Witness the breathtaking view of Mimas, Saturn’s intriguing moon, set against the stunning backdrop of the gas giant’s northern latitudes. This celestial dance reveals the captivating beauty and complexity of our solar system.

🔭 @science

#science

🌿🦎 Meet Uroplatus phantasticus: The Leaf-Tailed Gecko from Madagascar! 🦎🌿

The Uroplatus phantasticus, also known as the satanic leaf-tailed gecko, is a master of disguise native to the enchanting island of Madagascar. This incredible reptile has perfected the art of camouflage to blend seamlessly with its surroundings, making it nearly invisible among the leaves and bark of its forest home.

With its leaf-shaped tail and intricate body patterns, the Uroplatus phantasticus truly lives up to its name—its camouflage is nothing short of fantastical! Whether you're a nature enthusiast or a curious learner, this gecko is a perfect example of the wonders of evolution and adaptation.

Stay tuned for more fascinating facts about the incredible wildlife of Madagascar! 🌍✨

@science
#Herpetology #Madagascar #LeafTailedGecko #WildlifeConservation #Camouflage #Nature

Phobos: One of Mars’ Intriguing Moons

Phobos, one of the two moons orbiting Mars, presents a fascinating subject for scientific exploration. This celestial body orbits at a distance of 6,006 kilometers from the Martian surface and is gradually drawing closer to the planet. Over time, this proximity will lead to significant changes in its orbit, offering unique opportunities for study.

🔭 @science

#science #space

Bees Returning Home with Their Shopping Bags!

Bees come home with packages after their shopping trips! These industrious insects have special “pollen baskets” on their hind legs, which look and function like tiny pockets. These structures are held in place by bristles and hairs, making them perfect for carrying pollen.

By the way, we owe plant biodiversity to bees. They have proven to be highly effective pollinators, outcompeting other insects in this vital role.

🔭 @science

#science #bees

🐎📜 The Domestication of Modern Horses: A 4700-Year-Old Journey 📜🐎

Paleogenetic studies have revealed fascinating insights into the domestication of modern horses, tracing their origins back to approximately 4700 years ago. Researchers analyzed the DNA of 475 ancient horses and discovered that the ancestors of all modern domesticated horses were first tamed around 2700 BCE. This pivotal event took place in the Pontic-Caspian steppe.

Key genetic evidence for this domestication comes from extensive regions of homozygosity in horse genomes, indicative of inbreeding and deliberate human selection. Early breeders likely aimed to cultivate horses with desirable traits. By the end of the 3rd millennium BCE, these ancient horse breeders managed to reduce the generational interval significantly, from 7.4 years to 3.5 years, possibly to meet the rising demand for horses.

The widespread distribution of horses beyond the Pontic-Caspian steppe began around 2200 BCE. However, another potential candidate for the title of first horse breeders is the Botai culture from the Eneolithic era in northern Kazakhstan. Archaeological evidence from the 4th millennium BCE, including artifacts resembling horse enclosures and possible traces of mare's milk in pottery, suggests early horse management practices.

While new research supports this theory, it also shows no signs of inbreeding among Botai horses. Nonetheless, a reduction in generational intervals in this population suggests that the Botai people might have engaged in horse breeding, albeit not on a large scale.

Stay tuned for more discoveries as we unravel the ancient history of horse domestication! 🌍✨

#Paleogenetics #HorseDomestication #AncientHistory #Archaeology #Genetics #Science

Why do astronauts train underwater?

It’s all about neutral buoyancy. Neutral buoyancy is a process that creates conditions mimicking weightlessness on Earth. This is achieved by completely submerging the subject in water and balancing gravitational forces to near zero in any position. This neutral buoyancy helps astronauts prepare for space missions.

📹 Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Russia

📌 @science

In this animation from the surface of Mars, we can observe several fascinating phenomena. Beyond the distinctive terrain of the Red Planet, we can see dust devils and wind gusts lifting dust into the air. Additionally, the frames reveal points appearing and disappearing in various locations. These points are caused by charged particles arriving from the Sun during a solar storm. When these particles strike the navigation camera's sensor, they create such artifacts.

📹 NASA's Mars Rover Footage

📌 @science

Global Skills Report 24
The sixth annual Global Skills Report is a vital resource for leaders and institutions navigating the evolving skills landscape. This report, based on data from over 148 million learners and 7,000 institutional customers, and partnerships with 325 leading universities and industry partners, highlights the profound impact of generative AI (GenAI) on the workforce.

🌸 Epiphyllum oxypetalum: The Queen of the Night

Did you know there’s a flower that blooms only one night a year? Meet Epiphyllum oxypetalum, affectionately known as the “Queen of the Night.” This enchanting flower captivates with its breathtaking beauty and ephemeral nature, making its brief appearance all the more magical. Stay tuned for more fascinating facts about this nocturnal marvel! 🌙✨

Follow @science for more intriguing stories from the world of science!

“Oral Counting in a Village School”, a painting by the Russian artist Bogdanov-Belsky, created in 1895, offers a fascinating glimpse into the educational practices of the time. The scene depicts a classroom where young students, around 9-10 years old, are engaged in solving a complex arithmetic problem written on the blackboard:

(10² + 11² + 12² + 13² + 14²) / 365

Remarkably, one of the students has already worked out the solution in his head and is whispering the answer into the teacher's ear.

@science #history #science

Did you know that newborn shrews have very poor vision? To navigate, they form a “caravan” by biting onto the tails of their siblings, with their mother leading the way. This incredible behavior ensures they stay together and safe.

Interestingly, shrews grow up rapidly and become fully independent in just one month! Nature’s way of ensuring these tiny creatures thrive despite their initial vulnerability.

@science #science

Exciting Discovery in the Amazon Basin: New Vegetarian Piranha Named After Sauron’s Eye!

Scientists have recently discovered a new species of vegetarian piranha in the Amazon Basin, naming it after the iconic Eye of Sauron from “The Lord of the Rings.” This unusual fish, Myloplus sauron, was found in a tributary of the Amazon River. It caught the attention of researchers due to its distinctive vertical black stripe on a light-colored body, reminiscent of Sauron’s eye.

Interestingly, Myloplus sauron joins a group of animals named after the literary villain, including a beetle, a frog, and a genus of butterflies.

Despite its formidable name, this species is quite harmless. Unlike its carnivorous relatives, Myloplus sauron follows a vegetarian diet. This dietary preference is due to their unique square-shaped teeth, which closely resemble human teeth. Over time, these teeth have adapted to allow the fish to feed on fallen fruits, crush seeds, and nuts. Under favorable conditions, these fish can grow up to 1 meter in length and weigh up to 20 kilograms.

Stay tuned for more fascinating discoveries from the world of @science!

No, This Anteater Doesn’t Have Two Heads!

At first glance, it might look like this anteater has two heads, but in reality, the second “head” is one of its front legs. This fascinating feature is an excellent example of both warning and camouflage coloration in nature.

While the anteater is busy foraging for food, its leg, which mimics the appearance of a second head, always remains “on guard.” This clever adaptation helps protect the anteater from potential predators, ensuring it stays safe while it searches for its next meal.

Discover more amazing examples of nature’s ingenuity on our @science channel!

Yes, This Lizard is Sitting on a Finger. And It Really is That Tiny!

What you’re looking at is an adult male chameleon, Brookesia nana, the smallest known reptile. These incredibly tiny creatures belong to an endemic genus of chameleons found only in northern Madagascar and the nearby islets. Unlike many of their tree-dwelling relatives, Brookesia chameleons live primarily on the ground in forests.

With around 30 known species, all Brookesia chameleons are remarkably small. Brookesia nana, described only in 2021, measures just about 22 millimeters (including the tail) in adult males, while females are slightly larger at around 29 millimeters.

Why are these chameleons so small? Molecular analysis suggests that the miniaturized Brookesia species diverged from other chameleons about 40-50 million years ago. Today, they inhabit the northern part of Madagascar, a region with complex terrain that promotes high microendemism. Their tiny size is likely an adaptation to their highly restricted habitats. For instance, Brookesia micra was discovered on the 270-hectare islet of Nosy Hara, with an estimated population of 100,000-150,000 individuals.

Stay tuned for more incredible insights into the fascinating world of reptiles!

This is How the Road to Grindavik, Iceland Looks Now

Following a recent volcanic eruption, the lava flow has spread across several kilometers, blocking the main road to the town of Grindavik. The dramatic landscape transformation is a stark reminder of the powerful geological forces at work in Iceland.

The region, known for its volcanic activity, has been significantly impacted, with the molten rock cutting off vital access routes and reshaping the terrain. As the lava cools and solidifies, it creates new landforms, but also poses challenges for the residents and infrastructure of Grindavik.

Stay informed about the latest developments in volcanic activity and its effects on our planet on our @science channel!

These Beetles are True Drilling Machines!

Observe the female oak weevil (Curculio glandium) as she expertly drills into an acorn by moving her head side to side, using her elongated snout like a drill. These beetles, part of the weevil family, not only consume the flesh of acorns but also use them as a nutritious and safe nursery for their larvae.

To lay eggs, the female searches for a suitable acorn using her sensitive antennae located on her snout. The best candidates are young acorns that haven’t hardened yet or those with existing cracks. Once she finds the right acorn, she uses her long ovipositor to lay one to four eggs in the drilled hole before moving on to find another acorn.

As the acorn matures, it falls to the ground, where the larva chews its way out and burrows into the soil to continue its development.

Stay tuned to our @science channel for more fascinating insights into the incredible world of insects!

🦎 Aquatic Anoles: Nature’s Divers! 🦎

Did you know that the aquatic anole (Anolis aquaticus) can breathe underwater using a natural “scuba tank”? These amazing lizards can stay submerged for up to 16 minutes! They achieve this by storing air in a special skin pouch on their head and throat.

Discover more about the incredible adaptations of wildlife with us! 🌿🔍

🌏 @science

🚀 Historic Lunar Soil Return by China! 🚀

For the first time in history, China has successfully returned soil samples from the far side of the Moon. The capsule, released from the Chang’e-6 probe, landed in northern China with the aid of a parachute. Chinese television network CGTN shared the video of the landing.

The collected materials are estimated to be around four billion years old, offering invaluable insights into the Moon’s ancient history. Excitingly, China plans to launch the Chang’e-7 probe in 2026 and Chang’e-8 in 2028.

Stay with us for more groundbreaking updates in space exploration! 🌌🔭

@science