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  • 菲律賓國旗

  Early periods are a problem, and what your kid eats may make an impact, study suggests

  A new study in Human Reproduction found that diet plays a significant role in when girls begin menstruation. Children who ate more inflammatory foods had a 15% higher chance of starting their period within the next month, while healthier diets reduced the risk by 8%. Early menstruation, influenced by both genetics and environment, is linked to higher risks of breast cancer, heart disease, and diabetes later in life, said study author Dr. Holly Harris.Researchers analyzed data from over 7,500 children ages 9 to 14, using two dietary indexes to assess inflammation and diet quality. Notably, the connection between diet and menstruation remained even after adjusting for BMI, suggesting factors beyond body fat contribute. Healthy diets included fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, nuts, and legumes, while inflammatory diets featured red meat, processed foods, refined grains, and sugary drinks.Overeating high-calorie foods may contribute to earlier onset of menstruation.Experts emphasize the importance of providing children with healthier meal options both at home and in schools to help reduce risks associated with early puberty.

  2025-06-13 09:00
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  • 菲律賓國旗

  A rare Archaeopteryx fossil was kept from scientists for decades. Its first-ever analysis reveals ‘one wow after another’

  A recently acquired Archaeopteryx fossil at Chicago&rsquos Field Museum provides remarkable 3D preservation, including soft tissues rarely seen in other specimens. Using UV light and CT scans, scientists discovered tertial feathers, crucial for powered flight, suggesting that Archaeopteryx could fly, though likely for short distances. Other findings indicate ground foraging habits and early developments of flexible skull movement seen in modern birds.This fossil strengthens Archaeopteryx&rsquos role as a key evolutionary link between non-avian dinosaurs and modern birds. Its excellent preservation offers new insights into one of the most significant transitions in Earth&rsquos evolutionary history, where certain dinosaurs survived the mass extinction and evolved into today&rsquos birds.This fossil slab, acquired by the Field Museum in 2022, may not look like much to the untrained eye, but the "spectacular" specimen has yielded a wealth of information about the earliest known bird. Delaney Drummond/Field MuseumResearchers stress the importance of public scientific access to such rare fossils, as private ownership can hinder research for decades. With more analysis underway, scientists believe this remarkable specimen will continue to reveal new details about the early evolution of birds.

  2025-06-12 09:00
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  • 菲律賓國旗

  This fragrance company is trying to recreate the scent of extinct blooms

  Future Society, a biotech fragrance company, is using DNA sequencing technology to recreate the scents of extinct flowers. Partnering with Harvard University Herbaria and Ginkgo Bioworks, the team extracts DNA from preserved plant specimens, some over 150 years old, to identify scent molecules. These molecules offer a glimpse into the aromas of flowers that no longer exist.Founder Jasmina Aganovic explains that the process isn&rsquot exact, as scent involves complex combinations of hundreds of molecules. DNA is inserted into yeast to produce certain scent profiles, but perfumers ultimately blend natural, synthetic, and bioengineered notes to recreate the fragrances. The results are artistic interpretations rather than perfect replications, with evocative names like Grassland Opera and Invisible Woods.Among the recreated scents is Solar Canopy, based on Hawaii's extinct hibiscus hibiscadelphus wilderianus. Other perfumes pay tribute to species like orbexilum stipulatum and South Africa&rsquos Leucadendron grandiflorum. Each perfumer approaches the data creatively, combining scientific insights with botanical context to guide the compositions.The fragrances have evocative names such as Grassland Opera and Invisible Woods. Erik Jacobs/Future SocietyWhile similar technology is used in de-extinction projects, Aganovic emphasizes that Future Society isn&rsquot reviving entire species but exploring personal expression through scent. She stresses the limits of technology in restoring lost relationships between humans and nature, noting that while we may replicate biology, the cultural and ecological connections are irreplaceable.

  2025-06-04 09:00