Ariel E. Marcy
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PLOS,
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Cosmos Magazine
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Articles by Ariel E. Marcy
Red Planet slowly gives up oceanic secrets
There’s more evidence, if it was required, that Mars once hosted cool water in large volumes, which would have been an environment well-suited for microbial life to evolve on the Red Planet. Two new pieces of research released this week dovetail nicely with a third which describes a new method to detect fossils of microbial life that would be suitable to send to Mars on a rover.
New study finds Ryugu asteroid once had liquid saltwater
Another asteroid is giving up its secrets. At the end of January NASA found that asteroid Bennu contained 10,000 organic chemicals. Now Japanese scientists studying rare samples from the asteroid 162173 Ryugu have discovered several types of salt crystals amongst the dust. The crystals help tell a story that Ryugu once belonged to a larger celestial body in the outer solar system—and this parent body hosted warm salty water.
Moth employs novel optical illusion to appear 3D
A team of mathematicians and scientists needed x-ray tomography to confirm that wings of the fruit-sucking moth are, in fact, flat despite appearing 3D. The novel visual illusion is produced by specialised nanostructures found in select parts of the wing. Masquerading as an inedible object is a type of camouflage with stunning examples including butterflies that look like bird droppings and moths that look like snake heads.
New 30-million-year-old apex predator surprise in Africa
Palaeontologists working in the Egyptian desert have uncovered a nearly complete skull of a leopard-sized predator that would have been at the top of the food chain 30 million years ago. The skull represents a new discovery from the fossil-rich Fayum Depression, which has been excavated by different palaeontologists for over 120 years.
Giant carnivorous plant newly described to science
Inspired by photographs in old reports and on social media, an expedition of botanists trekked into the remote Meliau Range in Sabah in Borneo and confirmed a new and amazing species of pitcher plant. Then, they immediately realised it’s already endangered. The newly described Nepenthes pongoides has a remarkably large pitcher, the jug-like leaf that evolved to trap and digest insects for nutrients that are limited in the soil.
New study on 8 mummies reveal their smell
For the first time, archaeologists have conducted a systematic study of the smells emanating from ancient Egyptian mummies using instruments and human sniffers. The “pleasant smellscapes” reveal new details about mummification practices. Mummification in ancient Egypt likely began as a natural process driven by a hot, dry desert environment. However, evidence for artificial embalming keeps being pushed back with records of the practice as early as 3600 BCE.
how 1 unique insect survives Antarctica
The inhospitable Antarctic Peninsula hosts only one native insect, and scientists from Japan have just identified an unprecedented combination of adaptations that allow it to thrive in the extreme cold. The Antarctic midge is a tiny, flightless insect that lives most of its two-year life as a larva, the grub-like stage that follows the egg stage. (Complete metamorphosis in insects includes egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages).
Endangered kowaris in South Australia 4x their population
In a welcome spot of good news, researchers at Arid Recovery in South Australia have discovered that their small population of endangered kowaris has almost quadrupled in size. This is a promising sign for kowari conservation, and it gives researchers the opportunity to pinpoint why this unique Australian marsupial is declining in the wild.
3 decades of inner core research turns new page in textbook
A team of geophysicists using seismic data from more than three decades of earthquakes have found evidence that the Earth’s inner core isn’t completely solid. The new research sheds light on a hotly debated question in geology by showing that the surface of the inner core can change, and can do so on annual timescales. The findings could improve our understanding of Earth’s magnetic field, the life-sustaining barrier between Earth’s surface and the Sun’s barrage of solar radiation.
Astronomers find Einstein ring a “stone’s throw” away from Earth
A serendipitous image taken by the European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope allowed astronomers to spot a stunning new example of an Einstein ring. This extremely rare phenomenon occurs when a large space object acts like a lens and magnifies light from another object directly behind it. This was first predicted by Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which describes how the gravity of large objects, like galaxies, warp the spacetime fabric and alter the path of light.
crowd behaviour predicted by fluid physics
Scientists from France and Spain have applied the maths of fluid dynamics to human crowds, creating better predictions for crowd behaviour and a protocol for improved safety. Dense crowds create some of the most dangerous environments in modern society with dangers to individuals including suffocation, stampedes, and getting pressed against walls. Published in the prestigious journal, Nature, the researchers ignore previous approaches that focus on individual behaviour, and then scales up.
Plant crisis for 3,500 botanic gardens worldwide
In an analysis of a century’s worth of data on botanical gardens and arboreta, researchers reveal that global living plant collections have reached capacity, impacting their ability to meet scientific and conservation goals. The researchers argue for a global “meta-collection” in which the estimated 3,500 botanic gardens and arboreta worldwide work more closely to conserve threatened plant species.
ChatGPT leans left-wing, new study says
In a finding that might surprise many people, researchers comparing Open AI’s ChatGPT to average American opinions have found that the generative AI chatbot leans towards left-wing views in its responses. There is fear in some places that Large Language Models are being developed by businesses with well-known conservative bias, which encouraged a British-Brazillian team to investigate.
Watch this: take off as drone technology mimics a bird
Scientists have designed a small drone with a “bird-like” ability to fly quickly and safely through unfamiliar environments. The Hong Kong University team say their new micro air vehicle, dubbed SUPER, could assist first responders during disaster relief efforts or search and rescue missions into unknown areas.
3 male mating morphs driven by a single gene in bird
Scientists are closer to understanding the evolution of a peculiar bird which has three different ways to attract attention from females. The ruff sandpiper is a highly social, medium-sized wading bird that breed in leks. A lek is an aggregation of males gathered to engage in competitive displays and courtship rituals, known as lekking, to entice visiting females which are surveying prospective partners. Males fall into one of three types (or ‘morphs’) that differ in looks and behaviour.
New “supergiant” sea bug named after Darth Vader
Researchers perusing a Vietnamese seafood market have discovered a new species of crustacean that can weigh more than a kilogram. The discovery of the new supergiant isopod species, which can reach about 30cm, highlights how little is known of the deep-sea ecosystem in Southeast Asia. Supergiant isopods in the genus Bathynomus, also called sea bugs or bọ biển in Vietnamese, are deep-sea animals that have become expensive delicacies in the region.
New “supergiant” sea bug named after Darth Vader
The brightest comet of the year is set to appear in our night skies this week as it makes its 160,000-year orbit around the sun.Comet C/2024 G3 …
science for kids
Engineering, maths and chemistry inspired some of the most popular science activities for school students reading the Australian children’s science newsletter, Double Helix Extra (DHE). DHE is a sister publication to Cosmos magazine and has been published by the CSIRO – Australia’s national science agency – for over 12 years.
6 awesome science videos you have to see to believe
Science is just better with video. And often that video makes it easier to believe the new discoveries and inventions coming out of labs. Here are our top videos making science tangible in 2024. First, look on in horror as a leech leaps! Scientists used the video to settle a centuries-old debate on leech locomotion. Can elephants use tools to make mischief? It’s open to interpretation but at 2 minutes and 30 seconds in, Anchali (right) appears to figure out a way to prank Mary (left).
cook meat without heat
Warm weather pairs perfectly with a cool meal, and we have just the recipe. Ceviche (suh-VEE-chay) is a popular dish from Latin America that relies on lime juice to “cook” seafood without any heat. Just the idea for kids in the kitchen on or before Christmas and new year’s feasts. The team at Double Helix kids’ science magazine has adapted a ceviche recipe to illustrate how even weak acids can change the chemical properties of meat proteins.
20 STEM activities to engage kids this summer
This week marks the beginning of summer holidays for Australian school kids so why not enjoy science time with your kids, cooking, making rockets, creating bubbles or building an automatic flying fishing machine? To celebrate summer, we’ve hand-picked 20 hands-on STEM activities for kids from the Australian children’s science newsletter, Double Helix Extra (DHE).
1 damselfish's rare parenting skills come to the rescue
Australian-led researchers conducing fascinating research have documented an unusual example of “helicopter parenting” performed by males and females of the spiny chromis damselfish. The findings have ramifications for the makeup of coral reef communities. “In the marine environment the care of fish eggs is common, but caring for the tiny larval fishes after they hatch is rare,” says lead author Alexandra Grutter of the University of Queensland.
Firefly Sparkle shines light on 600 million year old universe
Astronomers have trained the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on a galaxy named “Firefly Sparkle.” But the young galaxy may not invite you to its birthday party as it is already accompanied by galaxies newly named “Firefly-Best Friend” and “Firefly-New Best Friend!” Firefly Sparkle does give astronomers a gift: the first glimpse of a typical galaxy in its early stages in the context of a very young universe.
Computer science role models dominated by 5 tech bros
A UK study confirms that secondary students lack diverse role models for computer science, likely compounding the industry’s known challenges surrounding diversity and inclusion. “We know from existing data and research that girls are underrepresented in computer science qualifications,” lead author Billy Wong of the University of Reading tells Cosmos.
Billionaire tech bros dominate children’s perception of computer scientists
Now Your brain is running old software. The same tired thoughts, predictable excuses, and familiar limiting beliefs play on repeat in your mind, keeping you stuck in patterns that don't serve your growth. You're capable of so much more, but first you need to crack the fabric of your reality by forcing …
New dinosaur fossils found in southern England
Palaeontologists – including a citizen scientist – have uncovered fossil evidence for a community of meat-eating dinosaurs in southeast England dating to 135 million years ago. The discovery marks the first time tyrannosaurs have been found in rocks of this age and location. In addition to Tyrannosaurus rex relatives, the University of Southampton researchers identified teeth belonging to spinosaurs and dromaeosaurs. All three groups are predatory dinosaurs known as theropods.
New study on mammalian neurons reveals unexpected shape
An unusual imaging technique and curiosity piqued by worms has revealed new insights into the nanoscale structure of mammalian brain cells, specifically the arm-like axons that pass signals between neurons. “Axons are the cables that connect our brain tissue, enabling learning, memory and other functions,” says senior author Shigeki Watanabe of John Hopkins University. These structures are about 100 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
A baby’s exposure to pets has lasting impact on allergies
Children on farms are less likely to develop allergies. A new study suggests that exposure to certain bacteria associated with animals in the first few weeks of life may explain this pattern. Scientists have identified infancy as a critical window for both gut microbiome diversity and immune system development. However, few studies have focused on gut bacteria diversity in the first few weeks of life and compared it to allergy development later on.
New green hydrogen game changing material
Scientists from Japan have developed new materials and methods to increase the efficiency and safety of a proof-of-concept green hydrogen reactor. The 100m2 reactor operated successfully outdoors, outside of laboratory conditions, for three years. Nevertheless, the authors conclude that many challenges remain to be solved before the technology can be a viable component of the clean energy transition. Hydrogen is a lightweight, energy-rich fuel famously used to power some rockets.
Top 5 activities of 2024
This year, we designed and tested a whopping 22 hands-on STEM activities! Here’s a roundup of the five most popular to keep you busy all summer: Pom pom cannon (engineering) Logic puzzles (maths) Splashy magic trick (chemistry/physics) Sky jar (Earth & space science) Giant cell cookies (biology) First up we have an engineering challenge: can you knock down all the targets with a toilet paper roll, a balloon and some pom poms?
2 biosecurity initiatives use citizen science to take on pests
The latest weapon in the war against invasive pests might be – you! A new report has identified that over a 12-month period, the alerts from members of the public who placed images on one website resulted in notifications for more than 150 species to 32 different agencies across Australia. Now two independent teams of scientists have connected the rise of citizen science apps and human curiosity to earlier detection of invasive species, and stronger biosecurity.
Watch a giant virus take over a cell
A team of Japanese researchers has filmed a giant virus infecting a cell using just a light microscope, a tool familiar to high school and university students. The team found evidence that their video enhances student understanding of the virus life cycle. One of the enduring challenges for biology educators is explaining microscopic processes and making them tangible.
Live and dead DNA separated from microbes discovered in driest desert
Microbiologists have developed a new technique that can separate the DNA of living microbes from that of the dead. The new life detection method has been tested in the extremely arid Atacama Desert in Chile and has the potential for use in other hostile environments, including on other planets. The Atacama is the driest hot desert on Earth largely because it sits between two mountain ranges that each create a rain shadow. It has been arid since the Jurassic period, 150 million years ago.
science for kids
Space is huge and explaining the vastness of space can be a tall order, especially to kids. The team at Double Helix, our partner publication, has brought this big concept down to Earth by creating a scale model of our inner solar system. You can create your own scale model using materials from around your home. It is a great activity to do with young people… or the young at heart. We were able to complete it in less than an hour but if you don’t have the materials on hand it will take longer.
New research demonstrates role of non-neurons in memory
A series of experiments has shown that neurons are not the only brain cells involved in memory recall. The study, published in Nature, could inform research into diseases of memory loss, like Alzheimer’s, as well as diseases where memories cannot be suppressed, like post-traumatic stress disorder. The brain’s remarkable adaptability, or plasticity, allows us to learn new skills, create new memories and respond to injury.
watch a mouse "whip it"
With an experimental setup worthy of a reality game show, scientists put the balance of healthy mice to the test and discovered new insights into how they use their tails. The results could inform research into neurogenerative diseases in humans despite our tail-lessness. Laboratory mice (Mus musculus) provide valuable models for human health and disease due to similarities in their genetics, biology and behaviour.
Outstanding Aussie awarded 1.25 million to fight lung cancer
An Australian, Dr Clare Weeden, has been awarded a fellowship and will return to Australia to set up a lab focusing on lung cancer, particularly in non-smokers. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in Australia and about 25% of lung cancers occur in people who have never smoked. “I am fascinated by how the air we breathe imprints upon our lung and may influence later disease,” says Weeden.
New research pits 11 giant rats against wildlife crime
Trained giant rats could fight illegal wildlife trafficking by sniffing out shipping containers at transport hubs to detect four common illicit products: elephant tusks, rhino horn, pangolin scales and African blackwood. The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth up to US$23 billion each year and represents a major conservation threat.
Robots test evolution in new experimental field
Palaeontologists have turned to robotics in an unusual attempt to recreate ancient life. The aptly named “palaeo-robots” could help scientists reconstruct how fish evolved to walk. Four-legged land animals such as frogs, humans and dinosaurs all evolved from a marine ancestor. The fossil record shows that this transition from water to land occurred about 390 million years ago. But exactly how these animals went from swimming to walking remains an open question in evolutionary biology.
Massive meteorite has silver lining for early life 3.26 bya
Around 3.26 billion years ago, an enormous meteorite slammed into Earth and surprisingly created conditions for some early lifeforms to flourish. Evidence of these lucky lifeforms was discovered and described by early-Earth geologists publishing in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The meteorite, inconspicuously named “S2”, was up to 200 times larger than the meteorite that killed off most dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
250+ ant species farm fungi thanks to asteroid
When an asteroid slammed into Earth 66 million years ago, it caused a mass extinction. Now researchers have evidence that this catastrophe ushered in the invention of agriculture by ants. “Extinction events can be huge disasters for most organisms, but it can actually be positive for others,” says Ted Schultz, curator of ants at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and senior author of the paper.
Fabric inspired by ocean animal designed for extreme weather
Engineers inspired by marine creatures have made a fabric that adjusts to your body heat and keeps you at a temperature of your choosing. Better yet, it is breathable and washable. The US-based team say their fabric could be used in athletic apparel, food packaging, infrared camouflage, soft robotics and biomedical sensing. Their research is published in APL Bioengineering.
New powerful malaria drug designed by scientists, MED6-189
Scientists inspired by marine sponges have developed a new antimalarial drug that is effective against drug-resistant strains of the deadly disease. The American-led research team published details of their new drug and how it works in the prestigious journal Science this past week. Malaria is spread by mosquitos carrying single-celled Plasmodium parasites. After a period of dormancy in the liver, the parasites invade red blood cells.
Heat-tolerant corals found across Great Barrier Reef
Australian scientists studying coral have identified heat-tolerant individuals at sites spanning the entire Great Barrier Reef. This good news suggests that some corals already have naturally occurring variation that could help them adapt to a warming climate. The Great Barrier Reef consists of over 2,500 individual reefs stretching over 340,000 square kilometres off the northeast coast of Australia.
Why are emu wings so tiny? Japanese scientists discover why
Biologists in Japan studying emus have identified a new developmental reason for their shortened and differently shaped wings. Emu embryos don’t develop muscles near the tips of their wings. A new study from the Tokyo Institute of Technology shows that without regular muscle movement, the wing bones don’t lengthen as much, and they fuse together in an irregular shape. Limb reduction and loss has happened several times in vertebrate evolution, notably in snakes, legless lizards and whales.
Saharan dust supports ocean life thousands of kilometres away
Scientists are unravelling the role of dust from the Sahara in supporting life as far away as the Amazon Basin and the Bahamas. It’s not the dust but the iron it contains which helps life to thrive, and as the dust travels through the atmosphere, the iron components change. The further dust-bound iron travels from the Sahara, the more bioavailable the iron is to marine life.
New findings confirm lizards scuba dive using special bubble
Researchers have found a type of lizard – referred to as the chicken nugget of the forest – that can hide underwater thanks to a special bubble they produce around their nostrils. Details of the scuba-diving lizards are published in Biology Letters. For animals that have adapted to live on land, air-based breathing limits the amount of time they can survive underwater.
new theory for behaviour
For palaeontologists, deducing the behaviour of long-dead animals is notoriously tricky. And new evidence can rewrite long-standing hypotheses. Case in point: research published in Current Biology presents a surprising theory for the unusual teeth of an ancient bird. Longipteryx chaoyangensis, a 120-million-old bird whose fossils are found in north-eastern China has an elongated, kingfisher-like skull with teeth found only at the tip of its beak.
New research shows eels can escape from predator's stomachs
For prey, entering the stomach of a predator is usually the end of the road. But, in a world first, a research team from Japan has used X-ray videography to show how Japanese eels escape after being swallowed. Unlike land-based predators that bite or tear at prey, many predatory fish feed by sucking smaller prey into their mouths and swallowing them whole.
Sea lion camera crews map the Australian ocean floor
Australian researchers have equipped sea lions with underwater cameras to map previously unexplored areas of the ocean floor. In Australia – and the world – ocean seabeds and the surrounding benthic habitats remain shrouded in mystery. Remotely operated robots can gather ocean floor data, but they are expensive, require certain weather conditions and are difficult to operate in remote, offshore areas.
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