Octo Brains | Thirsty Bears | Brain Builder

Fully embracing being thankful this week, we’re looking back at 3 animals I’m most grateful for: octopus, tardigrade, and axolotl.

As always, I’m extremely grateful for YOU reading this and hope you’re having a great weekend!

-Steve

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Octo Brains

Great minds think alike! While studying octo-brains, researchers found active LINE transposons, or jumping genes, which also exist in human brains.

• LINE = Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements

• Act as a copy/paste function likely aiding in learning processes

• Found in two common species: Octopus vulgaris and Octopus bimaculoides

This is an example of convergent evolution, when unrelated species adapt similarly over time. It could explain why octopi are far more intelligent than most other invertebrates...and escape rooms.

Why are they called TENtacles if there's only eight?

Thirsty Bears

A lot of bears hibernate, water bears just do it when they’re dehydrated. Scientists recently learned more about how tardigrades survive years without water.

• Tardigrade = micro-animals that survive in extreme environments up to 10 yrs.

• Enter “tun” (suspended animation) when facing life-threatening conditions

• Unique CAHS proteins form gel-like filaments to support cell structure

Those filaments put everything on pause until the tardigrades’ next sip of water. Researchers spliced these CAHS proteins into human and insect cells to study improved organ and vaccine storage. Or at least make me less thirsty.

Teddy bears do not share this feature, trust me

Brain Builder

Axolotls are so smart, they regrow their brains. Researchers mapped the telencephalon region, then removed a section to learn how these dragon-like salamanders regenerate brain tissue.

• Telencephalon has a large impact on animal behavior/cognition

• Phase 1: Specialized progenitor cells begin healing

• Phase 2: Those cells turn into neuroblasts (newly discovered in axolotl)

Regeneration is completed in phase 3, when those neuroblasts turn into previously removed neurons. Learning how these slippery salamanders build their brains back could lead to advances in regenerative medicine. And finally create the ultimate trivia champ.

Extra brains? More like “ask-a-lot-ls”

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “What is your preferred fastening mechanism?”

If you only use zippers, is it possible for someone to push your buttons?

st3v on site

Thankful “Animals”

And just like that, st3v became the first earthling to interview an alien.

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Catch-up here: 🔬Trypto Fan | Good CRISPRol | Fantastic Plastic

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