Lifeboat Foundation

The University of Cape Town, along with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, have conducted a large-scale study identifying significant cranial shape differences between four genetically distinct giraffe species. The findings suggest that these species exhibit unique developmental and morphological characteristics, which have implications for conservation efforts.

Taxonomic classification is critical for guiding good conservation strategies. Giraffes have long been categorized as one species with geographic variants, though advancements in research are reshaping this perspective.

In the study, “Heads Up—Four Giraffa Species Have Distinct Cranial Morphology,” published in PLOS ONE, researchers examined 515 giraffe skulls with 3D geometric morphometrics to analyze patterns of cranial variability. The dataset, the largest of its kind, included specimens from museum collections, wild populations, and taxidermy sources across Africa.

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Apple is on the brink of becoming the first company in history to surpass a $4 trillion market valuation, Fortune reports.

Apple’s stock (AAPL) has nearly risen 40% in 2024. Before the markets opened on December 27, Apple’s market capitalization stood at $3.92 trillion, leaving the company just a modest surge in stock value away from the unprecedented milestone. The growth is said to have been fueled largely by optimism surrounding Apple Intelligence and the continued strength of its iPhone upgrade cycles.

New research maps 50,000 i-motifs in human DNA, revealing their potential roles in gene regulation and disease-linked genomic functions.

Researchers have successfully stabilized ferrocene molecules on a flat substrate for the first time, enabling the creation of an electronically controllable sliding molecular machine.

Artificial molecular machines, composed of only a few molecules, hold transformative potential across diverse fields, including catalysis, molecular electronics, medicine, and quantum materials. These nanoscale devices function by converting external stimuli, such as electrical signals, into controlled mechanical motion at the molecular level.

Ferrocene—a unique drum-shaped molecule featuring an iron (Fe) atom sandwiched between two five-membered carbon rings—is a standout candidate for molecular machinery. Its discovery, which earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1973, has positioned it as a foundational molecule in this area of study.

The magnetic north pole is moving—and not how you might expect. With the release of the World Magnetic Model 2025, scientists reveal shocking details about its unpredictable journey and why it’s slowing down after decades of acceleration. What’s driving these mysterious shifts deep inside Earth? And how does it impact the tech we rely on every day? The answers might surprise you.

Venus is moving toward a dramatic finale in early 2025, when it will dazzle as the “evening star” after sunset. Here’s when to catch it at its brilliant best.

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