Spidey Butts | Anti-Agene | Blood Clot Beats

Internal dialogue: “This is a serious publication sharing the wonders of science.”

Actual dialogue: “Let’s talk about spider butts!”

-Steve

Get the coolest STEM news in 5 minutes every Saturday, Join The Convo!

Spidey Butts

Choosing to not do 8-legged squats, sea spiders regrow their butts and legs the old fashioned way. Researchers recently stumbled upon the arthropod’s regen abilities.

• First regrown limb observed after accidental dismemberment in a lab

• Follow-up study: watch 19 spiders re-grow removed hind parts

• Some fully recovered while others lived on without missing parts

Bottomless spiders learned to regurgitate waste the way it came in. Arthro-adults failed to regrow parts, suggesting the ability is related to premature molting processes. At the time of this writing, Spiderman has not responded to research inquiries.

Sea-spider x-rays look like ginger roots

Anti-Agene

To delay aging, scientists asked the experts: centenarians. More specifically, they identified a gene that turns back biological time.

• LAV-BPIFB4 was found more frequently in centenarians

• Halted heart decay in middle-aged mice

• While elderly mice lived the equivalent of 10 extra human years

LAV-BPIFB4 is considered a “healthy mutant” gene, which explains its rarity. This early stage discovery won’t let us live forever, but it could give more time to those suffering from heart failure. I can’t wait to see “Gene, the healthy mutant” join the X-men.

Do these genes make me look young?

Blood Clot Beats

Specially-shaped ultrasound waves can break up blood clots. Scientists developed a transducer to treat CVST without drugs.

• CVST = cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, increases brain blood pressure

• Ultrasound dissolves the clot in < 30 min (drugs take 15-29 hrs)

• Carried to the clot via surgically-inserted catheter

The transducer emits waves in spiral patterns that rapidly carve through clots. It has only been tested in 3D-printed models, but scientists will move to animal testing soon. Soo like, is the sound person a DJ?

Sounds ultra-cool

Clickables

• Watch a giant squid enjoying the surface

• Poop-eating plant evolved into a toilet

• Look at this dinosaur’s pretty face

• Alpha-toad that could eat small mammals

• This shirt hides you from facial recognition

st3v on site

Spidey Squats

Spiderman's arachnopowers fall just shy of leg regeneration, so he's been putting in work in the multiverse gym. (st3v is taking some well-deserved PTO, so DALL·E stepped in for the comic this week)

DALL·E writing prompt: comic book style spiderman squatting a barbell in the multiverse

Forward to a friend!

Did someone forward this to you? Join The Convo!

Missed last week’s Convo?

Catch-up here: 💬 Booger Bubbles | Lethal Lollipop | Poop Power

Want to chat?

Reply to this email or reach out on Twitter @_steveburgess. I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!