How to become a fossil

A (hypothetical, but geologically plausible) sea level rise of 2 metres would flood large parts of the Netherlands.

So you want achieve everlasting fame by becoming immortalized in the rocks of our earth? Well, move to Amsterdam and join the local mafia! For the reasons why, you’ll have to follow me as I tell the longer story. You and I will not live forever. When we die we will leave behind our bodily [...]

Spitting with a segmented brain

The monstrous head of the velvet worm, including antennae (an), jaws (jw), slime papillae (sp) and legs (le).

The darkness is everywhere in this pitch black and humid forest. Unaware of the ancient hunter that is slowly wiggling its way through the undergrowth on its cute stubby legs, you are cleaning yourself after a long and tiring day. Suddenly, you’re stuck in a mass of glue and are no longer able to move. [...]

Smooth evolution: spider silk proteins

Spider-Man, a man of many... uh, one talent. Can shoot different types of webbing though!

Like a spider web, the evolution of spider silk proteins looks pretty complex. New research sheds some light on the evolution of these stretchy, sticky and tough proteins. Everyone knows Spider-Man’s main (and only?) talent is shooting sticky liquid from his “web-shooters”. Often his webs take the form of a rope that is perfect for [...]

Green eggs power solar salamanders

Close up of a single egg cell containing a salamander embryo and numerous algae growing within the egg. Source.

Scientists from the University of Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada have discovered photosynthetic algae living inside embryonic cells of the spotted salamander, providing them with extra power like a mean green energy drink. If true, this is the first known example of a vertebrate acquiring a new symbiont. The spotted salamander is a salamander species [...]

Bacteria force wasps to leave sex behind

Without male wasps to admire her, The Wasp married Ant Man.

An end to the blogging hiatus at last! I hope to entertain you with the fascinating story on how female wasps got rid of their men and sex in return for bacterial endosymbionts.. Despite the obvious benefits of pleasure and procreation, sex has other advantages. The genetic material of both parents gets mixed in new [...]

Bad science journalism the fault of chickens or eggs?

Ovocleidin-17 coordinates the carbon carbonate particles with its argenine residues, inducing crystallization.

News sites left and right are picking up a story that “Scientists solved the chicken or egg problem”. Google News aggregated 164 news articles at the time of writing, with more being added every minute. The typical introduction runs like this: It is the age-old question that has stumped the finest minds for thousands of [...]