even the grass beneath your feet are more conscious than we’ve ever given them credit for?
For centuries, science has treated consciousness as a function of the brain—a phenomenon exclusive to creatures with neurons and synapses. Yet recent studies on plant behavior challenge this long-held assumption. Plants exhibit problem-solving skills, communicate through underground networks, and even appear to remember past experiences. Some researchers now argue that consciousness might not be a byproduct of the brain at all, but rather an intrinsic quality of life itself.
A metabolomics study pinpointed the differences between leukemia stem cells (LSCs) and their normal counterparts, and suggests elevated levels of spermidine are a signature and a targetable weakness in LSCs.
Spermidine is essential for the function of leukemia stem and progenitor cells through the regulation of KAT7 expression.
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Blue Origin’s NS-29 mission will simulate the Moon’s gravity, testing 30 payloads focused on lunar tech. In partnership with NASA, the flight will provide critical data on six lunar technology areas: in-situ resource utilization, dust mitigation, habitation systems, sensors, small spacecraft, and entry descent/landing. For the first time, the New Shepard crew capsule will spin at 11 RPM, simulating lunar gravity, helping to lower the cost of space access. This testing supports NASA’s Artemis program, advancing innovation for future lunar exploration.
Scientists identified a new fungus, Gibellula attenboroughii, infecting cave spiders in Ireland. The fungus manipulates spider behavior, resembling “zombie-ant fungi.”
Dr. Harry Evans, Emeritus Fellow at CAB International, led a team of scientists—including experts from the Natural History Museum of Denmark and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew—in a study to identify a fungus discovered on a spider during the filming of the BBC Winterwatch series in Northern Ireland.
Through morphological and molecular analysis, the researchers confirmed the fungus as a previously unknown species.
Tissue processing advance can label proteins at the level of individual cells across whole, intact rodent brains and other large samples just as fast and uniformly as in dissociated single cells.
Scientists at UC San Francisco have pioneered a groundbreaking approach to fighting cancer using engineered fat cells.
By transforming ordinary fat into high-energy beige fat using CRISPR, they created a cell type that voraciously consumes nutrients — outcompeting and starving tumors.
Revolutionizing cancer treatment: engineered fat cells starve tumors.
