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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Mythical' deep-sea creature — found by a submarine — is new species off Japan
About 300 miles off the coast of Tokyo, researchers aboard a deep-sea submersible sank below the surface of the water. Equipped with a small porthole and digital camera, the Shinkai 6500 sank to depths of more than 19,000 feet when it approached a shelf of volcanic rock, according to a study published July 24 in the peer-reviewed journal Zoosystematics and Evolution. The researchers peered out into the darkness and saw cone-like creatures attached to the rock, followed by 'a winding feeding trail' still visible in the sediment, according to the study. The shelled animal was considered 'very large,' reaching a size of nearly 2 inches long, and was identified as a limpet, or deep-sea patellogastropod. It was a new species and its discovery marks the deepest discovery of this animal group, researchers said. The limpet's shell is 'thin, translucent, bluish-grey, slightly elastic (and) possibly reflecting high organic content,' according to the study. The animal underneath the shell, when alive, is 'reddish brown' with an oval 'foot,' the 'fleshy' muscle that helps the animal move with an 'undulating edge,' researchers said. 'Several individuals were sighted from the viewport of the submersible, but only one individual (the holotype) was successfully collected,' according to the study. The genus, Bathylepeta, was described as 'enigmatic' and 'mythical,' because of its presence in the 'abyssal plains' of the deep sea compared to other higher regions of the ocean, researchers said. Bathylepeta wadatsumi, or the Wadatsumi limpet, was named after the god of the sea from Japanese mythology, which alludes 'to its very deep habitat,' according to the study. 'It is also a reference to the fish-man character 'Lark Monk' Wadatsumi from Eiichiro Oda's manga series 'ONE PIECE,' whose enormous body size is reminiscent of the large size that B. wadatsumi sp. nov. reaches for a deep-water patellogastropod,' researchers said. Related species were previously found off Chile and in the Weddell Sea, ranging from the southern hemisphere to the northwestern Pacific, suggesting the genus and possibly this species has an extensive range in the world's deep oceans, according to the study. 'The use of submersibles has been instrumental in accessing these habitats, allowing for direct observation and collection of organisms like Bathylepeta that were previously overlooked,' researchers said. The new species was found about 300 miles off the southeastern coast of Tokyo, on Japan's south-central coast. The research team includes Chong Chen, Miwako Tsuda and Yoshiyuki Ishitani.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Noble rot, the alchemist of wines, is setting fungal biology abuzz
In wine-making circles, 'noble rot' is an exalted name for the botrytis fungus (Botrytis cinerea). It infects grapes, penetrates the skin, causes the berries to lose water by evaporation and shrivel up, and thus concentrates the sugars and flavours in them. Since only a small percentage of grapes in a vineyard are infected, they must be picked by hand. This makes the picking process labour-intensive and drives up the cost. The crushed grape juice from rotted grapes is used to make high-quality sweet wines like the Sauternes of Bordeaux, the Trockenbeerenauslese of Germany and Austria, and the Tokaji Aszús of Hungary. They are also very expensive. Befitting its exalted status, the botrytis fungus was also found recently to exhibit an unusual idiosyncrasy. In all animals, plants, and fungi, the nucleus of a cell contains one or more sets of all of the chromosomes of the organism. This property of nuclei allows us to clone animals. Scientists can transfer such a nucleus, which contains all the DNA instructions, into an egg cell whose own nucleus has been removed and, in the right conditions, prompt it to develop into a new organism. But because of the idiosyncrasy, botrytis fungus cannot be cloned — nor can another fungus called Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. A team of researchers from Sichuan University in China and the University of British Columbia in Canada have made a startling discovery: in these fungi, no single nucleus contains a complete set of chromosomes. Instead, the chromosome set is distributed across two or more nuclei, and any one nucleus contains only a subset. These unexpected findings were reported in Science. Ascomycetes, asci, ascospores Botrytis and Sclerotinia are ascomycetes fungi. The first cell of a baby fungus born following a mating between two ascomycetes fungi is called the ascospore. All the subsequent other cells of the individual are derived from it. This is the defining feature of ascomycetes fungi. The ascospores are produced in a sac-like cell called the ascus (plural asci). An ascus, produced when two parental strains mate, contains two complete sets of chromosomes. In many well-studied ascomycetes fungi, eight ascospores are made in each ascus. All the nuclei of an individual ascospore are genetically identical. That is, they all have the same set of chromosomes. B. cinerea and S. sclerotiorum also make asci with eight spores. The researchers had no reason to suspect them to be any different. How are discoveries made? People are often curious to know how scientists make their discoveries. Most discoveries originate in experiments that did not work in the way they were meant to. Sadly, the converse is not true. The most common explanation for experiments that don't work the way were meant to is some kind of 'operator error' — i.e. a silly mistake of some kind: a growth medium was not properly made, the incubator was not set to the right temperature, the wrong strain was used, etc. Silly mistakes are more common than serendipitous leads. Not surprisingly, scientists get mad with experiments that don't work. But once in a while, this type of experiment is a harbinger of an unexpected discovery. This is the scientist's dilemma. Improbable versus true The research team set out to obtain mutants of S. sclerotiorum. For this they exposed the ascospores to ultraviolet light. Each S. sclerotiorum ascospore contains two nuclei. Both nuclei were assumed to carry the same set of chromosomes. UV-induced mutations occur at random. Therefore, it was highly unlikely the same gene would become inactivated in both nuclei of an ascospore. Consequently, a colony containing mutant cells was also expected to include a sector with non-mutant cells. The non-mutant cells would have nuclei descended from the ascospore nucleus with the non-mutant gene. But in the experiment, of the more than 100 mutant colonies the researchers examined, all contained only mutant cells. None of them had a non-mutant sector. This was most unexpected. Why weren't any non-mutant cells seen in these colonies? This observation set the researchers up for their Sherlock Holmes moment: 'When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.' Could the two nuclei between them contain only one set of chromosomes? Closer examination The researchers wrote in their paper: 'Because this prediction challenges established principles of chromosome biology, we conducted a closer examination of the ascospores' nuclei and chromosomes.' They used molecular probes that bind specifically to individual chromosomes, allowing them to say whether or not a nucleus contains the chromosome. When the probes were used individually, they lit up exclusively one nucleus per ascospore. The probe never lit up both nuclei. This meant the two nuclei harboured distinct chromosome sets. When both probes were used together, in some ascospores the signals showed up in only one nucleus and in other ascospores the signals were seen in both nuclei. This meant the distribution of chromosomes in the nuclei differed between ascospores. Further tests revealed that each nucleus of a S. sclerotiorum or B. cinerea ascospore contained only three to eight chromosomes. New questions The findings have already spawned many questions in the research community. What is the mechanism by which chromosomes are allocated to the different nuclei? How is genetic integrity preserved during cell division? What restores a complete set of chromosomes when the fungus mates, and with its mating partner forms new asci? Which genes and mechanisms are involved in chromosome sorting and regulation? What advantage does chromosome distribution confer to Botrytis and Sclerotinia? The questions have generated a new buzz in fungal biology. Right now, scientists doing research with fruit flies, nematodes, zebrafish, mice, and other model organisms might be envying those working with rot fungi — noble or otherwise. D.P. Kasbekar is a retired scientist.
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
Align Probiotic and Alison Sweeney Transform Classic NYC Streetscapes Into Unmissable Messages About Gut Health
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Occasional bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort are all signs that your gut needs attention. Yet, too often, we ignore the signs our bodies send us. Today, Align Probiotic — the #1 doctor and gastroenterologist recommended probiotic brand ‡ — is teaming up with award-winning actress and health advocate Alison Sweeney to make gut health impossible to overlook by creatively altering everyday New York City sights into powerful reminders to listen to your body. This unique activation will take place at the Oculus Plaza, where Align Probiotic will transform common NYC street elements into bold, attention-grabbing displays about digestive health. Visitors will encounter classic city fixtures strikingly reimagined as signs that it's time to pay more attention to your gut health: a street sign named "Bloating Ave," a park bench and a newspaper box vandalized with graffiti messages like "Gas" and "Bloating." The immersive installation will also feature local taxi cabs and a souvenir pop-up shop filled with items cleverly designed with messages your gut has been trying to tell you. This can't-miss experience serves as a powerful reminder that gut health deserves just as much attention as the signs we see every day. Alison Sweeney will be present at the Oculus Plaza to engage with the public, share her own experiences, and encourage everyone to tune into their gut health. 'Like most people, I'm constantly juggling family and work obligations, often tuning out the little signs my body occasionally gives me,' said Alison Sweeney. 'Together with Align Probiotic, our goal is to ensure people don't dismiss occasional feelings of bloating or discomfort but instead learn to listen to and trust their gut.' Align Probiotic features a unique strain, B. longum 35624™, which naturally helps maintain digestive balance and relieve occasional bloating and gas.* With this campaign, Align wants to emphasize the importance of taking care of one's gut and encourage consumers to listen to the subtle signals their bodies send every day. 'Occasional digestive issues can hold us back and make us feel uncomfortable. And with busy lifestyles, it's easy to overlook the signs our body is giving us, but there is a point when we realize we might be ignoring an important issue,' said Ryan Parker, Brand Director, Align Probiotic. 'That's why we're here – to help reframe the signs of digestive issues as your inner voice to be trusted. We want to help people see the signs, listen to their body, and take action. If you're experiencing and frustrated by occasional bloating and gas, this is your gut giving you a message. It's a sign that it's time to try Align." Iconic signs are everywhere, not just in your gut! Align Probiotic is extending the message nationwide by hosting a sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip for two to visit an iconic American 'sign' (Hollywood, Welcome to Las Vegas, or Radio City). To enter, consumers can follow, like and tag a friend in the campaign post on Align Probiotic's Instagram page @AlignProbiotic. The sweepstakes encourages everyone to tune into their gut health, ensuring that this critical wellness priority receives the attention it deserves. To learn more about Align Probiotic, please visit ABOUT ALIGN PROBIOTIC Align Probiotic has a variety of daily probiotic supplements for everyone in the family to help support a healthy digestive system.* The digestive benefits in our Align 24/7 Digestive Support *§ capsules come from a unique strain of bacteria only found in Align. In the 1990s, a group of gastroenterologists and microbiologists began researching probiotic strains, and they discovered Bifidobacterium 35624™ – which helps relieve occasional bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort* and is backed by 20+ years of research. Along with Align 24/7 Digestive Support *§, some of our other most popular products are: Bloating Relief + Food Digestion, which has a probiotic to relieve occasional bloating* and Vitamin B12 to help break down food into cellular energy*; Women's Dual Action, which has probiotics to help support vaginal health and a botanical to help support monthly mood balance*; and DualBiotic gummies which has a prebiotic to help nourish good bacteria and a probiotic to add more good bacteria to the gut* Even medical experts prefer Align, as it is recommended over 2 times more often than any other probiotic brand by gastroenterologists. ‡ ABOUT PROCTER & GAMBLE P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. ‡Among doctors and gastroenterologists who recommended a brand of probiotic in a ProVoice 2024 survey.
Chicago Tribune
03-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Libertyville group racing to save piece of pre-Civil War history; ‘Something from … an organization that made a difference'
Hanging in a shaded hallway of the Ansel B. Cook Home in Libertyville is a six-foot-tall artifact from the prelude to one of America's darkest chapters. It's a dark silk banner, hand-painted in 1860, emblazoned in gold with the name of a group that is only just being recognized again — The Wide Awakes, a national grassroots organization known for their strong support of the Republican Party and opposition to slavery during the election that would put Abraham Lincoln into the White House. The Libertyville Historical Society is racing to save the rapidly deteriorating 165-year-old banner by fundraising $30,000 to have it expertly restored and placed in a museum-grade display case, with $24,000 in funding already secured. Jenny Barry, president of the historical society, said the banner's painted image of a torchlight parade, an iconic sight for the Wide Awakes, is dried and cracked, and there is some paint loss. Seams are coming apart and the silk, known to be delicate, will need to be stabilized, she said. Restoration will also reveal the banner's long-unseen reverse side, solving a century-old mystery about the possibility of a 'Liberty and Union' inscription on the back, a release said. The banner offers a peek into a relatively obscure group during a critical moment in American history. Barry said it's also one of the few pieces of evidence of the Libertyville community's participation in the Wide Awakes movement, and an example of the level of activism in a community much smaller than it is today. 'We know very little about Libertyville Wide Awakes. There's not a roster or anything that exists,' Barry said. Only a handful of members have been identified through newspaper references, and historical society members have been conducting long-term research to discover others. The Wide Awakes were known for their marches and torchlight parades, Barry said, where they would move in different formations wearing oilcloth capes and carrying torches. A reproduction of the outfit and a pair of original torches sit by the banner. 'It was quite a spectacle, as we understand it,' she said. The banner was awarded to the Libertyville branch during a grand rally in conjunction with a stump speech for Lincoln's campaign, according to Barry. The winning team was whichever brought the most marchers compared to the number of Republican voters in the town in the prior election. Libertyville, which had 63 Republican votes in 1858, brought 73 people, she said, and won the banner. It was of some importance to the community, Barry said, appearing on display several times decades later. It's been in its current case since around 1927, she said, and while she wasn't certain how long it's been displayed at the house, it's been decades. With restoration, the unique banner can be saved for another 165 years, and continue to offer a window into a 'divisive' time in the nation's history, Barry said. 'I think history is often difficult, especially national events,' she said. 'It's very hard to feel a connection to. This is actually a physical representation of something from that time and an organization that made a difference.' She expects the banner will be moved in the fall, and restoration is anticipated to take six to seven months before it's returned home. She encourages people to see it before it's restored, as well as look at their exhibit of Civil War-era ladies' attire displayed on the house's first floor.
Los Angeles Times
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
If people taking care of our elders get deported, will anyone take their place?
She rides three buses from her Panorama City home to her job as a caregiver for an 83-year-old Sherman Oaks woman with dementia, and lately she's been worrying about getting nabbed by federal agents. When I asked what she'll do if she gets deported, B., who's 60 and asked me to withhold her name, paused to compose herself. 'I don't want to cry,' she said, but losing her $19 hourly job would be devastating, because she sends money to the Philippines to support her family. The world is getting grayer each day thanks to an epic demographic wave. In California, 22% of the state's residents will be 65 and older by 2040, up by 14% from 2020. 'At a time where it seems fewer and fewer of us want to work in long-term care, the need has never been greater,' Harvard healthcare policy analyst David C. Grabowski told The Times' Emily Alpert Reyes in January. So how will millions of aging Americans be able to afford care for physical and cognitive decline, especially given President Trump's big beautiful proposed cuts to Medicaid, which covers about two-thirds of nursing home residents? And who will take care of those who don't have family members who can step up? There are no good answers at the moment. Deporting care providers might make sense if there were a plan to make the jobs more attractive to homegrown replacements, but none of us would bet a day-old doughnut on that happening. Nationally and in California, the vast majority of workers in care facilities and private settings are citizens. But employers were already having trouble recruiting and keeping staff to do jobs that are low-paying and difficult, and now Trump administration policies could further shrink the workforce. Earlier this year, the administration ordered an end to programs offering temporary protected status and work authorization, and the latest goal in Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration is to make 3,000 arrests daily. 'People are worried about the threat of deportation … but also about losing whatever job they have and being unable to secure other work,' said Aquilina Soriano Versoza, director of the Pilipino Workers Center, who estimated that roughly half of her advocacy group's members are undocumented. In the past, she said, employers didn't necessarily ask for work authorization documents, but that's changing. And she fears that given the political climate, some employers will 'feel like they have impunity to exploit workers,' many of whom are women from Southeast Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America. That may already be happening. 'We've seen a lot of fear, and we've seen workers who no longer want to pursue their cases' when it comes to fighting wage theft, said Yvonne Medrano, an employment rights lawyer with Bet Tzedek, a legal services nonprofit. Medrano said the workers are worried that pursuing justice in the courts will expose them to greater risk of getting booted out of the country. In one case, she said, a worker was owed a final paycheck for a discontinued job, but the employer made a veiled threat, warning that showing up to retrieve it could be costly. Given the hostile environment, some workers are giving up and going home. 'We've seen an increase in workers self-deporting,' Medrano said. Conditions for elder care workers were bleak enough before Trump took office. Two years ago, I met with documented and undocumented caregivers and although they're in the healthcare business, some of them didn't have health insurance for themselves. I met with a cancer survivor and caregiver who was renting a converted garage without a kitchen. And I visited an apartment in Panorama City where Josephine Biclar, in her early 70s, was struggling with knee and shoulder injuries while still working as a caregiver. Biclar was sharing a cramped studio with two other caregivers. They used room dividers to carve their space into sleeping quarters. When I checked with Biclar this week, she said four women now share the same space. All of them have legal status, but because of low wages and the high cost of housing, along with the burden of supporting families abroad, they can't afford better living arrangements. B. and another care provider share a single room, at a cost of $400 apiece, from a homeowner in Panorama City. B. said her commute takes more than an hour each way, and during her nine-hour shift, her duties for her 83-year-old client include cooking, feeding and bathing. She's only working three days a week at the moment and said additional jobs are hard to come by given her status and the immigration crackdown. She was upset that for the last two months, she couldn't afford to send any money home. Retired UCLA scholar Fernando Torres-Gil, who served as President Clinton's assistant secretary on aging, said 'fear and chaos' in the elder care industry are not likely to end during this presidential administration. And given budget constraints, California will be hard-pressed to do more for caregivers and those who need care. But he thinks the growing crisis could eventually lead to an awakening. 'We're going to see more and more older folks without long-term care,' Torres-Gil said. 'Hopefully, Democrats and Republicans will get away from talking about open borders and talk about selective immigration' that serves the country's economic and social needs. The U.S. is not aging alone, Torres-Gil pointed out. The same demographic shifts and healthcare needs are hitting the rest of the world, and other countries may open their doors to workers the U.S. sends packing. 'As more baby boomers' join the ranks of those who need help, he said, 'we might finally understand we need some kind of leadership.' It's hard not to be cynical these days, but I'd like to think he's onto something. Meanwhile, I'm following leads and working different angles on this topic. If you're having trouble finding or paying for care, or if you're on the front lines as a provider, I'm hoping you will drop me a line.
