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Scientists found the gene that makes Aussie skinks immune to deadly snake venom

Australian skinks have developed a remarkable genetic defense against venomous snake bites by mutating a key muscle receptor, making them resistant to neurotoxins. These tiny but powerful molecular changes mirror those found in cobra-resistant mammals like mongooses and honey badgers. This evolutionary arms race not only shows how adaptable life can be but also offers exciting possibilities for creating new antivenoms and therapies in human medicine.

Scientists just found a massive earthquake threat hiding beneath Yukon

A long-forgotten fault in Canada's Yukon Territory has just revealed its dangerous potential. Scientists using cutting-edge satellite and drone data discovered that the Tintina fault, previously considered dormant, has produced multiple major earthquakes in the recent geological past and could do so again. These hidden fault lines, now identified near Dawson City, may be capable of triggering devastating quakes over magnitude 7.5, posing a serious threat to communities, infrastructure, and the unstable landslides in the region.

Scientists uncover hidden gut ‘sense’ that talks to your brain

Your gut may be talking to your brain in ways we never imagined. Scientists have discovered a “neurobiotic sense” — a rapid-response system where colon cells detect microbial proteins and instantly send appetite-suppressing messages to the brain. This breakthrough reveals how our gut microbes might shape not just digestion, but behavior, mood, and even mental health.

Starving tumors makes cancer treatment work better

Pancreatic cancer cells are known for being hard to treat, partly because they change the environment around them to block drugs and immune cells. Scientists discovered that these tumors use a scavenging process—called macropinocytosis—to pull nutrients from nearby tissue and keep growing. By blocking this process in mice, researchers were able to change the tumor’s environment, making it softer, less dense, and easier for immune cells and therapies to reach.

Crushing vs. Slashing: New skull scans reveal how giant dinosaurs killed

Tyrannosaurus rex might be the most famous meat-eater of all time, but it turns out it wasn’t the only way to be a terrifying giant. New research shows that while T. rex evolved a skull designed for bone-crushing bites like a modern crocodile, other massive carnivorous dinosaurs like spinosaurs and allosaurs took a very different route — specializing in slashing and tearing flesh instead.

Scientists just cracked the code to editing entire chromosomes flawlessly

A group of Chinese scientists has created powerful new tools that allow them to edit large chunks of DNA with incredible accuracy—and without leaving any trace. Using a mix of advanced protein design, AI, and clever genetic tweaks, they’ve overcome major limitations in older gene editing methods. These tools can flip, remove, or insert massive pieces of genetic code in both plants and animals. To prove it works, they engineered rice that’s resistant to herbicides by flipping a huge section of its DNA—something that was nearly impossible before.

Johns Hopkins scientists grow a mini human brain that lights up and connects like the real thing

Scientists at Johns Hopkins have grown a first-of-its-kind organoid mimicking an entire human brain, complete with rudimentary blood vessels and neural activity. This new "multi-region brain organoid" connects different brain parts, producing electrical signals and simulating early brain development. By watching these mini-brains evolve, researchers hope to uncover how conditions like autism or schizophrenia arise, and even test treatments in ways never before possible with animal models.
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